Genesis 2:18-25

2:18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.” 19 The LORD God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found.

We know from chapter 1 (v. 28) that God wanted the people He had created to increase in number and rule over the earth and its creatures. Chapter 2 goes into more detail about God’s creation of man and woman. The Genesis account suggests some time where man had been created, but woman had not yet been created. “The man” named the creatures, at which point it may have been obvious to him that they always had two sexes, but that he was alone. In verse 18 God makes it clear that humans are social creatures, meant to be with others. Besides, how could God’s purpose for humanity be carried out without giving Adam a “companion who corresponded to him”? “Companion” in verses 18 and 20 is the Hebrew word ‘ezer, sometimes translated “helper”. The sense is not of a subordinate person, but rather a partner who complements the other and contributes equally to the relationship (equally in extent, not necessarily equally in manner).

The second part of verse 20 is the first time the Hebrew word ‘adam appears without the article, suggesting it might now mean the proper name “Adam” rather than referring generically to a male human.

21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was asleep, he took part of the man’s side and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

In verse 22, “made” is the Hebrew verb banah, “to make, to build, to construct.” The account does not describe exactly how God made the woman.

23 Then the man said,”This one at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one will be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become a new family. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.

The Hebrew in verse 23 has a wordplay which carries over into English between “woman” (‘ishah) and “man” (‘ish). While it may appear that the word for woman is the feminine form of the word for man, the two words are not etymologically related.

As Jesus made clear when discussing this scripture with Jewish religious leaders (see Mark 10:2-10), God’s intention for intimate relationships between men and women has always been that once they join together, “they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mark 10:8-9) They give up the right to separate, even by mutual consent, for they have, according to verse 24, “become a new family.” The Hebrew here means much more than just a sexual union. A bond is formed which is as unbreakable as that of a blood relationship. We call this the “institution of marriage”, and that is all well and good. But regardless of what we call it, it is God’s plan for intimate relationships between men and women. We are blessed if we follow it.

Verse 25 says “the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.” It is not entirely clear, at least not here, what the significance is of being naked or not naked. They felt no need to cover their bodies. A time was coming, however, when they would feel the need to do just that. Some have suggested that the lack of shame over their bodies was a reflection of their inward state of mind — in other words, they were innocent and had nothing to hide. They were not trying to hide anything from God, from each other, or even from themselves.

Indonesia

In September 2009 Indonesia was battered by major earthquakes.

Genesis 2:4-17

After God’s creation of heaven and earth, the Genesis account turns its attention to His creation of humanity.

Choose Life

Life is not a contest to see who can get the most of what this world has to offer. It is a gift from God, a gift that defies definition.

Ask God for wisdom. Seek it as you would seek hidden treasure. Build your life on God’s Word. Seek to walk in the light and shun the darkness.

“God Of This City”, Bluetree

Greater things are yet to come; greater things are still to be done here.

God Is Love

If you listen to only one sermon the rest of your life, let it be this one.

“Agnus Dei”, Michael W. Smith

Worship happens.

Genesis 2:2-3

God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.

Genesis 1:26-2:1

After God created this world and all kinds of creatures, He created us.

“Lord, I Believe In You”, Crystal Lewis

Sung at Harvest Crusade 2006 in San Jose, California.