What would it have felt like to be the first woman? The “Woman” literally woke up in Paradise! She lived in peace with her husband and her God. She had never been embarrassed or hurt. She had never known disappointments or felt less than beautiful. Loneliness was foreign to her. No PMS!! She was apart of the perfect couple with the perfect relationship, living in a perfect world. Until….
I have often said that it’s hard for me to judge Eve harshly. Food would’ve probably gotten me too! When we read the account of man and woman in the Garden, there are so many things wrapped up in such short passages. Most of what we know about this woman we read about after the fall. Are you like me and look forward to talking with her when we meet in heaven? I have questions (imagine that!). How was life when it was perfect? Tell me about your and Adams relationship? What was it like to walk in the Garden with God? Then discussing things after the fall, Why when life was so perfect? What were you thinking?! Apparently, Adam was with her. “She also gave some to her husband, who was with her.” Gen. 3:6 (NLT) What was he thinking?!!! He was given the commandment before her creation. Did he not explain this thoroughly? I wish there was more dialogue included. Did they discuss it? Did Adam try to prevent it? The woman recounted it incorrectly to the serpent. God said “But the LORD God gave him this warning. “You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.” Gen. 2:16-17 (NLT) She said, “…God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die”. Gen. 3:3 (NLT) Did Adam add this for emphasis or did the woman add this herself like us girls do sometimes? My questions are endless and my imagination can run away with me at times!
God placed them in the perfect environment. He had provided abundantly for their every need. God also provided an opportunity to choose. It really comes down to trust and obedience. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says this, “Enjoyment of God’s good land is contingent on “keeping” God’s commandments. The inference is that God alone knows what is good for the man and what is not good for him. To enjoy the “good” man must trust God and obey him. If he disobeys, he will have to decide for himself what is good and what is not good.” It’s pretty evident from that choice forward how well that’s been working for us.
It seems the serpent convinced them that God was keeping something valuable from them. They had all the good they could ever need. All earthly things and pleasures except…that one tree. Here is where we find ourselves many times. Satan suggests and with that he is usually finished. He leaves us to our natural desires and physical appetites. Verse 5 in chapter 3 says, “God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.” Women just gotta know! Now we see where that comes from. We inherited it from the first momma! In truth, all wisdom and knowledge comes from God. Proverbs 2:2-6 says, “Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding”. Proverbs is full of verses about wisdom and knowledge. There will never be a need to seek it outside of the umbrella of God’s protection and plan.
There is lots to learn from the women who came before us. Hopefully, the women who come after us will say the same thing about us. But, let’s not wait till then. Why don’t we share with the other women in our lives now. Those in our families, in our churches and even our workplaces. We need each other. Help a girl out!
Until we visit again…
Live blessed,
Carmen
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