Woman was created as a helper comparable to man, designed to complement and support him in marriage. Formed from Adam's rib, she shares his essence and equality, standing beside him as a partner of strength and character. Her role is to aid her husband, balancing his deficiencies and enhancing their unity as one flesh. This position does not imply inferiority but a distinct function to support his leadership, reflecting mutual purpose for God's glory. As a helper, she offers unique qualities, oversees the home, and provides compassion, mirroring the church's future role with Christ. Her submission, done for the Lord, restores God's order, fostering a partnership of trust and growth.

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Our Help

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Throughout history, women have often been treated as inferior to men, regarded as substandard property in many cultures, and even today, in some regions and households, they are not treated equally. Yet, God's intention from the beginning reveals a different purpose. In Genesis 2:18, God declares it is not good for man to be alone and promises to make a helper comparable to him. The English term "helper" might suggest an assistant or inferior laborer, but the Hebrew word "ezer," meaning aid or help, carries a deeper significance. This same word describes God as our help in Psalm 115:9-11, where He is our shield, showing that "ezer" does not imply inferiority but a unique position of strength and capability. God, as our "ezer," is fully qualified to aid us, and similarly, the woman is created to be uniquely positioned and capable of helping man in both physical and spiritual pursuits. Further, God describes this helper as "comparable" to man, using the Hebrew word "neged," meaning in front of, before, or in the presence. This term is also used in Exodus 34 to describe God standing before His covenantal people, promising marvels, and in Joshua 5, where the Commander of the Lord's army stands before Joshua with comfort and instruction. Thus, the woman, as man's "neged," is created to be constantly in his presence, a balancing counterpart, suitable and complementary. In Genesis 2:20, after Adam names the animals and finds no helper comparable to him, God creates woman from his rib, bringing her to him. Adam recognizes her as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, naming her in a way that reflects their perfect complement in every aspect. God's statement that it is not good for man to be alone underscores that man is incomplete by himself, created for intimate relationship. With the creation of Eve, Adam experiences the joy of love for another, and through marriage, God enables both men and women to learn sacrificial love, mirroring the relationship with Him. The man is to cleave to his wife, becoming one flesh, as seen in the covenantal unity God desires with His people. From the beginning, God makes it clear that woman is not inferior to man; she is his help, standing before him as complementary. Genesis 1:27 affirms that both men and women are made equally in God's image, sharing the same spiritual calling and opportunity. Proverbs 31 further illustrates the value God places on women, describing the virtuous wife who fears the Lord as a woman of strength, valor, and force. She actively cares for her household, works with her hands, makes decisions, purchases fields, generates profits, and maintains her physical strength. Her wisdom, kindness, and hard work contribute to her husband's success, and her family praises her as blessed. Her value extends beyond being a wife and mother, showing intelligence, resourcefulness, and productivity both inside and outside the home. God creates woman as an "ezer," uniquely capable of aiding man, and as his "neged," a constant, balancing presence. Through the covenant of marriage, mirroring the unity between God and His people, men and women learn to love sacrificially, becoming one flesh as Christ loves the church.

Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Woman was created as a helper comparable to man, designed to complement him in the marriage relationship. Her role, as established in the order of creation, is to support and aid her husband, making up for deficiencies and balancing the partnership as they become one flesh. This position does not imply inferiority or slavery, but a distinct function that harmonizes with man's leadership, as ordained by God. The wife is to help her husband fulfill the responsibilities God has placed upon him, reflecting a relationship of mutual purpose for God's glory. Her submission to her husband is not absolute as it is to the Lord, but is an expression of her duty to Him, done primarily for His sake and as part of her Christian behavior. By submitting, she displays a characteristic of God's way of life, showing that she no longer belongs to the world and its chaos. As a comparable helper, she offers qualities her husband may lack, supplementing him while recognizing his role as head, thus maintaining the order God established before sin distorted human relationships.

Should Women Work Outside the Home (Titus 2:4-5)?

Bible Questions & Answers

The primary responsibility of all married women should be the home and family, even if they hold outside jobs. Mothers of young children are especially encouraged to remain at home. Young women should be taught to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed. In cases where a husband cannot provide adequate support due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, it may be necessary for the wife to work temporarily to support the family. However, the happiness and security derived from being a wife and mother should not be sacrificed for extra money or material possessions. Any outside work that hinders a woman from properly fulfilling her responsibilities in the home is not worth the monetary gain she might receive.

Remembering Who We Are

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

In the divine plan, the role of woman as helper is a profound reflection of the relationship between the church and Jesus Christ. Just as God created a helpmeet for Adam, not from the dust but from his own flesh to signify intimate closeness, so too is the bride of Christ crafted to be a true companion to Him. Adam recognized Eve as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, acknowledging the deep bond and unity. This mirrors the future role of the church as a helpmeet to Jesus Christ, working alongside Him in all His endeavors with loyalty and energy. God designed the helpmeet for man as one of the most wonderful gifts, a partner of strength and character, noble, courageous, and diligent. This virtuous companion is not merely chaste but filled with moral excellence and excitement for her role. She is a crown to her husband, bringing joy and gladness through her qualities, just as the bride of Christ will bring joy to Him. She is trustworthy, diligent in her husband's projects, and concerned for those around her, reflecting the future role of the church in supporting and glorifying Christ. In marriage, the wife as helpmeet oversees the home, offers compassion, love, and tenderness, and softens the harshness of her husband, rounding out his nature. She encourages him in difficult times and provides faithful service to the family. Her insights and corrections are valuable, and a wise husband listens to her counsel. Similarly, the church, as the bride of Christ, will oversee responsibilities He entrusts, offer counsel, and be a trusted, faithful companion, working side by side with Him to right the world through the Millennium and beyond. The purpose of this helper role in marriage pictures the ultimate union of the church with Jesus Christ. It is a holy institution designed by God to reflect the deep unity and commitment expected in the spiritual marriage to come. As the helpmeet supports and complements her husband, so must the church complement Christ, submitting to His will with a positive attitude and deep respect, ensuring that nothing separates this sacred bond.

The Perfect Wife

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the beginning, God created man as male and female, giving them both the same responsibilities and powers as equals, each made in the image of God. Together, as one flesh, they complement one another, forming a more complete image of God through their different strengths. God declared that man should not be alone, and thus He made a helper comparable to him, a suitable companion to stand by his side. This helper, Eve, was formed from Adam's rib, signifying equality, as she was neither behind nor in front of him, but at his side as a companion. Both are in God's image, sharing the same essence, yet with distinct roles. The concept of woman as helper underscores her role as an aide, not as an inferior, but as one of comparable worth. Made from Adam's side, she is of the same humanity, not a separate or lesser being. This equality is evident in their shared creation in God's image, yet God established an order where Adam, created first, holds headship, and Eve, as the helper, supports him in their unified purpose as one flesh. Their union reflects a partnership where they function as a unit, with the woman helping and being a companion throughout life. Sin, however, introduced challenges to this ideal relationship. As a consequence of Eve's actions, God foretold that her desire would be to dominate her husband, yet he would rule over her, reflecting a struggle rather than cooperation. This prophecy highlights the natural result of sin, where women might seek to overthrow their husbands but often lack the strength to do so, leading to a life of pain and sorrow. Throughout history, this dynamic has often resulted in men dominating women, a deviation from God's original intent. The instruction in Scripture aims to guide humanity back to God's foundational design. Women are called to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, reflecting the church's submission to Christ. This submission is an act of humility and respect, not of inferiority, but of fulfilling the role God has ordained. It is a Christian duty, akin to other forms of submission under God's established order, and is meant to reverse the effects of sin by fostering faith, love, holiness, and self-control. A woman's salvation is tied to how well she fulfills her role as a godly woman, encompassing duties of motherhood and womanhood. Her judgment lies in how she responds to her husband and nurtures her family, areas where she faces opportunities for growth and overcoming. This role, though challenging, is precious in God's sight, as exemplified by Sarah, who recognized her husband's headship with a gentle and quiet spirit. God values this attitude and encourages women to do good without giving in to anxiety, trusting that He will support them in their submission. The portrayal of the perfect wife in Scripture reveals a woman of honor, worth beyond measure, and great fulfillment. Far from being oppressed, she is praised for her contributions, embodying opportunity and blessing when she follows God's instruction. This vision stands as a testament to God's design for marriage, where the woman as helper plays a vital role in achieving unity and reflecting His divine purpose.

Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Eleven)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Genesis 2:18-20, the LORD God declared that it is not good for man to be alone and decided to make a helper comparable to him. This concept of a helper is central to understanding the relationship designed by God. The term "helper comparable to him," as rendered in some translations, suggests a counterpart, one like man yet standing opposite to him, embodying both similarity and difference. This helper, woman, is like man in form, constitution, disposition, and affections, suitable to his nature and needs, yet distinct enough to complement and supplement him. She fills areas where he lacks, bringing her own strengths and talents to create a partnership exponentially better together. The Hebrew word "kenegedo," translated as "comparable," combines notions of similarity and opposition, indicating that while woman is made of the same essence as man, sharing similar intelligence, skills, and potential, she is also different in perspectives, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, aims, and needs. This balance of likeness and difference ensures compatibility and mutual enhancement. Scriptures such as Proverbs 12:4, 18:22, 19:14, and 31:10-12 highlight the value of a wife as a crown to her husband, a good thing that brings favor from the LORD, a prudent gift from Him, and a virtuous treasure beyond rubies, emphasizing trust, loyalty, and lifelong mutual benefit. In I Corinthians 11:7 and 11:11, it is shown that woman is the glory of man, and neither is independent of the other in the LORD, underscoring their mutual need and equal partnership. The term "helper" in Genesis 2:18 does not imply inferiority but simply one who aids, as seen in Psalms 33:20, 70:5, and 115:9, where God Himself is described as help and shield, superior yet aiding when needed. Thus, a wife helps her husband in areas of need, supplying strength where he lacks, without any connotation of lesser status, forming a covenant of equals designed by God for mutual support and growth.

Wonderful Women

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In the sacred narrative of creation, woman was formed as a helper to man, a role of profound significance. Genesis 2 reveals Eve, the mother of all living, crafted from Adam to be his companion in the Garden, sharing his work and responsibilities. As a helper comparable to him, Eve was not merely an assistant but a partner of equal spiritual essence, bearing the same potential for good and evil, and united with her husband as one flesh. This foundational truth underscores that man and woman complement each other, each incomplete without the other in the divine design of family life. The role of woman as helper extends into her duties as a wife and homemaker, embodying qualities that prepare her for God's Kingdom. Proverbs 31 portrays the virtuous woman as an exemplary home manager, scheduling time, making decisions, solving problems, delegating tasks, and caring for her household with strength and diligence. Her worth is far above rubies, as she does her husband good all the days of her life, willingly working with her hands and providing for her family with foresight and skill. This model woman prioritizes her family's success, extending her hands to the needy while maintaining her home with honor and wisdom. In the divine order, the relationship between husband and wife reflects a deeper spiritual reality. Ephesians 5 instructs wives to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord, mirroring the church's submission to Christ. This submission is not a mark of inferiority but a reflection of the order established by God, where the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the church. Husbands, in turn, are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, nourishing and cherishing them. This mutual service, rooted in reverence for God, illustrates that marriage was created to pattern Christ's relationship with His church, emphasizing the sacred role of woman as helper within this union. The role of woman as helper also encompasses her influence as a mother, shaping future generations with quiet strength and dedication. Examples like Jerusha and Jedidiah demonstrate how righteous women, through their service to family, raise children of steady character who bring blessing to a nation. Mary, the mother of Jesus, further exemplifies this role, nurturing Him with competence and resilience, contributing to a stable home life that shaped His earthly ministry. Her presence in His teachings reflects the profound impact of a woman's role in the home. Thus, woman as helper is a calling of immense value, integral to God's plan for family and society. Whether as wife, mother, or homemaker, her role develops character and skills akin to those of any leader, preparing her to serve in God's Kingdom with equal dignity and purpose alongside man.

Virtues Hard and Soft

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Genesis 2:18-24, God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone and declared that He would make a helper comparable to him. This helper, Eve, was created from Adam's flesh and bones, not from the dust of the ground, to signify her equality and similarity to him. The term "helper" does not imply subservience but rather a partner who comes alongside to assist, fulfilling what is missing in Adam. God Himself is described in similar terms in other parts of Scripture when He aids humanity, showing that this role is not demeaning but one of equal partnership with differing strengths. Through the process of naming the animals, Adam realized that none of them could be a suitable mate, understanding that his helper needed to be like him, made in God's image. When Adam awoke and saw Eve, he acknowledged their shared essence, declaring her as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, naming her Woman because she was taken out of Man. This reflects their unity and distinction as human beings, separate from animals and created to complement each other. In marriage, as described in verse 24, they become one flesh, forming a distinct unit where masculine and feminine traits combine to make them more complete and equipped to face the world. The woman, as helper, brings a perspective and abilities that aid the man, enhancing their partnership to achieve what neither could fully accomplish alone.

The Two Shall Become One

Sermon by Bill Onisick

From the beginning, God's plan was for the two to become one, as seen in the creation of male and female in His image. In Genesis 2:18, the Lord God declared it is not good for man to be alone, and He decided to make a helper comparable to him. The term "helper," translated from the Hebrew word "azar," does not imply inferiority but signifies a profound role, as this same word is used in the Psalms to describe the Lord as our help and shield. The woman, created in God's image just as the man, is an equal companion meant to complete him. This relationship mirrors the deep reliance we have on God, emphasizing the significant bond between husband and wife. As Genesis 2:24 states, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, becoming one flesh, united in purpose and design. God's intent from the start was for one man and one woman to join together, bringing different attributes to the relationship and literally completing each other.

Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God established the order of family relationships, creating Eve after Adam, not as a slave, but as a companion, prefiguring Christ and His Church.

What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Radical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.

Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Twelve)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although authority over the family unit was given to the husband, man and woman were created to be complementary and supplementary to one another.

The Role of Women

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Even though feminist leaders have attacked the Bible for allegedly denigrating and demeaning women, God's Word emphasizes the honor and dignity of women.

Husbands, Love Your Wives

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Gratitude must be cultivated with expressions of thanksgiving in marriage, avoiding the pitfalls of materialism, entitlement, victimhood, and narcissism.

God's Real Transformation

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Jesus is transforming His Bride into something beautiful, mirroring His godly character. He is preparing us to carry out our responsibilities.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Becoming equipped for leadership requires that we discipline ourselves in following God's way of life, allowing the mind of Jesus Christ to be in us in.

Parenting (Part 3): Mothers

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The mother provides a gentle, cherishing quality to child rearing compatible with the strength provided by her husband.

Do We Truly Honor God in Our Actions?

Sermon by Kim Myers

We've all read the verses that state that the Word of God is the Bread of Life, but do we consistently practice what it teaches, and thus honor God?

Proverbs 31 and the Wife of Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Proverbs 31 is far more than an idealized portrait of womanhood or a generic symbol of the Church; it is divinely placed, constituting a weekly Sabbath plumb line.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Universal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.

Dating Outside the Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Dating outside the church is fraught with dangers, yoking a believer with an unbeliever and complicating the spiritual overcoming and growth process.

The Two Great Commandments: First Principles

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God made male and female in His image and has determined that the binary metamorphize into unitary in order to accomplish higher Spiritual purposes.

Friendship

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

True Proverbs 18 friends are those who stick with us in this life and will wait for us as we finish our spiritual race.