The Breath of Life
1 out of 12 of the Great Metaphors in the Bible
Life and health are our most precious possessions — and in order to maintain them, there are certain basic requirements: air, water, food, shelter, and light. The life expectancy of those living without the first four of these items is pretty short:
a person can live three minutes without air
three hours without shelter (in harsh climes)
three days without water
and three weeks without food. [1]
And, if the sun were to go dark and stop giving its light, things would not fare much better concerning life:
Within a week, the average global surface temperature would drop below 0°F
In a year, temperatures would reach –100° below zero
Within a few weeks, most plants would die
Trees would vanish in several decades
But none of this would matter because our planet would spin out of orbit [2]
Is it any wonder that the God who gives us these gifts for life (air, water, food, shelter, and light) would use them as the greatest metaphors of all time? His dealing in this manner shows His concern for our physical beings as well as our spiritual beings. Over the next several weeks I will share a total of 12 metaphors that the Bible uses for life. Consider this beautiful picture from God's word.
The Breath of Life
Air is our first and primary need for life. Genesis 2:7 tells us that when God created man, He breathed the breath of life into him. And Job 33:4 confirms that the breath of the Almighty gives life. Without it we would expire (breathe our last) — as Mark's gospel (15:37) records happened to Jesus on the cross. But it wasn't His last, for death could not hold Him. And He proved it when He used his very breath to represent something greater than physical life: the power of the Holy Spirit to give new life (John 20:22). And 2 Timothy 3:16 informs us that the Scriptures are the very words of God: God breathed. It is this word that brings salvation to man. Jesus is this Word, the very Breath of Heaven that Amy Grant sings about in Mary's Song. Not only does Jesus give life and breath (Acts 17:25), He also gives breath everlasting. For — those who trust Him will never die (John 11:26).
The Reality
A metaphor means nothing if it is not based on a reality. And there is a health principle imbedded in the breath of life: we need to breathe safe air. This can be accomplished by living in an area that is clear of air pollution, using safe cleaning products in your home, and breathing plenty of fresh outside air.
If you live in an area with high air pollution and are unable to move, consider a high quality air purifier so you can breathe mountain fresh air in your home. Even better, move to a location where the air is clear — if such a place exists today.
When man looks to God for design (and he always must), then man can find ways to improve even bad situations — like unhealthy air.
What a good God we serve. If this post ministered to you, please share it on Facebook (or your favorite social media) so it can bless others. Thank you.
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[1] http://www.livescience.com/32320-how-long-can-a-person-survive-without-water.html
[2] http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-07/if-sun-went-out-how-long-could-life-earth-survive