1. God blessed them (28a)

God did not create mankind to be miserable, but to be happy. He blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number.' Their first joyful task was to fill the earth with people who, like themselves, bore God's image. Man's misery comes from sin, not from God (Ch 3).

2. God gave them mission (28b)

In verse 28, God gave mankind a blessed command; he commissioned them to do the work for which they were created. He commanded man to subdue the earth--to cultivate it, and to rule over the animal world. This command establishes spiritual order. God is over all; man obeys God; man rules the world. God's command opens the door to all study, research and work that is done for the glory of God, for the happiness of mankind and for the well-being of all created things. Man was created for mission. Men without mission cannot be happy.

Application: Father, help me to know you and stay in your will so that I may know and do the work you have for me to do.
One Word: Man = mission