January 2008

by Justin Long The “Dominion Mandate” in Genesis 1:28 fascinates me, although I would perhaps rename it the “Fulfillment Mandate.” Most interesting is the Hebrew word male’. Although translated ‘fill’ by most translations, it has another connotation: to fulfill—to complete a thing’s destiny. For example, verses like “in the fullness of time” or “the time came for these things to be fulfilled” use male’. I believe God has given every individual and every community of believers the mandate to fulfill a place. We are to be a blessing both to the place and to the people in the place. Israel [...]