1.4 Creation and Human Nature in Genesis 2

Humans Share the Spirit of God

• Genesis 2:7: God formed man from the dust and breathed life into him, making him a living being. “the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”

• The Hebrew word for 'breath' is ru'ach, also meaning 'spirit,' which shows that humans share in the Spirit of God.

• God's spirit gives humans some of His qualities, like intelligence, creativity, and morality.

Humans Have Free Will

• Genesis 2 highlights that humans were given free will by God.

• God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and allowed him to eat from any tree, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

• Though God commands Adam not to eat from this tree, He does not prevent Adam from choosing.

• Free will allows humans to make decisions for themselves, but using it to sin distances them from God, while using it to live according to God’s will brings them closer.