Last week we jumped back into Genesis 2 and wrestled with how does this ancient text relate to today, much less relate to the creation story in Genesis 1? We dialoged around the beauty and the mystery of not simply reading the text through our 21st century, American eyes, but that when we take the time to dive deeper, we can see that there is more lurking below the surface.

We also stated Genesis 1 is a broad, overview look at creation and Genesis 2 zooms in on what I believe is creation’s Divine intention, formation, and invitation.

Remember, Israel’s creation account wasn’t about the how, it was about the who, Yahweh, God was the creator. With that being true, when we dive into Genesis 2, we see that God had intention, that God was forming, and that God was inviting, we don’t only see that in creation, but we see that throughout all of life.

Which should lead us to ask the question, where in my life do I need understand the Creator, God’s intention, how do I see his formation and what is he inviting me into?
Let’s reread portion of last week’s passage,

Genesis 2:4-7- 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

The first thing we noted last week was, God’s intention at creation was to bring life. He did this through water and breath.

Last week we talked about how water for the ancients meant chaos or destruction, there was fear surrounding water. But that God was sovereign, ruled over the water, because he told the water where to go and how water was a life source.

Which meant any time we saw water, spring, or well within scripture it is an indicator that God’s intention was to bring life, Living Water.

This week, which is part two of our conversation we are going to look at God’s intention to bring life through breath. I know we’ve talked about it before, God breathing the breath of life into us. But this imagery is so powerful, the breath of life. God’s breath into us. As well as breath is a reference to Spirit (ruach), the breath of God is God’s Spirit being breathed into us. Jot this passage down in the margin of your Bible by verse 7, Isaiah 44:3-4.

Now take a moment to read it. “For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.

Eden language of divine life through water and Spirit. As you read this passage, God giving us imagery for life, what impacts you personally? Where in your are you dry or thirsty? How do you need his water or (Spirit) breath to bring you life?

Take some time with this imagery and passage and write something to God in return.