The Bible

 

Genesis 2:18

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18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Commentary

 

Explanation of Genesis 2:18

By Brian David

This wall-painting, in the Sucevita Monastery in Romania, shows God creating Adam and Adam being alone, which led to the naming of the animals.

The Bible often describes a person, church or nation as being "alone" to indicate that it is celestial in nature – that is, that it is motivated by love to the Lord and led in life directly by the Lord, and is thus not surrounded by the temptations of evil and falsity. This was the case with the Most Ancient Church, which is represented by "man" or "Adam." But it would not stay that way.

Eventually – most likely over many generations – people began to want to lead themselves and think for themselves rather than being led by the Lord in life and thought. They wanted to connect more directly with the world. They didn't want to be "alone" anymore. In doing this they turned away from their highest, most blessed state – represented by the statement "it is not good."

So the Lord prepared to grant them their wish, by preparing to give them a "helper" – a sense of life as their own, which is described further in the discussion of Gen. 2:22.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 138, 139, 140)

The Bible

 

Psalms 148

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1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. praise ye the LORD.