Genesis 2:21-22 “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 to the man.”
The New Testament confirms that this recording of creation history is not allegorical but historical. 1 Timothy 2:13 states “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” 1 Corinthians 11:8 confirms that the creation of man and woman was in this order: “For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man.” Of course all other men have been born of a woman after this creative miracle! Today I want to point out some beautiful pictures of Christ and the church from these verses.
1. Notice that God built Eve’s body out of Adams’ body. All through the Old Testament we see “types” or “foreshadows” of Christ, the church, and many other New Testament realities. Eve is a beautiful picture of the church and Adam is a beautiful picture of Christ! The church came from the broken body of Christ on the cross. Do you remember when the soldier pierced the side of Jesus in the gospels? John 19:34-36 records “forthwith came there out blood and water.” Ephesians 5:30 teaches that the church became “members of his body (Jesus), of his flesh, and of his bones.” Isn’t it interesting that the Bible calls Jesus the 2nd Adam? Wow! The church was created by the blood of Christ just as Eve was born of the flesh of Adam. Certainly this OT act of God is a beautiful picture of that day of redemption. From the first Adam’s body came his beautiful wife Eve and from Christ’s body came his beautiful bride the church!
2. While the text doesn’t say this I wonder if God told Adam ahead of time what He planned to do. I would imagine he likely did tell him and Adam didn’t have any say in the matter. Christ certainly knew ahead of time what His mission would be and what a cost His human body, soul, and Spirit would have to endure, and as part of the Trinity surrendered to the will of the Father to redeem His future wife the church before she ever sinned.
3. Adam’s “sleep” is a beautiful picture of Jesus’ death on the cross (although I don’t think Adam died here). After Adam awoke his bride was brought to him. After Jesus’ resurrection His future bride was as good as complete in the foreknowledge of God. Although a waiting period of eternal union with his bride is in place right now, He immediately received all those that would eventually accept Him as Lord and Savior. This text says that God brought Eve (her) “unto the man.” Sooner than a second ago God will bring the Church to Jesus and oh what a day that will be…one long eternal day of rest and worship!
4. Henry Morris points out that the word “rib” is likely not the best translation. He states “The Hebrew word “tsela” appears 35 times in the OT and this is the only time it has been rendered ‘rib.’ Most of the time “tsela” is translated ‘side.’ I believe this word could symbolize that God didn’t make women superior to men by making Eve from his head or inferior by making Eve from his feet, but as Morris states “from his side, indicating equality and companionship.” Beautiful!
5. Just as Eve was called to come along side Adam and work along side him to carry out God’s will on earth, so we the church are called to come alongside Christ and carry out the Great Commission until He returns. Let’s choose to be a faithful spouse until our engagement becomes a wedding day.
Grace and understanding to us all, Pastor Kevin Boone
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Tags: creation woman
