Day 19: Genesis 2:22-25
Devotional
READ GENESIS 2:22-25
Genesis 2:22-25 illustrates the first wedding between man and woman, blessed by God, and it serves as a perfect example of our relationship with Christ.
We see the first woman made from the rib of man. The ribs help protect the heart illustrating the emotional protection a wife offers, and simultaneously, the ribs are under the arm which represents a husband’s role in physically protecting his wife. God easily could have made woman from the dust like man, yet He chose to intentionally remove part of man, build a helper, and give man back his missing piece. The Hebrew word for “helper” indicates that Eve is a partner to help Adam in his distress. She was created with an individual uniqueness but also a oneness with man.
Like Adam and Eve, we are in need of companionship (1 Corinthians 11:11), but we need to be cautious not to fall into the ”you complete me” trap, since only God can complete us. It can be easy to overlook the necessity of God’s role in making these two become one. Today, we must model that same relationship between husband, wife, and God.
We are called to do this by cleaving to one another. This word “cleaving” means to be glued together just as bone and skin are connected. Jesus reiterates this concept in Matthew 19:6 when he says that two become one flesh. The Hebrew means to be attached. It’s not just a physical act but a deeply emotional and spiritual act, reclaiming your “rib”, your missing piece, to become one. In our walk with Jesus, we die to our old self and cleave to Jesus through a relationship with him.
Finally, Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed because they were one. They experienced being fully known by their spouse, without judgement, shame, or guilt. How amazing (and scary!) does it sound to be fully known by someone without judgement, shame, or guilt?! Luckily, Christ offers that freedom when we place our hope in Him. He already knows our sins. He took on our inequities, died on the cross, and conquered the grave just to be in relationship with us.
Genesis 2:22-25 illustrates the first wedding between man and woman, blessed by God, and it serves as a perfect example of our relationship with Christ.
We see the first woman made from the rib of man. The ribs help protect the heart illustrating the emotional protection a wife offers, and simultaneously, the ribs are under the arm which represents a husband’s role in physically protecting his wife. God easily could have made woman from the dust like man, yet He chose to intentionally remove part of man, build a helper, and give man back his missing piece. The Hebrew word for “helper” indicates that Eve is a partner to help Adam in his distress. She was created with an individual uniqueness but also a oneness with man.
Like Adam and Eve, we are in need of companionship (1 Corinthians 11:11), but we need to be cautious not to fall into the ”you complete me” trap, since only God can complete us. It can be easy to overlook the necessity of God’s role in making these two become one. Today, we must model that same relationship between husband, wife, and God.
We are called to do this by cleaving to one another. This word “cleaving” means to be glued together just as bone and skin are connected. Jesus reiterates this concept in Matthew 19:6 when he says that two become one flesh. The Hebrew means to be attached. It’s not just a physical act but a deeply emotional and spiritual act, reclaiming your “rib”, your missing piece, to become one. In our walk with Jesus, we die to our old self and cleave to Jesus through a relationship with him.
Finally, Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed because they were one. They experienced being fully known by their spouse, without judgement, shame, or guilt. How amazing (and scary!) does it sound to be fully known by someone without judgement, shame, or guilt?! Luckily, Christ offers that freedom when we place our hope in Him. He already knows our sins. He took on our inequities, died on the cross, and conquered the grave just to be in relationship with us.
Personal Reflection
- Whether you are single or married, how can you exemplify the process of cleaving to Christ?
- What would it look like to be known and accepted without judgement, shame, or guilt? Have you experienced this in your marriage, small group, life group, and/or relationship with Jesus?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
2 Comments
I cannot imagine no shame, guilt, or second guessing. What an amazing state to be in. Processing all my relationships through that lens and thinking about what they could look like in that state is challenging.
Such good insight! Thank you Sara!