2.10.06
the bible. greatest literary piece ever written.
the topic for the day was eve, from the devotional material women of the bible. i've never explored eve's character and role in such depth previously.
what struck me most was the fact that everything had a design. yes, life is not random. it never was, never is, and never will be. people who choose to think otherwise might think they have it better because they would think it reduces the amount of self-blame, and it allows for them to dwell in self-pity. but truly, believing in such haphazardness would only serve to de-beautify and de-mystify all that is around us (and we would just be wanderers accepting and, more importantly, NOT LEARNING FROM all that is around us).
why would it, you say? cant there be beauty in haphazardness? i mean, look at those 'art works' of splashed creations. i say, look closely. and you'll notice, in all great works there is order even in the haphazardness; there is always a design, however obscure; there is INTENT.
have you then, ever wondered why God planted THE tree? seems like such a planned trap, doesnt it, especially since God knows everything and thus he knew that Man would sin. imagine how great it would be, if there wasnt that tree and we were all living in paradise right now!!! wow, life would be PERFECTO. but no, think twice. actually it wouldnt be great. where then, would there be free will, would there be freedom of choice? God wants us to love Him, God created us to love Him, but if there were no choice (ie. to love and obey and stay away from the tree versus to turn away and disobey His words and eat from the tree), would our actions and devotion to Him really be called love? you cant tell how great someone's love for you is when everything is smooth-sailing; it is only through trials and temptations when love is tried and tested, that the greatest of love is exhibited. and as i've always said, love is a choice. when one takes away that choice, there can no longer be love.
and then we move on, to the creation and purpose of eve. all you women and men, listen out! eve was created out of adams rib. not from his head, to rule over him; not from his feet, to be trampled over by him; but from his side, to be level with him and a companion to him, to be always under the care of his arms, and to be always close to his heart. note that in creation, God's works grew more and more intricate - from bees and beetles, to animals, and then to Man. could there then be any doubt that eve was God's final touch, the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God? she wasnt an afterthought. man is incomplete without her (ego as this may sound due to my gender, and possibly inviting disapproving stares from all the single men out there who do not believe this fact), that much is true. in fact, when God created eve, He called her an ezer kenegdo, which means 'lifesaver' and 'counterpart'.
due to sin though, a curse was placed on eve. 'your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.' gen 3:16 juxtapose this with gen 4:7 '..sin lies at the door. and its desire is for you, but you shall rule over it.' it is no wonder why many women struggle with power-balance, for we will always experience this contradiction.
next comes the rationalising of sin. the serpent twisted the facts, and eve soon lost track of the commandment and was led to believe that the serpent's words were true. she thought it would be okay. this relates to us too. clearly, we are all flawed, never perfect. but sometimes, we can do better. let's be reminded never to rationalize sin, telling ourselves its okay just because everyone is doing it. that doesnt make it okay, and it doesnt make it less of a sin. God is a constant, never changing, and His word doesnt either. that means the definition of sin would be the same be it past, present or future too.
with sin comes confession, a very strong and important theme. when God asked about the fruit, adam pushed the blame to eve, while eve pushed the blame to the serpent. neither confessed. and though God did not reprimand them (in fact, He said nothing and i believe that that actually is the greatest shot to the heart especially when you're in the position where you knew you did something wrong), i believe He was hurting dearly inside. i guess we'd all experience this when we become parents next time. we'd not give a care what happened as long as our child has confessed, for then we can pick him up in our arms and whisper to him that it's okay.
nevertheless, God being ever gracious, immediately set about to clothing them right after He had delivered His judgement. this act, was both practical and thoughtful. in fact throughout Scripture, God's grace is often most beautifully evident within His judgements. when the world was so corrupt that He had to destroy it, God saved Noah and his family and even created a rainbow as a sign of His promise. thus personally, i feel it's truly amazing how when we're at our lowest, on our knees before God's judgement, His grace is still at work. we should all never forget that.
i fluttered by;
8:01 PM
