January 3, 2023

God Creates Marriage

Genesis 2

Cecil Blanton
Tuesday's Devo

January 3, 2023

Tuesday's Devo

January 3, 2023

Big Idea

We can trust God when we don't know how things will turn out. 

Key Verse | Genesis 2:18

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."

Genesis 2

The Seventh Day, God Rests

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

The Creation of Man and Woman

These are the generations
of the heavens and the earth when they were created,
in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

When no bush of the field 1 2:5 Or open country was yet in the land 2 2:5 Or earth; also verse 6 and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist 3 2:6 Or spring was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat 4 2:17 Or when you eat of it you shall surely die.”

18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for 5 2:18 Or corresponding to; also verse 20 him.” 19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed 6 2:19 Or And out of the ground the LORD God 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 7 2:20 Or the man 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 8 2:22 Hebrew built 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.” 9 2:23 The Hebrew words for woman (ishshah) and man (ish) sound alike

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.

Footnotes

[1] 2:5 Or open country
[2] 2:5 Or earth; also verse 6
[3] 2:6 Or spring
[4] 2:17 Or when you eat
[5] 2:18 Or corresponding to; also verse 20
[6] 2:19 Or And out of the ground the LORD God formed
[7] 2:20 Or the man
[8] 2:22 Hebrew built
[9] 2:23 The Hebrew words for woman (ishshah) and man (ish) sound alike

"Gender Identity, Pronouns, & Marriage?" Check out today's podcast episode.

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Genesis 2

Over the last few years, I have had the honor of officiating weddings, with many more on the radar. I never imagined this being part of God's plan for my life because of my same-sex attraction struggle. Consequently, I have never been married. Over the last nine years, God has revealed His purpose for my life, a purpose that supplants my previous grappling. My past does not define me. I am ever grateful for His daily grace and mercy.  

Genesis 2:18 says, "Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'" God created the animals and man in a paradise with a bounty to eat. And then God in His goodness did not want His perfect creation, man, to be alone. Nothing in creation at that point was man's match.

In every wedding ceremony, I quote Genesis 2:23: "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.'" 

The intention of God from the beginning was for man and wife to be one and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, the disobedience of Adam and Eve led to the introduction of sin into the world. And borne out of that sin was same-sex attraction, which leads to a lifetime of loneliness. Thankfully, God's provision had a rescue plan from the beginning. Pursuing my heart for years, He revealed to me that I was not alone. "[E]ven as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6)

It is a sobering and powerful thought that God chose me before He EVER created the world. The God of the universe chose me! And the God of the universe chose you!

This month's memory verse

We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

– John 1:45b

Discussion Questions

1. Have you been chosen by God? If you haven't, John 5:24 states, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

2. Does the thought of the ultimate Bridegroom (Jesus) coming back for his Bride (the Church), a relationship that is closer than any earthly husband and wife relationship, excite or terrify you? It excites me! Revelation 21:2-3 tells us: "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

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Hugh Stephenson

GM Cecil! Love your story and your heart for service. The world has a one-word vocabulary for me. MORE A friend in sales notes that’s all his boss ever says to him. Also said too often in marriages. And all other relationships. And business, politics, and all other endeavors. Even the Olympics has the saying, “Faster, Higher Stronger” MORE Isn’t this all about the same pride that Eve and Adam had? What’s the one word that is almost never said? ENOUGH. So, the, what’s the big deal about grace? Especially the free gift of eternal life in the New Jerusalem that even comes with eternal life now. And the promise of freedom, joy, peace, and rest? Here’s an even better question… What about the perfection of Eden? A perfect life. Now. In a perfect place. With a perfect spouse.
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Hugh Stephenson

It wasn’t enough for Eve and Adam. My heart is way too close to theirs. MORE I wanted “more” so much I’d believe any lie Satan told me that he says will get me MORE. More “knowledge”, money, notoriety, stuff etc. And then I’ll spread that lie to others. Did God know this? Of course, He did. He knew I’d have to have everything I ever wanted, and still want MORE. He knew that if He showed me that, on my own, I can never have ENOUGH… that only then would my heart be opened to grace.
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Hugh Stephenson

Even better, only when I had all I ever wanted- and then when was about to lose all that “I had achieved”, and I was on the verge of public humiliation, then and only then would I finally be sufficiently desperate to surrender my life to Him and pursue His “ENOUGH”. Only then would “earning my salvation” seem as truly insane as it does now. Only then could Jesus’s perfect life that ended on the cross make sense to me - Only then could it show me my unworthiness. Only then could I accept the free gift that I’ll never deserve.
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Sue Bohlin

Love your awareness that YOU ARE NOT ALONE, Cecil! Preach! My husband officiated a wedding this weekend; his opening remarks were all from the first two chapters of Genesis as he showed God's plan for marriage and relationships. I love these two foundational chapters so much where the story of mankind opens with a marriage, knowing that at the end of human history, our story closes with the marriage of the Bride and the Lamb. So satisfying! JTJ family, please pray for me. At 7:00 this morning I will be having tongue cancer surgery where I will be losing (part of) a body part. It's going to be hard. The prayers of many people have been holding me up as today has drawn nearer, and God has answered those prayers with supernatural peace. Please pray? Thank you so much,
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Will Huang

Amen, brother Cecil! Chosen to be HIS and now eagerly awaiting for the adoption to finalize…grateful for the continual reminder and encouragement that we are not alone~
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Chris Landry

Cecil!! I so appreciate you, brother. It was so great to see you each week at Camp Gladiator and also at Starting Grounds taking good care of my boys so Melody and I could go through re|engage with our community group. You are a man after God’s heart and a wonderful bondservant of the Lord. I’m so very glad He’s trusting you with preaching the gospel at weddings. Press on my friend.
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Callie Nixon

This was so encouraging to my heart, Cecil! God bless you in your vulnerability, honesty and faithfulness! You inspire me!
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morgan houghton

Thanks for the devotional! I have been reading this devotional for about the last 6 months and don’t even go to watermark church. I go to a church right by my college in jacksonville Fl. This devotional and even these comments over the last few months have been a blessing to me! Today we looked at the passage where God created marriage and took a rib from Adam to create Eve. Talk about being “one”. Love what you talked about in the end how it is so easy for us to have our past define what we think God will allow for us to do in the future but also looking back at the Word of God where it reminds us that we have been chosen by Him to do great things for His glory. It is all about Him! But in this thwre is so much that points to Gods character and how intentional and beautiful everything is that he designed. I am a masterpiece created by God and He has loved me for longer than I have been alive! Lord help me to fall even more in love with you today, and the next day.
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Michael Scaman

In some ways God allowed man to be involved in seeing creation unfold. Man was made to work the land and yet plants still growing up. " When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up" Man was made to work before the fall but work would not be frustrating with thorns and thistles to fight. Man was made to work in a garden not a jungle as RC Sproul said.. Man also knew woman was not there at first and we have the first NOT GOOD in Genesis (in chapter 2) "not good for man to be alone' then after man and woman the first "VERY GOOD" ( flashback to chapter 1)
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Michael Scaman

There is no death is the land yet for creatures with the breath of life in their nostrils (this excludes a lot of creatures like insects and jellyfish and plants) and eating plants does not involve the death of something with the breath of life as there was no fall due to sin in the world yet. Looking forward, marriage will be a showcase key issue in the Bible. No angel or other creature than mankind will go from dust to glory with a special relationship with God in His image to reflect and reflect on God's glory. While Psalms book 1 ends like Genesis ends with the account of a Joseph like betrayed man, the lament continues and even intensify many Psalms until the love song, the marriage Psalm quoted in Hebrews about Jesus and the church. Looking forward, Adam is ruler of creation but there will be a second Adam. Psalm 2 has the Son who will inherit nations, Psalm 3 has David on the run from his son so we're talking a very special son. Psalm 8 asks what is man put in a peaceable kingdom ruling creation and yet in Psalm 9 the man of the earth oppresses and in Psalm 10 they need to be strained and know they are but men. A second Adam, Jesus, is looked to in Psalms 2 and 8.
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Michael Scaman

The river flows from Eden , Rivers run down suggesting Eden something like a hill. We have a hill/mountain theme going on in the Bible. First Eden 'delight' I think in Hebrew, then Sinai frightening, powerful, hard to approach. Then Mount Zion (Zion from a Hebrew root for thirsty) Mount Drought according to Michael Reeves. We can live for now on Zion in a measure of fellowship with God but Mount Drought suggests we thirst for more, for a greater fulfillment that to look forward to in a heavenly Jerusalem. The re-Edenization, redemption of the world, he restored fallen creation also will be seen in what follows in the Bible.
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Tonni Shook

I, too, dislike coffee! You are very much not alone! God bless you & thank you for your fantastic devo.
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emma dotter

Hey Cecil! This was such an encouraging devotional to read—especially because of your authenticity in sharing. As our culture continues to progress it will be more and more important that we remember the truth of today’s passage in regard to gender identity. Thank you for your faithful words!
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Amy Lowther

1. I believe I am chosen but it is only through working with God that I know why I am chosen and how to handle it. 2. It is exciting. Examples from Jesus are always good to consider.
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Wray Miller

Cecil, thank you for your honesty, faithfulness and love for our Lord. I, too, await that vision from Revelation. We could only imagine what our eyes will see!
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Tama Bankhead

at 10:40 in the podcast Emma refers to an article by John Piper. Can we get more information on how to find that article?
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Fonda Dillon-Hillman

Cecil, God made us friends a long time ago, when we were both sinners and then both found Jesus. I always knew Jesus as a child and believed, but I started really living for Him about 12 years ago after Brek wreck. He had plans for us both. You are a beautiful person and I love you my sweet friend and brother in Christ. Sin can suck you in with its grips. That's why we have to keep clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ro 13:13-14 Keeping our mind set on Him as soon as our eyes open and then every moment of every day. I love God's word and the beginning of creation. GOD loved them, walked with them and watered everything from within...they were taken care of and we still are today because of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I also love how it shows both are there in creation, God the Father and Jesus the Son of God. You have a family in Christ that is there for you too. I'm one of them. No shame...You are a new creation in Jesus Christ. You are born again in the Spirit of God. I'm celebrating and rejoicing for you too just like Luke 15:10 tells us, “… There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Why is this a cause for rejoicing? I love you Cecil
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Alan Beam

2:7 - It is because of God's breath that I am a living being. Every breath I take is by His grace, by His powerful Word. I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and because I am sustained and kept by Him, from one moment to the next. 2:16-17 - God has set boundaries and commands to help guide me on the right paths (for His name's sake) so that it might go well for me. Do I trust Him? 2:18 - Because of His mercy and grace, I have a wonderful wife and marriage. But I must daily rely on Him and, after failing to do so, return to Him!
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Michael Scaman

I like John PIper's observation that Jesus said 'God said" even of the side comment narrative part of Genesis 'the two shall become one flesh', not just direct quotes of God.
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Mattie Louise Lata

Yes I know I have been chosen by God - Genesis 2 confirms this - as God in His own will designed me -describing the creation of myself as from the dust, as receiving the breath of Himself and as having the rib of Adam to form me - woman . Confirming me as His creation by pouring His love into me at my rebirth in Christ- I am a new creation in Christ - old things have passed away - I am His beloved! I am so grateful thankful 🤗
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Mattie Louise Lata

2 My husband passed away 1 year ago - he was the love of my life - during my grief I found it a struggle to come before God in prayer - cos my thoughts would gravitate towards memories of my husband and I. The question in self examination of my relationship with Christ was did I truly love Him even above and beyond my husband. I gave this dilemma to God - and He reminded me that He too saw my grief - He too wept at Lazarus death - and the death of His saints and He weeps with me. And I love the Lord more than ever because of how He comforted me during my quiet times with Him . Yes I am so looking forward to the time when I shall worship Him before His throne along with all His saints including my beloved ! O but Christ is My beloved, He is my strong tower - Praise the Lord!!!
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Linda Green

Thanks, Cecil; and prayers for you, Sue! God is good and He is faithful. How wonderful Heaven will be! Thankful God has a perfect spouse lined up for all believers- Himself! And we will all get along- wow!
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Cecil Blanton

My mom passed away two weeks before Christmas and these last few weeks have been rough. Thanks to all of you for the words of encouragement in reading my devotional led by the Holy Spirit and for reminding me that my identity is in Jesus Christ. And since my mom believed in Jesus, I will see her again in a perfect state.
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Michael Sisson

Re: Gen 2:3 See also Col 2:16-17; Heb 4:9-10