8
W
e notice in Genesis 1:20-22 that sea and
land creatures were created in such a
way that they could associate and reproduce
immediately, but not man. It seems that God
gave a gap after creating the man. That is
why I wish to revisit the statement, ?It is not
good that man should be alone.?
The first man needed an associate, someone
with whom he could converse with, and
helping each other, so that they became one,
the phrase is ?an help meet for him? . So
originally it appears the woman was to share
equal association with the man with no subor-
dination. After their transgression, we see a
new order from God, making the man to rule
over the woman, during their difficult life
(Gen 3:16).
We know that this innocent fellowship did not
last, sin and death entered. In this relation-
ship we see a possible type. The man stood
for Christ, the woman for the ecclesia. As the
man had to be in a deep sleep to beget the
woman, so Christ in his death and resurrec-
tion begets the ecclesia. The similarities are
many. God said that the man should rule over
the woman, pointing to the time when we,
the ecclesia, see Christ as our husband, and
our master. For he is the firstfruit, just as
Adam was, the gap taken to create the
woman is symbolic of this present age since
Christ was raised from the dead.
Our marriages are literal but they are also
symbolic. The idea that the man and the
woman come together to form one flesh -
?cleave? is a symbol pointing to a time when
we - the ecclesia (bride), shall cleave in
marriage with Christ (bridegroom)
(Revelation 19:7-9). In baptism, we lose our
personality and put on Christ, as married
women put on their husband?s names.
?It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone? ~ Genesis 2:18
| Bro Bua Moses Nchia (Beua-Tole, Cameroon)
The Power of Faith and Love
| Bro Achomyang A Jamyinjia (Muyuka, Cameroon)
J
esus said that if we have faith as small as
a mustard seed, we will move mountains
(Matthew 17:20). Nothing is impossible if we
believe and trust in God. Through believing in
God, the Israelites subdued kingdoms,
brought about justice, gained what was
promised, shut the mouth of lions, stopped
the fury of fire and escaped the edge of the
sword. In a time of weakness they were made
strong, became brave in battle (as David
when fighting Goliath) and defeated the
armies of the enemy (Hebrews 11:33-34).
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world
(1 John 5:4). One of God?s greatest powers is
love. Love is strong as death. Love wins over
our enemy. While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us. When we were God?s enemies,
we were reconciled to Him through the death
of His son (Romans 5:8-10). It was the power
of love that enabled God to give us sinners
His only son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life (John
3:16). This love is what we Christians should
have for one another. This love of God
constrains us to love Him, to keep His
commandments, to be obedient and to trust
Him. It casts out fear. Nothing is able to sepa-
rate us from the love of Christ.
?In all things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loves us. For I am convinced
that neither the present nor the future, nor
any powers, neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in
Christ Jesus our Lord? (Romans 8:35-39).