The Most Romantic Story I Know.
The background is compelling: intimate.
The previous version of the story is universal, galactic, monotheistically wonderful. A singular all powerful deity who speaks the world into existence, seemingly out of nothing, in an ordered from chaos, way. Everything is accounted for. Nothing is forgotten. Elohyim, the ruler, the God, is in control of all.
This version of the story is completely different. Not a supplement. A new tale, with a new perspective on the relationship of God, not with the world, but with man. An intimate relationship.
Here God bears a different name: Jehovah Elohyim: God is/was/will be the ruler. But this ruler is not concerned with universal significance. He cares only for the ground. The adamah, from which he pulls adama: red dirt from which he pulls humanity. It is only after breathing life into this dirt that the plants grow, a garden is formed, and adama is placed in the center of “pleasure;” a place where four significantly named rivers flow. “Increase.” “Bursting forth.” “Rapid.” “Fruitful.” Where all beauty and nourishment is provided. Where everything is perfect. Intimate.
But the God who is/was/will be the ruler says that adama is not complete, even if he does not know it. So from the adamah more life is brought forth. Animals are paraded in front of adama, and he names them . . .
Until he feels a new emotion, an unfamiliar sensation. Loneliness. A lack of intimacy the other creatures obviously feel between their like-minded and liked shaped brethren. Adama is put to sleep . . . he awakes to find completion. Without being told he knows she was made from the same material as he. From within him.
A rib.
Not from his head, for she will not rule over him.
Not from his foot, for she will not be walked on by him.
A rib.
She is taken from his side, so she will not be dragged behind, or run ahead.
She will protect his heart for she knows every beat.
He will keep her under his arm to protect her.
They must walk side by side to accomplish this: To be a “help meet,” or a “helper fit,” or stated better still
“a sustainer beside” each other.
They have a job to complete together. A garden and animals to care for. A job they cannot do alone.
And so, until they fall away from each other, creation, their God, they are called by one name, as one flesh: adama.
Genesis 2:18-25 ~ Feel free to check on my Hebrew.
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