The Origin and Ultimate Purpose of Woman: Insights from the Creation Narrative

To truly understand a product, one must consider the manufacturer’s perspective—just as understanding our identity begins with God, our Creator, through His word, the Bible. In this season on Arisesister, we’re beginning a series titled “Lessons from Women in the Bible” to explore biblical insights on womanhood. It is our prayer that through these write ups and by the help of the Holy Spirit we would increase in understanding about womanhood and be imparted to live as Godly women. Besides write-ups, we encourage every reader to study the word of God and acquire more biblical insight on the woman. Also, we recognize and respect the purpose of men but due to the fact that this write-up focuses on women, we would dwell more on women and this is not in any way to override the men but it’s about awakening a deeper understanding of who women are meant to be, so that together with men, we can work hand in hand to bring God’s will to life on Earth.

Not long ago, someone asked me a thought-provoking question: “Does a woman truly have a purpose?” I smiled, because the answer is a resounding yes. Everything God created—every being, every detail—was crafted with intention. That question sparked a deeper reflection, and in this write-up, we’ll journey back to the very beginning, to the moment of a woman’s creation, uncovering timeless lessons about her God-given purpose. With insight from the creation story we perceive that:

• The woman was intentionally created by God for a purpose

Before anything appears in the physical, it is first established in the spiritual. Genesis 1:26–31 reveals that before being made manifest physically, both male and female were created in God’s image and likeness in the spirit realm, with the purpose of bearing God’s image and likeness, being fruitful and multiplying, subduing the earth, and stewarding all other creation. The spiritual precedes the physical. So, in Genesis 2, we see that which was established in the spirit being made manifest in the physical as God placed the male and female in earthen vessels of man and woman on the earth with specific qualities and roles which are unique expressions of God, with same purpose of bearing God’s image and likeness, being fruitful and multiplying, subduing the earth, and stewarding all other creation.

However, in Genesis 3, humanity fell by giving in to evil, compromising this divine purpose. But by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, mankind is justified, redeemed, and restored to our original identity—to bear God’s image and dominating the earth. It is only through union with Christ, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:17–18, that we are transformed and empowered to bear the image and likeness of God and fulfill the dominion mandate.

• The woman was created to bear the image and likeness of God

God is light, and we are called to reflect that same light here on earth. He created both male and female with the ability to mirror His likeness—including love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). This ability to reflect God’s image and likeness only becomes possible when our identity is rooted in God through Jesus Christ and nurtured by a growing relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. We are to reflect God’s image and likeness in every area of our lives—whether in our families, workplaces, ministries, or communities.

• The woman is an essential part of God’s dominion mandate.

Genesis 1:27-28

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

It is true that in God’s sovereign will, He released the male first on the earth (physical realm) in the earthen vessel called man and from the man formed the woman as a suitable “helpmeet” to the man. Though God created man first and then formed woman as a suitable “helpmeet,” both were given distinct roles that complement each other. Nevertheless, their unique qualities are meant to work together to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for mankind highlighted in Genesis 1:27 – 28 above.

Below is a breakdown of some key aspects we can  learn from God’s dominion intent from creation story for the man and woman and some practical explanations giving guidance on how we can incorporate this in our daily living:

Bearing His image and likeness: This entails walking in God’s light—living righteously and reflecting His character traits such as love, joy, and self-control etc.

Being fruitful and multiplying: This involves producing fruit of your kind, both spiritually-by winning souls and discipling others for God’s kingdom—and physically, through childbearing and raising children in God’s ways. It also includes multiplying the resources and responsibilities entrusted to you. This also entails bearing fruits for God’s kingdom with the gifts (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, teaching, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues etc) and talents (could be singing, finance management, acting or whatever talent we have).

Subduing the earth: This entails living out and influencing the world with God’s kingdom principles wherever God has placed you—whether in your family, home, ministry, school, profession, job, or even social media. It also includes utilizing our gifts and talents to extend God’s kingdom precepts on the earth.

Stewarding other creation: This involves caring responsibly for the rest of God’s creation that is under your care.

We can deduce from this write-up that the woman God created is purposeful, valuable, and designed to bear God’s image and likeness and to work with man in advancing God’s will of fruitfulness, subduing the earth and stewardship over the earth.

Remain blessed, and stay connected with us as we explore the powerful lessons from women in the Bible — uncovering how their stories can inspire and guide us in walking boldly in God’s ordained purpose for woman!