Construction Material
So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. Genesis 2:21 ESV
Ribs – Except for this passage (side of man) and 2 Samuel 16:13 (side of hill), this word (sela’) is usually about an architectural component. In other words, it describes building materials or building components like chambers or boards or doors. “Ribs” is probably a completely inadequate translation. What the text suggests is that God took the construction material for woman from man.
Why do we need to have this detail? Why didn’t God just make a woman like he made the man? The fact that God used material from the man to make the woman has some enormous relationship implications. First, this action tells us that man and woman are inextricably linked. The full picture of human being includes both and neither is complete without the other. This, of course, does not mean that every individual man or woman must have a partner in order to be God’s representative in the world. Rather it means that the total picture of what being human means is both male and female, and on this level there is no hierarchical difference between the two. Both are formed by God. Both have equal status before Him. Both are linked to each other.
Secondly, this word shows us that the Man must give up something of himself in order for Woman to be. Adam expresses this wonderful mystery when he says, “This is flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone.” Giving up something of himself produces precisely what he was missing. The paradox is plain. In order to be all that I am I must give away part of what I am. The illusion that I am complete within myself is revealed as a false assessment of being in the world. I am complete only when I give away myself.
We have already examined the exclamation of Adam and the fact that he is the first to use the Hebrew word ish, a word that is about the summary of relationships, not individual existence. But now we see that the Man is not just the nexus of all his relationships. He is also the extension of himself in the life of another. He is because he gives.
In the end, marriage is about ribs. Marriage is about giving away my side so that I might let God close the place with flesh. Marriage is about recognizing that I am who this other is. Marriage is about living with myself in the body and soul of my partner. And that’s why it takes a lifetime to be married. I must learn to give away all the ribs until we become one again.
“Male and female were summoned by their creator to act in unison in order to act successfully. Yet they were not charged with the task of existing in unison, in order to cleanse, redeem, and hallow their existence.”[1] That must come from the gift.
Topical Index: sela’, rib, side, marriage, Genesis 2:21
And now, for “another” Adam, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ, the Second Adam. What a beautiful portrait of our relationship with our Redeemer; the ish (Eve) was constructed out of the same materials as was Adam.
In our relationship with the Second Adam, He also “took part in the same,” that is ~ the Word became human and made His home among us. (the Creator became the creature) He was full of unfailing love (chesed) and (blood-covenant) faithfulness, and we have seen His glory, (His worth, His “weight”,if even, only a glimpse!) the glory of the Father’s One and only Son. We too, may say with the Queen of Sheba, as she viewed the splendor of (the first) Solomon, – “the half has not been told.” Yes, “selah.” Amen.
Warning! I am going to use a word that is “offensive” to some- because it is “exclusionary,” and people, – all people everywhere- do not like to be excluded. Everyone wants to be part of the “in crowd!” Count me in!- (please..).
Very well, then how about the very invitation of YHWH? “whosoever will, may come?” For not only is this (His) invitation, “Come unto Me”, but it has been extended, not only to the nation of Israel, but unto all the nations!. Friends, do not the scriptures, the written Word of God put it plainly?
~ For God has banished the times of deception, and at this time He commands all the children of men: ‘Everyone in every place shall return to God ~(Acts 17.30)
Does “all men- everywhere” even appear (at all) to be exclusionary? Who may be saved? “all men- everywhere.” The Jew AND the Gentile. ~ for “all” have sinned ~ (therefore) “all” stand in need of a Savior, included this “adam.”
Nicodemus, (whose very name is “Superior”) was a ruler of the Jews, and without one doubt was a very moral man. A man of stellar character, but (poor fella) he was- nevertheless- a man. Made from the same materials as Adam and Abraham and Moses and David and all other sinners since. From the first Adam through the last.. there is none righteous- no, not one. What a motley crew!
We may (so easily) “point-out” the sin of Adam and of Abraham and of Moses and of David. Oh yes, how fast we (all) are to whip out the famous “finger of accusation!” It’s him! It’s her! It’s “them,” O LORD! All “those”- sinners! – (“over there!”)
But even mighty Isaiah had his “aha” moment, when he “saw the LORD,” and his “pointing finger”- his focus became “the man in the mirror!” Isaiah’s confession? ” It’s me, it’s me- it’s me, O LORD- standing in the need of prayer.” Woe is “me”- for I am undone!
What happens in Heaven when “any man”, even a sinner (such as myself) repents? Again, ~ what do the scriptures say? ~ Are we so poor that we cannot even pay attention? Read and heed: The ONE who have revealed Himself to all mankind to be the incarnate Word of God has spoken:
~ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance ~ (Luke 15.7)
There it is. How to make Heaven happy: repent. Not a word heard much on the street anymore- (or even in the pulpit for that matter!). Has the very word “repent” become repulsive to us? What is repentance? Such a foreign word to many- might as well speak Chinese to a Spaniard.
If we only knew, – but we (apparently) don’t. Ignorance, (in this case) is not bliss- it is very costly. We (all) must repent. I cannot do this for you and you cannot do this for me. I cannot even “repent” for my own dear children..even though I would be willing. No, this is very personal. This is between a man and His Maker. Between the creature and the Creator. Between a sinner and a Savior. ~ all men, everywhere” and each man, everywhere. The words spoken by the Messiah go far beyond Nicodemus only: “You must be born from above..”
Not only is our “salvation” to be discovered in repentance, but also our sanctification! Ahh.. now we have got into the ten cent words! Another word spoken so often out on the street corner: “sanctification.” lol! Long story short: sanctification is (for the follower of the Way) the process of growing up into the likeness of our Savior and learning “how to” walk by faith- and this “process” requires much repentance!
A better picture of what “repentance” is all about is illustrated (for whosoever will) by Dr. Luke in the fifteenth chapter. And please do “notice” even beginning with verse 1: ~ This Man, (the second Adam) welcomes sinners and eats with them ~ Suprisingly, we may stick a “selah” (stop and think about that!) anywhere in the scriptures and it fits so well! Is this “good news?” Only for sinners! (sinners r’ us!) ~ This Man, (the second Adam) welcomes sinners and eats with them! ~ This sinner is tearin’ up! Hallelujah! what a Savior!
~ And the son said to Him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before You. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ~
How to Make Heaven Happy. The Father’s response to the son’s repentance? ~ But the Father said to His servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet and bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate ~
~ For this son of Mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.
And?..
~ So the party began..~ (selah!)
Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For a soul, returning from the wild!
See the Father meets him out upon the way,
Welcoming His weary, wand’ring child.
Glory! Glory! How the angels sing;
Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!
‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,
Pealing forth the anthem of the free.
Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For the wand’rer now is reconciled;
Yes, a soul is rescued from his sinful way!
And is born anew a ransomed child.
Ring the bells of Heaven! Spread the feast today!
Angels, swell the glad triumphant strain!
Tell the joyful tidings, bear it far away!
For a precious soul is born again.
Glory! Glory! How the angels sing;
Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!
‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,
Pealing forth the anthem of the free.
~ and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free ~ (Romans 8.32)
~ Yeshua answered, “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me ~ (John 14.6)
Carl,
Brevity is the sole of wit.
There’s a blog out there that has your name on it.
soul, sorry.
HalleluYAH, Skip, for this!
Some men would like to think women is subjected to them being the HEAD of the house.
“A man without woman , is nothing;
A man without, woman is nothing” Hope I got this right! 🙂
It is the giving of oneself, that makes oneself complete-Amein!
We do miss this fulfilment oftentimes.