Adam and his wife, who was now called Eve, both sought to dominate the other. They had both felt the intoxicating feeling of being in power during the brief moment when the serpent tempted them and sin and discord had entered their union, as well as the future generations of the world. The man God had created to reflect His ability to love now sought only to dominate and the woman He had created from man to be his helpmate and companion sought to hold power over him. Perfect Love did not exist anymore in the world. God witnessed their conflict and was saddened. Who was to emerge dominant: man or woman?

 Adam and his wife, who was now called Eve, decided to follow God’s commands. They could now distinguish between good and evil and were encumbered by ego which was a barrier to the perfect union which they previously shared with each other and God. But by suppressing their ego and by willingly not making the quest for power a priority in their lives, they were able to regain a degree of what they had lost from the fatal encounter with Satan, and the worst within themselves, which brought evil into the world. And so, their actions became destined to lead the coming generations towards tolerance, harmony and equality.

Now the woman, who called herself Eve, was wary of being ruled by the man and she was ever so careful of not letting his will rule over her. The desire for power had touched the Earth through the acceptance of the forbidden fruit and Eve was not immune to its effects. When God’s will was substituted by Man’s in the guidance of his affairs, Eve took over the charge and dominated Adam into submission.

Adam could not protest as God had willed that Eve shall lead and he shall follow. His position, equal to Eve’s at the Beginning was now subservient to hers.

Then God saw that the one who refused the fruit was lonely. Lest the one, driven by loneliness, abandoned the righteous ways to follow their mate, God created another fit mate for the one who stayed true to God. Another mate He created, as perfect as He made the first man and woman and gave to the one who, though chastised for indirectly partaking in the sin, eventually chose the right way.

Yet, this other mate meant for companionship also knew right from wrong, harboured a desire for power. Together, what would they choose as the fate of humanity?

A male-dominated society or a female dominated one? Or would each struggle to conquer the other for eternity or choose instead to live in harmony?

When God learnt of what had happened, He was infuriated with the woman. He punished her firstly by expelling them both from the Garden and then by making her accountable  for both her and Adam’s future deeds. This He commanded because she had remained silent while her husband accepted the fruit and hence had assisted in the entry of sin in the world.

As the will of God was replaced by the will of Man, God chose the woman to lead Adam because he was the first to give in to temptation, but for her silence she paid with her accountability of her husband’s actions. But did this power imbalance lead to domination of Eve , a conflict, a peaceful marriage or separation?

In Eden God had provided for every need of Man and they didn’t have to labour to live. God angered by their disobedience commanded that from now on they will have to toil for their livelihood. To Adam he gave the responsibility of growing food for him and his wife.

In this way, he punished the human race by withdrawing the free bounty he granted Adam and his wife, in the Garden of Eden. But did this punishment prove to humble Adam, or did it create a vengeance in his heart?

When God learnt of what had happened, He was infuriated with Adam. He punished him firstly by expelling them both from the Garden and also by making him accountable for both his and his wife’s future deeds. This He commanded because he had remained silent while his wife accepted the fruit and hence had assisted in the entry of sin in the world.

As the will of God was replaced by the will of Man, God chose Adam to lead Eve because she was the first to give in to temptation, but for his silence he paid with his accountability of his wife’s actions. But did this power imbalance lead to domination of Adam , a conflict, a peaceful marriage or separation?

When God learnt of what had happened, He was infuriated with the woman and punished her with multiplied pain during childbirth. This He commanded because she had not fulfilled her part as Adam’s helpmate and refrained from counseling him rightly and hence helping in the advent of sin in the world. Did this punishment prove to humble the Woman, or did it create a vengeance in her heart?