The Creation of Woman: Genesis 2:20 – 25

As I mentioned in my last post, Genesis 1 is a big picture view of creation, while Genesis 2 is a view of creation with mankind under the microscope.  Everything slows from the rushed pace and the broad scope of the creation days in Genesis 1.  Before talking about how the first woman is created, have a close look at verses 18 and 20.  In 18 God speaks His first “not good” statement… ever.  It is “not good” for man to be alone.

How interesting.  Clearly God doesn't mean “alone” in the sense of loneliness or isolation since God has a relationship with the first man (Adam).  He seems to mean “alone-in-kind”.  It is not good that Adam be the only one of his kind.

What I find even more interesting is how God goes about making the first woman.  Once He decides to make her, He doesn't just snap His fingers and introduce her to Adam:  

[A bright flash of light and a poof of smoke]

God:  “Surprise!  Look what I made!”

Adam:  “What’s that?”

God:  “It’s a woman.  She’s for you.  Isn't she great?”

Adam:  “What do I need one of those for?”

Badum-Ching. Curtain.

God doesn't act imperiously.  He doesn't manipulate or order Adam to go along with His decision.  He acts just like he did in Genesis 1.  Just as He prepared creation to make a place for lights, birds, fish, and land animals, he prepares Adam for Eve.  He parades all the animals past Adam so that he might name them.  And, in the process Adam realizes he is unique and alone.  There is no other created being like him. 

People make much about how Eve was created from Adam’s rib.  This starts their relationship as being side-by-side co-equals.  I think there is a better argument that reaches a similar conclusion.  The text says, “no suitable helper was found”.  But, surely the animals would have been helpful.  Domesticated animals have been very helpful to mankind.  So, what kind of help are we talking about here?  The conclusion I draw is that Adam needs someone to share in the ruling of creation.  So, God makes for him a complementary co-ruler.  A helper suitable for sharing the duties of ruling.

My thought for application:

We see God preparing both creation and Adam for new things.  He is patient, gracious, and kind in the process.  The preparation takes work (both on God’s part and on ours).  Do we have faith that God is preparing us?  Are we doing the work He has put before us?