In 2021 we began to study the women of the bible with incredible stories. We'll start with Eva, the woman that started all. You may be wondering, why start with Eve? Why her? Eve is the woman of the bible who inspires us the least as a role model. We think of Eve and sin and condemnation automatically come to mind. But Eve carries a great and important promise.
Eve was the first woman created by God with a purpose. Eve teaches us that from the beginning, we were created with a calling. Something that only we are destined to carry out. God created Adam to later realize that he was alone. God decided that Adam needed company. Eve was created as Adam's helper. Genesis 2:18 says: Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a suitable help',
Eve also teaches us that despite going off-plan and failing God, his grace can still cover us. God told Adam that they could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden except the tree of good and evil. If you know the story, Satan, in the form of a serpent tempts Eve to eat the only forbidden fruit in Eden. Satan, using half-truths convinces Eve and she falls victim to temptation. Then Eve gives the fruit to Adam. The bible says in Genesis 3: 7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they became aware of their nakedness. Therefore, to cover themselves they wove fig leaves. " Once they realized that they had sinned and their eyes were opened, they tried to cover their shame by covering their nakedness, but God, in His infinite mercy, showed His grace towards them. The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them”, Genesis 3:21
How many times do we fail God and turn away from Him, but when we return, God changes our attire of sin and clothes us with His grace and favor. He dresses us in holiness and sees us pure and unblemished. That same grace and mercy that God extended to Adam and Eve are the same that He extends to us.
One of the most shocking things about Eve is that, despite everything, God does not cancel the plan for her life. Eve was the bearer of the most important promise of humanity. The promise of Redemption. The promise of a savior who would come to save the world by defeating Satan. “I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He will strike you on the head, And you will strike him on the heel ”, Genesis 3:15.
Eve also teaches us a harsh lesson and that lesson is that sin always, ALWAYS has consequences. To this day, the price we all pay as a result of Eve's disobedience is reflected, but at the same time, that disobedience shows us the breadth and thickness of God's love.
Although we associate Eve with misfortune and the fall of man, we also find purpose in her. If Eve, who by her mistake condemned all humanity, was redeemed, forgiven, and given the promise of a Redeemer, how can you think that your life or your past makes you invaluable in the eyes of God?
Let's learn from Eva. Eve could not discern who was hiding behind the appearance of a serpent, but you and I, when we live connected to God, we know how to recognize the enemy that hides behind every temptation. Let's be snake hunters, always aware of their tactics, and step on them before they manage to infiltrate their venom and alter our destiny.
Eve teaches us that we were not created by chance, God created us for a specific purpose. He created us with the potential to change our circumstances, despite our mistakes. Eve also teaches us that God's favor does not exempt anyone. Your failure, that shameful past that limits you today, does not exclude you from the grace and love of God. Run and take refuge in Him. He awaits you with open arms to redirect your steps to your purpose. That dark past may have been crucial in coming closer to your calling. Change your perspective. Don't look at your past failures and focus on what God can still do through you.
