Then God said, “Let us make man[a] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:26-27
President Jimmy Carter is on my mind today as his life was honored today–he was 100 years old and married to his wife Rosalynn for 77 years. He credited his longevity to his happy marriage to the” best spouse.” They took care of each other, loved people, and set an example of service to God and country.
God said, “Let them (both Adam and Eve — and their descendants) have dominion.” God’s plan was always to create “them.” Eve wasn’t an afterthought, she was part of God’s perfect creation plan. In our limited, finite knowledge we can rationalize that Adam needed Eve so he wouldn’t be alone, he needed help, and they needed to be fruitful and multiply. All true, but still they were part of the plan.
They were both created in the image of a triune God. Eve was part of God’s perfect plan just as Adam was and “they” were to have dominion over all of God’s creation. They needed each other and they were given dominion– to take care of and nurture each other and God’s creation. Though they were created in God’s image, they were uniquely designed to accomplish his mission together.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm . . .
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy Carter said after his wife’s passing. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.
We were created with the need for each other and community with other believers. Whether married or single, we need other people because we are better together.
Deb Hill
EFCC Staff