In reading these chapters back to back for the first time in awhile, a detail stood out that I've never noticed before. I wonder if there is something to be gleaned from observing the timing of the dragon's entrance into the gospel story. It seems that immediately after the man and woman are united as "one flesh", and God's intention for marriage is proclaimed in 1:24-25, the serpent suddenly interests himself with interfering in the relationships God has created. I wonder if it is possible to conclude from this that marriage is both more important and more glorifying to God than any other human relational interaction. Before the fall it is a perfect picture of devotion, "a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife"; unity, "they shall become one flesh"; and unconditionally trusting love, "the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed".

What transpired after the serpent entered the picture severed all of those "default" qualities and benefits of marriage. As two sinners left to our own sin towards one another, we are in dire need of a savior. Consequently, marriage is now the human relationship where Jesus' redeeming love in the gospel can shine most brightly. Only through Jesus can we fully devote ourselves to one another, be united as one flesh, and trust each other in a bond of love that endures all things.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good"

By aiming to sever what God created, Satan as a pawn established it as the greatest picture of the sacrificial love of Christ we could ever know.

Husbands,

Cherish your wives and sacrifice everything for them, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

Genesis 2:24-25 and Genesis 3:1