The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS

59

GENESIS

in the end). Men would do well to learn to “openly” appreciate this unique aspect of a woman. 3. Her right to respond unfavorably at times to a lesser design (Gen 3:16) to Genesis 3:16, because the woman used her free will to disobey God and gratify her emotions, she is now condemned to a state of sorrow and submission. Nevertheless, seeing the women is the “better” creation and design, she will always intuitively and instinctively resist the idea of having to respond favorably to a “lesser” creation. Men would do well to try and understand this unique aspect of a woman. 4. Her willingness to submit at all to a lesser design (Gen 3:16) According to Genesis 3:16 and I Peter 3:1-7, because the woman used her free will and gave in to pride, she is sentenced to a role of subjection to man (the “lesser” design). It’s never easy for something “superior” to subject itself to something “inferior.” 2:18b God made ( I will make ) four institutions foundational to man’s history: (1) Marriage (Gen 2 andMt 19:3- 6); (2) Government (Gen 9 and Rom 13:1-7); (3) The nation of Israel (Gen 12 and Rom 11); and (4) The Church (Mt 16:15-19 and Acts 7:38). 2:19 Adam’s name means “red (as in clay); of the ground (representing humanity)” (Gen 2:7 & I Cor 15:47). He is referred to 18 times in the NT (Mt 19:4, Mk 10:6, Lk 3:38, Rom 5:12,14,17-19, I Cor 11:9 & 15:21-22,45,47, I Tim 2:13-14 and Jude 14). Adam is the 64th generation from CHRIST . 2:23 Question: who communicated first – the man or the woman? Answer : the man ( And Adam said ). Biblically speaking then, it is the responsibility of the husband to keep the lines of communication “open” between him and his wife ( I Pet 3:7 ). 2:24 There is a three-fold process for building unity within a marriage ( Mt 19:8 ): (1) leave (means “ to depart from the legal obligation to one’s parents, to forsake them, and be joined by another legal obligation to one’s mate ”); (2) cleave (means “ to laminate; to stick together till death; divorce should never be an option ”); and (3) become one flesh (means “ to unite physically ” - I Cor 6:16 and Eph 5:31). Couples are to unite for two reasons: procreation (Gen 1:26-28), and recreation (Prov 5:15-19, I Cor 7:3-5 and Heb 13:4 ). NOTE – There are five myths associated with marriage: 1. Marriage is all about me (Eccl 4:8-12) Unfortunately, many couples enter marriage with the attitude, “I finally have someone who will meet my needs.” This myth, however, grows out of a self -centered preoccupation with what seems to be best for me . In this kind of relationship marriage is viewed not as a we-relationship but as a me -arrangement designed to meet my needs. This myth, of course, explodes with the realization that a healthy marriage needs two people who are committed to be there for each other, not two individuals seeking self -fulfillment. Marriage is not about the individual; it’s about the couple. 2. Marriage is easier than being single (I Cor 7:27-28) Sadly, many couples enter marriage with the understanding that, “Burdens shared are more manageable.” Individuals often assume that things will get easier now that they have someone with whom to share the load.” This myth, however, usually begins to die soon after the honeymoon is over, and after a series of heated arguments about money, sex, in-laws, schedules, friends, weight-gains, etc. The combination of two people with different genders, backgrounds, experiences, and expectations adds up to a mix of not only mystery but of madness. Marriage is not about easier; it’s about effort. 3. Marriage is enchanting (Prov 27:15-16) Not only is a contentious woman forever annoying (vs. 15), but like the wind (vs. 16), she is impossible to conceal or control. Marriage is rarely enchanting. Ask the man whose wife is going through menopause or the woman who married a lazy man or the man who thought he married a nice girl, when in fact, he married a nag (Prov 21:9,19), if marriage is enchanting. Talk about a mythical approach to marriage. Regrettably, both men and women have entered marriage with the idea that, “If marriage is to be enchanting, then it should work like magic; and if it doesn’t, then something must be wrong.” Those holding to this myth forget that both patience and painful choices are components of a healthy marital relationship. Marriage is not all about pleasure, delight and charm; it’s about patience and difficult choices. 4. Marriage is all about being happy (Eccl 9:9) Unfortunately, many people enter marriage with the outlook, “I’m getting married because I want to be happy.” This unrealistic expectation is probably the most common and the most destructive of all marital myths. Marriage is viewed as a chance to become happy. Ever heard the phrase, “And they both lived happily ever after?” This myth, which happens to come (for the most part) from Hollywood, assumes that personal happiness is the ultimate goal of marriage. The problem with happiness is that it deals with happenings (events). Events in one’s life can be either good or bad. Couples should look for joy in a marriage, not happiness. Whereas happiness is dependent upon “happenings,” joy is dependent upon the Lord (Neh 8:10). Marriage is Once again, a lot of people enter marriage with the belief that, “Love is only a feeling.” Once the initial intense affections for a spouse are buried by the reality of life, many believe that their love has been lost. This myth, however, doesn’t include God’s kind of love, which includes choice and commitment ( II Jn 6 ). Marriage is not about how I feel; it’s about how my spouse feels. 1 Unger’s Bible Dictionary . Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 1957. Print. not about happiness; it’s about joyfulness. 5. Marriage is all about feelings (Eph 5:25)

2 Westermann, Claus. The Bible, A Pictorial History , New York, NY, The Seabury Press, 1977. Print. 3 John A. Garraty and Peter Gay. The Columbia History of the World , New York: Harper & Row, 1972. Print. 4 Huegel, F.J. That Old Serpent – The Devil , Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 1954. Print. 5 Laurin, Roy L. Romans – Where Life Begins , Grand Rapids, MI: Dunham Pub. Co. 1948. Print. 6 Massegee, Charles. Sanity in a Satanic Society , Ranger, TX, Life Line, 1978. Print. 7 Rodgers, Adrian. Adrianisms , Memphis, TN, Love Worth Finding, 2006. Print. 8 Boyd, Gregory A. Repenting of Religion , Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Books, 2004. Print. 9 Evans, Tony. Kingdom Agenda (Pulpit Series) 10 Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity , New York: Touchstone. 1943. Print.