The First - Eve

Adam named his wife Eve, because she

would become the mother of all the living.

Genesis 3:20 

I am fascinated by Eve. Not so much about the whole "hey let's take a bite of this apple" part of her life, but by the fact that she was the first...not only the first woman, but also the very first wife and mother.

She was created as a woman, so she didn't have a childhood or teenage years. She was created as a wife, so she didn't have a time of dating or an actual wedding. She was the mother of all living and went through pregnancy and childbirth without a mother or any other female support. There weren't any how to be a better wife and mother books, no tv shows with advice on raising children and how to better communicate with your husband.

She depended on God completely. While she lived in Eden she had community with Him that we can't fully experience today. She talked with Him there. She lived with Him there. She knew great joy and no sadness in that sinless world.

Then with one bite all of that went away and she was cast out. Oh how she must have mourned that loss. Today we can't imagine what that loss must have been like for her since we only know what it has been like since "the fall." But even then she relied on God for strength and provision. She knew that He had blessed her with children. She was able to deal with the loss of her sons through Him. She still had a relationship with her Father.

She wasn't just the first woman, wife, and mother. She was also the first redeemed. Even though she sinned and suffered consequences for those sins, God loved her and forgave her. He made a blood sacrifice for her which would be the first glimpse we would see in the ultimate plan of the sacrifice of His Son for us many years later.

There is so much more to be learned from Eve.

More than the choice to sin.

The choice to rely on our Father.

How does Eve's story speak to you?