WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Genesis 1-2
"I want to invite you to come back and celebrate our divorce!"
Who doesn't start out married life with the desire of finding a happy home?
Your marriage relationship is not defined by what you want your marriage to be.
It is defined by the little decisions you make day by day–before and within that relationship.
"When all else fails, read the instructions!"
Directed toward genuine Christians--because in order for the home to be truly happy it has to have Christ at the center.
As these principles are applied to your marriage, even without Christ, they produce their own results.
Principles work because they’re designed by the manufacturer--both of life and of marriage.
God designed marriage for our enjoyment!
So WHY are so many so miserable–even Christians?!!
THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE 1:1-2:3
After initial summary statement that God created the heavens and the earth (1:1), Moses proceeds to describe how God did it.
Although it’s not the author's purpose to introduce man in this chapter, he must include him along with the rest of God's creation.
Even though he mentions him very briefly, he is obligated to point out some basic differences from the other creatures.
MAN [ADAM] IS THE ONLY ONE OF HIS KIND! 1:26-31
Generic reference–orig. male => all humanity, male and female
Only man is made in God's image. 1:26-27
He is created unique among all the creatures God made.
He was God's representative, to rule over all creatures God made.
In what sense is man like God?
How does he compare to the other animals?
"Let them rule"--Why are they both referred to here?
Man is given specific responsibilities 1:28-30
* Be fruitful => produce fruit; = reproduce
* Multiply => become many; make many
* Fill the earth => populate the earth–that’s NOT with our litter!
* Subdue the earth => cause it to submit
* Rule over other animals
Unless there was a different way to reproduce, it’s part of God's plan. Sexual relationship was not original sin.
Who designed it?
Why does this come prior to man's dominion over the earth?
What was God's purpose for marriage? --Not stated
Why was it necessary for man to multiply? How does this relate to present situation?
What was God's reaction to the plan with the sexual element included?
--28a--He blessed them --31--"It was very good."
How should the story of man’s creation affect our lives today?
* The unity of a man and his wife
* Sex is part of God's plan and He calls it very good.
* The command to multiply has a purpose
–to populate the earth –and thereby to control the earth.
BEGINNING OF HUMANITY 2:4-25 --closer look at man’s creation
Starts from beginning again, briefly referring to environment, to describe how God made man and in a personal way gave him life (4-7).
His home is described, giving impression of perfect environment (8-14)
God gave him everything he needed to enjoy life as God's representative forever.
MAN’S PROBLEM: loneliness 2:18-20
He was alone 2:18
Nothing in the world was like him with which he could share.
Nothing conformed to what he was so he might enjoy companionship.
Was he really alone? Why does it say he was alone?
What are the implications of the solution: "I will make him a helper suitable for him?"
But he wasn't alone 2:19-20a
All creation is with him
He has a beautiful work environment
All the animals are there
-there’s no fear between them -there’s no enmity
Why did God give Adam this assignment at this time?
God gave assignment so he could see the difference between himself and other creatures
Through work God gave him, Adam observed each creature.
No one was like him--no one corresponded to what he was 20b
No one understood him
No one was like him to open up and share his deepest feelings.
GOD’S SOLUTION: God created woman 2:21-22
God provides help for him He made an ideal help 18b
-Lit.--she was help for him--NOT helper, i.e., a servant)
She is like him
-She was made to correspond exactly to what he was
She is what he needs.
-She was made to correspond exactly to what he needed.
So she could be one with him
So he could express himself freely--and be understood!
God solved problem by creating woman as a suitable help for Adam 20b-22
What did the way God created woman teach them?
She was taken from him and made to be one with him.
Author applies lesson to marriage: the man and his wife were to stand alone before everything and everyone else.
This was God's design for the home.
God took her from man's side
Demonstrates inter-dependent relationship
2 are part of 1 body --> shows matrimonial unity
-Not taken from the head--to be his boss
-Not taken from the foot--to be walked on
-Taken from under the arm--to be protected
-Taken from near the heart--to be loved
She was taken from him--therefore, subject to him (1 Cor. 11:8)
THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION of the process 2:23-24
Adam's conclusion 2:23
What does "bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" imply?
“SHE’S JUST LIKE ME!”–different from other creatures!
What does the name "woman" imply?
-She is part of his body -We are one
-one bone -one flesh --> v.24 -one name (man-->woman)
This unity becomes basis for all biblical teaching concerning the home.
Author's conclusion 2:24
A man and his wife ought to:
* LEAVE father and mother--separate from home of their parents
-Frequently kids don't get far enough away from mom & dad
-Parents interfere in a couple's lives
-Companionship isn't given a high priority in marriage
Where do children fit into this picture?
What should we do about it?
* STICK TOGETHER–(Unite)–be glued to one another
* BECOME ONE FLESH–unity between them
Jesus' conclusion Matt. 19:6
They’re no longer 2 individuals
God unites them in 1
No one should separate them (man or woman?)
Marriage is forever
Paul's conclusion Eph. 5:28-31
Love for one's self
+ => Go together
Love for one's wife
Since we’re one flesh, . . .
We ought to care for her just like we care for ourselves.
THE NATURAL REACTION by the couple 2:25
NO SHAME! Why aren't they embarrassed? –they’re one!
The body of each spouse is united to and belongs to the other.
SEVEN BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES BASED ON GENESIS 2:18-24
1) Man needs woman.
2) Woman is designed to be a help to her husband
She’s intended to correspond to what he needs.
3) The key to a satisfying marriage is unity
Leave father and mother behindStick to each other
Pull together–as ONE!
4) Marriage is forever!
In Adam's case it was for 930 years.
5) God's plan is one man and one woman!–monogamy! –contemporary desc.!
6) Our marriage relationship comes before our parenting relationship!
Relationship between spouses is previous and superior to relationship with children
7) God established marriage and sex –before 1st sin.
He calls it "VERY GOOD"
THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR MARRIAGE: Two keywords/one purpose!
* Companionship * Unity
We’re to stand together before everything and everyone else.
This is God's pattern for the home. 2 Cor. 6:14-16
WHAT DOES CREATION [GENESIS] TEACH US ABOUT MARRIAGE?
What lessons should we learn for our lives today from this section of Genesis?
Marriage unites best friends!
Who is your best friend?"You and me" against the world– Even before our kids!
Communication and companionship
is more important than convenience!
Importance of communication and companionship (in place of convenience)
Satisfying our spouse comes first!
What are we living for?
If married--first priority is to please the mate--1 Cor. 7:32-35
Especially v. 33Even before the church!Even before serving the Lord!
If it's not going well at home,
the rest of your life won’t go well either.
Remember Peter’s prayers!
So, how IS it going at home?
How is your relationship with your spouse?
Is that your # 1 priority?
God wants 1st place in our life.
But if we let anything else in the world get closer to our heart than our husband/wife, that’s adultery!
Whether it’s our career, our kids, our friends, our possessions, . . .
To make them more important than our spouse is adultery!
God has made US ONE!