Women of Note in the Old Testament
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God from the sovereignty of the universe that they degrade man and
defraud him of the dignity of his origin. He who set the starry worlds
on high and tinted with delicate skill the flowers of the field, who filled
the earth and the heavens with the wonders of His power, when He
came to crown His glorious work, to place one in the midst to stand as
ruler of the fair earth, did not fail to create a being worthy of the hand
that gave him life. The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration,
traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, and
quadrupeds, but to the great Creator. Though formed from the dust,
Adam was “the son of God”....
Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and
in character.... He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God
and in perfect obedience to His will.
As man came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of lofty
stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of
health and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam’s height was
much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was
somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty.
The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a
covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they
lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud
them....
God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet
[23]
for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be
his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy.
Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying
that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under
his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved
and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh
of his flesh, she was his second self, showing the close union and
the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. “For no
man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.”
Ephesians 5:29
. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,
and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one”....
The creation was now complete. “The heavens and the earth were
finished, and all the host of them.” “And God saw everything that he
had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Eden bloomed on earth.
Adam and Eve had free access to the tree of life. No taint of sin or