Genesis 2:18-24 - Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

In Genesis 2, we read the beautiful account of how God created woman to be a helper and companion for Adam. After creating Adam, God saw that it was not good for him to be alone. So God formed all the animals and had Adam name them, but still no suitable helper was found. Then God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and fashioned it into a woman. When Adam awoke, he rejoiced and declared that she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Adam called her woman because she was taken out of man. This passage gives us deep insight into God's design for marriage. We see that man and woman are distinct yet one, created for companionship with each other. Though different, they perfectly complement one another. Woman was made to be man's helper, his partner and friend. The two become one flesh in marriage.

The creation of Eve as a companion and helper for Adam has profound implications for marriage today. It reminds us that God's design from the beginning was for man and woman to be united in a one flesh union, bringing completion and companionship to one another. In a culture that seeks to blur gender distinctions, we must uphold God's wise design in creating us male and female. Our differences are a gift, enabling us to serve one another in marriage. Wives are called to be helpers, partners, and friends to their husbands. And husbands are called to lead gently, nourish, cherish and lay down their lives for their wives. As those joined in holy matrimony, we must remember that we are one flesh - two unique persons united by God into a mysterious oneness. Let us therefore cherish, communicate with, and meet the needs of our spouse on a daily basis, never taking them for granted.

Gracious Father, we praise you for your perfect design in creating man and woman for loving companionship with one another. Thank you for instituting marriage even before the fall. What a blessing it is! Lord, for those joined in holy matrimony, grant deeper unity, understanding, patience and affection in their marriages each day. May they reflect the love between Christ and his bride, the Church. Strengthen every marriage and use them powerfully for your Kingdom purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.