Another year has rolled in and as I sit in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the story of creation, I am struck by the profound role that the woman has in God’s grand plan as seen in the Genesis 1:26-27
26. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,
in our likeness, so that they may rule
over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,
over the livestock and all the wild animals,
and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27. So God created mankind in his image,
in the image of God, he created them;
male and female, he created them.
God had created a beautiful world and needed an overseer to manage all that he had created. The above verses reveal that both men and women were created in the image of God and imbued with inherent value and worth.
In Genesis 2:18-24, we see the creation of Eve, the first woman. God says “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him”. In the course of translation from Hebrew, the word helper seems to have lost its value. In the original text, the word helper was called ezer. The word ezer directly translates to rescuer, ally, hero, or someone who comes running when people cry out for help. This word is also used to describe God (YHWH) as the helper of his people several times in the scriptures.
This passage reveals that Eve was created as a strong, willing, and capable partner for Adam in their shared life and mission. This helps us understand that God did not provide inferior help to Adam but one that would complement him.
As I reflect on these passages, I am reminded of the beauty and dignity of women in God’s creation. We were created to be strong and capable partners to assist and support one another in our God-given mission of life.
But what does this imply for us today? How can we live out our roles as women in God’s plan? For me, it means embracing my strengths and abilities and using them to support those around me. It means recognizing my inherent value and the capabilities that I was bestowed with.
What does being a woman in God’s plan mean to you? How do you intend to live out God’s purpose as a woman in contemporary times? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
