Adam was created outside of the garden. God made the garden and put him in it. He had a chance to spend time with God and see things and learn things. In the garden, he was alone, as far as being the only human there.
So then in the setting of the garden, from a restful sleep, he wakes up and sees a vision. Something that appeals to every part of his body. In fact, Eve was a part of his body. Adam wants physical contact.
Eve wakes up in a beautiful garden and doesn’t know what a man is or what it is like to be alone. In fact she wonders where she is and what all this is all about. She is curious and wants answers, she wants details.
Adam is so grateful and at that time so loving, that he wants to please his new help mate. Talking for them must have been wonderful. Talking before the “blame” comes in. Talking before they ever disagree or are angry with each other. Intimacy then comes very freely and very naturally for them both. Intimacy is loving and good.
Adam’s first delight was of the eyes and then the ears.
Eve’s first delight was of the ears and then the eyes.
That is the way it was from the beginning.
But now we are all in a hurry. Now we are forgetful.
A man will see his wife's body and be full of desire and he forgets what a woman needs first.
A wife will dream of beautiful words, ones she so desires to hear. She will give her body, hoping to hear those words, but the right words never come.
A wife’s respect for her husband now fades and her actions and words towards him become unloving. Now the husband avoids words and situations that should be enjoyed between the husband and wife.
Intimacy becomes hurtful, intimacy becomes lust. Wives don’t want lust, they want intimacy that is from a mutual love and respect.
If the husband cannot take leadership to restore this relationship, then wives are instructed to encourage their husbands by showing him the respect he so wants but may not deserve.
But how can wives show respect to a man she does not respect? This can only be done by grace alone. Wives look to the cross. Here Jesus died for all, even though all have sinned against Him. Just as He did for those who did not deserve this, even must we do for those who are not deserving.
Prayer comes next. Ask the Spirit of God, in you to tell you ways in which you can show respect to your husband. Until it is clear what God is telling you, then keep asking and ask another to pray with you, always comparing answers to the written Word of God, because God will not disagree with Himself.
Then comes the hard part. How much desire do you have for a restored relationship of mutual Love and respect? Are you willing to do what God may ask of you?
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