By: Obed Pineda
Holy Scripture declares, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18, emphasis added). These holy words uttered by Jehovah God are almost always limited to refer to the precious value of marriage, because of what we read afterward (Genesis 2:21-25). Still, it is curious that many who subject this Scripture to that one lesson are also guilty of missing that before woman was made, “out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them…So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam, there was not found a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:19, 20, emphasis added). It is interesting to read that before God brought Eve into Adam’s life, He first brought His created animals to Adam. This critical detail espouses a lesson far more profound than just the value of marriage; it expounds the reality that man was created as a social being. Never was it the Lord’s intention for man to be alone in His creation. This marvelous revelation is elaborated by the inspired Preacher as he exhorts, “two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, emphasis added). Once more, it is true that the theme of marriage’s blessing can be learned from this passage, but it must not be limited to that sole subject. Doing so is perceiving it from a shallow perspective and missing the entirety of God’s words. One reason this is so is that it must be remembered that marriage is not for all. This is explained by the apostle to the Gentiles as he counseled, “I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1st Corinthians 7:7-9, emphasis added). Observe the danger of limiting Genesis 2:18 exclusively to marriage. If this were allowed to be, then the inspired Paul would be in clear violation of contradicting Holy Writ. Because this is clearly not the case, then it must be understood that God’s words at Eden were shedding light on man’s need for companionship. Hence the purpose of God bringing forth the animals to Adam first. This also unveils why Scripture exhorts mankind to forge bonds of friendship and to practice hospitality with one another. It also reveals His infinite wisdom in resolving man’s loneliness by creating a “helper comparable to him.” It is a proven fact that a person can be in a room full of people and still feel alone or out of place. These situations are typically a result of either not knowing each other or because they have nothing in common with one another. Therefore, the value of the Bible once more shines as the Holy Spirit exhorts the Lord’s church to be “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:2-4, emphasis added). Indeed, this strengthens the Lord’s rhetorical question to Israel, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed” (Amos 3:3, emphasis added)? It also further validates the Master’s conclusion “greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, emphasis added). It must be noted that there is more than one way to “lay down one’s life for his friends.” One must not repeat the mistake of earlier and limit the Redeemer’s words to mean solely death. Abraham proves this to be so in his exhibited hospitality toward the three men who arrived at his tent (Genesis 18:1-15). The inspired Moses tells us that “the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground” (Genesis 18:1-2, emphasis added). Abraham’s eager disposition to serve his guests is displayed by placing their needs above his, as is commanded by the inspired Paul. Even though Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent in the heat of the day, it did not seem beneath him to rise and run toward his three guests, to invite them into his home. Scripture discloses that Abraham did not deny them anything. He offered them water, to wash their feet, his place under the tree for them to rest, and his food for them to eat (Genesis 18:3-5). His offering to them, however, is magnified by the fact that once they agreed to accept his generosity, “Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.’ And Abraham ran to the heard, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree as they ate” (Genesis 18:6-8, emphasis added). It cannot be disputed that Abraham went out of his way to accommodate the needs of his special guests. We learn first from his example how to “be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1st Peter 4:9, emphasis added). This demonstrates that his invitation was sincere and not merely a polite formality. His alacrity in attending to them proves that he was aware of Whose company he was graced to be in. Notice that even though he was in possession of servants he could have sent to serve them, Abraham instead elected to personally serve his guests, similar to the woman who washed the Master’s feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). Observe that she was fully aware of Who she served, whereas Simon did not (Luke 7:44-46). Thus, Abraham’s recognition of Whom it was he was receiving in his home resonates with the Master’s reassurance that “I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 9:14, emphasis added). Abraham’s ability to recognize the presence of his friend illuminates God’s desire to fellowship with His creation. Hence the Master’s proclamation, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20, emphasis added). There is no doubt that Abraham heard His voice, opened the door, and dined with Him. Yet, it is mesmerizing when we realize that God came to Abraham, for the same purpose Jesus came to us. To be continued…