Eve The First Woman

We note that Eve the first woman was created equal to Adam (Man). God took part of Man, his rib and created Woman (Eve). Eve was equal to Adam in that God didn’t take part of Adam’s head to create Eve, which to rule over Adam. Nor did God take part of Adam’s foot to create Eve, that Adam would trample over Eve. However God took a rib from the side of Adam that Eve would be an equal partner with Man.

The Bible in Genesis 2:21-22 states,

“[21]And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; [22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”

Woman in Hebrew is Ishsha. It’s root is Ish which is the Hebrew word for Man. So out of Man (Ish) God created Woman (Ishsha). Genesis 2:23 states, “[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Additionally we note that God when stating his intentions to create human kind both male and female they were to both be made in the image of God. In the Bible Genesis 1:26-27 it states, “[26] 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. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

This further demonstrates that both Ish and Ishsha were made in the image of God. Both male and female had dominion over the earth and thus equal partners.

God made both Man and Woman equal, however they were given different roles and responsibilities. God made Man first. 1 Timothy 2:13 states, “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” The Bible states that the purpose of creating the first Woman, Eve was to help Man, Adam. Genesis 2:18 states, “[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

This indicates God’s purpose. MacArthur Bible Commentary states, “However, in observing man’s state as not good, He was commenting on his incompleteness before the end of the sixth day because the woman, Adam’s counterpart, had not yet been created. The words of this verse emphasize man’s need for a companion, a helper, and an equal. He was incomplete without someone to complement him in fulfilling the task of filling, multiplying, and taking dominion over the earth”. As God operated on Adam by removing a rib from his side to create the first Woman, he created a cure for Man’s incompleteness. Woman was God’s cure for Man’s incompleteness.

In the Garden of Eden both the Man (Ish) and the Woman (Ishsha) were to work together. At the end of chapter 2 we see both Adam and Eve together as God presents Eve to Adam as Adam’s counterpart. Genesis 2:23-25 states, “[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. [24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. [25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

So thus far we see that the first women was made by God in his image. Eve was made from the rib of Adam and as counterpart to help him. Eve was equal to Adam in all respects, but had a different role than Adam.

This preceded Eve being deceived by the serpent and Adam’s sin against God and thus being banished from the Garden of Eden because of their disobedience to God.

Before Eve was ever deceived, she was designed. Before she ever fell, she was formed. Before sin entered the story, God had already declared her creation as being good. And that means the value of a woman begins not with her struggle, but with her Creator. God values Women!

Throughout biblical history we see that God has consistently used women for His glory and for the fulfillment of His divine purposes. From the very beginning, God demonstrated that women were not an afterthought in His plan, but active participants in His work among His people.

Let us consider a few examples from Scripture.

Sarah – A Woman of Faith

God used Sarah in the fulfillment of His covenant promise to Abraham. Though she was barren and beyond childbearing age, God miraculously enabled her to conceive Isaac, the child of promise.

Genesis 21:1-2 states,

“[1] And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. [2] For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”

Through Sarah, God demonstrated that His promises are not limited by human limitations.

Miriam – A Woman of Leadership and Worship

Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, played a key role in the deliverance of Israel. After God brought the Israelites safely through the Red Sea, Miriam led the women of Israel in praise and worship to God.

Exodus 15:20-21 states,

“[20] And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. [21] And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

Miriam reminds us that women have often been leaders in worship and celebration of God’s victories.

Deborah – A Woman of Wisdom and Courage

Deborah served as a judge and prophetess in Israel during a time when the nation was in spiritual decline. God used her leadership to bring deliverance to His people.

Judges 4:4 states,

“[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”

Through Deborah we see that God can raise up women to provide wisdom, leadership, and guidance for His people.

Esther – A Woman of Courage

God placed Esther in a strategic position as queen of Persia so that she could intervene and save the Jewish people from destruction.

Esther 4:14 reminds us,

“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther shows us that God can place women in positions of influence to accomplish His purposes at critical moments in history.

Mary – The Mother of Jesus

Perhaps one of the most significant women in the Bible is Mary, whom God chose to bear the Savior of the world.

Luke 1:30-31 states,

“[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”

Through Mary, God brought the Messiah into the world, demonstrating that women play a vital role in God’s redemptive plan.

Women you are Somebody:

• You are wonderfully and marvelously made in the image of God.

• God designed you to glorify Him.

• You have value!