The First Words God Spoke Over Man: Five Blessings for a Purpose-Driven Life
When God created Man, He didn’t leave us to wander aimlessly. The first words He spoke over man weren’t random or casual—they were a divine declaration, directional intent, a blessing packed with purpose, authority, and promise. In Genesis 1:28, these words are: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule…’” This isn’t just a historical footnote; it’s a foundational mandate that echoes through time, calling every man to live with intention and impact.
Let’s unpack this verse and discover the five distinct blessings woven into God’s first words over us—blessings that still shape our identity and calling today.
1. God Blessed Man to be Fruitful
“Be fruitful…” God’s opening command is a call to produce, to create, to bear fruit that reflects His nature. This isn’t limited to physical reproduction—it’s a charge to cultivate a life of abundance in every sphere. In John 15:8, Jesus echoes this: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Fruitfulness means your life leaves a legacy—whether through your work, your relationships, or your faith. It’s about stewarding what God has given you to bring forth something good, lasting, and God-honoring. A fruitful man doesn’t just consume; he contributes.
A man is most like his Creator when he creates.
2. God Blessed Man to Multiply
“…and increase in number…” This second blessing is about expansion. God didn’t design us to stay small or stagnant. He wired us to grow, to multiply what’s in our hands—our talents, resources, and influence. Think of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants who multiplied what they were given were praised, promoted, and personally rewarded, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked.
Multiplication is a mindset. It’s seeing potential where others see limits. It’s raising up others, building families, communities, and movements that carry God’s purpose forward. A man under this blessing doesn’t hoard; he invests.
3. God Blessed Man for Influence
“…fill the earth…” Here, God calls us to spread out, to take ground, to make His presence known across the world. This isn’t about domination for selfish gain—it’s about extending the culture of heaven wherever we go. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls us salt and light, agents of transformation in a tasteless, dark world.
To fill the earth means your life has reach. It’s not about staying comfortable in your corner but stepping into new places—geographically, relationally, or culturally—to bring God’s goodness. A man of influence doesn’t retreat; he advances.
4. God Blessed Man with Authority
“…and subdue it…” This fourth blessing is a call to take charge. The word “subdue” implies there’s resistance—chaos, disorder, or challenges that need to be brought under control. God didn’t create a passive humanity; He gave us authority to shape our environment. Romans 16:20 promises, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Subduing isn’t about brute force—it’s about disciplined strength. It’s mastering your own impulses, taming the wildness within, and bringing order to what’s broken around you. A man of authority doesn’t shrink back; he stands firm.
In my book, Seven Laws Which Govern Increase and Order, I teach the Principle of Order and how God is a God of Order.
5. God Blessed Man to have Dominion
“…Rule…” The final blessing crowns us with responsibility. To rule is to govern wisely, to lead with justice and care, reflecting God’s heart. Psalm 8:6 marvels at this: “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” We’re not tyrants but stewards, entrusted to manage God’s creation.
Dominion is leadership with purpose. It’s guiding your family, workplace, or community with integrity and vision. It’s exercising power not for self, but for the flourishing of others. A man of dominion doesn’t drift; he directs.
Living Out the Five Blessings
These five blessings—fruitfulness, multiplication, influence, authority, and dominion—aren’t abstract ideals. They’re the DNA of a godly man’s life. When God spoke to them, He wasn’t just addressing Adam; He was speaking to you and me, embedding His purpose into our very being.
But here’s the catch: blessings aren’t automatic. They require response. Adam didn’t sit back and wait for fruit to fall into his lap—he worked the garden (Genesis 2:15). We, too, must step into these blessings with faith and action. The Fall fractured our ability to live them out perfectly, but through Christ, Eden is restored, and our work becomes worship. Colossians 1:10 urges us “to live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
What does this look like practically? A fruitful man pours into his craft, creating value—a multiplying man mentors others, raising the next generation. An influential man carries God’s light into dark places. An authoritative man masters his temptations and brings order to chaos. A ruling man leads his sphere with wisdom and grace.
The Call to Rise
God’s first words to man weren’t a suggestion—they were a commission. They reveal who we’re meant to be: men of purpose, not passivity. Too many of us settle for less, drifting through life without claiming the fullness of what God has spoken. But the Creator’s voice still resounds, calling us to rise into these five blessings.
In a world that often strips men of their God-given identity, we need to reclaim this mandate. The culture may tell us to shrink back, to chase comfort over calling, but God says, “Be fruitful. Multiply. Fill. Subdue. Rule.” That’s not a whisper—it’s a charge.
Take the 45-Day Challenge
So, how do you step into this? It starts with intentionality. I’ve seen countless men transformed by taking small, consistent steps toward a purpose-driven life. That’s why I’m inviting you to join the 45-Day Challenge at FivestarMan.com.
Over 45 days, you’ll dig into these five blessings and discover how to live them out authentically. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. You’ll get practical tools, biblical insight, and a community of men walking the same path. Whether you’re leading a family, building a career, or seeking God’s direction, this challenge will sharpen your focus and awaken your calling.
God’s first words over you weren’t an accident. They’re your inheritance. Will you claim them? Head to FivestarMan.com today and take the 45-Day Challenge. Let’s rise together into the men God created us to be.
Neil Kennedy is the founder of FivestarMan, a movement dedicated to awakening authentic masculinity through biblical principles and purposeful living.
