The Helper

Scripture to Ponder:

Genesis 2:18

Psalms 33:20, 121:1-2

Deuteronomy 33: 26-29

I sympathize with Eve. Truly, I do. The decision of what to eat can easily result in something catastrophic in my home too, Sis. I was not adequately prepared that adulthood consisted of making that decision daily and often multiple times a day. From the beginning of time, we were created with a purpose. A role to fill that would ultimately bring him glory and I think sometimes we forget truly what our God-given role is. Eve, from the beginning of creation, was made in the image of God and I find it beautiful the words he chose to describe what she was meant to be. A help meet. If we go into the Hebrew meanings of these words and their origins (ezer kenegedo), we find that it translates as a helper - his counterpart. The word Ezer holds significance because this word alone describes someone of strength, who is a rescuer, and who is indespesable as a partner. This same word is used in the Old Testament to describe God.

• Psalms 33:20: “ Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help (ezer) and shield.”

• Psalms 121:1-2: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help (ezer) cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

• Deuteronomy 33:26-29: “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in their help, and in his excellency on the sky….(v29)…who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help,”

Those who don't understand the God-given, beautiful roles he intended, often misinterpret their purpose. The very words he gave to describe a woman's role is the same words used to describe the Lord. How beautiful is that imagery! Read over those verses again that describe our Lord. Now read Genesis 2:18 and the words used to describe the role of Eve. My how that puts those words into perspective and give a new meaning to our roles as wives, mothers, and sisters.

When we strip away all of the world's meanings and opinions and view ourselves through the eyes of Christ we begin to see ourselves in a different light. We are daughters of the Most High and we are called for a purpose. The words he chose were not ones that denote weakness or someone who is inferior, but to describe the woman he made in his own image, one who is a mighty warrior and protector, she is strong and steadfast in her purpose to be a helper. We should hold this role close to our hearts, as it is one shared with our Lord alone! The beauty in that leaves me in utter awe of who he is and who he has created us to be in him.

As a woman created in the image of God, as a helper, how do we rescue those around us? We bring them to the Father. That is our ultimate role. Mighty warriors fighting to rescue those that need the Lord, whether it be in our own home or strangers we encounter. May we hold tight to this role he has entrusted to us as his daughters. May we see ourselves through the eyes of the Father and view our role as he intended. May we be women who help sustain others as he sustains us and may we be helpers.

Questions to Consider:

1) Does the Hebrew meanings of the words ‘help meet’ give me new understanding of my role as a woman, wife, and mother?

2) How can I fulfill that role in my home today?

3) Do I see myself through the eyes of the Father? What differs between how I see myself and how the Lord sees me?