GOD'S FIRST APPEARANCE ON EARTH

What I learned today from the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies: In the midst of the void and darkness, before God says "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3), we encounter an entity – Ruah Elohim. Now, Elohim is the Hebrew name for God, but who or what is that Ruah? And what role does it play in the creation of the world? “… a wind from God swept over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). The Hebrew words, Ruah Elohim, describe God's presence at the beginning of Genesis. In Hebrew, ruah means both wind and spirit. How do we know which meaning is referred to in this important verse? The answer is actually in the verb that follows. The verb merahefet occurs only once more in the Torah, expressing the utmost care, love and affection of a mother eagle that flutters (merahefet) over her young and bears them upon her wings (Deut. 32:11). A Hebrew reading of the Bible makes everything clear: A wind cannot express tender love, care and affection! A wind blows dispassionately and indifferently – while the Spirit of God caringly and lovingly flutters over His creation. This loving, passionate hovering that we see in Deut., in Genesis (a wind) can only refer to God’s Spirit! Up to now, I had never thought of it that way. When reading the Bible you really need your thinking cap on...and not just skim over the words and parts interpretive in nature that you do not understand. Seek answers to your questions!