My wife and I drive in to work together. She forgot that I can sleep in and woke me up at 4:30 a.m. as per usual. It was advantageous because we are meant to be preparing for a marriage retreat at Conference Point, William’s Bay, Wisconsin on October 9-11. I read Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 with her and she began to fall asleep. That wasn’t the best thing, because she was the one driving. So we discussed what I had been reading. I had read from multiple versions, but they had all been paraphrases. The hard hitters like the ESV or the NASB might have sent Kelli to sleep even more quickly. However, the Amplified Version, was really helpful. I don’t read it much because it usually seems overly repetitious. I can even find it annoying. However, this morning it really helped.
In our discussion, Kelli and I thought about a lot of things. What really struck us though was how well we were working together. That is the reason that God brought us together. It was to work toward a common goal. In the original story Man (Adam) is working alone to complete the tasks that God has assigned to Man (Mankind). Adam is the caretaker of Creation. He is a gardener, zoo-keeper and arable farmer all rolled into one. He does not go out to work in the morning, he does not even get dressed up for work. He doesn’t get dressed at all. He works at home because Eden is his home. In this home/work environment it is not good for Adam to be alone. He needs an ally/helper to complete the work that God has assigned with him.
Woman is taken from the side of man. She is part of him. Together they make a whole. They will complete God’s task of ruling the world and filling it as a pair. The description of the alliance is a description of two people who have equal standing and intertwined lives. They do life together and form the basic unit of a healthy community. This challenges some of our ideas of marriage that we have developed today.
Firstly, it challenges the separate spheres ideology that developed through industrialization. Before industrialization people worked the land around their homes, they engaged in cottage industries, or they sometimes served the master of the home in which they lived. As factories and offices became more prevalent, the man left the domestic sphere and entered the ‘workforce’. The role of breadwinner was assigned to the man and the role of ‘homemaker’ was assigned to the woman. In Genesis, the agrarian ideals question whether these assignments of roles are ideal. Some in Christian circles have even sanctioned the industrial roles as Christian. A woman is meant to stay at home, wear a skirt, and make babies, we are told. A man is meant to wear trousers, go to work, provide for his family, and make decisions. The reality of Genesis definitely celebrates difference. Adam and Eve are different from each other. However, the roles assigned to them do not resemble the roles that were assigned in the 19th century. They do life together and complete the work that God assigned both of them.
Secondly, the Genesis account challenges our views on vulnerability. To be vulnerable, we think, empowers the oppressor. Male power has been sanctioned by the positive presentation of the image of the helpless, vulnerable, submissive woman. The remedy often presented is for the woman to guard her heart or take power back that has been ripped from her. Images of violence now prevail in some feminist discussion through aggressive words assigned to male power like ‘violate’, ‘dominate’, or ‘abuse’. In many cases around the world, these words might be appropriate, but the solution is not to fight violent power with violent power. The solution to violence is not to combat physical domination with emotional domination, or vice versa. The solution is to end the game. The solution is to find a way to both be naked and without shame. To be naked is to be defenseless. Flight is an option, but fighting will just lead to deep wounds. Negotiation and debate can lead to more peace, but those who wound others in an attempt to win in a conflict, only have one guaranteed outcome: They will damage themselves and alienate themselves from their spouse and from God.
There is much more here in Genesis 1. However, as Kelli and I discussed how to approach the Marriage Retreat we found that we were working for a common goal, given to us by God. In working for him we connected with each other. In the limited sphere of a Mini Clubman we were allies fighting for the same cause.
Genesis 1:26-31
26 Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29 So God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;30 and to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that moves on the ground—to everything in which there is the breath of life—I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so [because He commanded it]. 31 God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
Prayer
God, may we cease seeking power, control and safety. May we seek to serve your purposes together. May we find a partner with whom to work most closely. May we not create independent ways of meeting our goals, but may we do life together in ways that are interdependent and healthy.
Questions
- What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1?
- How is mankind described?
- What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling?
- How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given?
- How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities?
Plymothian 
Thank you for your thoughts this morning! Prayers for the both of you as you drive in to work each day so early in the morning! Safe travels! Thank you also for diligently working on Marriage Conference and studying the scriptures so God is able to speak through you as you share that weekend! Keri
1. What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1? To tend the garden, subdue the earth, and multiply
2. How is mankind described? As being created in the image of God
3. What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling? Men and women are to be partners in their fulfilling of God’s calling, man is the head of the household and woman his helper
4. How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given? We have more clearly defined the roles that we believe men and women should have in the workforce without taking that ideology from the Scriptures
5. How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities? By sharing the same goals and seeing the need for support and co-operation in how they carry out the goals
1. Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subjugate it.
2. Created in the image of God.
3. They are called to work together, collaborating towards the calling God has given them with the man as the head and the woman as his helper.
4. It’s like we have had a shift. In Christian circles we have unfortunately often given our own descriptions in addition to what Scripture has stated is true. However, now, more and more especially in the world those lines that Scripture has drawn as true are being blurred and equated, losing the beauty in the collaboration of a man and his wife.
5. They need to understand their calling as a team as well as each others expectations of what that is going to look like.
1. Tending the garden, ruling the animals, being fruitful and multiplying
2. Made in the image of God
3.The husband leads, the wife submits, but this is collaborative not dictatorial
4. There has been a separation between a person’s role at home and at work, and tension between the two. There has also been a redefining of leading and submitting that defeats the collaborative equality of a husband and wife.
5. I think that it is important that a husband and wife’s goals be aligned both in the home and in the sphere of work so that they aren’t pulling in different directions.
1.What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1? To tend the garden, subdue the earth, and multiply
2.How is mankind described? Created in the image of God
3.What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling? They are called to work together by husband leading, and the wife submitting.
4.How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given? Today, there has been distinct role play at home/work or even outside home.
5.How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities? By understanding each other’s role and cooperating it together with same-minded.
1. Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
2. Mankind is described as being made in the image of God.
3. Men and women are to work together to fulfill there calling. In this process, the man is to be the head of the household and the woman is to be his God-given helper.
4. We have changed the roles of men and women to make them into two separate spheres in which the man is the ‘breadwinner’ and the woman is the ‘homemaker’ and there is no overlap or collaboration.
5. Men and women work best by working together and sharing a goal. They support each other and even though the physical tasks that they do may be different they are all tasks that are in line with the goal that the couple shares.
In Genesis 1, the work given by God to the man and woman is to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth. They are also told to tend to the garden and subdue the land. Mankind is described as being made in the image of God and in His likeness. The man and woman are called to work together, as the husband leads, the woman submits to his leadership. Today, those roles have been twisted into a “breadwinner” and “homemaker” mentality of man and woman. Today, the man and woman should work together and share a common goal; understanding how the other works best and working together to achieve a common goal.
1. To take care of the garden, be fruitful, and to multiply.
2. Made in God’s image.
3. The husband is called to lead, and the wife is called to submit. Although within these relationships God called them to work and serve together.
4. Today we possess over the desire to lead and provide.
5. When the Lord is at the center and they are working together towards a common goal of service towards Him.
1. What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1? To be fruitful, multiply, and rule over the earth.
2. How is mankind described? Mankind is described as being made in God’s image, male and female, ruling over the land and the sea, and it was very good.
3. What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling? Elsewhere in Scripture, we see that the man of the household is called to be the protector and leader, and the woman is called to be the helper and submit.
4. How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given? Not only in the area of family economics, but also in emotional and spiritual situations women are often the ones who have to lead, protect and provide in their homes. Women don’t trust and so they do not submit readily.
5. How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities? The best way for a man and a wife to work together is by aiming toward a common goal and laying down their lives for one another in marriage.
1. Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subjugate it.
2. Man was created in the image of God.
3. They are called to work together as a team, complimenting one another in their roles.
4. One person doing the majority of the work for the team whilst the other just sits by like a slugger.
5. Pursuing Jesus first by submitting to His authority, laying down your desires for the other, communicating well, respecting one anothers strength. Asking that person how you can serve them. Pursuing the same goal together. Always pursuing one another and trying to out love one another.
1. Work the Land around him, rule it, fill it, and be fruitful in everything he does.
2. Mankind was described as the image of God.
3. They are allies, they are a team in whatever they do. Not very specific roles as some think the industrialization way of life is biblical, but different roles.
4. We think that we as woman are only made for one thing because of the history behind industrialization. We think that we cannot work, and that we have to stay at home because thats what we are told. Often times, you see a lop-sided marriage, one person may carry a lot of the weight while the other persons sits by and watches because it’s “not their job”.
5. Its a struggle, but the only way anything can be accomplished is by God’s strength. It’s only possible to know what you must do as a married couple of you are seeking God together and alone. Only then you will find that rhythm and harmony that you both long for in a marriage. Love one another and seek to love each other after you have loved Christ.
What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1?
To care for the garden and be fruitful aka multiply
How is mankind described?
Made in the image of God.
What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling?
To work as a team and to be united as one flesh
How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given?
We have become a society of individualistic people
How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, communication, fellowship, intimacy and integrity,
What work does God give mankind in Genesis 1?
To care for the animals, dominate the earth and to be fruitful
How is mankind described?
“Good”, and made in God’s image
What roles do men and women have in fulfilling their calling?
To work together, using their unique differences to accomplish what God has called them to do
How have we changed our roles compared to those we were given?
We have tried to specify in ways that are not described in the Bible-where women must stay at home and have babies, and men must leave the home and make $$
How do men and women work best as a close-knit team in today’s economic realities?
To have each other’s backs and work together
1. Authority over birds, fish, and land creatures. He tells them to multiply and be fruitful.
2. In God’s likeness and in his image.
3. Well, working together to have authority in the earth and increase it together.
4. While he mentioned that women are seen as “home-makers” and men as “bread-winners,” I think those roles are changing. Women are seen more commonly as bread-winners as well. There is not as much working together today I suppose.
5. Using their differences to complement one another.
1. To tend the garden and multiply.
2. As created in God’s image.
3. To work together and complement each other.
4. We tend to work apart rather than together.
5. As a team to support one another.
1. God instructs mankind to be fruitful and multiply.
2. Mankind is described as being created in God’s image and in His likeness.
3. Men and women are called to work together as one flesh to glorify their creator.
4. I don’t think men and women in today’s society have distinct roles anymore. They all try to have the same responsibilities and jobs, so there is no complimenting of the opposite gender.
5. In a Christian relationship, men are the leaders of the home and women are to submit to their husbands. They work together and compliment each other.
1. To be fruitful and multiply and to rule over God’s creation.
2. Made in the Image of God and very good.
3. They are to work together.
4. Men bring home the bacon and the wife cooks it.
5. By having the common goal of bringing glory to their creator, doing everything ultimately through him and for him, encouraging one another in this endeavor.