Mom’s – This Valentine’s message is for you!!  You are so valuable and unique – you need to let this truth penetrate into your soul and spirit!
I wrote some Valentine encouragement for the family the other day – but I learned something new – just for women – from Kristi McLelland founder of  New Lens Biblical Studies.  After giving us this rich teaching on women – Kristi told us to “go live like a river and share it – don’t be like a lake and keep it”.  Everything in this writing was taught by Kristi, who teaches how to read the Bible from Middle Eastern Lens.

The first words that God ever said to women was Ezer Kenegdo.

“The Lord God said, “It’s not good for man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.”  Genesis 2:18.  In English, when we think of the word helper – we think of someone who is secondary or subservient.  Not so from this Hebrew word.  Read on….

Ezer means Helper, Aid, Strength
In almost every place in the Bible where ezer is found, it’s a word God uses to describe HIMSELF in relation to Israel.  God is an ezer to Israel.   Here are a few Bible verses using the same word.

“Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?  He is your shield and helper (ezer) and your glorious sword.”  Deuteronomy 33:29

“Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God.  You are my help (ezer) and my deliverer; O Lord, do no delay.”  Psalm 70:5

“O house of Israel, trust in the Lord – He is their help (ezer) and shield”.  Psalm 115:9

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help (ezer) come from?  My help (ezer) comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

After Kristi shared all of this, she asked us – and I will ask you, “Do you feel like Wonder Woman?”

 

HELPER is a STRONG Word – it is a Warrior Word. 

HELPER is vital and essential.
 
HELPER is NOT secondary or subservient.
 
HELPER is a Glorious Sword and a Shield

 

 

Kenegdo – means suitable.  It is unique, only ever used ONE time in the Bible.
Suitable describes someone who stands in front of or opposite someone.  Suitable is someone who come side by side and/or face to face in a relational rhythm.

Brad Gray explains it this way:

Ezer Kenegdo describes the function of woman.  It is a statement of who she is, not what she is.  Woman is given her purpose for existing.  This is not a marriage term but a verb, describing woman. Faith is a verb, what you do, not what you say.

Now, GO feel special, empowered and unique with purpose to conquer the World!

Forever – Read this verse in a fresh and invigorating way.  Break the power of past lies and teaching and go forward with your eyes of Jesus and renewed hope.

For more information about Kristi McLelland, go to her website.   New Lens Biblical Studies.  Her study on Jesus and Women is soon to be launched by Lifeway.   Click on this link:   Jesus and Women

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