Women of the Bible
Lesson One
INTRODUCTION
The book of Genesis in the Holy Bible is referred to as the book of beginnings. It records
the beginning of the world, of man and woman, of sin and God's plan for salvation, and
the formation of the nations.
The first chapter of Genesis describes the creation of the world. The second chapter tells
of the creation of man with a reference to woman in 1:27. The main references describing
the origin of woman are Genesis chapter 2:
And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will
make him an help meet for him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept; and
He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman,
and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother
and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:18, 21-24) The Bible reveals that woman was:
CREATED BY GOD:
Genesis 2:7 states that man was created by God from the dust of the earth. God breathed
into man the breath of life, and he became a living soul. God decided it was not good for
Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:22). God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, then He
took one of his ribs and from it created the first woman who was named Eve.
Adam called his mate woman, which means "she-man" or "joined to man," because she
was taken out of man. This is where the word "woman" originated.
CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD:
Genesis 2:26-27 documents that God created both male and female in His image:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...So God
created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male
and female created He them. (Genesis 1:26-27)
MAN'S FIRST RESPONSIBILITY
Adam and Eve were told by God to:
Be fruitful.
Multiply.
Replenish the earth.
Subdue the earth.
Have dominion over every living thing on earth. (Genesis 1:28)
It is interesting to note that God's first command to man and woman was to "be fruitful."
Spiritual fruitfulness is a Biblical concept traced from this initial command to the final harvest among the nations
prophesied in the closing book of Revelation.
Adam and Eve were to be fruitful in each area of their triune nature, physically,
spiritually, and mentally as they replenished the earth, subdued and took dominion over it.
WOMAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
Woman was created by God, in the image of God, with an eternal soul (Genesis 2:7)
related to God in a special union. This relationship is spiritual because God is a spirit
(John 4:24). God enjoyed a spiritual relationship with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). This
union was broken due to man's fall into sin, but God provided a plan to restore man's
spiritual relationship with his Creator. You will learn more about this in the next chapter.
WOMAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO MAN
The relationship of woman to man was one of:
LOVE:
Although this is not a study of the subject of Biblical types, a word on this subject needs
to be presented in order to understand the original relationship of woman and man. When
we speak of a Biblical type, we are referring to the fact that some incidents recorded in
Scripture are not only important in themselves, but are examples of even greater spiritual
truths.
Many people and incidents of the Old Testament are "types" of spiritual truths revealed in
the New Testament. The study of types is one form of Bible study which Harvestime
International Institute teaches in the course entitled "Creative Bible Study Methods."
The creation of woman from man is an example of the type of relationship that would
later exist between Jesus Christ and the Church. While Adam slept, his side was opened
and woman was created. Centuries later when Jesus Christ hung on the cross for the sins
of all mankind, through the great sleep of His death the Church was created. Christ's side
was pierced with a spear and there came forth a creative flow of blood to redeem and
water to purify the Church:... Even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it;
That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
Word. (Ephesians 5:25-26)
The creation of woman speaks of a love relationship, similar to that which exists between
Christ and the Church. This is a deep, enduring, spiritual love, not a sensual relationship
based on external charm or beauty.
COMPANIONSHIP:
God said it was not good for man to be alone. He intended for man and woman to be
companions.
HELPFULNESS:
God said He would create a "help meet" for man (Genesis 2:18). The same Hebrew word
for help meet, Azyer, occurs forty times in the Old Testament and is often used to speak of
God as helper of His people. The word does not mean subjection, as God is certainly not
subject to man. Rather, it pictures a giving, loving, caring, relationship of help similar to
that which exists between God and man.
COMMITMENT:
Genesis 2:24 speaks of the relationship of commitment between man and woman. The
man is to:
Leave his father and mother: Mental commitment.
Cleave unto his wife: Emotional commitment.
They shall be one flesh: Physical commitment.
Love, companionship, commitment, and a mutual helping relationship are qualities of the
union God designed between man and woman
Answer the questions below. If you miss a question, go back and study that portion of the class and then retake the test. Once you have received a 100% you may proceed to the next class. You DO NOT have to submit this test for grading. Only the final test will be submitted.