The Family - a Relationship God has Designed

Dr J Hernes M Abante

Genesis 2:23-24: “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

From the very beginning, the family has been at the core of God's divine plan. This is evidenced by the intimate relationship among the three persons of the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—who share a unique bond that holds a special place in God's heart.

When God created the vast universe, he intended to furnish a habitable world for the people He had foreordained to inhabit it. He meticulously prepared the Earth, shaping its terrain, filling it with lush forests, expansive oceans, and fertile lands, and equipping it with all essential resources—such as water, minerals, and atmosphere—to sustain human life. These provisions were made with a specific purpose: to support the life of those whom God chose before the foundation of the world.

On the sixth day of creation, God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, and from Adam’s rib, He fashioned Eve as a helpmeet. He placed them in the Garden of Eden—a paradise abundant with fruit-bearing trees, crystal-clear rivers, and vibrant flora—designed to serve as their perfect home.

Humanity was the pinnacle of God’s creative work; man was uniquely created in God's image, endowed with divine attributes such as consciousness, morality, and the ability to reason, privileges not granted to angels or other lesser creatures.

God’s creation was declared perfect after each act, with each day’s work affirmed as good. He rested on the seventh day, not from fatigue but to sanctify it as a day of divine completion and satisfaction, marking the culmination of His perfect plan.

It was God who established that it was not suitable for man to be alone and created a companion. Out of Adam’s side, He crafted a woman—Eve—to symbolize unity and shared life. It is plausible that God breathed His own breath into her, as He did with Adam, fashioning her into a living soul.

The angel Lucifer, initially a beautiful and exalted cherub, grew prideful and jealous, especially after learning that Adam and Eve were created to steward the earth and enjoy a close relationship with God. In his rebellion, Lucifer plotted to corrupt God's creation. Disguised as a stunning serpent, he deceived Eve, enticing her to eat from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil—a direct violation of God's command.

Eve, tempted alone, succumbed and then persuaded Adam to partake of the fruit, resulting in the fall of humanity—the first sin permeating the perfect world. While Eve was directly tempted, the act was ultimately completed when Adam, after being informed by Eve, made the conscious choice to disobey God.

Despite their sin, God extended His grace and mercy, reaffirming His love by continuing to bless the human race and providing a path for restoration. Satan, however, persistently seeks to destroy the family structure, launching schemes rooted in deception and chaos.

Could God have prevented Satan’s temptation? Certainly, yet, He permitted it to occur for a greater purpose. Although man was created perfectly innocent, they were proven vulnerable and weak. God has to help them learn to discern and be responsible. They needed to know how to be personally accountable for all the wonderful faculties God had given them.

Their sins allowed them to experience the depth of God’s love and underscored the importance of relying solely on Him. It became clear that total dependence on God is essential, and this divine relationship must be shared and nurtured across generations.

Today, we face similar—if not greater—challenges within our families and communities. Instead of dwelling on Satan’s schemes, we should focus on the power and authority granted to us by God. With faith and the Holy Spirit's help, we can overcome adversity. Let us remain steadfast in pursuing the good fight of faith, continuously striving to live in a manner that pleases and glorifies God—never losing heart amidst trials and temptations.