by Erik Jones

God created the first man from the dust of the ground and gave him life by the direct breath of God (Genesis 1:7). But God knew that His creation of one solitary man was incomplete. The first man, Adam, was surrounded by animals that were unable to provide companionship and help on his level (Genesis 2:19-20). Adam was also in the company of God, who provided guidance and instruction, but God operated on an infinitely higher level than Adam.

Adam had no one like him to whom he could directly relate on an equal level. He had no one with whom to share the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden with. He was alone.

God realized that this was “not good.” Adam needed a “helper.” The Hebrew word for “helper” is ezer. The word literally means “one who helps.”

Here we find the origin of the institution of marriage. The reason God created the two sexes and the marriage institution (which we will cover in greater detail in a future post) was not just for the purpose of reproduction but to provide help and companionship.

We read of God’s creation of woman in verses 21-22. God put Adam into a “deep sleep” and removed a rib, which He used to create Eve—the first woman. Though we are not told why God specifically chose to use this part of Adam’s body to form Eve, it seems to imply the place God intended for woman to serve in His plan. Women were created with spiritual potential equal to that of men (1 Peter 3:7). A woman is to serve beside her husband in the marriage relationship—not above him (the Bible clearly designates leadership to the husband) or below him as an inferior servant (husbands are commanded to love, value and honor their wives).

Read Ephesians 5:22-31 to learn the beautiful biblical standard for how the marriage relationship is to function and work. And see more in the “Marriage” section of the Life, Hope & Truth website.

Tomorrow on the Daily Bible Verse Blog: “God’s Law Brings Peace.”