1. Let Us Make Man
“Let Us” Make / “In Our” Image
And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26)
The “Plural” Reference “Us” To the Making Of Man
This is probably one of the most common mistakes made when reading this passage; the words “us” and “our” as mentioned in (Genesis 1:26) did not confirm, nor does it endorse the allegation that more than one person actually had anything to do with the creation of man. The mistake that usually occurs is that many people jump to a conclusion before the outcome has actually been stated. The following is a demonstration of how erroneous conclusions are drawn:
One day a child (Johnny) was playing in his backyard with several of his neighborhood friends. On that particular day there had been a heavy snowfall. The child came up with the idea of building a snowman. So the child made a statement to his friends “let’s go to the schoolyard and build a big snowman.”
One of the parents who happen to be outside shoveling snow at the time overheard the conversation but thought nothing about it.
Now if this was the only information presented to you, there remains more than one possible outcome. We are not told how many children, if any, actually went to the schoolyard; and at this point we are not provided with the names of the children (or child), who all actually participated in building the snowman. What we are provided with is the identity of who came up with the thought (Johnny) and what the child wanted to accomplish, which was building this creation that didn’t exist at that time (a snowman).
As you can see, we need more information to conclude what actually happened in the end. Who actually ened up building the snowman. We need the testimony of someone who claims to had participated in this creation (the building of a snowman). The same is true with the creation of man. The argument is usually between God alone created everything or God created everything through Jesus. Therefore we need the testimony of at least one of the individuals present at the time the creation occurred in order to make an informed decision which is necessary for us to be able to draw an accurate conclusion. So let’s get started.
Although (Genesis 1:26) does not tell us everything it does however indicate that this statement was made by God, but to whom? God is possibly making this statement to at least one other individual and the first step on our part is to determine whom? From all the information we have been given in the word of God, who else could have been present during God’s creation of man?
Who existed before man was created other than God? What is the most plausible explanation as to whom this phrase “let us” and “in our image” may be referring to in (Genesis 1:26). The best way to address what this passage is indicating is to first acknowledge that it should maintain harmony to the overall presentation of God according to the written word of God.
Who Was God Talking To?
Was God Talking To Another God?
According to Scripture there is only one God (Deuteronomy 4:35, 4:39, 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6, 18, 22; Ephesians 4:6) therefore we can rule out God (The Father) talking to any other god or anything that went by the title of “God”, (i.e., “God the Son”, “God the..”) because that concept is not supported by scripture and that wording is not found in the Bible.
Was God Talking To One Person or A Group of Persons?
Here again we have no basis for a definitive answer to that question. We can speculate, but a wise man will remain silent when the word of God is silent, because at best any theory would be pure speculation. We have no reference to the timeline for the creation of angels or any other spiritual beings; it is simply not recorded for our knowledge. Most scholars agree, more so than not, that spirits existed prior to the creation of man, however, again this is purely speculation.
If we accept (Genesis 1:26) as God “literally” having a dialogue with someone else, most scholars would agree that God would have been speaking to someone (one or more ) that is said to be of a heavenly nature or body (a spirit being), since God himself is said to be a spirit (John 4:24).
There is nothing in the Old Testament Scriptures to support God talking to Jesus. Jesus is not recorded as being present during the Old Testament accounting of the creation. Jesus is supported by scripture to be the seed of David (part of David lineage) and as the son of Mary. David and Mary are not documented by scripture to have been present during this conversation either.
Did God Use Someone Else To Assist In His Creation?
Regardless how you interpret the language used in Genesis 1:26, when it is all said and done (Genesis 1:27) makes clear that it was God by himself (singular) who made man and that man was made in his image (singular) and not their (plural) image.
We know the Bible says God alone created everything, which means he did not have any help, there was no assistant creator recorded. (Isaiah 44:24)
“Thus saith the LORD(H3068), thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD(H3068) that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;”
We know Jesus (by that name) is not mentioned in the Old Testament. However, the Messiah’s physical birth and purpose are prophesied and recorded in the Old Testament. We also know that the LORD(H3068) (which means Jehovah) is the only person mentioned in the Old Testament as being the creator.
One final point I would like to bring to light is that it is ludicrous to even think that God would have all of the patriarchs noted in the Bible; Abraham, Job, Moses, David, etc., all believing and worshiping him as the “LORD” their God and their creator, if this were not the case. And Jesus who later comes on the scene as the “Son of God” never once proclaims himself to be “God” or the “Creator” of anything.
This concept of Jesus being the creator of man is unfortunately a man-made concept. This is all because of the rendering of 2 Greek words found in only 4 verses of the New Testament (See: Frequently asked Questions About Creation; 1. Who is the Creator, God or Jesus?) and occurs due to human intervention and the publishers who control what translation is entered, printed and distributed.