THE DIVINE IMAGE AND WOMAN

 

By Gary Ray Branscome

 

          At this point I want to focus specifically on the fact that the words, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them,” tell us that Adam and Eve were both created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). At the same time, the words, “God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him,” and the words, “Neither was man created for woman; but woman for man,” tell us that from the beginning Eve’s role was that of a helper  (Genesis 2:18, 1Corinthians 11:9).

          God’s words to Eve, “Your desire shall be to your husband, and he will rule over you,” tell us that before the fall, even though Eve was subject to her husband, and he was her leader, he did not “rule over” her (Genesis 3:16). At least not in the way the words “rule over” are understood in a sinful world. That tells me that God intended for man and wife to be a team, who work together in love, as friends, not rivals each fighting for their own way. When God’s blessing is on the home, marriage and home life can be the closest thing to heaven that you can experience in this life. However, without God’s blessing on the home, marriage and home life can be the closest thing to hell that you experience in this life. For that reason all Christians should seek God’s blessing as fervently as Jacob sought it when he wrestled with the angel (Genesis 32:24, 26).

The words, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it,” (Ephesians 5:21, 22, 25) tell us that “This divine order must not be subverted; for it is the will of God that the woman should not usurp authority over the man by ruling over him. But, on the other hand, the woman should not be tyrannized or made a slave.” (John Theodore Mueller, “Christian Dogmatics,” page 209)

 

          While the words, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” tell us that men and women are equal before God, and therefore equal in regard to salvation: the words, “A woman should learn in silence with all subjection. But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to have authority over a man, but to remain silent. For Adam was first formed, then Eve,” tell us that just as God has given men and women different roles in the home, He has given them different roles in the church, and those roles should be respected  (Galatians 3:28, 1Timothy 2:11-13). [See Gen. 2:21-22, Eph. 5:21-33, Titus 2:3-5, Proverbs 1:24-33.]

 

A Final Note

          Although Adam and Eve knew the love of God before they fell into sin, they did not know God’s plan to provide redemption for all mankind, or of the “seed” that would crush the serpents “head”, for that was not yet revealed (Genesis 3:15). So even though they were not lost before they sinned, it would be inaccurate to say that they were saved, because someone has to be lost before they can be saved, and they have to trust in Christ. As it is written, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).