Why does anything exist ... why not nothing?

He is the image of the invisible God , the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. - Colossians 1:15

The Predatory Desire

Patriarchy and Feminism

Patriarchy is a social system where men hold primary power and dominate roles in political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege, while feminism is a movement and analytical framework dedicated to achieving gender equality by dismantling these unequal structures

Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

The noun (8669) teshuqah (desire) expresses an intense turning of the will toward another. It connotes ardent longing that may be either beneficent, as in marital affection, or malevolent, as in the predatory pull of sin. The context alone determines whether the impulse blesses or threatens.

The traditional use of the word in Genesis 3 is of marital affection – a longing or desire of a woman for her husband. But, the alternative use is also possible.


The Predatory Desire of Sin

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at the door; it desires you, but you must master it.” – Genesis 4:7

Here teshuqah (desire) depicts sin personified as a beast poised to spring. The verb “crouching” suggests a lion, reinforcing the image of hostile appetite. Cain is warned that yielding to this invasive desire will reverse God’s design: instead of humanity ruling over creation, sin will rule over humanity.

The identical grammar (“it desires… you must rule”) purposely echoes…

Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

It desires you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7


Many biblical scholars explain “desire” here as a drive to control or master the other person. The alternate use makes an interesting change in the translation …more to…

You will desire to master your husband, But he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16


Domination: Instead of loving teamwork, the man responds by dominating, controlling, or oppressing the woman.

Broken Harmony: The mutual equality and cooperation found in Genesis 2 are replaced by conflict, tension, and a constant push-and-pull for dominance.

God is not commanding a structure – his will is for man and women to become “one flesh.” Unity. But just as He warned Cain, He is warning Adam and Eve – the result of sin will cause contention between men and women – but they must master it.