"In the Beginning" (Genesis 1-3)

A couple things to point out about the Creation story from the beginning of Genesis. Scholars note that there are actually two stories that are combined to make one. The first story comes in Genesis 1 and ends at Genesis 2:3. This is the earliest source and it’s story focuses on the creation of the cosmos, the whole shebang, in seven, consecutive days! Story A also points to the vital doctrine known as imago dei, that human beings, both male and female together, are created in the image of God.

The second story, Story B, coming from a second, later source, begins in Genesis 2:4 and continues through the end of the chapter 3. This story focuses on the earth and how it all began with a Garden called Eden and a man Adam. It is in this second story that we get the controversial tale of Eve being created from Adam’s rib.

In Story A, man and woman are created together in the image of God. In Story B, Adam is created first and then Eve. That is a noticeable difference.

Story B also tells the familiar story of the two trees, Adam, Eve, the serpent, and that horrible fruit. Western Christianity has come to call it the story of the Fall.

Whole libraries have been written on the two sources of Genesis. I’d like to focus on something a little more specific. There is a singular connection between both stories, though, one I’d like to focus on. That connection is summed up with the Hebrew word, breath.

Genesis 1:2 paints the picture of the Spirit of God hovering over the waters, and God speaking the universe into being. That word spirit, ru-ah in Hebrew, can also be translated “breath” or even “wind.”

Imagine a person with her head out of a body of calm water. She breaths over the surface of the water. If you look close enough, you'll see ripples in the water. Then she speaks. You'll likewise see ripples in the water. Depending on the force of her words, it might be small ripples or bigger ripples, even waves.

Try speaking without breathing out. Speaking depends upon breathing. Speaking entails breathing. Speaking in fact is a certain kind of breathing. Science confirms it, too. Speaking and breathing go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Well, just as God breathes the cosmos into being according to Genesis 1, God breathes life into living beings, most notably into human beings, the human spirit included.

God speaking creation into being and God exhaling life into human beings, they are both part of the same creative process of God. God’s very breath is a creative reality at work in the universe. In other words, creativity is at the heart of God.

So, all of you artists and craftspeople (e.g., carpenters), you tap into the work of God by doing what you do!

Okay, I’ll stop here – next week I’ll discuss Genesis and the Big Bang!