It is Not Good

GETTING STARTED

A few days ago, my sister-in-law gifted me with an early birthday present. For a whole hour, I sat in silence while being pampered at a salon. As an introvert, I felt so revitalized by the time to be still and quiet. In fact, I had no idea how much I really needed that time until it was over. Whether it’s a time of silence, a boss’s affirmation, an encouraging text or email, or a hug from a good friend, we all have needs of which we’re sometimes unaware. Below, we find the first human learning of his need for relationship.

  • Do you consider yourself to be a person with high relational needs or low relational needs?

READ THE WORD: GENESIS 2:18-25 (ESV)

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What did the Creator of the universe refer to as “not good”? What does this communicate about the heart of God? What does this communicate about how God created us?
  2. Who named the animals (vss. 19-20)? At the end of this naming process, what was missing?
  3. What did God use to fashion all of the animals (vs. 19)? How was the creation of woman different from the creation of animals (vss. 21-22)? What does Adam’s declaration in verse 23 indicate, especially in light of verse 20?
  4. Knowing that God means for us to live in relationship with other people, what are steps you can take to develop and deepen the relationships in your life? Are there risks you need to take to be more intimately known by those closest to you?

RESPOND TO GOD

Adam wasn’t aware of his need for companionship until he found no equal partner among all created things. Although fulfilled in his relationship with his Creator, he still needed to have another person like him with whom he could relate. The woman was bone, flesh, and filled with the same breath of life. Also reflecting her Creator’s image, she was Adam’s match in every way possible. It’s no wonder he announced, “At last!”

  • Ask God for awareness of your relational needs, and thank him that he made you for relationship.
  • Ask God to show you who he has intentionally placed in your life (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.). Thank him for these people, and think of ways you can show them God’s love today.