“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.’” Despite sin, Adam and Eve are fulfilling part of their purpose to, “be fruitful and multiply.” Adam named Eve after they Fell into sin. Her name means, “Life.” Genesis 3:20 says Adam named her this, “because she was the mother of all the living.” (The Greek translation for Eve is Zoe, a name that is still in use today.) So, we see “Life” bringing life into the world with God’s help.
Why does this matter?
Adam and Eve, despite their sin, were still blessed. God displayed His kindness to them by giving them children. But notice what Eve says, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Some interpret this as a sigh of relief and thankfulness, recognizing that God had protected Eve through the pains of child birth. There may be more behind this odd statement, however. Others have wondered if this strange statement might be thinking back to God’s promise to send one to defeat sin, and that the questions, “Could he be The One?” is buried in these words.
Can you imagine over the centuries, every time a boy was being born that a great cosmic question was being asked: “Is he The One?” From generation to generation mothers and fathers looking down at their baby boys with hearts full of faith must have asked, “God, will you fulfill your promise through my son?” Until, the time came that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered, and a young couple from Nazareth looked down at their baby boy, born in Bethlehem as they traveled, and the father said, “Jesus. His name is Jesus.” And he remembered the angelic command, “You shall name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” The mother pondered all these things in her heart, “He is The One God promised so long ago.”
Old Testament faith was all about remembering God’s promises and looking forward to their fulfillment. As New Testament people, we have much to learn from generations of people who waited thousands of years putting their hope in God and relying on Him to keep His promises. We have the privilege of being able to see that the Lord, indeed, has kept His Word and gave us the Word-Made-Flesh to be one of us, to bear our sin to the cross, to bruise the serpent’s head, and to win us forgiveness and new life. However, God has made promises to us as well. And just as Adam, Eve, Abel, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and on and on and on believed God’s promises and lived each day by faith, so do we.
Every day is an opportunity to wake up and ask, “Could this be The Day? Will Jesus return and take us home?” Every day is an opportunity to hear, “I am with you always,” and to step out, not quite feeling that presence, but trusting that He’ll keep the promise. Every day is a new day to rejoice that we are saved, that God blesses, that He speaks through the Word, that He has kept promises, and will keep the ones He has made to us, too.
Father, thank you for keeping your promise to Adam and Eve, by sending Jesus as the one who crushed the serpent’s head. I don’t always remember that you keep your promises. Help me to remember all you have promised, and believe. Then help me to live sharing your promises with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Why does this matter?
Adam and Eve, despite their sin, were still blessed. God displayed His kindness to them by giving them children. But notice what Eve says, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Some interpret this as a sigh of relief and thankfulness, recognizing that God had protected Eve through the pains of child birth. There may be more behind this odd statement, however. Others have wondered if this strange statement might be thinking back to God’s promise to send one to defeat sin, and that the questions, “Could he be The One?” is buried in these words.
Can you imagine over the centuries, every time a boy was being born that a great cosmic question was being asked: “Is he The One?” From generation to generation mothers and fathers looking down at their baby boys with hearts full of faith must have asked, “God, will you fulfill your promise through my son?” Until, the time came that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered, and a young couple from Nazareth looked down at their baby boy, born in Bethlehem as they traveled, and the father said, “Jesus. His name is Jesus.” And he remembered the angelic command, “You shall name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” The mother pondered all these things in her heart, “He is The One God promised so long ago.”
Old Testament faith was all about remembering God’s promises and looking forward to their fulfillment. As New Testament people, we have much to learn from generations of people who waited thousands of years putting their hope in God and relying on Him to keep His promises. We have the privilege of being able to see that the Lord, indeed, has kept His Word and gave us the Word-Made-Flesh to be one of us, to bear our sin to the cross, to bruise the serpent’s head, and to win us forgiveness and new life. However, God has made promises to us as well. And just as Adam, Eve, Abel, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and on and on and on believed God’s promises and lived each day by faith, so do we.
Every day is an opportunity to wake up and ask, “Could this be The Day? Will Jesus return and take us home?” Every day is an opportunity to hear, “I am with you always,” and to step out, not quite feeling that presence, but trusting that He’ll keep the promise. Every day is a new day to rejoice that we are saved, that God blesses, that He speaks through the Word, that He has kept promises, and will keep the ones He has made to us, too.
Father, thank you for keeping your promise to Adam and Eve, by sending Jesus as the one who crushed the serpent’s head. I don’t always remember that you keep your promises. Help me to remember all you have promised, and believe. Then help me to live sharing your promises with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Comments
I haven't really ever thought about the birth of male children and their relevancy for the Israelite people. I wonder how many hundreds or thousands of boys were born and thought to be the messiah.
Funny how the temptation to think that the messiah was far off in coming is rooted in the same unbelief that we have today, thinking that his return is far off. Come quickly Lord Jesus!