|
Adam and Eve
were the only human beings
without childhood, parents, family or friends. Adam was created first.
He was
placed in the Garden of Eden and was charged with the responsibilities
of
dressing and keeping the garden.
When God saw
that it was not good for
Adam to be alone, He made Adam to sleep. He took a rib from him and used
it to
make Eve. God brought her to Adam. Adam did not reject an ideal
companion and
mate given to him by God. Rather, he saw her as bone of his bones and
flesh of
his flesh. That is, he saw her as somebody that forms an indissoluble
one with
him. She was to be a helper for Adam.
Their marriage
was ordained by God and
the ceremony was devoid of unnecessary expenses, noise making and a long
bridal
trains. They are the only couples with complete innocence and openness
without
a hint of shame.
The first duty
that Adam performed on
accepting Eve as his wife was to tell her the only condition under which
they
could remain in Eden and enjoy God’s provision there.
In fact, this
same condition is the
only condition under which they could live together in harmony, peace,
oneness,
love and in genuine fellowship with God. The condition is: “But of
the
tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it”. They
were
to obey God.
However, when
Eve was alone, Satan came
into the garden through the serpent and deceived Eve to eat the
forbidden
fruit. Eve accepted the suggestion to take it without seeking the
approval of
God or that of her husband. After she had eaten it, she offered it to
Adam who
also took it against the command of God.
Instantly,
their eyes were opened. They
realised their nakedness. Rather than going to God and seeking His
forgiveness,
they devised a remedy for their sins. They covered themselves with
leaves.
The matter
became worst when God
confronted them with their disobedience and they could not accept
responsibility for their sin. This invoked the curse of God upon
them. This affects the whole generation of human beings.
In order not to
take the tree of life and
eat and remain in the fallen state forever, God out of love want them
out of
Eden. But before He sent them out, He clothed them with the coats of
animal
skins.
Adam and
Eve continued to
live outside the garden until death separated them. Even though they
faced
some tough situations, their relationship remained intact. Their
marriage was
blessed with numerous children among whom were Cain, Abel and Seth.
Lessons from Their Marriage
The following
lessons could be learnt
from Adam and Eve.
- Every man
or woman must joyfully accept
whoever God has chosen for him or her as a spouse.
- No man or woman is completed
without a
spouse.
- Marriage should be
monogamous, solemn, holy
and devoid of ostentations.
- It is dangerous for man to
leave his wife
alone after marriage. They must live together under the same roof.
- Wives
should learn how to clarify issues from
their husbands before taking decisions. They must not be far from
each
other.
- Husbands should be careful of
the suggestion
brought to them by their wives. They should seek the face of God to
make
sure it is approved by God.
- When we commit any sin, we
must admit our
faults and seek for God’s forgiveness.
- Husbands and wives must learn
how to live
together in harmony and love even in the time of difficulties.
|