So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 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. (Genesis 2:20-23)
Many people through the ages have used the story of Adam and Eve to contend that women are subordinate to men, inferior from the beginning. This is a gross injustice to this Biblical text.
Eve was created by God to be a “helper” not so much in the sense of secondary assistant as in an essential partner. The word translated “helper” (ezer) is most commonly used in Scripture in reference to God (i.e. Psalm 124:8 – “My help is in the name of the LORD”). Eve was created not as a second-rate servant, but as Adam’s perfect partner in caring for God’s creation.
Matthew Henry once wrote -
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more on marriage…
“My Woman“
“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.”
I love that Matthew Henry quote! Amen to that – Eve was not some second rate helper. She, too, was created in the image of God and given the instruction to rule over the other creatures. But as you’ve obviously read your Bible you’d already know that!
Interesting photograph, where did you take it?
The Pistol fires back: You can find this image at this site – I did googled “Adam and Eve” and found this one at – http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Gifs/buffona1.gif
That’s really beautiful. Thank you.