Dominion

The language of dominion given to humanity in verse 26 is explicitly royal language in the ancient world. Kings exercised dominion. To be given dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every living creature on earth is to be commissioned as a royal steward — a vice-regent placed by the Creator King to represent His rule over His creation. This is an enormous dignity. Every human being carries a royal commission. But it is also an enormous responsibility. A steward answers to the one who appointed him. The dominion we exercise over creation is not ownership — it is delegated authority held in trust, accountable to the God who made it all and declared it very good. How we treat the natural world is a direct expression of how seriously we take our royal commission.