Genesis 1:26a English Standard Version (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
Some have different expressions of what God meant when He declared His desire to create mankind. Perhaps it is in His creative process that we want to see the need for our relationship with God. Let us revisit that moment one more time,
God said let us, meaning God was the Trinity, all three in one form, one purpose, united in the creative process. Man became a focal point for the outpouring of all that God is in purpose and character. Beyond creator, His secondary expression is love. Love wants an object to pour itself out upon, like casting a light.
But why the image of His likeness? Why that expression?
The Hebrew word for image here is tseh’-lem; from an unused root meaning to shade; a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol:—image, vain shew.
Light shines on an object and creates a shadow. The shadow is cast upon the ground. The object of affection is not the source of light, nor the source of love, but the shadow is a sign that the light, the love, has been cast upon man.
Look to the last description, a vain show. Once again we turn to scripture to explain scripture.
Romans 8:20-21 English Standard Version
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
God subjected us to futility, that vain show, in order that some of us might obtain the freedom we gave up when man gave in to sin.