|
…A number of years ago, the Saturday Evening Post carried an
article entitled, “The Seven Ages of the Married Cold.” It revealed the
reactions of a husband to his wife’s cold during their first seven years of
marriage.
…When Jesus was asked a question about marriage, he answered by
going back to God’s ORIGINAL DESIGN as given in Genesis 1-2. (Matthew
19:3-5) This is instructive for as we study marriage, for it was
God’s idea from the beginning and more, it was GOOD!
THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS OF GENESIS UNFOLD FOR US GOD’S ORIGINAL
DESIGN OF MARRIAGE.
God’s intention in
marriage is to provide us with companionship and bliss, which apart from our
relationship with Christ, is the sweetest known to man.
I.
Genesis One Tells Us That God Created Man And Woman Equal In
God’s Image.
(vv. 26-31) In the ancient world, the Genesis account of creation of
man and woman stands out as truly unique. For it tells that God created
man and woman uniquely to bear His image and to represent Him on earth.
…The
first man enthusiastically prized and loved the first woman. She was not
his property nor his slave. Note:
A.
God created the human race male and
female. (v.27) God created two sexually distinct human beings. He
called this “very good.” (v. 31)
B.
God created both the man and the
woman in His image. (v. 27) Both male and female bear His
image. They are not like the animals over which they rule.
…Since both bear this image, it demonstrates that they are both equal in dignity
and being.
C.
God commanded both the man and the
woman to multiply and rule the earth. (v. 28) God crowned Adam and
Eve as king and queen of the earth. God commanded them to have
children and to rule the earth. This is based upon the facts that they
both bear the IMAGE.
D.
God named the human race “man.”
(v.26)
1.
The word “man” used here is in
the sense of “mankind” or “human race.”
2.
It is not
used in the sense of maleness. It is a generic usage. It includes
men and women as a class, that is, as human beings.
II.
Genesis Two Tells Us That God Created
Man And Woman Equal And Different.
…this
is the chapter that is foremost in the minds of Christ and His disciples when
they teach on marriage and gender roles. A proper understanding of
this chapter will correct an egalitarian view…
A.
God made Adam the central character.
“All the action and events revolve around the man…he occupies center stage.
Everything else, including the woman, has a supporting role.” Cottrell.
…He
is given the name, he is the first to receive revelation and instruction, he
names the animals, the woman is made from the man, the woman is made for the
man…not vice versa, afterward, it is the man who speaks and makes a theological
comment upon Eve’s creation. He names the female.
B.
God created Adam first. (2:7)
He was the human race, the first human.
…The
New Testament uses the fact of Adam’s prior creation to demonstrate that God
designed the man to be the primary leader and teacher of the family of God.
(1 Tim 2:12-13a)
…Adam was the first patriarch.
C.
God formed the woman out of the man.
God created man and woman in amazingly different ways. Adam came
from the dust and God breathed into him the breath of life. (2:7)
…The
woman’s source of origin was the man. She was fashioned out of Adam’s rib.
(vv 21-22)
…This difference teaches us of the role distinctions between male and female.
D.
God created the woman for the man.
(v. 18) “not good!!!”
1.
The word “helper” is a key word
to describe the woman’s role. “support This is not a
demeaning term, as God uses it of Himself. (Psalm 121) Rather, it
shows of man’s deficiencies. “Helper” means that the woman has the
necessary ability, fitness, resources, and strength to help. (Proverbs
31:10-31)
2.
The woman was created for
man’s sake, not vice versa. (1 Corinth 11:9)
E.
God gave Adam the right to name the
woman. This shows the authority and power. (parents)
F.
God created the man and woman equal
in nature. God made her from his side. Shows equality.
…she was not an inferior creature like the animals. She was taken out of
his side….
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
Marriage was designed by God to be a blessing!! You must understand how God
designed it to function.
2. Man is
not superior to woman...each are equal having a different role.
3. If you
are single...determine now to keep yourself sexually pure...until marriage.
4. If
married, men you are to highly esteem your wife as God's special gift for
you!!
5.
Perhaps your need today...is to be saved...it is the first step in being God's
man or woman.
|