Ok... Men can read this too.
Dear Ladies of GTCC,
I know you've done it many times, but just have a read through Genesis 2 again this week. There are a couple of significant features in the way Moses wrote this chapter that should be immensely encouraging to ladies.
One is to simply note that from verse 18 to 25 our attention is focused on Eve. Sure, Adam is right there and the whole context of marriage is in play. But look intently at the space attributed to the anticipation of the first woman. She's no afterthought. We see it in the incompleteness of Adam without Eve. It was not good that he was alone.
From the moment we realize Adam's solitude in the presence of every creature in the creation, we are guided to excitement and wonder in how God will complete the picture. It is completed in the most intimate of ways. By the hand of God, from the side of man, from the one lump of clay, God fashions a woman, and Adam responds in wonder and thankful rejoicing.
If you read through this wonderful section of Scripture, you should also know the uniqueness of the text. For the original Israelite readers in the wilderness, it would not be lost on them that the creation accounts of the ancient near eastern world around them were absent of any discussion about women being created. Women were not even a thought, but for God's people it was different. Sure, the God of the universe made man as a complete human being, but initially there was a vacancy in his life that was not good. Eve doesn't just complete the picture, the thrust of the text shows that she is a much-anticipated gift from God.
So often critics of the bible point their fingers at Scriptures and accuse Christians of holding to a book that is somehow oppressive toward women. This is far from the truth. It is certainly true that the bible does describe real historical situations where women are unjustly treated. Even some of the heroes of the bible were not immune to mistreating women. The entire kingdom of Israel was split under God's judgment because Solomon was willing to have hundreds of concubines and wives and was led into idolatry with them. This is one tragedy honestly reported among many. None of that means that God undervalues the importance of women. In fact, in our text in Genesis 2, oppressing women seems far from the truth.
Eve is longingly anticipated and joyfully celebrated. She has an elevated role above all creatures. She's in union with Adam and as image bearers with him in dominion over all of creation. She is in an intimate partnership helping Adam to uphold and bear his responsibilities. Eve is essential, beautiful, and needed. She completes the picture of husband and wife. But most gloriously, later on we find that her union with Adam is only a taste compared to how it is most gloriously pictured in Christ and the church. Christ's role as a groom is most wonderfully completed in him suffering and dying and saving the bride he loves - the church.
Ladies, I am so thankful you are a part of our church. If you are in Christ, along with every other Christian, you have the ultimate groom. We all do.
We are so thankful you are our sisters in Christ.