Gen 2:18-25 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
The Creator designed and produced an amazing creation, placing man in the most perfect environment. Many gracious provisions were given for man, but one thing was lacking. Man was alone, in need of “an help meet.” Albert Barnes wrote the following words worthy of note: “...God knew what was in the man whom he had formed. And he expresses this in the words, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” He is formed to be social, to hold converse, not only with his superior, but also with his equal. As yet he is but a unit, an individual. He needs a mate, with whom he may take sweet counsel. And the benevolent Creator resolves to supply this want. “I will make him a helpmeet for him” - one who may not only reciprocate his feelings, but take an intelligent and appropriate part in his active pursuits.” Of all the gracious provisons supplied to newly created man, none were more necessary, more special or of greater value than that of his “help meet.”
Are we to accept literally that Eve was created from a rib taken from Adam? Absolutely! There are four ways human life has been produced upon earth. Adam was formed by the Almighty from the dust of the ground, God breathing into his nostrils the breath of life. Eve was formed from the rib of Adam, taken from his side in order to walk beside him throughout life. The Lord Jesus’ human flesh came into existence through a miraculous birth, when the power of the Holy Spirit “overshadowed” the Virgin Mary. God designed that all other human life be the result of the blessed union of husband and wife. Fully recognizing that this special union was ordained by the Creator, Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
The first of all human institutions ordained by God was that of marriage, the sacred union of husband and wife, denoting its importance to humanity. As such, it should be cherished and protected. Unfortunately, no institution has been so attacked by the adversary. He launched his attack on the first family, and has continued to do so relentlessly since that time. Marriage was ordained by God, and it is He alone Who can establish its meaning, purpose and regulations concerning this human institution. For further reading, see the following: Matthew 19:3-9; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
Pastor Steve Smith