 |  |
possibility, there is no desire to whitewash the sin of Adam and make him into a hero,
any more than the recognition that Eve was deceived takes from her any blame for what
happened.)
The sin of Adam is seen in a clearer light by noting that the word "disobedience", used
of his fall in Rom. 5: 19, is parakoe, meaning literally "to hear aside". This again links
Adam's failure to his wife:
"And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened (akouo in the LXX) unto the
voice of thy wife . . . . ." (Gen. 3: 17).
Another great tragedy resulted from Abram giving way in the same manner; the birth
of Ishmael, which brought into being a nation that have ever since been a thorn in the side
of Israel:
"And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing:
I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram
hearkened (hupakouo) to the voice of Sarai" (Gen. 16: 2).
Ishmael was born (verse 15), but this attempt in the flesh to fulfil the promise of God
was rejected by Him, and Isaac was promised (17: 15, 16, 21). The interested reader
might also like to compare Gen. 4: 23 and 39: 10, but just to show that it is not
always wrong to "hearken unto thy wife", note Gen. 21: 12:
"And God said unto Abraham . . . . . in all that Sarah hath said unto thee (concerning
Hagar and Ishmael), hearken unto her voice."
Returning then to Adam, we note how greatly he seems to have been influenced by his
wife; firstly in allowing his affection for her to overcome his loyalty to God, and hence
in giving way to her "voice", in the matter of the forbidden fruit. Remembering the
thought of "identification", we wonder just how much this tendency in Adam is a
commentary upon all men; it is certainly true of some!
The influence of the woman.
This seems a good point to consider a factor in the man-woman relationship which
makes a great impact upon the success or otherwise of a marriage, the important and
influential part played by the wife in that union. Unfortunately that influence can be
exercised for good or evil, leading either to tragedy (as in Eden) or blessing abundant.
This is not the place to discuss what part the woman's "influence" has in her calling of
God, but it is important to note here what an effect it can have upon the husband, and his
position as head.
"A good wife is an honour to her husband; a shameless wife rots all his strength
away" (Prov. 12: 4, Moffatt).
"To gain a good wife is to gain a fortune--a boon bestowed by the Eternal"
(Proverbs 18: 12, Moffatt).
"A rare find is an able wife--she is worth far more than rubies . . . . . Her husband is a
man of note . . . . . She talks shrewd sense . . . . ." (Prov. 31: 10, 23, 26, Moffatt).