Breath is a sign of life. In Scripture the Presence of “breath” means you are alive. In Scripture the Absence of “breath” defines an end to life. Gen. 25:8a Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age. Said of Ishmael (Gen. 25:17); Rachel (Gen 35:17); Isaac (Gen. 35:29); Jacob (Gen 49:33); Jesus (Luke 23:46).

As a Culture We Are Consumed with “Breath” Offer classes to help restore breath = CPR. Smoking & non-smoking areas. Deodorizers to hide odors. We have enacted laws to protect us from smog and air pollution to provide “clean air.” We even worry about our own breath.

The Cost of Good Breath: As Americans, we spend $10 Billion a year on mouthwashes, breath mints, sprays, drops, gums, and other breath enhancing products. In November of 2001, Hershey spent $135 Million to buy the gum & mint business from Nabisco. Appears to have been a wise purchase.

An Insight from Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi walked barefoot everywhere, to the point that his feet became quite thick and hard.  He also was quite a spiritual person. Even when he was not on a hunger strike, he did not eat much and became quite thin and frail.  Furthermore, due to his diet, he ended up with very bad breath. Therefore, he came to be known as a: Super calloused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.

If you are concerned about your breath: Take a mint (whatever the size). Not a major concern as to the size. EX: FDA findings. Borrow a mint (just don’t attempt to return it when you are done). Sit back. Breathe and listen in.

Genesis 2:4-17 (Page 2) 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens-- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground--

Genesis 2:4-17 7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.

Genesis 2:4-17 In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.

Genesis 2:4-17 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

God’s Provision & Man’s Preoccupation Genesis 2:4-17 I. God Provides for His Creation (Vv.4-7) A. God Provides Water (Vv. 4-6) B. God Provides a Worker (Vs. 7) II. God Provides Man a Home (Vv. 8-15) III. God Provides Man an Option (Vv. 16-17).

God Provided: Today’s primary focus is on how God provided for man . . . but He also provided for His creation. It needed water and it needed a worker. 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, God would provide in both areas.

A. God Provided Water: 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground-- We do not find a reference to God sending rain until Genesis 7:4 and then He sent torrents of rain to deluge the earth with a flood. The first mention of actual rain was in Genesis 7:4 & may have been the first rain. It appears that the earth was a sort of terrarium with abundant dew and water from below to sustain plant life and man.

God Provided a Worker: 7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Man was molded, shaped, or crafted as a potter molds, shapes, and crafts a bowl. Man (adam) was created from the ground (adamah) —Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary It was a humble beginning. Brief excursus on dust or dirt. Breath is the source of life.

Breath that brings life: Animals – God breathed into them the breath of life (Genesis 1:30; 7:15). Mankind – God breathed into man the breath of life (Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:25). Creation – God breathed the heavens into existence by His word (Psalm 33:6). The Holy Spirit – When Christ gave the Holy Spirit, He breathed (John 20:22). The Scriptures – The “Word” of God is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). The Two Prophets – God breathes life into them (Revelation 11:11).

God Provided Man a Home: God planted a garden in the East. Garden means “enclosure. Bible Book Commentary: Genesis, (Convention Press, Nashville) 1988. The root word behind “Garden” means to defend, cover, surround Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995. Adam was secure in God’s presence and surrounded by His protective hand. God named the garden Eden. Eden = “pleasure, or delight” —Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

The Garden Described: Description by Matthew Henry. The place appointed for Adam’s residence was a garden; not an ivory house nor a palace overlaid with gold, but a garden, furnished and adorned by nature, not by art. The heaven was the roof of Adam’s house, and never was any roof so curiously ceiled and painted. The earth was his floor, and never was any floor so richly inlaid.

The Garden: The shadow of the trees was his retirement; under them were his dining-rooms, his lodging-rooms, and never were any rooms so finely hung as these: Solomon’s, in all their glory, were not arrayed like them. The finest gardens in the world are a wilderness compared with what the whole face of the ground was before it was cursed for man’s sake . . . Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1991. God had richly provided.

The Four Rivers: Pishon? Gihon? Tigris Euphrates Uncertain of the actual location of Eden. Could be the cause of the massive oil reserves in the area.

God Provided Man an Option: 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Two trees were placed in the middle of the garden (Vs. 9b): The tree of life. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Man’s Preoccupation Man’s trouble . . . Instead of looking at the freedoms we have, we dwell on what we do not, should not or cannot have! Adam was free to eat of any tree except “one.” Instead of thanking God for our many blessings, we complain to God that we do not have more. Instead of enjoying God’s provision, we are preoccupied by what is on the other side of the fence.

Where is Your Focus? Are you content or riddled with discontent? Are you constantly seeking more . . . More power More possessions More pleasures More popularity Are you busy saying, “Thank God” OR “Why God?” Do you rejoice in your freedom OR grovel in your limits?

God wants to work in your life. He promises to provide you with all you need for life and godliness. Are you looking to Him to provide? Are you trusting in Him to work? Are you resting in Him? God created YOU! He wants to mold you for greater use. Are you too hardened? Are you too uncommitted? OR, is God able to work? Video: The Clay