One of the reasons I find the dominion mandate in Genesis fascinating is the way it addresses so many current day issues.
Take racism...
We've grown accustomed to using racial characteristics as a reason for division.
But ultimately, we're all part of one race -- the human race -- made in the image of God... sharing our beginning in the first man, Adam, and Eve, who is the mother of all living (Gen.3:20).
When the first humans refused to carry out the dominion mandate and spread out into the world, God brought judgement -- by confusing their language and leading them to separate from one another (Gen.11).
As a consequence, people with the same language hung together. They became genetically isolated, and distinct physical traits -- like skin color -- emerged among groups.
But they were -- and still are -- all part of the same race descended from Adam.
This is why the Bible says, "He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26).
And though the world has its varied tribes and nations, we're all really the same...
...with the same origin, the same fallen nature, and the same need of redemption.
Which shows...
The real way to overcome racism is to look beyond what we call racial differences and see what we have in common.
And look to Jesus Christ... who as Savior and Lord restores and unites all peoples (Gal.3:28).
While in Adam we all die, in Christ we are all made alive... to live according to the design God has for us (1 Cor.15:22).