“Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27
Growing up in the church, I would often hear people say that God created Eve to be Adam’s helper and quote Genesis 2:18 to support their view. They would continue by saying that she was created to assist and help Adam in order to fulfill her role, while Adam was created first to fulfill his role as leader, protector, and head of the family. It bothered me to hear people say that Eve was just a helper, a ‘side kick’, that she was not a leader, and was created inferior to Adam, and have only one Bible verse to back up their theory.
What about the other verses?
In Genesis 1:26-28 I read how God created BOTH male and female in his image and commanded BOTH Adam and Eve to reign over the animals, and to be fruitful and multiply the earth and govern it. This does not seem like God intended Eve only to be a helper, the way many seem to think, He wanted her to lead as well, together with Adam.
So what did God mean when He said He would make a ‘helper’ for Adam?
In Hebrew, the word ‘helper’ is ezer, meaning strong, power.
Many Bible verses use the word ‘ezer’ to describe God as our helper, and it is used to describe how He came through for His people and delivered them. This same word is used by God to describe Eve. What seems interesting is that you will never hear people who comment that Eve was made to be a helper and not a leader, say that God is our ‘helper’ therefore He can not be our leader. Have personal ideas and assumptions overshadowed what God intended to say? If God intended Adam to be the one in charge, to lead, then why did He create Eve in His image as well? Why did He ask BOTH of them to govern the earth? Why didn’t HE just say to Eve that she is only expected to have children and make sure the food is ready for when Adam returns after a long day of taking care of the earth and the animals?
God loved Eve, and when He created her to help Adam he intended for her to be strength and power, so together they could do what God asked of them. God never meant for Eve to be someone that just assisted or helped out when needed, He wanted Eve to be strength when others felt weak, and to have power to influence and motivate those around her. God created Eve to lead together with Adam. His desire was for both to work together, side by side in making the earth a better place.
I am so grateful that God does not require me to fulfill a ‘gender role’ as seen by human eyes but only to be the best that I can be, and to do what He asks of me regardless of what others think or believe I should do or not do. I am created in God’s image and not in the image of man’s misconceptions of who and what I should be on this earth.
I was created to believe all things are possible – Philippians 4:13
I was created to believe that God can use me or anyone He desires to do His will – Act 2:17
I was created to follow in the footsteps of Jesus to go and make disciples – Matthew 28:19
I was created in His image to do His work for His kingdom – Matthew 5:14-16 & 1 Peter 2:9
I was created to be a helper to others in times of need, to uplift and encourage – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I was created to believe that God created us ALL equal – Galatians 3:28
Here are some Bible verses that use the word ezer to describe God as our helper:
“There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.” Deuteronomy 33:26
“Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.” Deuteronomy 33:29
“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20
“All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.” Psalm 115:11
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:1-2
Thank You God that you made me strong, to have power, to lead together with my husband. I was created in your image and if it is Your will and Your desire for me to continue leading, I will do so, regardless of what others may say, and regardless of how others want to interpret the calling You have placed on me. Help me also to never underestimate the calling you place on others for I am here to serve You and strive to see beyond human ideas, opinions, labels, and misconceptions.
