Genesis 3:20 tells us that Adam gives his wife the name, Eve, “because she would become the mother of all the living.” In Hebrew, her name means “live.” Not only did Adam see her come alive and take her first breath but he knew that from her would come new life to populate the earth.

Eve is probably one of the most famous women in all of history. Sadly, her story is tainted by her sin and the fall of man. But, Eve is truly the first of all moms not only in the Bible, but in the entire history of the world and we can learn a lot from her.

Eve Character Profile

Most scholars believe that Eve would have been the most beautiful woman that ever lived. She would have been created perfectly by God with no flaws in her DNA make up. She had no worry or stresses in her life. Her world was also perfect. No wars, no money problems, no cares, or fear. The scenery was breathtaking and all of nature was in harmony. She, Adam, and God lived in unity. No sin separating them.

Eve was completely innocent. She and her husband were naked and felt no shame. They had no idea of what a depraved sin nature looked like. Her thoughts, attitude, and actions would have been pure and undefiled.

Eve left the protection and authority of God and her husband when she entertained the lies of the Serpent and went against the wisdom of God. The mother of all life ushered in the death and punishment.

Moms in the Bible: Eve‘s Story

Eve’s full story can be found in the Bible in Genesis 2-4. I have put some focus texts below along with some things we need to see in each section.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ….But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.  So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Genesis 2:18, 20b-25 ESV

• Eve was created by God as an adult to be a helper and companion to Adam.
• She was created from Adam’s rib. She was created to walk beside him as an equal compliment.
• Their union was the first marriage and an example for future generations.
• She and Adam had innocence and purity. There was no recognition of nakedness.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.  Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:6-8 ESV

• Eve was led away by the lust of her eyes.
• Eve looked for wisdom outside of God.
• Eve led her husband into sin.
• Sin made them want to hide from the presence of God.

To the woman he said,: “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
    in pain you shall bring forth children.
Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,
    but he shall rule over you.”

Genesis 3:16 ESV

• The punishment for Adam and Eve’s sins were personal.
• Eve’s included pain in child birth. Second, she would be under the rule of her husband, but would always clamor to have the upper hand.

What can we learn from Eve in the Bible?

• Be Vigilant. Eve walked with God. She knew the Lord intimately as Creator. Yet, she still was deceived by the lies of the enemy. We must be aware of Satan’s deception and be ready to counter them with God’s word.
  • “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
  • “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 ESV

• Know the Consequences of Sin. Eve knew perfection. No pain, no worries, no fears, and no shame in the garden. But, once she and Adam disobeyed God, that was gone. Sin ushered in all the woes we know in this world and allowed them to be separated from God for the first time. A famous quotes says, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.“
  • “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 ESV
  • “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 ESV
  • “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:19 ESV

• Remember children are a gift. Eve had a lot of difficulty in her life. She went from paradise to poverty very quickly. However, she recognized God’s provision with the gift of her children and that He still allowed her to be “mother of all living things”. Genesis 4 records her crediting God for the birth of Cain and Seth. This hope of new life was most likely such a joy after the pain of their sin.
  • “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

Challenge to Moms from Eve

• Know God’s word and meditate on it to be able to combat the lies of the devil.
  • Study the word daily.
  • Try a scripture memorization plan.

• Keep a clean heart before the Lord.
  • Confess sin immediately.
  • Be open with others you can trust about sin struggles and allow for accountability.

• Pray for your children. Remember the gift they are to you and take your responsibility to raise them in the Lord seriously.
  • Pray for them to stay far from sin and evil.
  • Teach them to pray on their own.

Other posts in this series:

Hannah, A Mom of Passionate Prayer

Jezebel and Athalia, Bad Moms