TOGETHER WITHOUT SHAME
Genesis 2:18-25
Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. (25)
chapter 2
18. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19. Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
20. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.
21. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.
22. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ’woman,’ for she was taken out of man."
24. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. God saw that even with all the beauty and sustenance the earth provided man, and even though work could keep him busy for a very long time, it was not good for the man to be alone. God created man, in his own image, to be in relationship with others, just as God is in relationship with us and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
2. While pets can offer some meaningful companionship, there is nothing like another human being to share our joys and our sorrows with. We are made to love, and love requires an intimate relationship. Love is the giving and receiving of one another without shame.
3. God created woman from Adam’s own rib and united them as one flesh. They were both naked and felt no shame. Each of them saw each other for who they truly are, without pretense, without trying to impress or prove their worthiness for each other. They accepted each other with gratitude in being able to share life and their garden home together.
Prayer: Creator God, you are the source of love that we may radiate to others with a genuine and open heart.
One Word: Accept each other in love