Eve- A Mother Forgiven

Eve - the perfect woman created for the perfect man to live in the perfect place! What wouldn’t we give to have that title! No money problems, stress, fear, or time restraints. She is known by all as the first mother. Just like us, she had accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses. She is often criticized for getting things wrong but isn’t that just like all of us? As we picture Eve in all her beauty, we must all picture her sin and redemption. This mother helps us picture ourselves during our moments of doubt, anxiety, sin, and failure as well as a picture of a wonderful opportunity to rest in God’s great love for us.

As we dig into this overview, we must begin by answering the question, “Why was Eve created?” I’m sure we all know that Eve was created for Adam but exactly what does that entail? Adam went to sleep and woke up to a perfect gift from God! A woman created specifically for Adam because God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone I will make a helper suitable for him."(Genesis 2:18). Right, there is the answer! Eve was to be a “helper” for Adam. When God created Adam, He knew it would be better for Adam to have someone by his side, someone to love and share life with. God designed Adam to need a woman to compliment him, to work together as a team. Didn’t God think of everything! Eve’s physical appearance is never described in the Bible, only the role that she was created to fulfill - helper. Sister, let that be our first lesson, God isn’t concerned about your outward appearance, but about the role He has charted out for your life.

God placed protection over Eve by charging Adam (and all men) with the leadership of the family just like He has for those of us who are married. I wonder if Eve ever contemplated things such as the privilege of being a mother (much less the “mother of all"); the responsibility she had of raising children that would populate the earth; her role in training and discipling them to follow Christ; and even the example she would set for other mothers to follow. Following and obeying what God said would be a must for success. Eve’s problem began when she left the protection and authority of her husband to seek earthly knowledge. It was after the sin in the garden that God revealed their punishment for sin. It was at this point that Adam named Eve stating it was because she was “the mother of all the living.” Prior to this, she was only referred to as “woman.” This new name was confirming all that was to come with being a mother. What a precious moment after such a sad encounter with God. I can only imagine the love that Adam felt for Eve as they stood there together. Yes, these two were made for each other. To bear the good, bad, and the ugly together.

Fast forward to Genesis 4:1, as we take in Eve’s response after giving birth to her firstborn, Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man.” Yes, Eve sinned but she also realized and acknowledged how great our God is! We all know the said story of Cain killing his brother (Eve’s second son) which must have crushed Eve. However, Genesis 4:25 shows us once again the faith that Eve had in God as a proclamation after the birth of her third son, Seth: “God has granted me another child, in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” Despite the pain of her second sons’ death, Eve stops to give God glory for the birth of her third son. She chose joy!

I am sure that with every contraction and pain of giving birth to Seth, Eve was reminded of her very first sin. The sin that continues to affect mankind today. Sister, that’s called consequences. BUT God so graciously forgives us and gives us new opportunities when we turn to Him. John 16:21 addresses the joy of birth after being in labor if you’d like to look it up. Eve was fulfilling her call to multiply and populate the earth. Along with the joy of holding little Seth in her arms was knowing that she was a part of God’s plan. Not only was she multiplying but Seth had a son called Enosh and it was through him that “people began to call upon the name of the Lord” in Genesis 4:26. It was also through Adam, Seth and Enos that we can trace the lineage of Jesus back to the first human. God did grant Eve another son that would hold a very special place in history!

Despite her failure, seeing the effects of her (and Adam’s) sin, and meeting the devil disguised as a serpent first-hand, Eve poured into her children teaching telling them what an Awesome God she was blessed to walk and talk with. How her God clothed them when they were naked and sacrificed animals for skins for them. How her God forgave them for their sins and continued blessing them even to the point of many children. Sweet sister, this story shows us the Goodness of God. The covering that we as mother’s have provided by God for us. Our desire should be to live as closely as we can in accordance with God’s Word and our husband’s authority. However, for those times that we fail, just like Eve, we are so blessed by His goodness when we repent. Oh, how I could go on and dig into a Bible study here, but I won’t. For this week’s focus from Eve - the mother of all, I want you to grab and hold on to God’s redemption. A mother forgiven as an example in the very first book of our Bible. Yes, she paid a price but oh how God blessed her and oh what a story for us to apply to our hearts.

Momma, when you fail, when you sin or fall just a little short, don’t make God look for you. Do an about-face turning around in forgiveness and watch His blood wash over you. Renew yourself and rejoice in the Goodness of God!

Verses: Genesis 2-3 (esp. 3:15); Proverbs 5:9, 12:4; 1 Cor. 7:3,5,34, 11:8-9; Ephesians 5:21-34; Titus 2:4; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7

This is one of my favorite songs and it goes so very well with this focus on the "Goodness of God". Take a few minutes to listen and then pause to give God praise for His amazing goodness in your life.

https://youtu.be/9sE5kEnitqE

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

~Live sent