Four Reasons I Stopped Hating Eve

We all know the story of Adam and Eve. She sinned and ate the fruit of the Forbidden Tree. She coerced Adam, and he ate the fruit also. Sin, death, disease, and pain entered the world, and at the root of these problems is Eve. I have never liked her, never seen her as an actual human being with real emotions until today. In studying this controversial character, I have learned some valuable spiritual truths. Here are four reasons I stopped hating Eve:

1. With the creation of Eve, God instituted marriage. Adam needed a helper, so God created one. In Genesis 2:24, after Adam passionately proclaimed his love for the woman, we are told, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Jesus quoted this Scripture and expounded upon it in Matthew 19:6. “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Not only did Jesus support marriage, He claimed God “joined” the two and ordained the matrimonial union. Therefore, nothing should separate the married couple.
2. By taking part of Adam to form Eve, God illustrated His design for marriage; He intended the husband and wife to be completely connected physically, emotionally, soulfully. We can understand the intended marriage connection by understanding the connection between parent and child. The child is the flesh and blood product of the parent. They are intrinsically linked. Eve was no different. She was part of Adam, and God intended them to love unconditionally. Matthew Henry said it best when he stated, “The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.”
3. Even though Eve sinned, God loved her and planned the redemption of mankind through her. Judgment had been cast, but all was not lost. Consequences still existed for Eve’s actions but so did forgiveness. Mankind’s sinfulness warranted death and eternal separation from God, but God loved his creation and extended mercy. He made a promise to the grieving woman, a promise that offered hope and healing. He offered love and grace despite her failure. He promised that through Eve’s descendants, a Savior would be born, “to crush the head of the Serpent.” This was a reference to Christ, who would crush Satan, who had taken on the form of the serpent, deceived Eve and facilitated the fall of man. This promise means future, eternal redemption for those who accept Christ.
4. In Eve, I see a reflection of my own sinfulness, and I find hope. Like Eve, I have sinned, and there are consequences for my sin, but like Eve I can rest in God’s promise of forgiveness. When I humble myself and seek my Father’s mercy, I find grace. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Just as he forgave Eve, He will forgive me. Having accepted His Son as my Savior, I live in the confidence that I am redeemed and will one day be restored to eternal communion with my True and Faithful Creator!

What does the Bible character, Eve, say to you today? Are there other commendable things we should add to my list? (For another post on Eve, please see Hope After Shame.