Apparently Eve was no push-over or faint-hearted wallflower. She was bold enough to hold a conversation with a talking serpent, but foolish enough to make an independent and rebellious choice. Her choice led to her curse.
Her Curse
The curse, which every woman since Eve has had to contend with, is found in Genesis 3:16:
“To the woman he said, 'I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.'”
When I was younger, I thought the statement “Your desire shall be for your husband . . .” referred to having some kind of insatiable desire for my husband either emotionally or physically. But when I dug a little deeper and checked out some reputable commentaries, I discovered the curse contains an interesting Hebrew word that is found only one other time in Scripture.
In Genesis 4:7 we find the only other time the word translated “desire” is used, and it’s in reference to sin wanting to dominate or overpower Cain:
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
According to Pastor John MacArthur:
“This interpretation of the curse is based upon the identical Hebrew words and grammar being used in Genesis 4:7 to show the conflict man will have with sin as it seeks to rule him . . . because of sin and the curse, the man and the woman will face struggles in their own relationship. Sin has turned the harmonious system of God-ordained roles into distasteful struggles of self-will. Life-long companions—husbands and wives—will need God’s help in getting along as a result. The woman’s desire will be to lord it over her husband, but the husband will rule by divine design.”
Her Battle
The flip-side of the woman’s calling to be a helper is the curse of . . . controlling. The ingredients God has placed within woman which aid her in being an effective helper can be perverted into a dangerous tool of domination which she uses to “whip her man into shape.”
For example, a Fierce Woman’s
- “Power of Influence” can evolve into the “Power of Pressure”
- “Gift of Encouragement” can morph into the “Habit of Nagging”
- “Keen Intellect” can degenerate into a “Sense of Superiority”
- “Passionate Exuberance” can become an “Overwhelming Intensity”
- “Godly Wisdom” can become his worst nightmare as an “Intimidation Factor”
God has given the victory, but I’ve learned I must cry out to Him for grace and help when I’m tempted to control my husband rather than being his true helpmate. Can any of you relate?
John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006), 21.
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Comments
I like the "Fierce Woman's" list. What a difference between my self-will and natural tendency vs. being a "True Woman" with God's help. I want to say "Yes, Lord!"
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 7:36 am
God Bless ROH and staff! I always learn something useful.
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 8:16 am
Moment by moment we must be kept by His love if we are to "walk in the Spirit" with our husbands (our nearest neighbor we are commanded to love!) as well as our children, and all who God brings into our sphere of life. May be exhibit God's strength with meekness as we follow Matthew 11:29-30 - yoking with Christ so that we may experience rest in our souls - "God peace". To God be all glory when we allow Him to live the life of Jesus through us - because on our own we will live with earthly wisdom and now the wisdom from above. James 3:13-18 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. What an awesome Salvation He has wrought at infinite cost! Thank you Jesus. Jesus, be Jesus in me today!
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 8:19 am
As I was reading these contrasts, I was thinking how very careful I am with them around my husband but very carless with them when it comes to my children. I will turn immediately to God asking for the wisdom to encourage and influence him in a way that honors Christ, but readily run right over the young ones, nagging and intimidating all the way.
Boy, this article is an answer to my prayer this morning! Thanks for sharing your insight with us.
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 9:03 am
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 9:10 am
Titus 2:4-5 (though I'm not so "young" anymore!)
In His love,
on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 4:01 pm
on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 8:41 am