The Breath of Lives

A Devotional Series from Genesis

Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)

6/21 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 26; Psalm 117-118; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1

Genesis 7:13-15

On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark, they and every beast, according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, according to its kind, and every bird, according to its kind, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life.

TWO

There are two noteworthy considerations from these three verses today. The first thing to consider are the pairs, not only of the animals, but also of Noah’s family. Verse 15 states “two and two of all flesh.” A pair of every unclean animal, male and female; seven pairs of every clean animal, male and female; and the people God saved, four couples, male and female. This was how it was in the beginning at the Creation with Adam and Eve. This is how it was as well for Noah and his family after the flood. Certainly, the LORD had allowed exceptions in history, but one man and one woman, one male animal and one female animal, is what God ordained because it reflects Christ’s love for His beloved bride, His church (Eph 5:25-33). Marriage was ordained in the beginning because it reflects the gospel of Christ laying down His life for His beloved bride, His church. The salvation of Noah’s family foreshadowed the gospel truth of marriage as well.

The second thing to consider is that every person in the ark, as well as every animal therein, possessed “the breath of life.” In Hebrew it was חַיּיִם רוּחַ (ROO-ach chay-YEEM), literally “breath of lives,” plural. This, too, foreshadows Christ’s gospel in salvation. Concerning eternal life that He offers, Jesus said,

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Hallelujah! What a Savior!