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And it happened as the sun was setting and a deep sleep fell on Abram, and behold, a terror of great darkness falling on him Genesis 15:12
Deep Sleep –
One of the principles of Hebraic interpretation is connecting thoughts based on similar words. When a word appears only a few times in Scripture, the connections become even more important because each “dot” adds to the overall concept. So, when we encounter a word like tardema (deep sleep) which occurs only seven times, we want to be sure we see where the connections lead us. This is particularly important when we draw the connection between Abraham and Adam.
Genesis repeats themes that are crucial for living according to God’s plan. Here we have the first (but not the last) repetition of the story of Adam and Havvah replayed in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. The choice of tardema is a reminder of the story of Adam. We need to pay close attention to the implications. Here’s what we discover.
In both cases, God causes this trance. In both cases, God is the active agent in the covenant formation. Notice the results. Abraham sleeps while God does the work. Abraham is the beneficiary of the resulting covenant. He is not a material partner in the agreement. Everything important happens while he sleeps. He wakes to find a new situation, one that establishes an eternal promise for his benefit.
Apply that insight to Adam. While Adam sleeps, God works. God brings into existence the Woman who is specifically designed to reflect the application of God’s will. She is built to have an intuitive understanding of God’s boundaries and moment-to-moment direction. She is the partner in covenant relationship with God. Adam wakes to find that his world has changed. But he had nothing to do with it. He is the beneficiary of the relationship between God and Havvah. In Adam’s situation, the ‘ezer kenegdo has a connection to God that benefits the man, just as Abraham is benefited by God’s promise to Himself. In other words, the red-flag marker of tardema begs us to see that the work of the Lord is for the well-being of the male even though neither male actively participates in the arrangement. This helps us realize that there are really two covenants in marriage. One covenant is the promise of fidelity between the husband and wife. The other is the covenant relationship between the ‘ezer and God. One is voluntary; the other is divinely-designed.
What does this mean? It means that God’s work in creating the ‘ezer kenegdo is connected to God’s work in establishing the covenant of promise with Abraham. The Woman is God’s first manifestation of promise. Man needs help. God supplies help. Man is the beneficiary of God’s supply. We are reminded of the critical role the Woman plays. We see that her role is to provide shalom to her charge. The design of God’s covenant for Abraham results in the opportunity for shalom for all Mankind. Don’t you suppose that the design of God’s “helper” for Adam has the same horizon? Did you think the creation story was disconnected from the redemption story? The ‘ezer kenegdo is God’s answer to the problem of being alone, just as the covenant with Abraham is God’s answer to the problem of being separated. The similarities are impossible to deny. The Woman plays a crucial role in the manifestation of reunion. She is the foretaste of the promise of unity and marriage is the vehicle though which this unity is accomplished.
Topical Index: covenant, sleep, tardema, Adam, Abraham, ‘ezer, Genesis 15:12
Good morning brother Skip … Undoubtedly תַּרְדֵּמַת (deep sleep), in all instances, comes from Adonai and of course there is always a purpose … yes?
The connection you have made herein regarding the “ezer” and the “covenant” is very interesting and I would not deny the integrity of the connection as discerned.
I would caution that declaring [“the red-flag marker of tardema begs us to see that the work of the Lord is for the well-being of the male even though neither male actively participates in the arrangement.”] should not be applied as a general rule when dealing with “the deep sleep”.
As it is used in Samuel (26:12), Isaiah (29:10), Proverbs (19:15) and Job (4:13 – 33:15) for instance the basis of connection is more along the lines of “Spiritual awareness” … or a lack thereof … yes?
I have traditionally viewed the deep sleep respective to Adam and Abraham as a matter of “incompletion” and The Lord standing in the gap to satisfy the deficiency … be it spiritual, temporal, covenantal or all of the above. The connection that you have made to the ezer is a more tactical application (using the subset of just Adam and Abraham) … quite fascinating.
I think placing emphasis upon the first and second uses of “tardema” (within Genesis) to establish a tighter relationship to the covenant is for me an eye opener this morning … great stuff! 🙂
The deep sleep as well depicts my former state wherein I slumbered without my Ozer (Yeshua) … hopelessly sleep walking outside the auspices of the covenant on a one way ride to destruction.
Praise be HaRuach Who gives insight to the children! 🙂
The use of tardema in the passages in Samuel, Isaiah and Proverbs actually underscore the original usage in Genesis. The lack of spiritual awareness while in “deep sleep” (literally or as a metaphor) is precisely what happens to Abraham and Adam. They are both unaware of the goodness of God who works while they slumber. The result is that upon waking they are the beneficiaries of something God did. I don’t think of the deep sleep as incompletion but rather as a sign of utter dependence. They have no part in God’s arrangement, either with covenant or with the protector of the covenant. God provides without their input. It is sheer grace. In Havvah’s case, she is the manifestation of grace incarnate. She is what Adam needs in order not to be alone – and in this case, being alone is tied directly to keeping the covenant commandment.
I will iterate my position … great stuff this morning! 🙂
I believe I did a good enough job of arguing against myself within my initial posting! 🙂 Thank you very much!
But thanks for rubbin it in any way … LOL
“Incompletion” represents a man-centric perspective …. “Dependence” represents a G_D centric perspective … and we know which of these is correct! 🙂
Learning …. always a beautiful thing!
Shalom
I am ALWAYS encouraged by your comments and find them very valuable. Thanks for sharing them with us.