Christ and His Bride

In Genesis 1 "God created man" and "male and female created He them" (v27). In Genesis 2, the Man and Woman are mentioned, and distinguished (v23). I would like to consider the relationship between man and woman, or more specifically, husband and wife, and draw some brief lessons about Christ and the Church. 

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him...And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  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" (Gen 2.18, 21-22)

Notice: 

The Woman for the Man

It was God who saw that it was "not good that the man should be alone" and thus promised "I will make him an help meet for him". 

The woman was intended to be man's companion and complement. In Ephesians 1.22-23 we read that God has "put all things under [Christ's] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all". The word "fulness" here can have the idea of completing and filling up. 

Thus, the Church, consisting of every believer of the present age who has trusted alone in Christ for salvation, is the Bride of Christ. We are "for" Him and are intended to be His companions, enjoying His company and fellowship.  "Christ is the head of the Church ..." (Eph 5.23), as such He has authority, and we should acknowledge this by obeying His Word. 

The Woman of the Man

"And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman". 

The woman was the product of man. Adam, having been put to sleep by God, produced by the power of God, his own bride, Eve. 

So Christ has produced His Bride, at the expense of His wounded side! He "hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us ..." (Eph 5.2). He "loved the church, and gave Himself for it ... " (Eph 5.25). 

The Woman unto the Man

He "brought her unto the man". Having been put to sleep, Adam was awakened to see the fruit of that sleep, his bride. So Christ will one day have presented to Himself His bride. He is going to present to Himself "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but ... holy and without blemish" (Eph 5.27). What a wonder for those who are saved. One day we will be face to face with the One who loved us and died for us. 

In the past, Christ died to purchase and produce His bride. In the future, He intends to present us to Himself. In the present He requires our fidelity to Him in His absence. He will soon come 'and receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there we shall be also' (see John 14).