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Part 3 of the Series:
When describing the origin of human beings, the Bible states that God created people in His own image, Gen. 1. 27. There were two types of humans created, male and female. They were like God in some way and, as we will see shortly, the intention was for them to manage the planet on behalf of the Creator. At this early stage, we do not get much detail of the differences between male and female; we have to wait until the second chapter of the Bible for this.
In the same passage, Gen. 1, the initial responsibilities of humans are outlined - they were to have children and populate the earth. As responsible adults (they were created as mature humans) they were delegated the task of managing the planet and controlling all the species of animals, Gen. 1. 30. Both humans and all other living creatures were initially vegetarians, vv. 29, 30. In the second chapter of Genesis, we have some additional responsibilities outlined. Adam’s first job was to maintain and tend the Garden of Eden, 2. 15, and to cultivate the soil, v. 5. Work was part and parcel of human existence before the fall and sin came into the world. Adam was a worker before Eve was created.
Now we come to the detailed account of the creation and formation of the first man and woman. Adam was created from the dust of the ground, v. 7. He had a physical body first and then God breathed into him the breath of life. This reminds us that we are more than just flesh and blood. Humans have a spiritual dimension to them. Later in the Bible, we get additional details about man being a living soul and having a spirit. But what about Eve, the first woman? Before we get to that, please note a few things.
So, God created a suitable helper for Adam. She was designed specifically with the man in mind, as without her life could not be full, satisfying, and complete, v. 18, and the man would have been alone. Note this, she was made from the same materials as Adam. Not from dust but from one of his ribs, v. 21. They were the same kind of people; different from the animal creation, 1 Cor. 15. 39. It could be significant that the part of Adam’s body that God made Eve from was close to his heart. We learn later in the Bible, Eph. 5. 25-33, that husbands are to love their wives ‘as their own bodies’, v. 28, so Eve being made from part of Adam’s body is significant, Gen. 2. 23.
The relationship of Adam and Eve before sin came into the world, Gen. 3. 16, Rom. 5. 12, was evidently very intimate. The principle of the lifelong union of marriage was established in the Garden of Eden. Adam does what every man should do when he gets married. He cleaves to his wife. This indicates that in marriage a bond is created between a man and a woman that is unique to them. Malachi chapter 2 verse 15 makes it clear that this union between a man and a woman in marriage is made in heaven by God, as well as confirmed on earth by the husband and wife.
These initial chapters of the Bible establish the distinctions between the two genders biologically and emotionally, and form the basis on which the scriptures will explain the principles of healthy living within families, communities, and nations. It is well worth considering this biblical perspective.
