Articles
The First Family - 1
The first human created by God was the male of the species, Adam: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gn 2:7). Physically, Adam’s creation resembled that of the animals, for also “out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air …” (2:19a).
Initially, Adam’s “companionship” was only that of the animal world, but this was of an inferior quality. That is, the company of an ape cannot ultimately satisfy, for man and animals are of a different psychological and spiritual essence. For “in the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God” (Gn 5:1; cf. 1:26-27). However, Adam was lacking something that he needed to make him complete: “a helper comparable to him” (2:20).
To rectify this, God made a companion for Adam who would also be endowed with His likeness. But this creative act was unique among all others. Eve was not made of the dust, but “the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam … and He took one of his ribs … Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman” (2:21-22). Adam’s comment on being the first surgical patient: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man” (Gn 2:23). Now Adam has suitable companionship, someone with whom he can converse, pursue spiritual aspirations and procreate. Now we have the makings of a family.
Some fundamental principles of male/female relationship flow from the making of this first couple. Whether God’s choice of the rib as opposed to another body part is significant is uncertain. Poets wax eloquently about the bone not being of the foot so that man would trod upon her or of the head that she should exercise dominion over him. Perhaps.
But the greater significance is that she came from man and was made for man. This ideally creates an intimate bond between husband and wife as “one flesh” (Gn 2:24). Even as it is grotesque to think of a man amputating a part of his own body, so it should be equally unthinkable for a man or woman to put their marital partner away. Jesus’ own commentary on Moses’ observation of marital unity in Genesis: “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt 19:6).
Further, to the disgust of the feminists, the creative process of male and female by God establishes the headship and authority of the man (1 Cor 11:8-9). This is not for the exaltation and glory of the man but for order, leadership, protection and unity within the family.
In the opening pages of Scripture God reveals the blueprint of marriage and its natural product, family. Homosexuality, fornication, adultery, divorce, polygamy and other forms of marital corruption are all axes against the tree of family joy and welfare. We can kick against the goads all we want, but in the marital relationship “all things are from God” (1 Cor 11:11-12).
Adam and Eve “were both naked … and were not ashamed” (Gn 2:25). What a pastoral scene of pure love and innocent conscience, untainted by the evils that would soon smear the canvas (adapted from Hueytown Bulletin, 1/9/2000).
