Lessons from Eve

Yesterday during our family scripture study, we discussed Adam and Eve and reviewed several scriptures in Genesis and Moses.  In our church, we do not believe that Adam and Eve made a mistake.  We believe it was a necessary transgression to enable children to come to the world. 

Deseret Book recently published a pamphlet called "Give of Life - Lessons from Eve."  It is a condensed portion of the book by Camille Fronk Olson called "Women of the Old Testament."

As I read through this pamphlet, I was amazed by the truths taught and wanted to record a few of them here.

I loved this quote from the first page, "If we consider Eve's decision in the Garden of Eden as courageous and faith-driven and the results of that decision to be conducive to God's plan, we are more likely to recognize intelligence, strength, rational thinking, and great ability in women in general."

God called Adam AND Eve "good" (Genesis 1:31).  "Nowhere in scripture is man given dominion over woman, nor is woman given dominion over man. 

What is a "Help meet"?

This term has often been misunderstood...by myself, included.  I always thought of it like "helper," meaning that my husband does all the "important" stuff, and then I help him out.  Although he does do important things, and although I DO help him with a variety of things, there's more to the role that that.

In Hebrew, the word 'ezer (translated "help") "implies not a subordinate but rather someone who has strength to do what another cannot do for himself."  Women have life-giving power.  Men cannot produce children on their own.

Sister Olson also explains that the same Hebrew word appears throughout the Bible and "frequently appears in reference to God.  For example, God is the One who rescues us in our distress and has strength and power to save.  In this way, women are types of Christ."

The word translated as "meet" is "kenegdo" in Hebrew.  This "is a compound of three common words," and the root word (ngd) means "to be conspicuous" or "to be apparent."  In Jewish tradition, "The word means 'equal.'"

I love that.  A woman is a man's equal, who has strength to do what man cannot do for himself.

There are plenty more lessons within the pamphlet, and I plan to purchase the entire book.  It's amazing how these little ideas can shape the way we see our first parents, our Creator, the world around us, and ourselves.