July 23rd, 2021 – Friday Evening
“Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.'” ~Genesis 2:18
“So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.” ~Genesis 2:21-22
Isn’t God good? Isn’t His design perfect? He could have created male and female simultaneously and laid out their respective roles and limitations afterwards, but He chose to make a much more beautiful piece of art. By creating Adam (from the dust of the earth) as incomplete, the LORD made it clear that men were not to be self-fulfilling and ego-centric beings. By creating Eve (from Adam’s rib) as the helper/completer of Adam, the LORD made it clear that while women are not to be independent of men, they are to be treated by men with tenderness and favor.
This section (which is by no means the only section in Scripture to indicate this) makes it clear that the LORD created the roles and positions of men and women to be distinct, special, and treasured. Furthermore, it displays the care, concern, and perfect knowledge the LORD has towards and about His creation; not only is His glory on display in and through His creatures, but their (our) own good is of His own concern. Notice how the LORD put Adam into a deep sleep before “operating” on him, how He tenderly closed up the place where his rib was removed, and how He brings the woman He has fashioned to Adam. This detail is that of a loving Creator who cares and provides for His creation.
Isn’t God good? Whether you are single, happily married, not-so-happily married, separated, divorced, or widowed, looking at God’s perfect design ought to cause us to worship Him and marvel at His intricate and loving care for His creation. In doing so, we will be drawn nearer to Him and more fully equipped to reflect that good design in our own lives, marriages, families, and within the Body of Christ.
Let us praise Him for His goodness, care, and intricate creation! Let us worship Him in the beauty of holiness and godliness – in our homes, marriages, and lives! And then let us pray for, invest in, and encourage those marriages around us in doing the same.