Dominate With Love

“Then God said, “Let us make man (mankind) in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

“So God created man in his own image,…male and female he created them.

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 ESV

Dominate. A verb meaning to have control.

Cambridge Dictionary gave me these examples:

1) He refuses to let others speak and dominates every meeting.

2) It's astonishing to think that only a few years ago Communism dominated eastern Europe.

3) The skyline is dominated by smoking factory chimneys.

4) Despite dominating the game, United couldn't score and lost 2-0.

Is that what we are talking about? In the beginning, God entrusted humanity with dominion over the Earth and its numerous inhabitants. But what does that really look like?

I started thinking about this as I was loving on my animals last week. I thank God regularly for bringing these three into my life. The timing was right. The animals were right. I love them and they love me. I care for them and provide for them, and they very much need for me to take my role seriously.

I think every TV watcher has probably seen the old Sarah McLachlan commercial where she is mournfully singing the song “In the arms of an angel” as images of abused cats and dogs slowly come and go on your screen. It’s an ad put out by the SPCA to end animal cruelty.

Dog fighting is a type of blood sport that turns game and fighting dogs against each other in a physical fight, often to the death.

Cockfighting is a blood sport involving roosters, held in a ring called a cockpit.

There is even fighting fish. Siamese fighting fish are native to Southeast Asia and are forced to fight in Thailand while spectators bet on a winner.

That is domination.

"Dominate" is a root word of "dominion." Both words share the common root "domin," which is derived from the Latin word "dominus," meaning "lord" or "master."

"Dominate" is a verb that means to have control or power over something, while "dominion" is a noun that refers to sovereignty, control, or authority over a territory or domain.

This dominion, the dominion The Word talked about at creation, is not about domination; it's about stewardship. It’s about caring. Instead of wielding power ruthlessly, it's about tending to the property. This means nourishing the flora, ensuring the well-being of fauna, and keeping harmony with our fellow inhabitants, the animals. We have been entrusted with an awesome responsibility!

"You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart." Psalm 104:14-15 ESV

Responsible dominion also involves treating farm animals with dignity, granting them space to roam, and providing proper nourishment. The flip side of that would be dominating, where profit-driven factory farming practices prioritize money over the welfare of animals.

Proverbs 12:10 says, "Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel." ESV

This verse emphasis the importance of caring for the needs of animals; even animals headed for butcher.

Back in the early days of my life (early to mid 60’s) the men in my family were hunters. They hunted deer every season and the family ate venison every year. It’s what you did to help put food on your families table. But the practice of trophy hunting has always struck a raw nerve with me. Killing for fun and then hanging the head of that dead animal on the wall or making that animal’s fur into a rug for bragging rights has always turned my stomach. I remember as a young child staring into the “eyes” of a trophy mount at my uncles house. It was freaky. I didn’t like it then; I don’t like it now.

I apologize if I have struck a nerve! Truly, but I believe pursuing and killing animals for sport is in direct odds with the concept of responsible dominion, which requires us to protect and preserve, not kill, and destroy. It's about nurturing, protecting, and cherishing the world around us, not putting notches in our gun or trophies on our wall.

The difference between dominating and exercising dominion is monumental!

One is similar to a bully in a dusty schoolyard at the end of a hot afternoon, while the other resembles a calm presence, like a cool breeze, on this magnificent abode called Earth.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us that "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." ESV

The Earth belongs to God, along with everything and everyone in it. We were given the task; no, the awesome responsibility, of being His caretakers. Do we take that job seriously? I hope so.

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." Genesis 2:15 ESV

Adam was a steward of the Garden of Eden. We carry that torch. Let's opt for the role of a thoughtful presence. Let's uphold our duty as caretakers and do our part to preserve the splendor of our shared cosmic home. Jesus is coming soon. There will be an end to domination, but I believe we will always be caretakers.

The prophet wrote of the new earth:

"They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isaiah 65:21-22 ESV

Yes, we will for eternity be caring for the earth in a perfect environment, but, by making choices today that demonstrate respect for the planet and all its inhabitants, we honor the Divine charge of dominion here and now.

by Jeanette Stark – Monday, October 9, 2023