The Breath of God

For Saturday, December 6th Exodus 14:21-23 Ruah (Hebrew) and pneuma (Greek) both translate spirit or Spirit, but their root meaning is breath. In today's reading ruah translates wind. The Scriptures paint a picture of struggle against the waters and the power of a wind from God to overcome them. This theme recurs throughout the Bible. In the opening verses of the Bible we find the formless earth covered with chaotic waters but surrounded by the ruah elohim, the breath-wind-spirit-Spirit of God. In our reading today the qadim ruah, the east breath-wind-spirit-Spirit pushes back the water so the Israelites can escape. "But wait," someone says. "In this reading it must mean wind because it doesn't use elohim for God." Then we read on and Exodus 15:8 says this ruah comes from God's nostrils. Before I get to my point I want to look at one more occurrence of the breath-wind-spirit-Spirit and water. In Matthew 3:16 Jesus comes up out of the waters of baptism and the pnuema tou Theou, the breath-wind-spirit-Spirit of God, pronounces him the delightful Son of God. So, what's my point? Let me ask a few questions. What do the waters of baptism represent? Death/burial. What did Paul say occurred when the Israelites passed through the Red Sea? Baptism. (1 Cor. 10:1-2) And didn't life come out of the waters of chaos as the Spirit moved over them in the beginning. We have ended this week in a crescendo of hope! For some of us the economy looms dark on the horizon. Others, unsure about relationships or threatened by failing health struggle to find a promising future. Take courage. Hope comes with your next breath. Close your eyes and envision your present darkness. Take a deep, deep breath and as you let it out, pray this prayer. God, breathe your Holy Spirit into my life. Bring order from chaos, safety in the presence of danger, and a blessed affirmation of your presence in my lonely world.