THE BREATH OF LIFE.

A LIVING SOUL

The first four days Elohim made the earth habitable. Gen. 1:20-23 on day five He created fish and birds. Can you see the whales and dolphins jumping? The eagles, hawks, geese flying? The sparrows, hummingbirds, cardinals, and parrots…are filling the trees! Do you hear the chirping and the splashing?

Let's read Genesis 1:24-26.  On day six, Gen1:24  Elohim said let the earth produce every sort of animal…As someone who loves animals I would love to have seen the earth covered with all different kind of animals.  The earth was coming alive!

How do you picture the activity?  Can you hear the sounds?

 Can you hear the roar of the lion, the trumpet call of the elephant? Hoof beats of a herd of horses? The elk as he lifts his head and heralds his call to his mate?  The wonder of it all.

On day six Genesis 1:26 "Elohim said let Us make man in Our image after Our likeness.

Make (Hebrew -asah )(aw-saw) Accomplish, appoint, bear, bring forth, execute, fashion, furnish, govern, grant, labor, be occupied, warrior, work, man, yield, use.

What stands out to you in this Hebrew word for "make"?

Image...Hebrew- tselem ( tseh-lem) to shade, resemblance, a representative figure, and image.

Likeness - demuwth ( dem-ooth)  resemblance, model, shape, like fashion, likeness, manner, similitude, to compare, to resemble, liken, consider, compare, devise, think, be like, similitude's.

What are your thoughts on image and likeness?

I was taken with "A representative figure and resemblance"…I can't think of anyone I would rather resemble than God.

In chapter 1:26 "Let them have dominion." Dominion - Hebrew -radah (raw-daw) a prim root. To tread down, subjugate, specifically to crumble off.  To have dominion, prevail against, reign, bear, rule, make to rule, ruler over, take ruler ship.

            Wow! Man was made to rule; to have dominion.

What do the words "rule and dominion" mean to you?

I see responsibility.  A trust given to one. A responsibility to be a representative of the

Creator.  His trust, to use this responsibility in the right way.  This very day we bear His resemblance, His likeness, His dominion (through Christ). We have this trust to be a representative of our Creator. (There is a saying "To whom much is given, much is required.)

What are your thoughts on being a representative of the Godhead in this world?

            There are two things that stand out to me about what we just learned about Adam, he was a warrior and he had dominion.  But did he know he had an enemy? Did he know he was the "Keeper" of Eden? (Awe the mysteries of God.) I always have so many questions.

Let's read Genesis two: 3-8.

 God blessed the seventh day and set it apart and He rested. There is a Rest of God for our souls…when we get into the" I Am's "of Jesus…we will look at the finished work of Christ in whichwe  rest. In the Ten Commandments He commands mankind to have a Day of Rest. we rest.

This might be a good thought to meditate on this week…resting in the finished work of the cross.

Rest is Shabath (shaw-bath) to repose, desist from exertion, celebration, still.

            In verse four… Elohim becomes Lord God.  Jehovah Elohim (or haw-yaw. Elohim.)

He goes into greater depth on the creation of man.
Jehovah means Lord...Lord Elohim. Jehovah is a Covenant God. It is only when Genesis speaks of mankind that Elohim becomes...Jehovah Elohim.  Lord God.

Vs. 7 The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground…

Formed -Hebrew- yat-sar (yaw-tsar) squeezing into shape, to mold into a form, especially as a potter. To determine, earthen fashion, form, frame, make, potter, purpose, press.

 Have you ever felt that God is the potter and you are the clay?

Is. 64:8, Jeremiah 18:6, and, Revelation 2:27.

Man- Adam ( aw-dawm) ruddy, human being, mankind, person, to show blood in the face, flush or turn rosy, to be dyed red, ruddy.

Adam was made from dust - aphar (aw-fawr) dust (as powdered or gray) hence-clay -earth, mud, ashes, dust, earth, ground, mortar, powder, rubbish.

            As I was doing this study I had an experience with the Lord.  Perhaps because I am a visual person and learn visually I see in my minds eye as I study. I would like to share it with you.

            I was standing at a distance and I saw the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Adam lay on the ground…all his systems were in place (he was a "Go" as they say when a shuttle is ready to launch into space…"It's a go") There was no life in Adam, because there was no breath.

            I approached (and remember that word, "approached") Father God. "Papa God (which is what I call Him) can you hold back the breath?  You know what this is going to cost the Godhead…what Jesus will have to endure if this breath is given. Can't we spare Jesus this suffering?"

            I approached Jesus, my Savior, my Best Friend, and my Lord. "Lord, do You have to give Adam breath…the suffering, the abuse, the cross. Lord, I don't want you to go through that." (I sound like Peter don't I)?

            I approached the Holy Spirit, my Helper, my Comforter, my Teacher, the One Who lives within my spirit. "Dear Holy Spirit could you hold back Your breath…you know the cost."

            Then I was at a distance again. Looking at the three of them. If the breath wasn't given then I would not be able to approach each one.  They would no longer be my God.  Papa God would not be my Papa.  Jesus would not be my Lord, Savior and Friend.  The Holy Spirit would not be my Teacher, Helper, Counselor, the One Who lives in my spirit.

And I would not Be.  I would have no being.

I saw that it would be a loss for the Godhead.  There would not be Gloria, there would not be you!  The breath had to be given. We were the price of that breath.  They longed for us.  In the foreknowledge of God (which is beyond my comprehension) they knew each one of us and we are Their Joy!  More then we long for that intimacy and fellowship with our God.  They longed for intimacy and fellowship with us and put the plan into place, before the foundation of the world: "The Lamb which was slain from the foundation of the world." Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God." Oh God, the wonder of Your love for us. Let the Lord be praised!

Do you know you are His joy? God so loved......that He gave His Only Begotten Son that if.......
would believe in Him, you would not perish but have everlasting life. (Put your name in the spaces. That is the Love of God for you and me. He gave so we could live.

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.   NKJV "A living being."

AMP notes: The same chemical elements are found in man and animal life that are in the soil. This scientific fact was not known to man until recent times, but God was displaying it here.

Life Application Study Bible..." From the dust of the ground" implies that there is nothing fancy about the chemical elements making up our bodies. The body is a lifeless shell until God brings it alive with His "breath of life".  When God removes His life-giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust.  Our life and worth, therefore, come from God's Spirit.  In reality, our worth comes not from our achievements but from the God of the Universe, Who chooses to give us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life. Value life, as He does.