Ready for a second opportunity? Here’s #2 from Ezer’s Handbook —
#2 — MENTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE CREATED ORDER
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18).
Find Hope in the Order of God’s Creation. Woman was not created at the same time, in the same way, or for the same purpose as man (Genesis 2:7, 15-22). But many women perceive the role of “helper” (2:18) as being inferior or second-best. Encourage younger and older women in your circle of relationships to read John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8. Who is “the Helper” of whom Jesus speaks? “Helper” in Greek is parakletos which means “comforter” or “advocate”. “Helper” might also mean “encourager” or “ally”. The question for women is: how will we choose to help or encourage? Submission is another troublesome word for us as women, but a biblical perspective helps bring understanding. God uses the order of His very nature—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—to bring hope to a sinful people. The Trinity is equal, but with different and definitive roles. Jesus Christ is God, yet He submitted Himself to the Father for the sake of our salvation. To bring order out of chaos, God uses the headship of husband and father in marriage and family for the benefit and well-being of children and society. God uses the submission of the Son, Jesus Christ, to save His Bride, the Church, and serve with humility. What begins to change when we understand “helper” and “submission” in light of God’s Word rather than our own opinion?
Trust the identity bestowed in Baptism. A woman’s identity is not dependent on a man’s love, her appearance or what she does. God does not define a woman as “sexual,” but as “holy”. In Baptism, a woman becomes a daughter of God in Jesus Christ. Yes, she is still a sinner, but now God sees her covered in Jesus’ robe of righteousness. From a biblical perspective, the word “holy” means “set apart by God”. “Holy” is the opposite of common. Something common can be used by anyone, but a holy woman is used by God for good and holy purpose. In light of her Baptism, how can a woman view herself? How does true identity affect our choices and behavior?
Believe That Male and Female Are More Than Sexual. Too often, we skip from Genesis 1:27 to Genesis 2:24. In doing so, we miss something very important about the complementary purpose and vocation of male and female. Before God brought Adam and Eve together as “one flesh” in His institution of marriage, He called man to be a steward of all that He had made, to remember God’s Word, and to choose life. God called woman to help man in the stewardship of all creation and help him remember God’s Word and choose life. Do men and women have to be married in order to serve God in these ways? Although it has become commonplace during the last 50 years for men and women to be identified as “sexual beings,” we are more than that to God. While it is true that God designed male and female in the faithfulness of marriage to procreate, it is just as true that unmarried men and women are “holy” in Christ Jesus and can work together as caretakers of God’s world and be people of His Word and advocates of human life. We are not defined by our sexuality—in this life or the next—but by our holiness. What do Jesus’ words about marriage in Matthew 22:30 tell us about our “sexual” identity? To help yourself and others better understand true identity as male and female, google The Failure of Sex Education in the Church: Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity (publication release: May 2014 by Linda Bartlett). We can help others understand that no matter our age, health or circumstance in life, every male and female has unquestionable identity and purpose as “holy ones”.
Stand Guard Against the Enemy of Life. Satan despises God’s order of creation because he wants us to live in chaos. His one question, “Did God really say . . .,” was all it took for Eve to doubt God’s Word for her life (Genesis 3:1). In doubt, Eve loosened her grip on the Sword of Truth. Did she believe that she was the privileged recipient of some new knowledge that God was keeping from her? Do you see how quickly she not only spoke for God but inserted words God never spoke (compare Genesis 3:2-3 with 2:16-17)? Nothing has changed. Satan continues to stir up doubt by asking women the same question. “Did God really say . . .?” Like Eve, do we respond by speaking what God does not about sexuality, marriage, abortion, headship and women’s ordination? Do we try to establish our own standard of right and wrong? Challenge yourself to help younger women fear, love and trust God above all things. Help them to recognize what is counterfeit and of Satan by knowing Jesus Christ, the Word of Truth (John 1:1-5, 14).
What’s next? #3: Mentor Biblical Womanhood
Ezer’s Handbook is a resource developed by
Linda Bartlett and presented at Titus 2 Retreats
Ezerwoman's Blog 