The word “male” (Genesis 1:27), from the Hebrew word zakar, could be translated: “the remembering one. Isn’t this a strange description for the male? What is it that God wants man to remember?
God’s wants man to remember His Story (history). His instructions for life. His warnings away from death. Just as Adam passed on God’s Word to Eve, so is man to pass on God’s Word to his family today — sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters. Whoa. Stop. Adam passed on God’s Word to Eve?
Based on Genesis 1:27, I used to assume that God made man and woman at the same time. That God instructed them both not to eat of the one tree. That in choosing to do so, they would know good and evil… and die. I was ignorant of God’s Word. I was guilty of reading one passage, but not another. God uses the first part of Genesis, chapter 2, to give more detail on His creation. God didn’t create man and woman at the same time — or in the same way or for the same purpose. Eve had not yet come to be when God gave the man His instructions for life and warnings against death. She learned of God’s Word from man. And, in God’s order of things, she would be privileged to help him remember it. Trust it. Use it.
One day, Satan slithered right past the man to deceive the woman. The twister of Truth knew that Adam was entrusted with the responsibility of remembering God’s Word so he flattered the woman. Put her in the role of leader. Perhaps intoxicated by this attention, she disobeyed God and doubted His Word. In doubt, she was foolishly emboldened to not only speak for God but add her own words as if they were His. Eve’s words should have been to her husband. She should have beseeched him to remember God’s Word and use it to engage the enemy. Instead, she chose to tempt man to also eat of forbidden fruit. Adam could have resisted. Turned Satan on his tail. But, failing to remember God’s Word and use it, the man was ill-equipped to cover his wife. Lead away from danger. God held man responsible because he failed to remember. To act. To engage the liar with Truth. To bring order out of chaos.
It all could have ended there. But, God’s love for His creation endures forever. He promised that another Man would come. The Man who would remember the Word and use it to cover every sinful man, woman, and child. That Man is the Word. The Word sent from the Father to be the Savior from sin. In Jesus Christ, man has new opportunity to remember the Word and use it. And woman remains privileged to help man remember.
How does she do this?
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tear it down (Proverbs 12:1).
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life . . . she opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue . . . the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31). (Note: She deserves to be praised not because she is so amazing, but because she is not deceived by the world.*)
She is reverent in behavior, not a slanderer or slave to much wine. She teaches what is good, and so trains the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands [as to God], that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3-5).
Even if her husband doesn’t obey the Word, she may win him by her behavior when he sees her respectful and pure conduct . . . when she lets her adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious . . . likewise, her husband lives with her in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since she is an heir with him of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:1-7). (No offense here! God expresses care, not disrespect, for women because physically, women are typically smaller in size and weaker in strength which could make them vulnerable to abuse. Husbands are not to exploit their size and strength in unkind ways.*)
A husband needs a wife who will patiently help him remember God’s Word. Use it and pass it on. On this earth, there is no more powerful union — for the benefit of children. Society. A future of hope.
*With appreciation for commentaries
from The Lutheran Study Bible
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