byWelcome to another article release of the Journey Through the Book of Genesis (JTTBG) series. Today, I will talk about something many people overlook when reading Genesis 2:7, where God made man become a living soul after breathing life into man’s nostrils. The question is, why did God make man like that? You may not have considered this question. But the answer is so crucial in solidifying your identity in Christ. Let’s dive deeper by reading the scripture first.
[7] “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” – Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
The formation of the soul
If you have noticed carefully after reading scripture thoroughly, you’ll realise that the soul of a man was not created. The spirit of man was created by God [well, because the Bible calls Him the Father of spirits – (see Hebrews 12:9)]. As for the body, you know vividly that God carefully created it from the dust of the ground, as seen in Genesis 2:7. But what about the soul? Man became a living soul right after God breathed life into him after creating his body. So, I agree with some people who say that the soul was formed from the intersection between the body and the spirit. Yes, that’s it. Today, the soul of every person plays a key role in their life. Our will, emotions and mind are all components of the soul, which directly affect our lives.
The soul of man is expensive.
In Matthew 16:26 (KJV), Jesus said,
[26] “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
That means a man’s soul is so expensive that it can be traded with the devil in exchange for worldly things, like fame, illicit wealth and other glories of this world. Yes, some people, including celebrities, may have done this transaction. Because of how expensive the soul is, Satan is always looking for people to devour. God still sends people out to do soul-winning for Him because He also knows the value of the soul.
Why did God make Adam a living soul?
Now, to the central question for which this article was written. God made Adam a living soul because He knew it would be subject to corruption due to sin. If He had made him a life-giving Spirit (which He has for everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour – see 1 Corinthians 15:45), Adam and Eve’s fall would have been eternally incorrigible. And that would have been very, very dangerous. Imagine not being able to correct a mistake you made for life. How bad will it be? Hmm! But God is wise.
God wasn’t mistaken. He actually made man a living soul because He knew Jesus would come and give eternal life to men, a life that can never perish.
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You have the quickening Spirit of God in you.
So, God wasn’t mistaken. He actually made man a living soul because He knew Jesus would come and give eternal life to men, a life that can never perish (see John 10:28). Yes, you heard me. If you are born again, you cannot perish before God because of His life in you unless you choose to disregard its value and sow in gratifying fleshly lusts (see Galatians 6:8).
According to 1 Corinthians 15:45, Jesus has been made a life-giving Spirit. And because His Spirit dwells in everyone who is saved, you are not a living soul in Christ. You have life. So, from today on, don’t look down on yourself or compare yourself to Adam or man’s fallen state. The life God has given you in Christ is higher than Adam’s life. Treasure and honour it.
