The God Who Kneels
3 Reflections
Only man was formed by the hands of God. The word the Bible uses for “formed” in Genesis 2:7 is yāṣar — the word for the work of a potter. Everything else in creation was spoken into existence — but only man was formed. If you’ve ever watched a potter at the wheel, you know the intentionality involved: it’s slow, intimate, methodical work. God took His time with man, shaping him by hand.
The humility of God is unparalleled. Genesis 2:7 shows us the uncreated, holy God of bursting light lowering Himself — kneeling down into the dirt, scooping up dust in His hands, and getting dirty as He formed man. Every other religion tells the story of man climbing toward a god who stays at the top of the mountain. Only Christianity tells the story of a God who comes down — down into the dirt of Eden, down into a manger, down onto His knees with a towel, down onto a cross for the creation He formed. The stooping never stopped.
The Potter still breathes life into dust. There are two halves to Genesis 2:7, and the second is even more incredible than the first. After God formed the man, the dust was still just dust — shaped, but lifeless. So God did the unthinkable: He stooped even lower, coming face to face with the man of dust…and He breathed His own breath into the man of dust. Now fast forward to when Jesus came to His disciples after the resurrection. Jesus stands among men who had denied Him, doubted Him, and ran. John writes that He spoke peace to them, and then He breathed on them (John 20:22). It was Genesis 2:7 happening again. They had been re-formed by His blood. Now they were re-born by His breath.
“Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us.” - Andrew Murray
2 Scriptures
“But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”
— Isaiah 64:8
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
— Job 33:4
1 Action
Ask yourself:
how long have I been running on my own breath?
Today, find ten unhurried minutes with no agenda. Sit before Jesus the way the disciples stood before Him in that room, and pray one simple prayer: “Breathe on me, Lord.” Then stay there long enough to receive.
He formed you once with His hands.
He is still giving you His breath.
Grace and peace,
NEIL
