Man’s Surgery
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. Genesis 2: 21, 22
Read Genesis 2:18-22
In our Scripture reading we are confronted with the first surgery ever to be performed on man. Today operations are only necessary when there is a health issue, but in Paradise the Lord Himself declared that everything, including man, was very good. Yet there is a difference between something being very good and being perfect. This fact came to light when Adam was asked to give appropriate names to the animals on the earth. The longer he was involved with this, the more he realized that the animal kingdom came to him two by two. Adam then realized that he was alone.
Some people are given the ability to go through life single. However, what the Lord said concerning Adam’s solitary state counts for most people: It is not good that the man should be alone. Therefore the Lord chose to fill the empty place in Adam’s life by performing the very first operation. We see here how man and woman belong together and relationaly fulfill each other’s needs. They were made out of one body and became one flesh. Do you have a relationship with someone of the opposite gender? If not, you may ask the Lord to do for you what He did for Adam, namely, guide someone ¬ into your life that He considers fitting for you.
Perhaps you have already found a partner for life. What a blessing when you can see this as a gift from God. May you both thank the Lord for this gift by your words and actions.
For consideration: The woman was not made from Adam’s head, that she might rule over him, nor from his feet, that she might be walked upon, but from his side, that she might be an equal. Moreover, she was formed from under his arm that she might be shielded by him and from near his heart that she might be loved by him (Matthew Henry).
Psalter 425:1 (based on Psalm 105) Unto the Lord lift thankful voices, Come, worship while your soul rejoices; Make known His doings far and near That peoples all His Name may fear, And tell, in many joyful lay, Of all His wonders day by day.