Genesis 3:20; Genesis 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13.
Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 NIVMale and female (Adam and Eve) were both created in the image of God. Adam and Eve are the climax of the creation account in Genesis 1. In Genesis 2 they become the pivot of the story. Genesis 2 provides us with more details on this creation account, this time with the emphasis on Adam and Eve.
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NIVMan was obviously made before woman. The Lord God called the woman a helper. This does not in anyway mean she was 'less' than man. Indeed even God himself is called a helper (Genesis 49:25)
The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' Genesis 2:18
Interestingly, as already mentioned, Adam named the woman Eve (life) after they had fallen into sin (death). Hence 'Eve' can be seen as describing what the woman would become - a source of life. Eve's name speaks prophetically of what God was going to do.
The human race would not exist without Eve. Adam required Eve and Eve was part of Adam. Eve is the mother of all mankind. All nations, tribes and tongues come from her.
Eve had three named sons. Cain, Abel and Seth (Genesis 4:1-2; 2:5). She also had other children with Adam which are not named (Genesis 5:3-4).
Eve is recorded speaking to the serpent (Genesis 3:2-3), to God (Genesis 3:13) and to herself (and presumably Adam) as she gave thanks to God (Genesis 4:1-2).
While some have questioned whether Eve is a real historical character, as Jesus did not mention them by name (Mark 10:6-9; Matt 19:1-4), the New Testament does recognise the Adam and Eve family (Luke 3:38, 11:48-51, 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:45) which does not leave us with the option of discarding them as real historical characters.
The life of Eve has many lessons for both men and women.
Eve came from man's ribs (Genesis 2:21-25). Not his feet, for she was not to be walked over, nor his head, because she was not to boss him about. She came from the bones closest to his heart. This speaks much of the relationship that exists between a man and a woman in marriage.
Genesis 3 tells us how the woman was deceived by the serpent. Satan still uses deception today. Watch out against the deception of satan (2 Corinthians 11: 1-3). He will bring evil thoughts. He is a master at presenting the worst situation in any circumstance. He always tells lies and takes advantage of any doubt he detects in you.
A wise person should always discern their thoughts. The unwise person meditates on every thought that comes to mind. This will eventually lead to deception, hurt, satanic oppression and sometimes broken relationships.
Questions
1. What was the first word God spoke to the woman? (answer is in Genesis 1)
2. In whose image is woman created?
3. Woman was taken from the ribs of man. What is the significance of this?
4. The serpent deceived the woman. Does satan still try to deceive us today?
5. What forms does the deception of satan take?
6. How can we guide against deception?
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Achtemeier et al. Harper’s Bible dictionary (1st ed.) (286–287). San Francisco: Harper & Row. 1985
Derek Kidner, Genesis, The Tyndale Press 1967