Suitable help meet?

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

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

Ezer kenegdo.

Ezer, usually translated as 'help, helper or help meet' does not accurately convey the power behind this word. Ezer comes from a military root, and most often refers to God as the ezer/help. It carries the connotation of an active intervention; a strong, qualified, capable, dependable, fight by your side kind of help. It is your ride or die, the person you KNOW you can count on, no matter what. It is not simply “the help.” It is more accurately, “the rescuer.” Notice how this meaning comes through in these verses:

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,

Who rides the heavens to your help (ezer),

And the clouds in His majesty. Deut 33:26

I will raise my eyes to the mountains;

From where will my help (ezer) come?

My help (ezer) comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2

Kenegdo means ‘opposing; face to face.’ The phrase ezer kenegdo should bring to mind the image of two people who step perfectly in sync together whether dancing or in battle, because they know each other so well. I heard one Rabbi explain it in terms of two planks leaning against each other, both providing support and receiving the same support. Being an ezer kenegdo, is more than helping your husband find his keys or the ketchup... it is suiting up and going to battle along side him, and for him. It is standing side by side, a complimentary partner. Think of what it means to be complimentary... it means a good match, perfectly coordinating, but not identical. You are designed to be uniquely YOU, not an extension of him.

This is also not to imply you have to be married.

This just shows the value God has for you as a

woman. He refers to you the same way He

refers to Himself. You are not simply 'the help,'

You are fierce. Strong. Capable. Reliable.

A force to be reckoned with.

You are the Ezer Kenegdo.

** This woman-warrior thing is a theme in the BIble!

Go to "Eshet chayil: woman of valor"