gengwall

Although it has been done to death, I feel again it is important to completely explore ‘ezer in order to understand that it does NOT mean helper in the sense that complimentarians mean it, i.e. subordinate.

In Exodus 18:4, God is the ‘ezer of Eliezer and His “help” is described as “deliverance” from “the sword of Pharoah. An ‘ezer is a deliverer from harm.

In Deuteronomy 33:7, God is the ‘ezer of Judah, helping him “contend…against his adversaries”. An ‘ezer is a co-contender for a goal or prize and against enemies.

In Deuteronomy 33:26, God is the ‘ezer “who rides the heavens to your help”. An ‘ezer is a rescuer.

In Deuteronomy 33:29, God is the ‘ezer, “the shield of your help”. An ‘ezer is a protector!

And it goes on and on. There is nothing in scripture that possibly can attest to ‘ezer being a subordinate or servant. Surely God is not under the authority of those he helps! Nor is Adam’s ‘ezer, Eve, under Adam’s authority. It would nearly blasphemous to say so. Of course, neither is Adam under Eve’s authority. The whole idea of ‘ezer in relation to God is that he partners with those he helps to accomplish a goal. There is no exerciseing of authority at all in these relationships. Certainly, God is in authority over us in the grand sense. But God is not exercising authority when he is our ‘ezer, he is exercising partnership. Authority or any other hierarchical structure simply is not an element of the word ‘ezer.