Today, we want to discuss another topic, that is, on the relationship among people. The most important fundamental relationship is the relationship between God and man, but it is invisible. It can only be seen in the relationship among people. Man is created in the image of God, therefore, he bounds to establish relationships. What does that mean? The God, whom we believe in, is God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; three persons 1 God, Trinity of God. We do not believe in three gods. However, the God, whom we believe in, consists of three persons. God created male and female in His image. This image includes His morality, creativity, eternity, spirituality and His nature to be relational.

God the father, God the Son and God the Spirit are three persons and they love one another. Such a God has created man in His own image. Therefore, man naturally portrays the image of God in his life. Having a tendency to be relational, he knows how to establish a harmonious relationship with other people. If a man distances himself from other people, he will be an isolated island. Those who are isolated islands would be lonely and not able to reveal the image of God.

Relationship between people is harmonious and equal before the fall

The Bible described that before the fall of man, the relationship between people is very harmonious. Genesis 1: 26-27 from the ESV Bible clearly tell us that man is created in the image of God. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female. He created them. In other words, the male and the female are created in the image of God. Thus, men and women are equal. The viewpoint in the past that only man is honoured and woman is subservient is not in accordance to the teaching of the Bible.

In addition, in God’s eyes, we are all equal regardless of being rich, poor, adult, children, elderly, handicapped because we are all created with the image of God. We have the same physical nature and are loved by God. Therefore, the concept of equality among people is very important in Christian faith and we have to emphasize it again and again.

Description of the husband and wife relationship

Since male and female are equal, husband and wife are equal too. The Bible has mentioned about the creation of Adam and Eve; firstly, God created man in the image of God. Then, He took one of the ribs from the man and created the woman. This couple, Adam and Eve, represented humanity. They had a very unique and intimate relationship. Before the fall of man, how was their relationship? Why did God create Eve to be Adam’s wife?

According to Genesis 2:18 from the Bible, then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” It means that the man needs the woman. God says that it is not good for man to be alone as he alone cannot accomplish the overall blueprint that God has planned for the humans. In other words, the woman is created to be the man’s helper and to assist him to fulfil God’s missions together. How beautiful it is!

Helper? Does this mean that the helper is inferior? No. In the Bible, the original word “helper” in Hebrew is also used for describing God. Exodus 18:8 and Deuteronomy 33:7 tell us that God helps Israel. Is God in an inferior position than the Israelites? Definitely not. Thus, “helper” means that the man needs the woman, just like the woman needs the man. They complement each other to make life beautiful and to fulfil the missions that God has given to man.

On the other hand, we understand that the man is created such that he needs a helper to assist him. Unless the man has help from his helper – mutual help indeed, he cannot fulfil the highest goal that God has given him. This enables us to understand better the reason that God has created the woman for the man. The Bible tells us very clearly that the position of the wife in her man’s or her husband’s life cannot be replaced by other things.

The following verses from Genesis 2:19-20 in the Bible tell us very clearly that ‘Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.’ It also means that Adam could not gain satisfaction from any other creatures, including the beasts of the field and the gentlest animals. They could not replace his wife. Adam gave names to the animals but he did not gain satisfaction from it. Why? It was because he had not met his own life partner. Therefore, you and I have to remember that the animal cannot replace our spouse. It is not right to scold your wife and call her a ‘tigress’! Therefore, we see that the woman, whom God has created, is very important in the man’s life. She is irreplaceable.

Exquisite creation of the woman

Genesis 2:21-22 from the ESV Bible continues to say that ‘So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up its flesh. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her to the man.’ God used one of the man’s ribs to create the woman. Such creation is very exquisite and unique. Why did God not use one of the man’s cranium bones to create the woman? If so, she would be above the man and oppress him. Why did God not use one of the man’s ankle bones to create the woman? In doing so, the man will step on the woman and cause her to be inferior to the man in status. God used one of the man’s rib bones to create the woman, symbolising equality. This is the wisdom of God! The rib bone is more exquisite, therefore the woman is slenderer and more beautiful than the man, more gentle and loveable; but the man is rugged and more uninhibited than the woman. When the man and the woman pair up together, it is a ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ pairing. It is beautiful and good, a match made from heaven.

Uniqueness of the man and the woman becoming one flesh

Taken from verse 23 in the ESV Bible, Then the man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’, because she was taken out of man.” We can imagine that the intimacy of the man and the woman has reached such a level - she is the bone of my bones and the flesh of my flesh. It also means they are ‘inseparable’. Such description was only used before the fall of man. Today, man has fallen. The relationship between husband and wife is broken. A husband may even say “you are the rottenness of my bones and the germs in my flesh.” What a tragedy! Therefore, we must remember - when two of us become one flesh, we must love each other. The man shall leave his parents and become one flesh with his wife. Before the fall, the husband and wife were naked and they were not ashamed. What a beautiful, sweet and intimate relationship!

The man and the woman become one flesh. Such uniqueness in the relationship cannot be destroyed and replaced. Even I do not have such a unique relationship with my parents. Our relationship with parents is based on having the common DNA genes; but the husband and wife do not have a relationship based on DNA. Thus, the union of the two persons is very unique. “The two persons shall become one flesh” means that the thoughts, emotions and actions of the man are combined as one with those of his wife. They can talk about anything, have nothing to conceal or keep as secrets because their hearts have no darkness. They can communicate and be one. As a result, they were naked but felt no shame.

May the Lord bless every one of us, every couple, so that we know how to love one another, have lives that reflect the beautiful image of God and possess beautiful relationships – relationships before the fall of man. Let us return to the Lord, have peace with God and people, and establish a good husband-and-wife relationship so that we may have wonderful testimonies.

Let us pray together!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you. Your Word is true. You have blessed us with beautiful relationships. Let us experience the goodness of God and taste the sweetness as a result of the harmonious relationships among people. Not only in husband and wife relationship, but also in the relationships with our parents, children, neighbours, relatives and friends. All these relationships will be wonderful because of God’s love. May you hear our prayers in the holy name of Jesus. Amen!

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