(Genesis 2:18-24)
We begin with Paul’s magnificent reading of Moses’ account of the creation of Eve. In his Ephesian letter Paul describes the privilege of the Christian husband to imitate Christ’s own sacrificial love in his relationship to his wife. “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). The apostle derives his doctrine from the account of the creation of the woman given by Moses. He cites Moses and then comments, “‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph 5:31-32).
Clearly the apostle was reading the “mystery” of Jesus and his relationship to the church, as his bride, back into the account of the creation narrative of Genesis 2:18-24.
The Lord God stated that it was not good for the man to be alone (Gen 2:18), so he purposed to make a companion for Adam.
But he did not make the woman out of the dust of the ground. What was his wisdom, and what do we learn by the manner by which God gave a bride to Adam?
God took the perfect man he had made, who was so full of life, and brought a deep sleep upon him. Then God pierced his side, creating a bloody wound. What was he doing? Why was he marring this perfect man? What evil had he done? Adam was still innocent! Nonetheless, God wounded the man and took out of his side the substance with which he created his bride. Then God healed Adam’s wound and awakened him in the garden. And God brought to Adam the bride who fulfilled all his heart with her beauty and purity (Gen 2:21-22).
How does this account foretell the suffering and glory of the Christ? John the evangelist tells us that Jesus is the eternal word of God who became flesh and tabernacled among us (John 1:1, 14). Once the Lord became authentic man, however, he was born under the law so that even for him it was not good that he should be alone. John thus presents Jesus as the bridegroom who has come in search of his bride (John 3:29). But how did God provide a bride for Jesus, the new Adam?