I can imagine what fun the task was Adam had to fulfil [1]. Naming all the animals. At stages probably very challenging. At other stages, it was easy. Day after day having the opportunity to meet animals, thinking of a name that can fit and then giving it to him! Most likely this could have been a lively discussion point with God when walking with him at sunset, sharing what he did. Not academically, latinistic names according to scientific criteria. Just naming. However, simple as this sounds, there lies quite an important number of items behind this request.
- The nature of God’s relationship with Adam. God allows him to share in his creation of nature. One could have expected that the Author of creation would hold this task for Himself – as He did up to now. But he does not. This is the first task Adam is given. The first-time human being accepts responsibility for a task delegated from God to him. Adam can become involved in creation. A delegated authority. But this was also not simply a “physical work” exercise to do. Adam had to think. He had to observe animal behaviour and then name them. And God? He sees Adam as a part of his creation plan and includes him in creating earth and the animal kingdom. The beauty of this is of course when the Bible says whatever Adam named an animal, was his name. God sanctioned what Adam did. Oh, what a wonderful learning we can take from here!
- Whatever the nature of the name-giving task was, it tells us something of God’s interest in His communication with Adam. His initiative, His engagement. And Adam responds to it.
- Adam’s task to engage with the animal kingdom. His engagement with authority from God. By naming animals, a relationship is established. Naming means engaging with creation. You will not name something if not caring for it. Tragically this principle in the second chapter of Genesis was ignored and abused. But it remains a challenge and responsibility for mankind, and specifically Christians. As namegivers, we are in a caring relationship with nature. A delegated relationship was the first task man has received.
- Thus, two relationships are being highlighted: our relationship with God and our relationship with the creation. This is why the New Testament emphasises the “new creation”, the “new heaven and earth” and in some places the animal kingdom in the “new creation”.
“Lord Jesus, help me to develop my relationship with you. Make me aware of my responsibility in this world. Help me to treasure and care for your creation”.
[1] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ge 2:19–20 “19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals”.