“Work and keep” refers to the same calling as “subdue and
have dominion…” God commissions us for exploration, work, mission, dominion and stewardship
of His creation.
This is not about being bossy or using others for selfish gains. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus defines how we should exercise our authority: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Level 2
The same words (in Hebrew, shamar and avad – keep and work) appear together in the Bible in a worship context. We could unpack them as “Serve your God and keep His Word”.
Even before woman was created, God entrusted Adam to serve God and to keep His Word. In fact, the service proceeds from and is shaped by keeping and understanding God’s Word.
After first human being had turned away from God in the Fall, it was Adam who was held responsible. Why? It wasn’t him who was tempted and who first disobeyed. But it was Adam who was entrusted with teaching and guarding God’s Word.
Genesis 3:17-19:
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, “You shall not eat of it,” cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The consequences of disobedience will be felt in his primary tasks. This is still the case today. Work comes with difficulties and challenges. We can also see the consequences in relationships, when men don’t want to serve but instead abuse their power.
Summarizing, this is what we need to take away – men are designed and created for mission, task, exploration, discovery, adventure, protection, and all of that – in self-sacrificial service to others. These are their unique purposes, much more about this in later sessions.
Watch video and engage conversations on “Wisdom 4 Relationships” course.
This is not about being bossy or using others for selfish gains. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus defines how we should exercise our authority: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Level 2
The same words (in Hebrew, shamar and avad – keep and work) appear together in the Bible in a worship context. We could unpack them as “Serve your God and keep His Word”.
Even before woman was created, God entrusted Adam to serve God and to keep His Word. In fact, the service proceeds from and is shaped by keeping and understanding God’s Word.
After first human being had turned away from God in the Fall, it was Adam who was held responsible. Why? It wasn’t him who was tempted and who first disobeyed. But it was Adam who was entrusted with teaching and guarding God’s Word.
Genesis 3:17-19:
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, “You shall not eat of it,” cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The consequences of disobedience will be felt in his primary tasks. This is still the case today. Work comes with difficulties and challenges. We can also see the consequences in relationships, when men don’t want to serve but instead abuse their power.
Summarizing, this is what we need to take away – men are designed and created for mission, task, exploration, discovery, adventure, protection, and all of that – in self-sacrificial service to others. These are their unique purposes, much more about this in later sessions.
Watch video and engage conversations on “Wisdom 4 Relationships” course.
Created with
