THE FATHER GIVES

Father Gives Creation

Beginning in Genesis (1:1), God is shown as the Source of Life.  He ‘created.’  Creation is the ultimate form of giving.  He began all things.  On days 5 and 6, to the living creatures, He gave His breath to animate them to life.  This is significant giving because He breathed into them from His Own Self to multiply.  The Imagers on Earth (human beings) were made last and reflect Him the most because God gave humans dominion over His Creation.  The act of creation (which is God giving) is the most basic understanding we have of God the Father.  His Creation ultimately rejected Him, but because of His life-giving nature, this did not change how He operates. 

God gives Creation… Genesis 1:1

God gives breath to living creatures… Genesis 1:30

God gives provision to the living… Genesis 1:29

We should also note (see below) that the Father creates and gives life through the Son.  For example, Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV) shares: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Father Gives the Law

In Exodus 24:12, God promises He will give the Law.   God gives the Law in Exodus 34.  God gives the Law and then He breathes into it. God gives Israel the Law (a means of provision for His people) in an established covenant relationship with Him.  He gave boundaries to identify the kind of life He expects.  He knew the Imagers would fail which leads to the giving of the Son. 

Father Gives the Son

The purpose of giving the Law (John 1:18) was to be able to show grace through the Son.  The Law establishes our need as human beings.  God in our need gives grace and gives the Son.  The Son submits to what the Father gives.  Everything He gives is through the Son. God gives the Son and gives the Spirit.

NOTE: There is a pattern of God not just giving, but breathing life into what He creates.  Ultimately, this happens because God is a life-giving spirit (see also Genesis 2:7; John 6:57; Romans 5:14; and 1 Corinthians 15:45).