Genesis 3:16

The curse on women comes in two sets of two. The first two are on their motherhood and the second two on relationships with men. God’s original commission for humanity was that they would be fruitful and multiply, and subdue the earth. This curse goes directly against and distorts our original purpose and design.

1. I will make your pains in childbearing very severe. The exact word for childbearing is הֵרָיוֹן (he.ra.von) which means conception. He says that there will be pain and difficulty for women in conception.
2. … with painful labor you will give birth to children. The second part of the curse on motherhood is that labor will be painful. Both of these curses seem to be understated. The emotional and physical pain of having a family can be immense.
3. Your desire will be for your husband… In other translations it says that your longing will be contrary to your husband.
4. and he will rule over you. The unity and equality of relationships will be distorted and perverted. Men will objectify women and there will be tension in their relationships, where harmony and unity were the original design.

While not every woman feels the impact of these curses equally, every woman is affected by them. What I think is important to recognise is that this was not God’s original plan. It is also not part of the final destination. In revelation 22 we read that there will come a day when every thread of this curse will be fully defeated and creation will be in unity with God and one another once more.

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Revelation 22:3

Which leads me to the question, why do so many people believe that we should perpetuate curses?! We were ultimately unable to break the power of these curses but Jesus does! His death on the cross was to take the sin and shame that we deserved. It was to break every curse. So, while sin is still alive and we still experience the fruit of these curses, it is our responsibility to fix our eyes forward and to restore what has been broken. We are part of a movement that is restoring what was lost.

I believe that this means that it is the role of the church to be supporting women who are struggling to conceive, to look after women who have been in abusive relationships, offering them support and agency. It is to stand against misogyny and objectification in all its forms and to actively create spaces of equality, respect and mutual thriving. Our vision is the garden city of revelation where everything is made new.

It also means that if you are a woman and you have been struggling with any of these that you are not alone. There are others who can stand alongside you and a saviour who wants to lead you to security, life and hope. Jesus wants to lead you to life and restoration.

If you have or are still struggling with any of these, please talk to someone. If you need help in any way then reach out to us and we will connect you with someone.