A Living Being
Genesis 2:4–7
The Lord God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7

The phrase translated “a living creature” (actually, “living soul”) in Genesis 2:7 is also used in Genesis 1:24 of the animals. But as a result of the particulars of man’s creation given in the second chapter, a distinction is undoubtedly implied. Not only is man alive, he knows he is alive. Even more important, he knows from whom that life has come and of his duties to the God who breathed his own breath into him.

Man also knows that he depends on God for physical life and that he must come to him for spiritual life, as Jesus indicated (John 3:5–6). Isaiah teaches the physical dependence of man on God in a fascinating verse. It plays on the idea of man’s breath by saying, “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” (Isa. 2:22 NIV). We might paraphrase Isaiah’s command by saying, “Why trust in man who is able to take only one noseful of breath at a time? Trust God, whose breath is inexhaustible.” The breath of God in us may be our glory, but it is still received by us only one breath at a time. We breathe in. We hold our breath. We breathe out. But then we must breathe in again or die. Nothing could better characterize our utter dependence on God.

And what if God should withhold his breath? Job answers by saying, “If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust” (Job 34:14–15).

First Corinthians 15:45 presents this same contrast between the first Adam in his littleness and Christ in his greatness. Paul writes, “Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” Adam existed by breathing in, and the breath he breathed in was from God. He could not sustain himself. Christ, on the other hand, is the One who breathes out, for he is “life-giving spirit.” We are to live physically and spiritually only as we turn to and are united to him.

I conclude with the challenge presented from the little known book of Ecclesiastes: “Remember your Creator . . . before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (12:1, 6–7). When death comes, it is too late. Now, while you still have life, come to him who is able to give eternal life, and find yourself accepted in the Savior.