Manhood & Womanhood from Genesis 3 (pt 3)

Before we end this lecture we must observe one more fact that is very important.  Adam was given the responsibility to not only lovingly lead his wife (from Gen 2) but also to provide for her. Contrary to what I use to think, there was “work” even before the fall.  It was some friends in Jupiter, Florida (Don & Joyce Dunlap) who helped show me this reality from the Scriptures.  The work in Gen 2 was work it was just blessed work (whatever that means to you). 

In Genesis 3:17-19 Adam’s particular area of responsibility is affected by the “curse.”  This is consistent with what I said at the beginning of this lecture, the curse did not introduce new roles per say rather it distorted God’s original roles. 

Notice what Moses records in Genesis 3:17-19, And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  

How should we respond as a result of what we learned today?  Is there anything we can do about the curse?  Are we ‘Chicago Cub Christians’ (we’ve been cursed thus we should never expect victory)?  Should we just accept the fact that man is not going to lead the way God wants him to lead and that woman is not going to help and support the way God designed her to help?  What we’re ultimately asking is can the curse be reversed? 

 

Christians must resolve (#1). We will never try to intentionally increase the results of the curse. 

 

We must admit that Genesis 3:16 is not a good thing!  It’s a picture of paradise lost.  By that I mean a wife’s desire to step outside her husband’s leadership role is not according to God’s plan (no matter what the feminists say).  Man’s attempt to lead his wife by force or through harsh manipulation is not according to God’s plan either (no matter what your college buddies may tell you). 

 

I think all of us would admit the following three things: (A) Its not prudent to plant thorns and weeds in your fruit & vegetable garden.  I have a hard enough time killing weeds even when I use “Scott’s” ultimate weed killer.  (B) It’s really not smart to try and intentionally increase the pain of childbirth for women either. (I’m not making a case for epidurals here, nor am I saying they’re wrong).  To say I am not going to take any medicine whatsoever before/during/after child birth simply because I want to feel the full effects of the curse is not prudent. That’s my simple point.  (C) It’s also not very wise to try and increase conflict in marriage by continuing down the path of Genesis 3:16.  For a husband to lead in a selfish, manipulative, harsh way we must admit that it is not right.  For a wife to go outside of her husband’s headship and to fight against his leadership is not right either.  I would imagine most of you in this room would agree with points A and B but some of you may not be sold on what the Bible says about C.  Think about it for a moment…In the months to come we’ll carefully unpack what God’s will is for today’s man & today’s women.

 

In summary fashion, God’s design for men is that we provide for our families (Gen 1-3, 1 Tim 5).  That as heads of our households we lovingly lead our families (Gen 1-2, Eph. 5, 1 Tim 2:13; 1 Cor 11:5). And finally, that we attempt to protect them (Gen 1-2).  Those characteristics are not simply old-fashioned family values; When appropriately applied there God-ordained (and very Biblical). 

 

God’s design for women is that they act as helpers in the home (particularly with their husbands).  As godly wives that they follow and submit to the leadership of their husbands (Gen 1-2; Eph. 5:22, 24; 1 Peter 3:1-7).  At church women will express a humble and submissive demeanor to male headship and authority as well (1 Cor 11:1-16). And finally that you Christian wives will nourish and care for the needs of your family (Titus 2).  That you’ll make your husbands and your home a priority.

 

With that said, outside of Jesus Christ, it is actually impossible to reverse the curse in regards to male and female relationships.  So where does this leave us? What’s a guy or girl to do?  We’ll try to answer these questions and more next time.