A woman is a special being that must be understood in order to enjoy a fulfilling marriage. To this end, in this chapter, we will learn to know her through the lens of the Bible. In Genesis 2:21-22, it is written:

“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.”

The word “made” here comes from the Hebrew panah, which means “to build.” In Dave’s version of the same passage, the expression used is “skillfully formed.” A woman is a human who can give life because she has a womb. This is where the English term “woman” comes from—a contraction of “womb” and “man.”

She is also the sum of the combination of man’s characteristics, to which God added beauty and delicacy. The Hebrew word used to refer to her is ishah (derived from ish, meaning man), or ish-ishah (male-female), indicating her origin and connection to man. The Bible in Contemporary French (Bible Français Courant) version of verse 22 says:

“With this rib, the Lord made a woman and brought her to the man.”

The verb “to make,” also used in Genesis 1:26 like the word “create” (from the Latin creare), refers to the act of bringing something into existence. The difference lies in the fact that “create” implies doing so from nothing.

A woman is the essential link to family happiness. What does that mean?

Simply put, it means that the woman is the foundation, the base upon which the family rests. She is the main actress, indispensable to maintaining her household. When we read the creation story in Genesis, we see that Adam had everything to be happy, yet he was not, because he felt an emptiness. Seeing this, God said in Genesis 2:18:

“It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him.”

When God had created the woman and brought her to the man, Adam exclaimed in verse 23:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh! …”

And he added:

“She shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

There are many men and women in this world, and know this: God desires good for all of us and provides everything we need.

If your need, or that of any man reading this, is to find a woman or a man to live the rest of your life with in happiness, then you must first consult God and allow Him to help you make the right choice. If you instead choose to rely solely on your preferences and feelings in selecting a partner, and that person turns out not to be the right one, they will eventually disappoint you by revealing their true nature over time.

You can find someone who matches your tastes, but the ideal woman or perfect man—so often spoken of—are truly gifts from heaven, reserved for those who take the time to seek God and do not rush into marriage.

This does not mean you should sit idly by waiting for your ideal partner. God will guide you, but you also have a role to play in preparing yourself to receive that person and helping them grow with you, because perfect love does not exist. If it did, man and woman would not be complementary.

Moreover, God did not follow the same process in creating the woman as He did with Adam. He had a special project in mind, and so He took Adam’s rib to make (not create) the woman. In doing so, He wanted to demonstrate her position—not in front of, nor behind, but beside man. Also, God placed the rib under the arm so that man might cover and protect her from danger, and near the heart to illustrate the emotional bond between a man and a woman.

II. The Characteristics of a Woman

Physically:

Generally less physically strong than a man, a woman is characterized by her beauty, charm, long hair, gentleness, and tenderness. She can be shy, graceful, majestic in her walk, fond of jewelry and clothing that highlight her figure. Yet she may also be robust, strong, and resilient.

Spiritually:

Being more emotionally sensitive than a man, a woman can:

• Untangle complex situations (as in the case of Huldah the prophetess in 2 Chronicles 34 from verse 22),
• Be a formidable general (as with Deborah, the prophetess and judge in Judges 4:4),
• Be a crucial support in the success of a project, business, etc.

Note that women played a significant role in the life of Jesus Christ. They supported Him with their possessions and were even the first to witness His resurrection.

III. The Role of the Woman

The happiness released by the woman—or the female-man—also stems from the role she plays alongside her husband. This role is divided as follows:

• She shares responsibility with her husband,
• She is an indispensable partner for the balance and harmony of the home, being more observant and attentive,
• She carries and gives life,
• She is a help and support to her husband (the Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:20 for help is Ezer),
• She collaborates and participates with her husband in the development of the family,
• She is a peacemaker, especially if her husband knows how to trust and value her,
• She helps her husband fulfill his vision,
• She gives, without reserve, tenderness, love, and gentleness to create a pleasant environment for her family.

IV. The Happiness Tied to a Woman

The happiness tied to a woman, as mentioned in Proverbs 18:22, is unique because she is a divine idea. Indeed, Adam did not imagine the woman—she was already present in God’s mind. She was not created at Adam’s request but rather from God’s own observation and will to support Adam, who felt lonely despite being surrounded by many animals in the Garden of Eden.

This also means that the woman belongs to God (she comes from Him), and whoever mistreats her is attacking God Himself. It is very important—crucial even—that you remember this: no matter what people say about you or how they treat you, know that you are God’s idea, the result of His thought, an extraordinary person created to accomplish extraordinary things…

This text is an excerpt from the book “MYDUMAR: THE MYSTERY OF MARRIAGE” written by Rev. Blaise KANGA.

We invite you to read the next article: “HOW TO FIND THE IDEAL WIFE?”