Ruach Elohim The Spirit of God Genesis 1:2

Ruach Has Several Meanings “The word derives from a verb meaning to breathe, and its noun form sometimes means breath (Ge. 6:17; Ps. 146:4); sometimes, air (Job 41:16); sometimes, wind (Ge. 8:1); and sometimes, spirit (Ps. 31:5)” (Hugo McCord, Getting Acquainted With God, Henderson, TN: Hester Publications, 2002).

Ruach Elohim Means Spirit of God All of the other 94 times Ruach Elohim is used in the Old Testament it is translated “Spirit of God.” Both Job 26:13 and Psalm 104:30 clearly indicate the Spirit had a role in creation. It should also be remembered that Genesis 1:26 indicates God had a partner, or partners.

Facts About the Spirit Only the Spirit knows the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). He has a mind, hears and speaks (John 16:13). He feels deeply (Ephesians 4:30). He lives in Christians and in heaven prays for them (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:26-27). He invites us to become children of God (Revelation 22:17).

The Nature of God God is a spiritual being (John 4:24). God does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). Nor does God have flesh and blood (1 Corinthians 15:50), so language describing God with physical features must be taken as figurative (Exodus 15:8; 33:23; 24:10; Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 11:4; 91:4). It is hard to understand how some religious people have taught God is “flesh and bones” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

God Is Invisible God is invisible to human eyes (Colossians 1:15). No man has seen, or can see, God (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 Timothy 6:16). Since a Spirit is invisible, no human eyes have ever observed the true essence of deity (Colossians 1:15).

Yet, God Has Made Himself Known God manifested himself as a man in Abraham’s tent door (Genesis 18). He appeared in the fire to Moses (Exodus 3). He appeared as a thick cloud to Israel (Exodus 19). He revealed himself to Elijah in a voice (1 Kings 19:12). He came in the flesh (Matthew 1:23; John 14:9).

God Is Neither Mortal or Local God is not subject to corruption (1 Corinthians 15:50). God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:16). God is not isolated to one spot (1 Kings 8:27). Man cannot go anywhere it can be said there is not God (Psalm 139:7-12).

The Spirit Teaches About Man’s Nature Man was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) in the sense that God has given him a spirit (Zechariah 12:1). God is the father of our spirits, the one from whom our spirits come and to whom our spirits go (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 12:9).

Man’s Spirit Is Eternal Man’s body can serve as the temple of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It is only the spirit of man that lives (John 6:63). Both the body and the food that sustains it will perish (1 Corinthians 6:13).