Lent 2020 Day 1

Scripture Readings 

Genesis 2:7, Psalm 103:1-14

Some of you may have Bibles that give you a footnote about Genesis 2:7. It points out that in Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, the word for man is adam. So the first man, Adam, was named as a representative of all human beings that would follow him. The Hebrew word for ground is adamah. Notice how similar adam and adamah are spelled. Also notice how when you pronounce them out loud, they sound similar. This shows our close connection as human beings to the dust that we shall one day become when we die. 

The Bible says that God breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life. This is a picture of how close and intimate God desires his relationship with each of us to be. The image of God breathing into Adam's nostrils resembles a kiss in a figurative sense. Think about a time when you have seen CPR done on a person and how closely the nose and mouth are connected in order to revive that person and bring that person back to life. This is because of how God first created humanity. 

Can you imagine a kiss from God, our Creator and Lord? That is how much he loves us. He created us for an intimate relationship with himself. Let the closeness of God in Adam's life remind you that he desires to be just that close with you. 

Prayer: God, thank you for breathing life into me. I want to experience the intimacy of a relationship with you just like Adam did when he walked with you in the Garden of Eden. Amen.