A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of May 17-21, 2021
MONDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
God said to the Godhead that they should make man in their image. Immediately after He said it, He said they would give man dominion over the earth and every created being in the earth. What does dominion mean? Dominion means “control, or the exercise of control over. Sovereignty.” God is sovereign and He gave man the same sovereignty on the earth. Whatever God does it lasts forever. He never cancels His plan for man. Since man has dominion over the earth, he has responsibility for the government of the earth. When man fell, this responsibility was not cancelled. Man is still responsible and being held accountable to God for the affairs of the earth.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Isaiah 33:24 ~ No one living in Zion will say, “I am sick”; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
May 17: Numbers 26, Psalms 69, Isaiah 16, 1 Peter 4
May 18: Numbers 27, Psalms 70-71, Isaiah 17-18, 1 Peter 5
May 19: Numbers 28, Psalms 72, Isaiah 19-20, 2 Peter 1
May 20: Numbers 29, Psalms 73, Isaiah 21, 2 Peter 2
May 21: Numbers 30, Psalms 74, Isaiah 22, 2 Peter 3
May 22: Numbers 31, Psalms 75-76, Isaiah 23, 1 John 1
May 23: Numbers 32, Psalms 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2
TUESDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
Dominion implies authority. Man must have authority over all the earth, and the created beings of the earth. This authority was perverted in the fall of man, but is restored in redemption. Even in the perverted state, man still has authority to rule and reign on the earth. Perverted dominion causes many of the extremes that we see in the governments of the earth. When we see dictators abusing people it is a form of perverted dominion because God never gives men dominion over one another. We must submit to governments, but God requires all men who rule to be just, ruling in the fear of the Lord. He assures the peace and safety of all men by requiring this.
WEDNESDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
Dominion requires ability. Where does the ability to rule come from? It comes from continual contact with God. When Adam walked with God in the cool of the day, he communed with God and received instructions from God for the rule of the earth. As Adam learned from God, he exercised authority over the earth through God’s empowerment. God’s word empowered Adam just as it does us today. The ability to rule comes directly from the throne of God. When we rule in the fear of the Lord, we receive the best God has to offer. We receive the blessings of God.
THURSDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
Dominion implies provision. The provision of God is abundance. When God gives to us, there is an overflow because El Shaddai is the provider. He can never provide in a skimpy fashion. We should expect the overflow wherever God provides. His vision never fails, so He expects us to have enough for “the whole earth.” Wherever our dominion extends, we are expected to have provision to meet that need. Our God makes total provision for everything that He gives us to do. All we need to do is obey and worship Him and stay under His sovereign authority.
FRIDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
Dominion also implies protection. There was protection for the man and the woman, even before the fall. When God gave the man instructions to “tend the garden,” that meant that Adam could remove any animal from the garden that disturbed the environment of love, peace and faith. When the serpent began to beguile the woman, they both had the authority to protect themselves from the serpent’s words. After the woman was enticed by the serpent, she still had the power of choice and could have chosen not to disobey God. This protection through obedience to God’s word is afforded to us again by the new birth. When we come into right relationship with God, we can exercise dominion for the good of His Kingdom.