The Holy Spirit at Creation

Explanation:
The Holy Spirit is the first person of the Trinity mentioned in Scripture (Genesis 1:2). The first three mentions of the Holy Spirit in Genesis are instructive; in 1:2 He is said to “brood” like the eagle over her nest. Brooding spans from incubation (Genesis 1:2) to stirring up the nest (Deuteronomy 32:11). In 2:7 He is said to breath into man “the breath of life,” and animated man with a soul. After the fall the intimate and loving brooding and breathing of the Holy Spirit is turned against man because of sin and the breath of life becomes a burden (6:3). He is the “God of the spirit of all flesh” (Numbers 16:22; Hebrews 12:9). This consciousness is proof God’s existence (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and renders men inexcusable (Romans 2:1).

Application:
The creative work of the Holy Spirit falls into two main categories; nature and grace. He is the giver of physical and spiritual life (John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6). From His work in creation we can learn something of His work of regeneration.
• He brings substance out of emptiness and animates the lifeless (Genesis 1:2-3; Ephesians 2:1).
• He gently moves on the object of his love (Psalm 110:3).
• He empowers the word of God in the work of creation (Genesis 1:3; Ephesians 1:13).
• He completes and perfects the work of the Father and Son both in nature and grace (Philippians 1:6).