As we consider the creation account in Gen 1 & 2, we see that God created Adam and Eve with honor and distinction from the rest of his creation. They alone were created in his image, as intelligent, rational, and moral beings. Though created equal in their personhood, they were created with physiological and emotional differences to complement one another and to fulfil the roles that God had for them. The man and his wife lived in harmony with God and one another. But sadly, that state of blessedness did not continue, as Satan tempted Eve in the garden and she and her husband fell into sin. This brought them under God’s judgment and condemnation. The woman would now have pain in child bearing, have conflict with her husband, and be driven out from the presence of God.
But God in his mercy sent his Son into the world, born of a woman, to restore her and her offspring back into fellowship with himself, by paying the penalty that her sins deserved. In his work of restoration, Christ also removed the hostility between male and female (cf. Gal 3:28) and gave women a place of honor and distinction in his new creation, the church.
As you read the creation account again, please consider the following questions:
- How does the creation account define woman’s identity and role (Gen 1:26; 2:18-25)?
- How did the fall and its consequences affect that (Gen 3:1-7,16)?
- According to the world’s thinking, where does a woman get her identity and worth?
- How has Jesus given you, ladies, a new identity and enabled you to fulfil the role God has for you?
- When we consider the NT, how has Christ elevated women to a place of honor in his church?
- For the brothers, in what way do we, men, need to be renewed in our thinking towards women?