Walking in the Word
God Knows What's Best
18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
This is a fantastic verse. We don’t know how long Adam lived alone, but God understood that it was not beneficial for Adam to remain alone. So the next thing He did was create Eve, right? No, the next thing He did was make a bunch of animals and bring them to Adam to be named. Through this process, God wanted Adam to discover that he was alone, something that God already knew.
19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. 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 of the air and all the beasts of the field.
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 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. (Ge 2:19–22).
God works in our lives in the same way. The process is remarkable. He already knows what we need, but before He meets that need, He often gives us a lesson designed to make us aware of our need. This is what He did with Adam in the Garden.
Adam was alone and didn’t realize the significance. He didn't understand that he needed a partner. God knew. Instead of creating a woman, God made the animals and brought them to Adam to name. The Hebrew word for “name” implies that the namer must recognize the unique aspects of something to name it. Adam learned that every male animal he named had a female counterpart. He alone had none.
God caused Adam to fall asleep and fashioned a woman from the genetic material of his rib. The bone marrow in the rib provided all the genetic information necessary to create another being like Adam, but this time, after some divine genetic adjustment, she was a woman. Adam was no longer alone.
This is a process that God frequently uses in our lives. He understands our needs and presents us with an event, task, or dilemma that reveals a necessity in our lives. If we are attentive and receptive – if we understand, God meets the need. However, this only works if we are willing partners in the process. Adam lived in the center of God’s will for him. When we live in the center of His will, He guides us in discovering the life He has always wanted for us.
Reflection: Where does God’s will fit into your life plans? Have you ever realized that there was an unmet need only after an event brought it to light? How willing are you to view daily routines as opportunities for God to reveal His will and fulfill your needs? Are you open to these events, or do you resist being pushed out of your comfort zone and miss the "Aha!" moment?