Most ministers will use the words “in the presence of God” at some point during a wedding ceremony. Because of their familiarity, those words seem to have lost their impact. This is not just a phrase, a throwaway line. They may be the most important words spoken during the uniting of two people in marriage. In the final analysis, it is “the presence of God” that makes marriage a sacred institution.
Male and female (Genesis 1:26-28)
Genesis provides the account of the creation of mankind. The first reference to the creation of man occurs in Genesis 1:26-28. This initial reference is made in the same context as the creation of the balance of the universe, i.e. a declaration of the completed act. This statement of creation includes the completed act of the creation of both male and female.
Chapter 2 provides a more in depth account of the creation of man (v. 7). It should be noted this is the account of the creation of the male only. The story of the creation of the female occurs later in chapter 2 (vv. 20-23).
Mankind, both male and female, was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Because of the complexity of the nature of God, it is difficult to express the meaning of being created in the image of God. However, it is safe to assume being made in the image of God includes the inclination toward relational expression. God created humanity so he could enjoy fellowship with his creation. Likewise, man was created to enjoy fellowship with God. The balance of this lesson will deal with the relationship between God and man and male and female.
After God created mankind, male and female, he gave them roles to fill in the newly created world. God’s instructions could be broken down into two tasks: First, God said, “be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth” (v. 28). As with the balance of creation, God had given mankind the ability to reproduce. Through the union of the man and woman would come the population of the earth. God also instructed them to, “subdue” and “rule over” the earth (v. 28). Such a charge is an obvious indication of man’s superiority in the created order.
Something’s missing in paradise (Genesis 2:7, 15-20)
As indicated earlier, chapter 2 provides the detail to the creation of man. After man had been formed from the dust of the ground and God breathed life into him (v. 7), God addressed the relational need of his creation. God knew man needed a “helper” (Genesis 2:20).
Much has been made of the relationship God intended with the creation of the female. Some have intimated the female was inferior because she was created after the male and from a part of him. Others suggest God created the male to be the federal head of the human relationship. Extreme care should be exercised when assigning labels of inferiority and superiority.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Clearly the woman was created to complete the male. God carefully had examined the man and found him to be incomplete. God determined man alone was “not good” (v. 18). Because of his relational nature, man needs a companion to be complete. It is difficult to relegate the woman to an inferior position when it was the man’s need that led to her creation. The relationship between the man and the woman was intended to bring completion and fulfillment to both male and female. The woman completed the man, and the man completed the woman.
Caution must be exercised when discussing the idea of completion in terms of the creation of male and female. While God intended for the relationship between a man and a woman to be fulfilling to each, he did not intend for it to be a necessity for the completion of the person. Those who never experience the intimate relationship God intended between a man and a woman should never consider themselves to be flawed, unfulfilled and incomplete. To intimate inferiority of an unmarried person would be to pronounce the Lord Jesus was somehow inferior.
While he was sleeping (Genesis 2:21-22)
It is not until the creation of the woman that the man has a name. Finally, the man is given the name Adam (v. 20). The name Adam is taken from the Hebrew word for dirt, a description of the source of his make up. The woman’s name, Eve, does not appear for some time yet. The female is given a descriptive name, woman, “for she was taken out of man” (v. 23).
It is also worth noting that it is not until the end of the story of creation that the relationship between Adam and Eve is described as being a bond between a man and “his wife” (v. 24). At the same time, the terms of their intimacy is defined, “they will become one flesh” (v. 24).
Conclusion
It is from the historical account of the creation of man and woman marriage is defined. Marriage is intended to be the relationship between a man and a woman brought together through God’s design and plan. Theirs is to be a relationship through which each feels completed and fulfilled. In the intimacy of their relationship, there is no need for feelings of superiority and inferiority, for each deems the other the better half. It is God’s ultimate design for one man and one woman to live within the confines of a unique relationship with one another for a life time.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.