I’m fascinated by documentaries that go behind-the-scenes of an event.

These shows normally delve into something interesting but are not often told.  It reveals something about the event from another perspective.  These shows are designed to deepen our understanding, appreciation, or respect for the event.

For example, I can tell you that I grew up a pastor’s kid.  I have two older brothers.  My mother was the only female in the house (even the dogs were males).  

All of that is true.  It is complete.  But the exciting part is when I tell you stories behind the scenes.  When I tell you what happened in that tornado in Ferris, Texas, when I was six.  When I tell you about the Thanksgiving play at school.  When I tell you about being a functional only child when my brothers married or went to college.  

Your life is the same way.  All events are the same way.  There’s the overview, and then there are the intricacies and nuance behind the story.

Genesis 1 – 2:3 is the story of the creation of the Heavens and the Earth.  Genesis 2 tells us what happened behind the story. 

We start in Genesis 2:4-7.

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.
Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 

Genesis 2:4-7
New International Version

For part of history, critics used Genesis 1 and 2 as “proof” that the Bible wasn’t the inspired Word of God.  Specifically, they stated the Bible contradicted itself in its first two chapters.  Interestingly, we have had Genesis 1 and 2 in its current form from the earliest records of the Bible.  As such, this is how the Lord intended it to be.

Indeed, He did want it this way.  Genesis 1 is an overarching picture of creation.  Genesis 2 focuses specifically on the creation of humanity.  That means the events of Genesis 2:4-25 occurred on Day 6 of Genesis 1.

Genesis 2:4-7 is not written without knowledge of the events of Genesis 3.  That’s no small thing to understand.  For example, the reference in verse 5 to “now no shrub…and no plant…” doesn’t reference when the Earth didn’t have vegetation.  It foreshadows Chapter 3, when the Earth was cursed, and thorns and thistles would spring up because of the Fall.  Likewise, the reference to the Lord not sending rain (also verse 5) alludes to the Flood of Genesis 6 through 9.

Both events occurred chronologically, but for readers, it’s all in the past for us.  Yet, this gives us a time stamp when it happened in history.  As I’ve stated, the Bible assumes all this is historical reality.  It doesn’t speak of it as a hypothetical scenario.

Moving on to verse 7, we find the intimate creation of the first man (often called “Adam.”).  Genesis 2:7 doesn’t contradict the creation of humans in Genesis 1.  It augments our understanding.  

Genesis 1’s account of the creation of humanity points to the fact that while we are made in the image of God, we are creatures that were made by our Creator.  We are not a type of heavenly creature, but we are creatures formed from the dust of earth.  We are made in the image of God, but we are creatures, nonetheless.

Genesis 2 provides the “behind-the-scenes tour” of how this happened.  And in this tour, we see something remarkable.  We are the only part of the creation the Lord personally touched.  Verse 7 teaches us when the Lord formed Adam out of the dust, the Lord’s breath gave Adam life.  Adam’s consciousness and soul were created by the breath of God.

And putting this in context with Genesis 1, we are left with this profound truth: all humans have the breath of God breathed into them as image-bearers of the Almighty.