Since we live in a world with a confusing sense of who we are as men and women, I decided to go to the source, the original blueprint of creation, Genesis.  What an eye-opener to ponder Genesis from this viewpoint!

Trying to fully grasp Genesis is a challenge with our limited understanding.  This is also true when explaining heaven and books like Revelation.  It is not a dimness, but we are limited.  For example, it would be like asking a person blind from birth to describe a field of flowers; they would have limited senses to understand the words to use.

As I reflect on this thought, I was reminded that it was Moses who wrote Genesis – of all people in history, he was definitely the finest choice.  Why?  Because he was an eyewitness to the Glory of God, he could understand and write Genesis with a heightened knowledge.  He experienced the Glory with ALL senses.

SO IT BEGINS

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

In Genesis 1, we are introduced to God.  The word used for God in this verse is Elohim, meaning a plurality of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Elohim is majestic and powerful.  As we read Genesis 1, we see creation from an expansive, heavenly, elevated view, like we are sitting with the Godhead as he speaks the world into existence.

Genesis 1:26 Let Us make humans in our likeness. 

No other creation is made in Elohim’s image.  We can see the hand of God in different elements of creation, but his image was saved for us!

Genesis 1 is a sneak peak, like a movie trailer to Genesis 2.

THEIR NAME IS MAN & WOMAN

In Genesis 2, we are introduced to the 2^nd creation story, meaning we are viewing it from a different perspective, a more intimate sense.  We are introduced to Yahweh Elohim – Intimate covenant name of God. It is in the creation of man and woman that this term is first used.  No longer viewing scripture from above, God comes down to an eye-to-eye perspective with his crown of creation.

Genesis 2: 7 Then the Lord God formed (The word picture in the original language is a potter at his wheel forming a vessel) the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.  

We are the only creation who has the breath of God in them.   This is as intimate as you can be with someone.  Breathing into someone.  We carry the exhalation of God, making us all precious, and of intimate value.  Just like his breathe hovers over the earth, it also dwells uniquely inside us.

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

“Helper” does not mean a secondary or subsidiary to man.  A partner would be a better word, equally suitable for man.

Genesis 2:21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  22:  And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Yahweh caused Adam to sleep and took (a rib) from his side and then closed up the flesh.

Then the Lord God (Yahweh) built (not made) a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man’s side and then brought her to the man.

I love how Matthew Henry’s quote (name of book) describes this beautiful event.

 “Eve was not taken out of Adam’s head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.”

#Fastest marriage in history!

Genesis 2:23 Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”

Poetry was birthed.  Adam’s first reaction as he saw the lovely figure before him was to give voice to earth’s first poem.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

I love when scripture tells a story, showing a divine design that can stand the test of time.   As we are born, we have His image embedded in us.   As we breathe, we carry his breath. As we partner together, we represent His beautiful plan for communion.

REFLECT

Man and woman are the final act of creation.  Man is dust refined; Woman is man refined.

Man is the crown and the Woman is the jewel in the crown of creation.  Do you see yourself as a crown or jewel?

Both stunningly beautiful.  Perfect in every way.  They were glorious creatures.  They reflected a divine perfect design.   When you look in the mirror, what are your first thoughts?

Man and woman were designed to be eternal, living in perfect communion with God.  Walking with Him daily.  What are you doing to walk with Jesus daily?