We have already noted several lessons from Genesis chapters 1 and 2, such as the oneness of male and female. Are there other lessons evident in the way God chooses to make mankind? Does the fact that Adam—the male—is created first say anything about the relationship of male and female?
From Genesis 1 and 2 alone, we gain impressions that of the two, the male leads in some way. He is God’s first-born (“Adam, the son of God,” Luke 3:38). This may be important in view of the social leadership usually given to the first-born in the Bible. Not only does the male appear first, but the relationship between the Creator and the male begins without the woman. The forbidden fruit is of great importance to the female. Yet God speaks to the male about it before she is made. God commands him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God also warns him that eating it brings death (Genesis 2:17).
The woman’s help is vital for God’s purposes. Yet God goes ahead and sets the man to work in the garden before she is there to help. Nor does God wait to consult her opinion about names for the animals. Only later does the woman enter the picture. Her entrance is in the role of “helper.” As noted, this never implies inferiority. It does mean that, as seen already regarding sexual reproduction, the roles or functions are different. What is Adam’s role? He has the role of primary responsibility:
- He, first, is given responsibility to care for the garden.
- He, first, meets and names the animals.
- He, first, is warned about the forbidden fruit.
- He, therefore, is held especially responsible.