As many of you know, the title of my book is The Good Wife’s Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet. A few readers have kindly approached me to point out that the subtitle might have a typo.
“Shouldn’t the word be help mate?” They ask. And as much as I like the word “mate,” the answer is “no.” It’s actually not a typo it’s a biblical term found in Genesis chapter two:
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” ~ Genesis 2:18, KJV
So what exactly is a help meet? She is his “ezer kenegdo.”
Looking to the Hebrew text we see the word `ezer (Strong’s H5828) which means, a helper or an aid and the second part of the word “meet” is ‘kenegdo,’ meaning suitable.
What’s interesting to note is that the same word is found several times throughout the Old Testament when describing God as our helper.
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he [is] their help and their shield. ~ Psalm 115:11
But the incredibly interesting part about this is that in nearly every reference where this term is used, God is coming to the rescue where He protects His people and defeats the enemy.
Reading these passages I couldn’t help but wonder if my purpose in being a help meet ran deeper than merely doing the dishes and folding his socks. Could it be that my purpose is to fight alongside my husband in battle? To pray for him, to encourage him in his walk of faith and to exemplify a strong faith of my own?
Don’t get me wrong, Titus 2 calls me to encourage you to be a good keeper of your home, so don’t put down the Swiffer Duster just yet! But being a good keeper of the home includes watching over the affairs of your family–in other words “guarding the castle from attack.”
What I’m suggesting here is that we make a conscious effort to nurture our husbands spiritually through prayer and edification.
Suit up for battle by putting on the armor of God, so that you will be equipped to not only help him, but to help your children in their time of need.
The complete armor of God is found in Ephesians chapter six (and I hope you take time to read it) but here are two of the verses that particularly stand out to me as I consider the ways in which our families come under attack.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (v.16)
Our husbands, our children, and we ourselves are constantly faced with negative messages. When we are standing strong in faith, we are prepared to quench each and every one with wisdom and strength from the Lord. This is why it’s so important that we stand guard over our heart and those that we love.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (v.18)
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene
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