Sullivan church of Christ -- Sullivan, MO
Date: August 29, 2004
THE FIRST MARRIAGE # 1
Ben Justice
The marriage relationship is indeed the greatest relationship that can exist in this world — outside of one’s
relationship with the Godhead. The marriage relationship is so great that Paul compares it to the
relationship that Christ sustains with his church (Eph. 5:22-23). Sadly, many in our world have not given
serious consideration to the marriage relationship, and even sadder is that this has “rubbed off” on some in
the church. Many have such warped views concerning marriage, and these have resulted in much heartache
in the lives of people — adults and children. We read about the first marriage in Gen. 2:18-25 of which will
be the burden of this study. There are four areas that we wish to explore.
THE PRONOUNCEMENT — V. 18
Jehovah said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (v. 18).
Man was created as an individual, as opposed to the animals. The phrase, “it is not good that the man
should be alone,” points to the fact that man was meant to be a social creature.
The phrase “help meet” means “helper, as over against him, i.e., corresponding to him.” One writer wrote,
“The expression indicates that the forthcoming helper was to be of similar nature to the man himself,
corresponding by way of supplements to the incompleteness of his lonely being, and in every way adapted to
be his co-partner and companion . . . Thus, in man’s need, and woman’s power to satisfy that need, is laid
the foundation for the Divine institution of marriage, which was afterwards prescribed not for the first pare
alone, but for all their posterity” (Pulpit Commentary — Genesis, Pg. 50).
THE PLAN — V. 19-20
“And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought
them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was
the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the
field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him” (v. 19-20). There are basically two reasons why
God wanted Adam to carry out the task of naming the animals:
1.) In naming the animals, it would show that he (man) is superior over the animal world.
2.) It would show Adam that he and the animals were far different, and therefore cannot satisfy man’s real
need for companionship (v. 20).
Henry Morris stated, “Adam could not help but be impressed with his own uniqueness — not only in
intelligence and spirituality, but also in ‘aloneness.’ Each animal had its mate, ‘but for Adam there was not
found an help meet for him’.” (Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record, Pg. 98).
THE PROCREATION — V. 21-23
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman,
and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (v. 21-23).
Someone once said that the woman was not taken from the head of man for her to have superiority over him,
nor was she taken from his feet suggesting inferiority and for her to be degraded, but rather she was taken
from his side to be by his side as help meet (suitable companion), indicating equality and companionship.
The word “rib” comes from a Hebrew term that occurs 35 times in the OT, and this is the only time it is
rendered “rib.” Most of the time it means, “side.” Morris said it could be translated like this: “And he took
one of his sides, and closed up the [remaining] flesh in the stead of [that which he had taken]; And the side,
which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Ibid., Pg. 100).
Paul affirmed in I Cor. 11:8-9, “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man, (9) Neither was
the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” Paul then stated in v. 11, “Nevertheless
neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”
The word “made” means, “builded” (see KJV footnote).
God then “brought her unto the man.” Instinctively, Adam recognized her relation to himself.
The living entity that was created is called “woman.” The Hebrew term is isha and literally means, “out of
man.” “Man” is from ish. In fact, “Adam” in v. 19 is translated from ish.
THE PRODUCT — V. 24-25
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one
flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (v. 24-25). We see five
things from these verses:
1.) Marriage was designed to be monogamous — marriage to only person.
2.) God intended for the marriage relationship to be heterosexual — man to woman.
3.) Marriage was designed to constitute individual units of society. Note again what the text says:
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife.” This statement did not
fully apply to Adam, since he did not have a father and mother. Rather, it was given in anticipation of Adam’s
descendants. A man would leave his parents and establish a new unit of society, namely the home — now
his immediate family.
4.) We see that this is how God intended marriage to be throughout all generations. All future marriages
would be based upon the original relationship of Adam and Eve. Jesus endorsed this in Matt. 19:8.
5.) God purposed that marriage be permanent. The “leaving” was thus to be followed by a “cleaving,” and
“they shall be one flesh.” [more next week]
“Don’t Leave Them In The Water” # 2
[NOTE: Continuation of last week’s article.]
What are some avenues and ways by which new babes in Christ can grow.
1.) Elders (the leaders) of a congregation should see to it that new Christians are given some sound study
tools by which they can use to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are several books
written by sound brethren geared especially for recent converts. One of my favorites is Paul Sain’s “Ready
Reference For Growing Christians.” It is my judgment that once a person has been baptized into Christ that
they are immediately given a packet of materials.
2.) Another suggestion is that they enroll in a Bible Correspondence Course. Bible Correspondence Courses
are usually in depth studies. They require you to answer questions, of which you will be graded on.
3.) Strive and make every sacrifice to be at every service of the church as possible (cf. Heb. 10:25; Matt. 6:
33). If I could but emphasize one thing it would be this. Attending all the services of the church where one
is around those of like precious faith will do more to help strengthen a new convert’s faith than any one thing.
Many other things could be mentioned. One thing we must never do is “leave them in the water.” --
Ben Justice