Men are protectors. It’s in our genes. We were created to care for others. In Genesis 2:16, God gives the man the command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God doesn’t create woman until 6 verses later. It was the man’s responsibility to protect her, not because she was weak, but because God has told him what was evil, what could harm. And yet, the woman managed to eat the fruit anyway.
For years, I was very frustrated with Eve for the weakness she showed. Let’s face it, she screwed up all of the history of mankind. And then I found this one little verse that somehow I had missed. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for good, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate”
(Genesis 3:6 ESV). Did you catch it? “She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband WHO WAS WITH HER, and he ate.” He was with her! She wasn’t off on her own, blowing the perfection of the world, while Adam was out in the fields working hard to take care of their family. He was standing there.
He was in the perfect place to protect his wife. I would hope that I would step in about the time that a snake starts talking to my wife. That should have been a sign. But he doesn’t act. I think he was probably curious; he was deceived as well. And then he lets her try it first, and when it doesn’t immediately kill her, he eats it too.
I wonder how many times I’m in the perfect God-designed place to protect my wife, but I miss the chance? What snakes do I let whisper in her ear? What lies do I fall for as well? I want to live in truth. I want God to use me to protect those around me. I pray that is true for both you and I today.
Thoughts?
Todd
You said it best,I want to live in truth. That is how I want to live as well. I always say to myself in good times and bad, hold your faith close and trust in God. I know I will never see a perfect world, but my faith is and will always be what pulls me through. I believe God will always watch over my family when I’m not with them and protect them as well. Satan’s acts are around us, but I believe that the love we have for God and the love God has for us is a strength to get through good and bad. I do what I’m able to do and ask God to please help me with the rest. May God bless you and your family……always. ~~ I love the song you sing, Grace Like Rain. You sound amazing. Its one of my favorite songs.
I’d love to say I would never allow this to happen, but I have a tendency to fall short. God’s mercy allowed for my mistakes and sometimes blatant wickedness. It was a calculated ‘risk’ if you will that God took (although nothing is truly a risk to our omniscient, omnipresent God) on Adam and his beloved wife…and me. I cannot be angry at Adam who was fashioned by the very hands of God. The man who had a covenant with God and walked with God. I believe I would’ve messed things up much sooner than Adam. God knew my wicked heart and chose to provide for me, cherish me, protect me and even pursue me when I ran from him. I try my best to protect my family, but truth be known I am selfish and proud at times. Thankfully they are in better care than I could possibly provide alone when I pray for them.
I believe we are all guilty at some time or another of putting the desires of our spouse before the desires of God. We leave behind what we know as truth for man’s wisdom and thereby messing up God’s perfect plan for us. Abram did it when Sari offered Haggar in her stead as the mother of his heir, Samson did it when he told Delielah the source of his strength and I have often been guilty of putting my wife before God.
The spiritual mantle men carry is paramount. I think this verse ties in so well with what you said:
Nehemiah 4:14
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
I love how you realize that you are not only a leader to your wife and family but that you also, as you said “want God to use me to protect those around me.” I ponder every word I hear you speak and every blog your write. You are a great leader and I am thankful for your leadership.
So helpful to read your blog. As a single woman in her 40s and father has passed away who is my protector? I know it is the Lord, but on the night that I’d love a bear hug know someone was there I just remain afraid and with the light on in the hall. Thank you for the ESV version included in your blog.
I just read this quote from Robert Kellemen (Sacred Friendships): “Adam had it backwards. He turned God’s relational universe upside down. His big bang of sin was starting with himself (self-love), and then moving to Eve (desiring to please his companion above God) and putting God last, if at all, on his “to love” list.” Think of how differently our lives would be if we loved God first, wholeheartedly. We would be less selfish and self-obsessed. It would enable us to love others well with the protective, self-sacrificing love that comes from the heart of God. On a lighter note, I laughed out loud when I read “And then he lets her try it first, and when it doesn’t immediately kill her, he eats it too.” I think it struck me as so funny because it is so true.
Another truth to take from the garden is about blame and shame. God did not create blame or shame. The blame and shame came from the enemy once the fruit was eaten. Adam blamed Eve, yet as you already pointed out Adam was with her. After eating the fruit Adam and Eve hid from God and covered themselves because they were ashamed. We cannot let the enemy speak blame and shame into our lives. As this Garden event was the beginning of sin we no longer are tied to it. Jesus released us from all sin when he died for us. Do not let blame and shame affect, effect or infect your relationships. We have been saved, healed and set free (Ephesians 2:8-9, Luke 4:16-19). Speak this over your family, friends, and all relationships and have faith God is in control.