The First Couple

And God created Man, in his image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Gen 3:1 - 24

The beginning of marriage.

What have we to learn here?

• God ordained marriage

• To create families

• Even the first husband wanted to please his wife (did he fear her as so many do?)

• The wife has ambition

• Why do wives seem to value the judgment of others over that of their husbands?

• Both men and women are easily drawn into sin

• Attachments seem to divide our affections (is this true of possessions?)

• God seeks to love man

  • He created man

  • He created woman for man to love

  • He created a beautiful place for man

  • He provided food for man

  • He protected man

  • He provided clothing for man

  • He sacrificed blood for man's sin

  • He covered over man's sin

    • Despite his love for man God did not remove the consequence of sin

    • The man and his wife could no longer remain in the garden

    • Sin had entered the world and now mankind would forever be tempted

    • Man would now have to do hard work to provide for his family

    • Man would now be responsible to provide leadership for his family where formerly it was God who provided guidance

    • Woman would now suffer great pain in bearing children

    • Women would now be subject to (lead by) their husbands though it may be distasteful to them

• Mankind seeks to be loved by God

  • But is always insecure concerning God's love

  • But he is inclined to make excuses for falling short of what God calls him to