Holy Spirit as Wind: Breathing Life

Genesis 2:7

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. ~ NRSV

The Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. ~ NET

God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul! ~ The Message

And Hashem Elohim formed the adam of the aphar min haadamah, and breathed into his nostrils the nishmat chayyim; and the adam became a nefesh chayyah. ~ Orthodox Jewish Bible



The purpose of breath is life.

The purpose of the Spirit is life.

First thing God does with this new being is to breathe life into it. To take dirt - soil, dust, "aphar" or loose earth - and turn it into a flesh and blood human being.

The Spirit breathes life into us.

When we find someone particularly lively, we call the spirited, don't we?

As if the Spirit is something they are dancing in!

And when they are depressed, they are dispirited.

As if the breath of life is a struggle to reach for them.

It is no accident, I think, that the first example of the Holy Spirit we have is one of breath, or wind. It is the first act of the Spirit to give life.

It is the purpose of God in a nutshell - to give life.

Jesus spoke often of being here to bring life: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10).

Or as one of my favorite singers, Bruce Springsteen says: it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.

Because that's what God wants for us. That's what God put us here for. 

That's what God breathed into us!


Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to live the life you have given me abundantly and with purpose! Amen


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