Do you ever wonder what your purpose as a woman is? What your identity as a woman is? I’m going to take you back to Genesis where God created woman. In Genesis 2:18our purpose and true identity as a woman is revealed. I believe this Scripture is misinterpreted by a lot of people, especially women. It is important that we understand it correctly and live up to our full potential.
And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.' - Genesis 2:18 (NKJV)
I used to cringe whenever I heard this Bible verse, I went straight into defensive mode. I don’t want to be a “helper” or “help meet”, that sounds so lame. Like I was made to be an assistent or servant to a man. This my dear sisters is a lie, you are made for so much more. In Hebrew the word used is Ezer Kenegdo and this is a difficult word to translate into English or any other language.
The meaning of Ezer Kenegdo
Ezer has originally two meanings in Hebrew, depending on the pronunciation: to rescue/to save and to be strong. In the Old Testament the word Ezer is used 21 times. We can roughly divide the different Scriptures in three ways the word “Ezer” is used:
1. Ezer used for the woman.
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Genesis 2:18Genesis 2:20
2. Ezer used for nations to whom Israel appealed for military aid.
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Isaiah 30:5Ezekiel 12:14Daniel 11:34
3. Ezer used for God as Israel’s helper.
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Exodus 18:4Deuteronomy 33:7Deuteronomy 33:26Deuteronomy 33:29Psalm 20:2Psalm 33:20Psalm 70:5Psalm 89:19Psalm 115:9Psalm 115:10Psalm 115:11Psalm 121:1Psalm 121:2Psalm 124:8Psalm 146:5Hosea 13:9
What these Bible verses have in common is that Ezer is used consistently in military context. The Ezer is a warrior. You are a warrior.
The Hebrew word Kenegdo means opposite as to him or corresponding as to him. A woman is no better or less than the man. Man and woman are equally and uniquely created, a perfect fit.
Modern day Ezer Kenegdo
The word Ezer Kenegdo might be old but the purpose of our existence as women is the same. You are an Ezer Kenegdo. A strong warrior,complementary to man. I love the word complementary. Complementary is what you are, not what you are doing. Complementary is not what you become, you were born complementary to man. Does this mean you can only be whole with a man? No, I don’t think so. I think you will be complete with the right man, and without one you are still God’s beloved daughter. You are a warrior princess and there is nothing you can’t do with the power of the King of kings.
The way I see it is that man and woman are like two hands. Your left hand and right hand are in ways the same but also different. You have bones, muscles, veins, skin, nails. And you have fingers and a thumb on each hand. Your left and right hand are the exact opposite of each other, but the one hand is not more important than the other one. One hand might be a little stronger and is your preferred hand, but you can perfectly use each hand on its own. Together your hands can do more. They are even stronger than your preferred hand. You can get more done with less effort when using both hands together. Of course this is only going to work when your one hand is the kenegdo to your other hand.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. - 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)
So what does the modern day Ezer Kenegdo do without a man? She roots and grounds herself in love and strengthens herself by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-19). Think of one thing or area in which you have hold yourself back thinking that you shouldn’t or couldn’t do it because you are a woman. Go back to that moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you can do to strengthen yourself in a moment like that. Pray the answer over your life, so you become more deeply grounded in Christ.
