Adam and Eve

...............(and Swiss cheese?)

The Bible is very clear on this subject... "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Gen 1:26) kjv

Chapter two of Genesis spells it out... "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." (Gen 2:7-8) kjv

Now, at this point, Adam was the ONLY human. Knowing what the future holds, God then makes this decision... "It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one like himself as a help to him." (Gen 2:18) bev

If we had to make a guess, we'd probably say He just grabbed up another handful of dust to do the job, just like He did with Adam. But, NO! Our wonderful Father did something even more fantastic! "Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh."
(Gen 2:21-24) drv

God then separated Adam into two unique individuals, one male, the other female! And note the beautiful example He shows us so clearly... Adam and Eve are ONE! Every married couple should also be as one!

Think of this from a different point of view... All of us have strengths and weaknesses. Imagine, if you will, that we are all somewhat like slices of Swiss cheese. Not the processed, sandwich cheese, but the natural variety. If you hold up a slice, you will notice that there are several holes in every slice. Some are large, others may be tiny, but they all have holes. People are like this, too. Everybody has skill, talents, strengths and weaknesses. The ideal "significant other" should have strengths where your weaknesses are most apparent, and vice versa. For example, if you hold up two slices of Swiss cheese, one in front of the other, you may not see the holes line up at all. The gaps in one slice may "cover-up" the gaps in the other.

In looking for your future spouse, this is very important. You will go through life depending upon the other's strengths to keep you going when you've "bottomed out." He or she will likewise depend on you in the same manner. Sharing the same interests (or strengths) sounds great, and it can be very exciting, but, sharing the same weaknesses may very well be a recipe for disaster!

Remember... strength is more than just physical, and supporting each other means a lot more than just giving in.

Way too many people look for a partner who excites them sexually, with no regard for that person's ability to strengthen a relationship. Especially when we're young, and raging hormones try to take charge, we need to slow down and examine the potential for a strong relationship. It isn't that sex isn't important, but it should be part of a loving marriage, and not the reason for getting married in the first place.

Remember... "In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness. He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created."
(Gen 5:1b-2) wev

Think about Swiss cheese when you are looking for life's perfect companion. Together, you need to be as strong as Adam and Eve.

My Interview with Adam

[sound of a recorder turning on]

Mr. Adam, sir? May I have a few moments of your time?

- Sure, why not? Have we met? -

No sir. I'm Joseph Baille, a reporter for the New World Times. We'd like to publish a small historical documentary of your life as an article in our paper. You know that there is a very great interest in your life. All of our readers would love to hear your take on the events in the early days.

- Well, it is fine with me, I guess, but please understand it really doesn't cast either Eve or I in a very good light. Obviously, we messed up in a major way, what with doing exactly what God told us not to do. -

Sir, I'm sure you are aware that quite a few of our readers, probably most, believe that the blame should be mostly on Eve. After all, she was the one who first bit into the apple.

- This is a big part of what really bothers me, when God separated us into male and female, we were not made to be exactly the same. I was bigger and stronger than she, but she was much more curious and supportive. If the serpent had approached me first, I'm certain I'd have been suspicious, but probably would have tried it, eventually, anyway. I'm fairly sure that Eve just thought it was something she could try out for me, then let me know if it tasted good. Satan knew exactly how to play us... -

Just how did the apple taste?

- I still do not understand how it is that everybody still assumes it was an apple. It really wasn't, you know. It was somewhat pinkish in color, and sort of round, but with pointed edges. God told us it was the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and it was the only one of its type in the whole garden. Almost next to it, maybe fifteen or twenty steps away, was the tree of life. There was also only one of those in the garden. Its fruit was sort of like a small straight banana, with a smell like a cross between a rose and a pineapple. We never even tasted that one. -

Can you describe the garden for our readers?

- That is very hard to find the words to describe accurately. You see, it wasn't just on the earth. There was this one place where the corner of heaven actually touched the world that God created. Everything glowed with an amazing joy. I know that this sounds odd, but I still do not have the right words for it. God often walked with us, and our hearts were nearly filled to the bursting point with His grace. All animals loved God, and us. They would walk alongside us, making the happiest sounds you could ever imagine. Even the flowers all seemed to turn their blossoms toward the Father to give Him the glory He deserved. What could remotely be so wonderful? Then we blew it. Our sin felt as though we'd struck God physically. The awareness of what we'd done horrified us. We knew He should have destroyed every last vestige of us. I am so ashamed of what we did. Just thinking about it puts tears into my eyes once again. -

What happened then?

- Well, we were banished from the garden. There was no going back, not ever. What we took for granted in the garden was no longer to be. We had to work very hard, just to survive. When our first child was born, I really thought that Eve was going to die... so much pain she'd had to endure. We both realized we'd brought it on ourselves, but that didn't make it any easier, you know. I'll tell one thing about having children that really surprised us, though... belly-buttons! Neither Eve, nor I have one, because we'd never been born, and so had never needed an umbilical. After the third kid was born, we understood that navels were permanently a part of human beings, it just seemed weird, in the beginning. -

So, how long had you two lived in the garden?

- I'm not completely sure. It didn't seem like that long to us, but time just wasn't as important, then. I doubt it was much over eight to ten years, but it could as easily have been just five or six weeks. There never was any need to keep track of the passage of time, and God took care of everything we needed. -

Is there any way we can talk to Eve, just to get her take on all the events?

- Please don't, I beg you! She still thinks it was all her fault. It really wasn't, not at all! That serpent was trickier and more conniving than any of today's politicians. I'm sure he could have convinced me to eat that fruit first, instead of her. Maybe, if we'd have been together when Satan came calling... no, I think we'd still have failed God, just like we did then. Leave her out of this, okay? She's suffered a lot more than most people can ever begin to realize. She will always be my "other half." I will always love her with all that I am, and want to protect her, forever. -

Sure thing, Adam. This should be in tomorrow's paper. Thanks for your time.

[sound of recorder turning off]

Have you met Eve?

...or Adam?

The first husband and wife, both were originally part of the first human being, and were made from that first human, who was also named 'Adam.'

God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all livestock, wild animals, and small animals." So God created people in His own image. God patterned them after himself, male and female He created them." (Gen 1:26-27)nlt

He made them to be the first man and wife. Each was made to be the compliment of each other. They went from being one person to being two, and then one through marriage.

Yes, I know that marriage didn't exist officially yet... but look at what God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him." (Gen 2:18)nlt "So the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which He had taken it. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam." (Gen 2:21-22)nlt

First they were one, then two, then they became husband and wife.

God knows what He is doing! We all need a spouse who completes us. That person becomes our Eve (or Adam), and we become one!

So, when I ask, "Have you met Eve (or Adam)?" it is not really a rhetorical question. I am asking if you've met the person who completes you. Is that individual truly "your other half?" This is a very important question to ask.

Ten years ago, on May 19th, I met a wonderful woman through a pen-pal service. I'm aware that is not the best (or safest) way to meet, but she became very special to me, very quickly. Less than two months later, we married.

Neither of us is perfect. Mind you, that is not God's design. Rather, we both fill each others gaps, watch out for the other, love each other and make each other our top priority, after God.

If you meet someone about whom you are wondering, "Is this the right person for me?" Ask yourself this question, "Does he or she complete me in the way God intended?" Passion often blinds us to what God wants. It should be a part of your married life, but should never be the sole reason for marriage. Reflecting God's love is!

See you soon, in Paradise!