Mission of Motherhood, Chapter Two - Jul. 15, 2005
Question 1
Gen 3:20 Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.
What is the significance of the name that Adam called Eve?
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes:
Gen 3:20 - God having named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth, he in farther token of dominion named the woman, and called her Eve - That is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve of the living soul. The reason of the name is here given, some think by Moses the historian, others by Adam himself, because she was - That is, was to be the mother of all living. He had called her Isha, woman, before, as a wife; here he calls her Evah, life, as a mother. Now, 1. If this was done by divine direction, it was an instance of God's favour, and, like the new naming of Abraham and Sarah, it was a seal of the covenant, and an assurance to them, that notwithstanding their sin, he had not reversed that blessing wherewith he had blessed them, Be fruitful and multiply: it was likewise a confirmation of the promise now made, that the seed of the woman, of this woman, should break the serpent's head. 2. If Adam did of himself, it was an instance of his faith in ! the word of God.
What meaning does it have in relationship to our identity as women?
Life. God continues to bring forth life through women. He continues to expand mankind. His mercy and grace is evident upon us as life is created in our protective wombs and brought forth through our sufferings. It is a glorious thing ... a glory filled thing ... A privilege and a responsibility that is to be valued and cherished.
How would you describe woman's original purpose as indicated in Genesis?
I cannot answer this question here ... without a doubt, the original purpose of woman is in Genesis 2:18, being a suitable helper for the man. This is a subject deeper than can be answered in just a few sentences here ... it may require a thesis or discertation ... I could respond a pat answer here but I am not satisfied to do so. It will be a subject, in fact already is a subject, of much interest, study and contemplation.
How has this sense of purpose changed in our culture today?
The sense of purpose for men and women in our culture today has gone astray from God's original purpose. As Isaiah says:
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. [I Pet. 2:24, 25.]
Key words there are "his own way". As a whole, woman (and men) in this culture are not walking in God's original purpose but in the purposes of their own way.
Since I have not given the space here to fleshing out the original purpose of a woman, I cannot further comment on how that purpose has changed in our culture today.
-- Cynthia
