And God Formed Eve

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

The Crown of Creation: Humanity in God's Design
Genesis 1 begins with the majestic statement: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." As we examined the six days of creation, culminating in the creation of man on day six, we learned that the purpose of the universe was to prepare a place for mankind. All of creation pointed to humanity as the pinnacle—God's crown jewel. But Genesis 2 expands the account and provides deeper insight, especially regarding the creation of woman.

It Is Not Good for Man to Be Alone
Genesis 2:18 records God's assessment: "It is not good that man should be alone." From the very beginning, God made man a social being. Humanity was not designed for isolation, monastic retreat, or total independence. Companionship is part of our very nature, and God declared it "not good" for man to be without it. Adam needed someone suitable, someone comparable—someone who could stand beside him. So God purposed to make him a helper.

A Helper Suitable for Him
God didn't clone Adam. He didn’t give Adam an inferior or superior being. He gave him a helper—a complement, not a competitor. As Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 11:11–12, man is not independent of woman, nor woman of man. They are from one another and both are from God. Woman was to stand by Adam’s side, not under his feet or above his head. Eve was made suitable—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—to be his partner.

Adam's Gift of Speech and Insight
Before creating Eve, God brought the animals to Adam to name. This demonstrated that Adam was created with language and intelligence—his ability to speak was given, not evolved. As he named each creature, Adam noticed none were suitable companions for him. This was not for God’s benefit, but for Adam’s realization. By examining every beast and bird, Adam saw for himself that none were his equal. God had planned Eve all along, but He allowed Adam to see his need.

The First Surgery: Divine and Perfect
God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, performed the first surgery, and formed Eve from his rib. Why a rib? Perhaps to show her place—by his side. Not his head to rule him, not his foot to be trampled, but from his side to walk with him. The rib symbolizes companionship, protection, and intimacy. And just like modern surgery, Adam was anesthetized, the procedure performed, and the flesh closed. God knew how to perform surgery millennia before man discovered the technique.

One Flesh: The Covenant of Marriage
When Adam saw Eve, he proclaimed her to be "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." There was a recognition of shared humanity. She was like him, but not him. She was distinct but equal. Woman’s ability to bear life makes her role unique and glorious. God instituted marriage in that moment, saying: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Jesus Himself confirmed the truth of this passage in Matthew 19:4–6, affirming both its historicity and its permanence.

The Marriage Bond Is Exclusive and Enduring
Marriage is more than a civil contract—it is a divine covenant. It involves a leaving and a cleaving. A man is to hold fast to his wife, just as God commands Israel to hold fast to Him (Deuteronomy 10:20). Malachi 2:14 speaks of the wife as a man’s companion and wife by covenant. Treachery in marriage is treachery against God. And Jesus taught that only two things can sever the marriage bond: death and sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9).

Innocence Lost and Shame Introduced
Genesis 2 ends with this profound verse: "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." This was before sin. There was innocence, purity, and peace. But sin later introduced shame. God had to clothe them—not because of climate—but because of conscience. Shame follows sin. Christians, having become new creatures through baptism, are still susceptible to sin (1 John 1:7–9), but we can confess and be forgiven.

Sermon Outline:

1. The Need for Companionship
   • Genesis 2:18
   • Humans are social by design
2. God’s Provision of a Suitable Helper
   • Genesis 2:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:11–12
   • Not a clone, not a slave—but a complement
3. The Divine Surgery and the Rib
   • Genesis 2:21–22
   • God’s perfect wisdom in creating woman
4. The Meaning of One Flesh
   • Genesis 2:23–24; Matthew 19:4–6
   • The marriage covenant as God designed it
5. The Seriousness of the Marriage Bond
   • Deuteronomy 10:20; Malachi 2:14; Matthew 19:9
   • God hates treachery and honors covenant
6. Sin, Shame, and the Hope of Forgiveness
   • Genesis 2:25; 1 John 1:7–9
   • Innocence lost, but redemption possible through Christ

Call to Action:
Are you living within God’s design? If you’ve entered the marriage covenant, honor it as God does. If sin has introduced shame, confess it and seek His forgiveness. God created us for companionship, righteousness, and fellowship with Him. Through Christ, we can have all three restored.

Scripture Reference List:

• Genesis 1:1 — Creation of heavens and earth
• Genesis 2:18 — Not good for man to be alone
• Genesis 2:19–20 — Adam names the animals
• Genesis 2:21–22 — Creation of Eve from Adam’s rib
• Genesis 2:23–24 — One flesh and institution of marriage
• Genesis 2:25 — Innocence before sin
• 1 Corinthians 11:11–12 — Interdependence of man and woman
• Matthew 19:4–6, 9 — Jesus affirms creation and marriage
• Deuteronomy 10:20 — Hold fast to the Lord
• Malachi 2:14 — Marriage as a covenant
• 1 John 1:7–9 — Sin, confession, and forgiveness