Genesis 2

Genesis 2:18

2. See Chap. vi, no. Or the man.

3. ¶ And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: ‘I will make him an help—meet for him. 19. And ‘out of the ground the LORD God formed every beaft of the field, and every fowl of the air, and ‘brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Though man was possessed of all the bliss of paradise, one thing was still lacking to his felicity. He was alone, one amidst the various orders of creatures, could find any like unto himself. Angels were rational spirits, but incorporeal; beafts corporeal, but irrational. God saw, and pitted him. With the affection of a kind father, uncollected he consulted his necessities, and resolves to supply him with a help-meet of his own species. Learn here, 1. Solitude is not suited for man. In his state of innocence, society was mindful. Good company is still not only a great means of our comfort, but a great help to our edification. 2. A single life wants many advantages, that can only be enjoyed with a suitable help-meet. Ordinary was never an ordinance of God: he who made man, knew what was best for him. 3. God’s glory required he should not be alone; the earth could not thus be replenished, nor the blefing pronounced be effectual. 4. In the choice of a wife, a help-meet is to be sought. A companion, a friend, whose presence at home may be to us more than all the world beside. The reason why so many are miserable in the marriage state, is, that they have married the face, or the portion, instead of the woman. 5. A good help-meet is of the Lord: they who chuse for themselves, to greatly their lusts, their pride, or their covetousness, without confining his will, or seeking his blefing and direction, have reason to expect a briar instead of a wise.

Genesis 2:19

Adam had before received the grant, now he is called to exercise the authority. The creatures pass in review before him to pay their homage, and receive their several names; and thereby afford a proof of his wisdom, as well as their subjection. Now, A good king should be the father of his subjects; to exercise cruelty on the brute creation, is to turn tyrants, instead of lords over it. He that committed them to us, expects that we treat them with lenity and kindreds.

Heb. Col. Ind. Heb. Balded. 1 Cor. ii. 8.

Genesis 2:20-23

7. & x. 11.

8. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beaft of the field: but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. 22. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23. And Adam 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. 24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

All the creatures had their fellows, besides man himself. God knew his wants, and prevents his wishes. This

transfection had passed on the sixth day, as observed in the last chapter. The manner of it is recited in this.

1. Man was first formed. He hath in all things the priority and pre-eminence: nor was he made for the woman, but the woman for the man. Now, They have read their Bible to little purpose, who have not learned to reverence and obey their husbands. 2. The woman was made of a rib of Adam, while he slept; not from his head, to usurp authority over him, nor out of his feet, to be trampled upon; but out of his side, to be regarded as next himself; under his arm, to be protected; and near his heart, to be beloved by him. Behold a type of the second Adam. Thus Jesus slept the deep sleep of death upon the cross; and from his wounded side, poured out the blood, which purchased his spooks the church. 3. The work was of God. He caused the sleep, and opened the side, and closed it up again. It had been a painful operation when waking; but now the pain is neither felt, nor the rib wanted. Now, When God is pleased to cause the believer’s foul to rest wholly in him, he can keep their minds in sweet composure, under the severest afflictions, and cause their greatest belief to become their most lasting gain. 4. God brings her to the man. As he had provided her for his comfort, he prefers her as his wife. That wife that is of God’s making by special grace, and of God’s bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help-meet for a man. 5. Her affectionate reception. This now is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. Now, The husband must regard his wife as his own flesh, and mouth and chuteth her with the most tender endearment. 6. The name given her, woman. In token, not only of her subjection, but of her manners to himself: though differing in sex, the same in nature.

Genesis 2:24

God, with the first marriage, lays down the law for posterity. 1. It is the first and strongest relation; it began before parental duty eviled, and is nearer than any ties of nature. Now, Before marriage, it is most disobedient and sinful to engage without parents consent: after marriage, no ties, nor authority, must separate those whom God hath joined together. 2. It is indissoluble: there is but one allowed cause of divorce, fornication; unless, peradventure, we may add obfinitive defection. Where a connection must be so lathing, with what seriousness, care, and thoughtfulness, ought it to be entered upon? 3. It is between one man and one woman. As true love can never be divided, lawless lull can never be finished. 4. They are one flesh: but they must be first one heart. The union of bodies is the direct plague in nature, without the union of souls.

Genesis 2:25

They needed not closets for defence, and their spookless innocence knew no shame: this is the offspring of sin. Though the blushes of modesty are so pleasing now, we should not forget that guilt first covered the face with shame.