Throughout Genesis 1 we read of God speaking the heavens and the earth into existence: acts of verbal creation. And at the end of each period of creation, we read “And God saw that it was good.” In Genesis 2 there is a fundamentally, qualitatively different approach to the creation of humankind: God “formed” humankind from the dust of the earth “and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Gen.2:7). Our creation was, literally, hands-on and mouth-to-mouth. The verdict on our creation is also significantly different: God looks at the totality of creation, with that last act of humankind’s physical creation and pronounces “it was very good” (Gen.1:31).
In the whole of creation, humans are that one part shaped and moulded and handled physically by God Himself. And that theme of His hands-on care echoes through the pages of the bible. We are formed in the Father’s hands (Gen.2:7; Job.10:8; Ps.119:73; Is.60:21). Our names are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isa.49:16). Our times are in His hands (Ps.31:15). We remain safely in His hands and none can snatch us out (Jn.10:29). Jesus was ever willing to physically touch the untouchable among us (Mt.8:3; Mk.1:41; Lk.5:13). The touch of His hands brought healing (Mk.5:23, 6:5, 8:23; Lk.4:40). He laid His hands in blessing on the heads of children and infants (Mk.10:16).
When we consider the hands-on action of God, there is an overwhelming sense of His closeness to us and intimacy with us and care for us. May we rest content and secure in His hands.