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Call to worship: Song of Solomon 5:9-6:3

Text: Genesis 2:18-25

Summary:

Among a world of good, God identifies something that's not good. Adam has all he needs for the satisfaction of his soul, but not quite all for fulfilling his commission. The transition from good to very good involves the creation of the woman, Adam's future wife, and the marriage that takes place between the two of them. She will be a helper fit for him. To demonstrate her unique fitness, God has his vicegerent, Adam, name all the animals. Job well done, he's confronted with the unfitness of the world for him and the work ahead. God then creates her from him. God brings her to him, and Adam sings her praise, to the glory of God. In her, God's given him more than all a perfect world could! Moses attaches some commentary to the scene. Marriage is instituted by God in a perfect world between one man and one woman for as long as the two shall live. He Himself, having separated them, unites them. The consummation of their marital union includes an innocent intimacy. All in all, the pattern is set that prophecies of the Gospel love of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb to His Bride, the Church.

Sermon Outline:

1. The world's only problem. (2:18)
2. God's fitting provision. (2:19-22)
3. Adam's thankful praise. (2:23)
4. The Bible's prophetic pattern. (2:24-25)

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Genesis 2:18-25.
2. In a world of good, what's not good in God's eyes? If Adam has God, why is anything not good in a perfect world? What has God purposed to make that moves the world from good to very good, and Adam from alone to not alone? How does God detail her design? What is her role and/or function? What has the Genesis story told us so far in terms of what her help might entail? If it wasn't good for Adam to be alone, what are we to make of singleness?
3. What does God do to prepare Adam for the glory of the helper He's about to create from and for him? How does Adam's naming of the animal kingdom serve to show his servant-leadership over the world? How exactly does God create the woman? What should we draw from facts like: Adam was created first? Adam needed her? She was created by God? She was created from Adam? She was created from his rib, as opposed to his head or feet? That Adam was dead asleep when God made her? Who came up with the idea of marriage?
4. Once God brings her to him, what is Adam's response? What's significant about his 'at last'? Or about her being as he is? Or about his naming of her (as well as himself)? Or about her having a different name than him?
5. Once God brings her to him, what is Adam's response? What's significant about his 'at last'? Or about her being as he is? Or about his naming of her (as well as himself)? Or about her having a different name than him?