January 13th

From Daily Office Readings:
“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh....” (Genesis 2:23)

Here in the second Creation story of the Bible (which doesn’t entirely match up with the first story in Genesis 1), we have man’s response to the creation of woman.  First of all, let’s remember the whole purpose is to find a helper---a partner---for man.  Right away at the beginning of our story, it is clear that we are made to be in relationship.

So often, the description of woman coming from Adam’s side (not technically a “rib” in Hebrew) gets hijacked to somehow legitimize the idea that women are naturally subservient to men.  But let’s take a look at this and return to Adam’s response when God reveals woman:

This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh....”

Basically he declares: Hey!  Here’s one who is made of the same stuff I am!  Yep, this is the one.

Yes, we are all made of the same stuff.  There are certainly differences (Thank you, God) between genders, among races, among cultures and socio-economic statuses---but, each one of us is made of the same stuff.  God blows the breath of life into each one of us, making all of us equally worthy, equally deserving, and equally beloved of God.

What will this Truth mean for us today?