When God created woman, the Bible says that she was formed from the rib, or bone, of the man. Physically, it is true that man has one less rib than a woman, but there is so much more we can learn about this specific act of creation. Some has noted that woman was formed from the rib, which shows that she is close to the heart of man, and from his side, meaning she is to be his partner. This bone was not taken out of the foot, in other words, not to be ruled over by the man, rather from his side. More than the position of the bone that was taken from man is the Hebrew meaning of the word in itself. Bone in the Hebrew language is etzem. This can be translated as bone, but also as essence or substance. In other words, woman shares the same essence as man. Adam had not found a suitable mate among all the animal kingdom, until Eve was created from his rib. When he woke from the operation, Adam said: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” They are of the same substance. They were made for one another.
The fact that Eve was taken out of Adam was not to promote their independence, but to create the basis for their relationship. Because they were of the same substance they could connect and experience love. They could become one flesh. Although animals can be good “friends” to man, they can never become one with man. They are not of the same essence as man. Mankind shares a unique nature in that they were created in the image of God. In the first chapter of Genesis, it says: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” They were of God’s image, being spirit, but could not experience His nature until they could be in a love-relationship. God is love and thus loves. The essence of man’s being is to love as he is loved. This is the image of God and for this reason it was not good for man to be alone.
When Israel was in Babylon, Ezekiel had a vision of a valley full of dried bones. These bones represented Israel in their lost state. Israel had been exiled to Babylon for 70 years and God desired to bring them back into their land. For this to happen, they needed to come together as a nation. Ezekiel was told to prophesy over the dried bones. As he did, the bones began to find their connecting bones to form human skeletons. Then the muscles, sinews and flesh formed over these bones to restore them into a visible people. As the second prophesy came forth, breath entered into these bodies, forming a mighty army. Restoration of the nation could only take place after reconciliation. The bones needed to find their bones.
In a culture in which individual destiny and purpose are promoted, relationships are not valued or seen as essential. The quest is to be supermen and women; not needing anybody. Relationships last only as long as is necessary for personal advancement or to satisfy immediate desires. This attitude goes against the vary essence of who we are and how we have been created. It is a slavery mentality. The Word of the Lord is going out to join people together in the Body of Christ. One person is not the Body. We must be connected, bone to bone, so we can be breathed upon by the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the believers were together, praying in one accord, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. They were connected one to the other and thus rose up as a mighty army to fulfil the Great Commission.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Ezekiel 37:3-10; Genesis 2:22-23; 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19