YOUR HUSBAND’S HELPER

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him”
(Genesis 2:18).

This is the first description the Bible gives about a wife. Therefore, I think it is important to understand what it means, don’t you? There’s a lot more to understand than what meets the eye. The Hebrew words for “help meet” are ezer kenegdo.

Let’s look at the first word, ezer. This word is used 21 times in the Old Testament, mostly to describe God. It describes God’s character as Deliverer, Protector, Rescuer, Savior, Strengthener, Protector, and Helper. The following are some examples:

“There is none like O Jeshurun (Israel) who rides through the heavens to your help through the skies in his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:29).

“Thou art the helper of the fatherless” (Psalm 10:14).

“Behold, God is my helper” (Psalm 54:4).

Look how God comes to help the needy in this passage: “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: . . . Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD loseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the bind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and the widow” (Psalm 146:5-9). Do you see God pouring out His divine help in these words?

Amazingly, although ezer is used to describe God, it is first used to describe the woman. The first revelation of this word is ascribed to us. We are lifted to a high status. We are to be helpers to our husbands in the same way God is to His people. It is a divine mission. I like Ferrar Fenton’s translation: “I will make him a comforter to live with him.” What a lovely way to be a helper to our husbands.

The word kenegdo means “counterpart (the part which fits another), corresponding to, part opposite.” Let’s look at some other translations to help us understand more fully:

“I will make him a helper that is PERFECT FOR HIM" (CEB).

“I will make him a helper FIT FOR HIM" (ESV and RSV).

“I will make him a SUITABLE HELPER, COMPLETING HIM” (TBV- The Berkely Version).

“I will make a helper who is JUST RIGHT FOR HIM.” (NLT, GW, and NCV). I love these words, don’t you? When God created the women, He created her “just right for the man.” She is the perfect fit.

Because ezer comes from two Hebrew root words meaning “to rescue, to save, to be strong,” it could also be translated: “I will make a strength corresponding to man.”

God created man with specific strengths, but He also gave specific strengths to the woman to bring into the marriage. We don’t bring the man’s strengths, but the beautiful strengths God has given to us. Adam didn’t need another man; he needed a woman who would fit and complete him. Two pieces of a puzzle that are the same shape cannot fit together. You can only put one on top of the other, which eclipses the other.

God wants the man to be the protector, provider, and priest of the home. He created the woman to be the nurturer, nourisher, and nestbuilder of the home.

You are to be a strong helper, but that does not make you the spiritual head of your home. This doesn’t save your husband; it destroys and pulls down your husband’s strength. Because you are a strong helper, it does not make you the breadwinner; this takes away your husband’s anointing and strength.

It is important to fully embrace our God-given strengths and pour them into our marriage. Next week we will look more fully at some of the strengths we bring to our marriage

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Thank you, dear Father God, for creating me a helper that is an absolutely perfect fit for my husband. Please save me from usurping my husband’s job and authority. Teach me how to be the helper you want me to be to make our marriage strong and blessed. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am created differently, but uniquely, to fit my husband perfectly.