“Adam: From Emptiness to Fullness”   2/11/07

Genesis 2:18-25

 

FOUNDATIONS / BEGINNINGS  review  FOUNDATION of MARRIAGE

 

God’s creative acts have brought forth numerous complementary relationships.  The skies needed birds,

 the seas needed fish, the land needed animals, and Adam needed…

 

POINT 1- In bringing Adam to a state of fullness, God spoke of a PROBLEM

 

A.     After speaking “good” 7 times, God now declares something NOT GOOD.

B.     God decides to make for Adam a “STRENGTH” that is comparable to him. Dt.33

C.     Even though God realizes the problem, He wants Adam to realize his LACK

D.    After seeking to find a creature comparable to the man, none was found.

*Adam couldn’t fulfill his destiny without a comparable companion. He needed Eve.

**God brought Adam to a place of DEPENDENCE.

 

“Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.”  Psalm 33:20-21

 

ILL- Archaeological Dig Director is leader, but needs hieroglyphics linguist.

 

Is it therefore not good for any person to be alone?  (1 Corinthians 7:7, 17).

 

 

POINT 2- In bringing Adam to a state of fullness, God made a PROVISION

 

A.  God takes action to solve Adam’s problem.  Something only He can do.

B.  God builds Eve from flesh and bone taken from Adam’s side and presents her.

C.  Adam receives the woman from God and uses a play on words uniting them.

There is also idiomatic language referencing a covenant here (2 Sam 5:1-3; Matt 26:41)

 

Adam was a type (forerunner) of the 2nd Adam (Jesus) who paid for a wife after being cut

in the side (see John 19:34; Rom 5:14; 1 Cor 15:22, 45; Ephesians 5:30-32).  GOSPEL

 

 

POINT 3- In bringing Adam to a state of fullness, God expected PERMANENCE

 

A.  Part of the marriage order is for a man to “abandon” a type of relationship.

B.  He is now to cleave to his wife and be glued together with her permanently.

C.  Their relationship becomes one physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

D.  In this state of marriage, shame is removed and honor remains (Heb 13:4).

Some helpful practices for a unified and permanent marriage:

 

1) Divorce not an option (Matthew 19:1-9).

2) Keep priorities in the family relationship (Jesus, marriage, then children.)

3) Forgive…. A lot!  (Matthew 18:35).

4) Praise each other more than criticize (Romans 12:3, 16; Philippians 2:3)

5) Enjoy one another in companionship, time and intimacy (Pro 5:19; 1 Cor 7:2-5)

6) Communicate with each other in understanding (1 Peter 3:1-8).

7) When possible seek unity in all things: service, home, beliefs (Matt 12:25)