The results of straying away from the good God has for us is detrimental and damaging. That being said, we can use the story of Adam and Eve as a lesson to take into our own marriages and families.
Perhaps the most iconic woman we find in the Bible is the first one that we meet – Eve. At first glance, one may think her story is unconventional, tainted with temptation and sin. But oh, how there is so much more to her story than what we see on the surface.
Declaring that she was the first woman who took a bit of that devilish apple, bringing down a curse to all mankind, is a bit dreary and, quite honestly, paints Eve in a rather bad light. Besides, it doesn’t reveal her entire story. There is so much good to her story, all in the way of God’s amazing grace. But it often gets shadowed by the darkness of Eve’s sin.
Eve’s story is often misunderstood, but the truth of the matter is that her sin was all part of a bigger plan and serves a purpose – even today! It’s a good vs. evil story. Where God made an image that He adored in a woman, the liar tried to damage it. Sadly, that fraudulent liar is still at work today, sending out false messages about our identity as women, causing confusion, and trying to steal away our God-given roles.
So, let’s not mistake the role Eve plays here. There is so much beauty found within her story, and it is truly remarkable. Are you ready to dig into the Truth and find out God’s precious plan and purpose for Eve and for us all? Then read on, my friend!
God – Our Creator
Genesis 1 lays out for us how it all came to be. The light and darkness. The atmosphere and sky. The dry land and water. The sun, moon, and stars. The fish, water creatures, and animals. Creation was unfolding, and it was good. But then God said, “Let us make man, in our own image, in our own likeness” (Genesis 1:26-27). Adam was then born, created out of dust, and breathed to life by God Himself (Genesis 2:7). God gave Adam the authority to rule over all the other living creatures. Life was good. Perfect.
Our God, being the Master Creator that He is, wanted to give purpose to His most prized possession – man. So, God gave Adam a job to tend to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). But not only that, God gave Adam the freedom to make his own decisions and to live freely (Genesis 2:16-17).
However, while every other animal had a mate, God saw that Adam was alone and needed a helper (Genesis 2:18). So, as the story goes, Eve was created from one of Adam’s ribs. Woman was created in God’s image, from Adam. This goes to show the power of connection a man and woman share – it was all part of God’s design.
Eve - The First Woman
Okay, let’s stop and think about this beautiful scene for just a moment. Adam and Eve lived peacefully and perfectly in this garden with God. God was with them, and they felt His presence (Genesis 2:25). Could you imagine how incredible that must have been? This is the kind of love that God had intended for a man and woman to form as a husband and wife. To live in union under Him. This is the picture God gives us to attain to as we live in peace with one another.
But, as we know, the serpent had to mess it all up! The serpent came to deceive and target Eve – the woman. The helper. The beauty. The one that man adored and was madly in love with. Do you see where I am going here? Did that evil snake choose the woman because he didn’t think he could deceive the man? Perhaps. Maybe he knew if he could get Eve to sin, Adam would quickly follow suit. And that’s exactly what happened.
Satan created a divide not only between them and God but between one another. Adam was meant to protect and care for Eve, but he didn’t do that. Eve was to be a helper to Adam, yet she led him into sin. Satan attacked them both! Unfortunately, Satan has been wreaking havoc on the roles of men and women ever since!
Even though Eve’s decision caused a mass crippling for generations to come and still causes mayhem today, God knew this would happen (Isaiah 45:5). He knew Eve would take the bait and that Adam would listen to her and not Him. God knew it would come to this, yet He still created them!
That’s because it was all part of God’s plan. He uses all things for good!
God created Eve, the first woman, in His image to showcase her uniqueness. Beautiful by nature, with a purpose to help and nurture. But in being the physically weaker of the two sexes, she was also meant to be protected.
We see this pan out when God dishes out consequences after the Fall. God placed a curse on the serpent (Genesis 3:14-16), which could be why most women are generally terrified of snakes! Then God gave man and woman consequences (Genesis 3:16-19). Due to Adam neglecting Eve, men were commanded to lead and protect while working diligently to provide for their families. Due to Eve disobeying God and leading her husband astray, women would be asked to submit to their husbands, given great pains during childbirth, and struggle while raising a family.
We still see that the effects of Adam and Eve’s choices plague men and women today as we fall into different roles we were never meant to be in and give way to temptation. The results of straying away from the good God has for us is detrimental and damaging. That being said, we can use the story of Adam and Eve as a lesson to take into our own marriages and families.
What We Can Learn from Eve
God Defines a Woman
It isn’t hard to see that in our current society, Biblical femininity is under spiritual attack. Genesis 5:2 says God made them male and female and blessed them. God blessed each gender with a unique and beautiful design. Women have different physical, mental, and emotional needs than that of a man. Ephesians 5:22-33 lays out how a husband must cherish and care for his wife. Proverbs 31 lays out the traits of a noble wife, one that is far more precious than rubies. She tends to her home but is very capable of business (Proverbs 31:6).
When we embrace our womanhood and walk in a humble way to help and nurture our families and others, we not only show others that being a woman is a special gift but that being a woman of God is a great honor. As faithful women, we are fully known and fully loved by our God!
Motherhood Will Be Hard at Times
Adam and Eve’s story didn’t end after the Fall. In Genesis 4, we see Eve become a mother! And boy, do we ever see the consequences lived out in their first two children, Cain and Able. Talk about sibling rivalry. Eve struggled to be the mother that they needed, and I am pretty sure she had a few moments where she questioned her worth. Even being known as “the mother of all living,” she faced hard and devastating times in her maternal role.
That just goes to show that we, too, will encounter great challenges on our own motherhood journey. We need to prepare for them and know that hard times are part of the package. Motherhood is full of sacrifices but so rewarding.
Distinguish the Lies from the Truth
Satan will continue to tempt us because he knows how to get into our minds and target weak points, leading us to believe lies. We mustn’t entertain those thoughts. When we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we are less likely to fall into the trap that Satan sets out for us. We can equip ourselves by putting on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and tucking God’s promises throughout His Word in our hearts. Just as Eve was provoked, the liar will do the same to us, so we must keep our guard up and protect our hearts and minds.
We Serve a God of Redemption
God loved Eve. And God loves us! Our gracious God bestowed grace and mercy upon Eve when she fell into the ways of her flesh. And friend, He can (and will) do the same for us. Praise be to God that He is a God of redemption! A God that knows us better than we know ourselves and sees past our sins. A God that can soften our hearts to turn to Him so we can break away from the chains of shame and guilt. I am so thankful our God is the God of Redemption!
Final thought: God had a plan and purpose for Eve. And He has a plan and purpose for your life, too. Embrace the woman God is calling you to be today, and walk with that sheer confidence!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/elijah_sad
