exception, therefore, a suitable wife would have to be compatible with him in these same areas. This fact, that none of the animals was compatible in these areas, Adam learned in naming the animals.
the ind iv id u a l. It may be descriptive of his person or position (Gen. 17:5). It may exp ress some circumstance affecting him (Ruth 1:20-21). It might be an expression of the hope entertained by the parents for him (Gen. 30:24). Or, it could point out some characteristic concerning him (Ruth 1:2). Therefore, for Adam to name the animals would require the giving of a designation which would be exp ressive o f the na tu re , character, and make up of the one named. Whatever Adam called it, it would have to be appropriate and significant to be expressive of that particular creature. So Adam named the animals (Gen. 2:20) and, in doing so, made a very remarkable discovery. “ But for Adam there was not found an help meet (a suitable helper) for him.” Could it be that he named the animals with a view toward finding his helper? It sure seems that way; and, in fact, it was. For what was Adam looking? Or, to put it another way, what would have constituted a suitable helper or wife? A suitable helper would have to be one who corresponded to him. She would have to be compatible with him. Every person develops in four a reas: p h y s ic a lly , mentally, socially, and spiritually. Even the Lord Jesus Christ developed in these four areas. Luke said that He “ increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2 :52 ). Adam was no COM PAT IB ILITY EXTENDS TO FOUR AR EA S
TH E PHYSICA L A R EA
The first instruction of God, after the creation of the woman, was “ Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28). It becomes apparent that any helper suitable for the man must be capable of bearing his children. No a n im a l c o u ld meet th is qualification. It is conceivable that physical union, alone, could exist, bu t th is is not ph y sica l compatibility. It would have to be a union from which children would be produced. Anything less than this would not be acceptable. The mental development of an ind iv id u a l extends to three essential areas. The first is the em o tio n s and their control including fear, anger, disgust, grief, joy, and surprise. The second is mentality, or the ability to learn which involves study, reading, and listening. The third area is the control o f thought patterns. Within the realm of thought patterns are attitudes (either good or bad), motives, and psychological needs such as se cu rity , confidence to deal satisfactory with problems, love, social approval, and self esteem. No animal possesses these mental c h a r a c t e r is t ic s and co u ld , therefore, not be compatible with the man. Page 9 THE MENTAL A R EA
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