How many ribs?

I am not a typical high school teacher.  My classroom has posters all over the walls and cabinet doors, things hanging from the ceiling, collections of Mr. Potato Heads, etc. It is a busy place but all of it is to help my students learn.

I was teaching Anatomy last year, so I had life size posters on the walls that showed the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems.  During math one day, one of my students blurted out the question, "How many ribs do males and females have?"  I had a suspicion about what and why he was asking but I inquired what he meant.  He said "Well, you know that whole story about the man and woman, you know, from the Bible."  I knew alright.  I knew he was talking about Genesis 2:21-22.

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.  The the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

I knew where he was headed.  I had taught Anatomy several times and I had prayed numerous times that this question would not come up.  I knew what the Bible said about the creation of man and woman, and I knew the scientific answer.  I had never taken the time to prepare an answer. I knew if I said they each have 24 ribs that it would lead to questions about why shouldn't they have a different number of ribs if God took one rib.  

So what was I to do.  I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer that God would give the words that were needed.  I opened my mouth and what came out was a shock to me.  My answer was they both have 24 ribs.  I know the Bible says that a rib was taken from Adam to create Eve, but God had already created the genetic code (DNA) for the human body.  You learned about how DNA works in biology class.  God taking the rib from Adam did not change his DNA any more than your father loosing a leg before you were born would change his.  You would still be born with two legs.  

The student's response was ok and he went back to work.  My response was "Wow. Where did that come from?"  Then I realized God had answered my prayer.  He gave me the answer I needed in a way to help this student understand.  I felt in this instance the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of wisdom.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit... (1 Corinthians 12:7-8)

According to Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine, the Word of Wisdom is "the supernatural inspiration for speaking the right word at the right time" (p97).  I asked and God gave me the right words to speak at the right time.  All I had to do was ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)