United We Stand; Divided We Fall

Adam & Eve: The Intended Ideal

or

United We Stand; Divided We Fall

Sabbath School Lesson

July 7, 2007

Teacher: Larry R Evans

Quiz

1. According to Gen. 1:27 one must be married to reflect the image of God. True or False

2. Eve was created as a helper for Adam who was the boss. True or False

3. Adam’s first thoughts when he saw Eve were romantic. True or False

4. Two are better than one. True or False

5. Following the example of Sarah and Abraham (1 Pet 3:6), women should refer to their husbands as master. True or False

Introduction

The account of Adam and Eve’s creation is truly a remarkable event and is meant to be part of the crowning event of the Creation Story. To grasp the intent of the story, however, we need to review the context of this special act of God.

Genesis 1 clearly emphasizes that God “spoke” into existence the different elements for each day leading to the sixth day. On the sixth day God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds . . . “ (v.24) It is in this context of creatures being created “according to their kind” that we find God announcing a special creation – the creation of man after “our likeness.” The passage in Genesis 1 does not name either Adam or Eve. The point the writer wishes to make is that man was created in the image of God (Elohim) – the Creator of the universe is the same one who expressed His wish to create man in His image and we must not overlook the “our image” context for making man “male and female.”

In Genesis 2 an important transition is made and new details emerge. No longer are we presented with only “God” (Elohim), the Almighty Creator God, but another word accompanies this word and that word in the NIV is LORD (Yahweh—shown in English translations with LORD being spelled in caps)—the LORD God. We are introduced now to the God of history, the One who later in Scripture is revealed as the Deliverer, the Redeemer of Israel. Keep in mind that it is believed that Moses is the author of Genesis. When we are introduced to Adam and Eve in chapter 2 we are made aware just how special this unique couple creation really is – they didn’t just emerge from the land as did the animals (1:24) nor did God just speak the word and they came into being. God wants us to know just how special this Creation, and might we add – special for a purpose, this crowning creative act of God really is. God formed man from the dust already created but He sets man apart by the breathing into him “the breath of life” from his own being (v.7). “This breath is the seal and pledge of our relation to God, of our godlike dignity. . . “ (Keil-Delitzsch, Pentateuch, p.63)

From the very inception of man God surrounded man with reminders showing how special he was and just how close of a relationship the all-powerful God wanted to be with the one created in His image. Intertwined with man’s creation as “both male and female”, was the reminder that they were expressing not only the handiwork of God but also the oneness of God. The history of man began with the security of being loved and the promise of an ever-unfolding revelation of the love and care and anticipation of a waiting God who wants an eternity to pour out His love upon His creation.

The Lesson Study

1. According to Gen. 1:27 one must be married to reflect the image of God. False

What does the text say?

Gen 1:27

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.(NIV)

It is not saying anything about marriage but it does have something to say about God. To express the many facets of the character of God it takes at least those found in males and females. While God is masculine the word for Spirit is feminine. The full expression of God needs both male and female.

2. Eve was created as a helper for Adam who was the boss. True or False

I received the following response from a woman who received this quiz by email:

I would say True. I think women would be happy playing their role as 'submitters' if more men played their biblical roles of leaders and caretakers.

What do you think of her response?

The word “boss” is defined by Webster as “a person in authority over employees, as a) foreman. b) an employer.” Is this the kind of relationship men are to have with their wives? With women in general? Is this the kind of relationship God wants to have with us whether we be male or female?

Is this what the “Lord” God had in mind. Keep in mind how God is identified when giving man this helper—“Lord God”. This is the God who intervenes into history to be with, to comfort, to redeem His people.” No wonder Scripture later refers to Him as “Immanuel—God With Us!” What kind of helper would He give?

Gen 2:18

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (NIV)

Adam did indeed a helper. They had been told to “be fruitful and increase in number” AND “rule over” the creatures of the earth AND the earth itself. (1:28)

Often when a challenging task is given a helper is requested. Many times an appeal is made for someone who is superior. For example:

Ps 38:21-22

21 O LORD, do not forsake me;

be not far from me, O my God.

22 Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my Savior. (NIV)

“God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided "an help meet for him"--a helper corresponding to him--one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him.” (Adventist Home, p.25)

“A father must not be as a child, moved merely by impulse. He is bound to his family by sacred, holy ties. Every member of the family centers in the father. His name, "house-band," is the true definition of husband. He is the lawmaker, illustrating in his own manly bearing the sterner virtues, energy, integrity, honesty, and practical usefulness. The father is in one sense the priest of the household, laying upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise.” (1T:547)

“To the man who is a husband and a father, I would say, Be sure that a pure, holy atmosphere surrounds your soul. As priest and house-band of your family, you are to learn daily of Christ. Never, never are you to show a tyrannical spirit in the home. The man who does this is working in partnership with Satanic agencies. Bring your will into submission to the will of God. Do all in your power to make the life of your wife pleasant and happy. Take the word of God as the man of your counsel. In the home live out the teachings of the word. Then you will live them out in the church, and will take them with you to your place of business. The principles of heaven will ennoble all your transactions. Angels of God will co-operate with you, helping you to reveal Christ to the world. {Southern Watchman, January 19, 1904 par. 11}

3. Adam’s first thoughts when he saw Eve were romantic. False

Gen 2:23

23 The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called 'woman,'

for she was taken out of man." (NIV)

SS Quarterly: In Genesis 2:23 Adam’s initial feeling upon seeing Eve was not romance but relief. (A possible translation would be: “At last!” Now at last here was a living being with whom he could truly identify. She was not just his counterpart; being made from his rib, she was a literal part of him.

1 Cor 11:11-12

11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. (NIV)

Regardless of our gender we are ultimately responsible to God for all our work and our relationships.

4. Two are better than one. True AND False

Dependent on what two.

Eccl 4:9-10

9 Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up! (NIV)

Two important observations:

(1) This passage isn’t speaking specifically about marriage.

(2) This passage isn’t necessarily speaking about geographical location but it is speaking about a kind of relationship. What kind of relationship would that be?

In Gen. 3:1-6 we find the story of Eve being tempted by the serpent. Note the following:

“The angels had cautioned Eve to beware of separating herself from her husband while occupied in their daily labor in the garden; with him she would be in less danger from temptation than if she were alone. But absorbed in her pleasing task, she unconsciously wandered from his side.” PP 53

But also note the following:

“Without a fear she plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred.” {PP 55.3}

After reflecting on the above, when are two better than one and when is this false? How important is the choosing of a companion (marriage or otherwise)?

5. Following the example of Sarah and Abraham (1 Pet 3:6), women should refer to their husbands as “master”. True (in the context of the explanation below)

1 Peter 3:4-6

5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. (NIV)

In what way did Sarah refer to Abraham as “master” and what relevance is that for Peter’s audience?

In our culture today this is a repulsive idea because it suggests a belittling of the woman! It is seen as a put-down of one and the dominance of the other. Was that the case of Sarah and Abraham? Is this what Peter had in mind?

It is clear from the context that the wives to whom Peter is addressing his counsel are married to unbelievers—“that they may be won over.” (v.1)

“According to Greco-Roman political theory, domestic order was essential to political order. . . Furthermore, Greeks and Romans believed that part of a woman’s submission to her father or husband included adherence to his religion.” (Robert Johnston in Bible Amplifier, pp. 85, 87)

There is obviously a line to which Peter was not suggesting that these wives cross but respect and honor, even when there are areas of serious disagreement, was indeed part of his counsel. It was part of that Spirit-directed “inner self” (v.4) to which Peter referenced earlier. “The popular idea was that Christianity made the wife hard to live with.” (Ibid.) Peter was suggesting that there was another approach while remaining true to both one’s faith and husband.

The use of the term “master” while recognizing the lead role of Abraham shows Sarah’s attitude of respect and honor towards her husband. In that regard such a statement can and should be answered with “True.”

Conclusion

Perhaps the words of Paul, written in a different context but with the same challenge of living united in a divided culture, would be an appropriate conclusion to our study for today.

Eph 4:1-6

4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (NIV)

We were created in the image of God. That seed is in our being whether we be married or single, rich or poor, employed or unemployed. With our submission to God that seed can germinate and the world will know we are Christians by the way we relate one to another—in good times and in bad.