Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

This is one of those passages in Scripture that often upsets women. They read it and resent the implication that they are somehow “less than” the man. But let’s take a closer look at what is actually said here.

The Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:18 is EZER (ay’-zer), the noun “helper.” It comes from a root word that is a combination of two words: one means “to rescue” or “to save” and the other means “to be strong.” Variations of this root word occur more than a hundred times in the Old Testament. The same word that is in the passage above occurs about twenty times, and fifteen of them are in reference to God. As in “God is my helper” or “the LORD is my helper.”  The name Eliezer appears repeatedly in Scripture and means “My God is my helper.”

At no time in Scripture is God portrayed as inferior or subservient to man. Quite the contrary. The Lord is the strong, powerful and almighty Savior. He is over us, not the other way around. From a position of strength and power He chooses to help His fallen creation. That is why He came down here to rescue us from sin and death. He reconciled us to Himself by taking our sin, carrying it to the cross, and paying its price for all people. Our strong, mighty deliverer.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Mankind – men and women – were made in the image of God. And God spoke of woman using the same word He used to describe Himself – EZER. That puts an entirely different spin on the relationship that is to exist between men and women. Consider also these words of our Lord Jesus.

Mark 10:42–45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Take all of this into account when you look at that other passage that is troubling for some, the one that speaks of wives submitting to their husbands as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-33). I would suggest you include the verse just prior to that passage in your meditation.

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.