A woman is a mother, daughter, sister, wife, life-bearer, friend, and companion. She exhibits many beautiful qualities, and G-d has a very specific purpose for her.
The enemy has tried to distort her purpose by objectifying her, abusing her, diminishing her to mere chattel, enslaved her in human trafficking, silenced her voice, and restricted her influence in the world.
What is Abba Father’s purpose for the woman? Let’s go back to the very beginning when He announced her creation. His words were very specific. His proclamation over her set her purpose in motion.
She was not created first, the man was. There is a unique numerical significance on how G-d created man and woman. Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet (Alephbet) is assigned a number. The first letter, A (Aleph), is assigned the number 1. The letter Aleph represents a pictorial image of an ox. The ox represents immense strength and power. It is also a leader. A younger ox is often yoked to an older, more experienced ox. The older ox leads the way. An ox also is used to break the ground when plowing, paving the way. This is why men and masculinity represent strength, primacy, and leadership. (To learn more, please check out last week’s article “What is a Man”)
The woman is the second human created. The second letter, B (Beth), is assigned the number two. Beth represents a house or household. Adonai established the household once Eve was introduced. Her creation also established companionship and marriage.
The number two also represents a double witness. It provides direction. Two points create a line or a ray, which gives direction.
When Adonai proclaimed, “It isn’t good that man should be alone. I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him.” (Genesis 2:18) Her introduction to the world represented companionship and intimacy.
Her ability to create and nurture life birthed a tribe of people, which, in turn, creates a community, which spiritually represents the “Body of Believers.” Wow! What an incredible progression G-d put in motion when a woman was created. Companionship, community, and unity within the Body of Yahshua! This is something men must protect!
She is the nurturer and life-giving force. She can take a house and create a home. She is the gentle, feminine side. Have you ever noticed when a child gets injured, who they will run to? Mom! She offers protection in a different way. Her instruction and leadership with children and coworkers is done with a different style.
If her purpose is not spiritually and physically honored and protected by the man, the home and her influence will be compromised. His protection, not just with his wife, but with women in general, allows the woman to do what she is created to do. When the man is absent or abusive, the “covering” is gone.
Both single and married women fulfill their purpose by creating community, as well as nurturing and developing what tasks are at hand. They can process and produce excellent work.
Proverbs 31:16-20, “She considers a field, then buys it, and from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She gathers her strength around her and throws herself into her work. She sees that her business affairs go well; her lamp stays lit at night. She puts her hands to the staff with the flax; her fingers hold the spinning rod. She reaches out to embrace the poor and opens her arms to the needy.”
Within marriage, she is a companion (on many levels) and an equal to her husband. Most translations state that she was created to be the man’s “helper” (ezer). However, the customary translation doesn’t quite portray the best interpretation. Companion is a better word.
“The Hebrew word ezer is a combination of two roots: ‘-z-r, meaning “to rescue, to save” and ‘-g-z-r, meaning “to be strong.” Genesis 2:18 can be translated as “I will make a power (or strength) corresponding to man.”
So, if G-d makes for the man a woman fully his equal and fully his match, in this way, the man’s loneliness will be assuaged.
The same line of reasoning occurs with apostle Paul in
1 Corinthians 11:10, “For this reason, a woman must have power (or authority) on her head (that is to say, invested in her).”
This line of reasoning stresses full equality, which is confirmed when Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Bone of my bones is a very close relative to “one of us” or “my equal.”
Women, like men, bear the stamp of Adonai’s image. Men and women were created equal (Gen 1;27; 5:1-2) Women play prominent roles in many key biblical narratives.
Yet scripture teaches divinely ordained distinctions between men and women. Men are assigned duties of headship and protection in the home.
Women are set apart for a special honor.
1 Peter 3:7 “You husbands, likewise, conduct your married lives with understanding. Although your wife may be weaker physically, you should respect her as a fellow-heir of the gift of Life. If you don’t, your prayers will be blocked.”
There is a much-debated verse that shows a fundamental principle in how husbands and wives are to treat each other.
Colossians 3:18-19, “Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t treat them harshly.” How does this scripture fit within the understanding that men and women are created equal? It goes back to the beginning of the order in which man and woman were created. It is a very significant hierarchical order in the spiritual realm that Adonai has established. When we operate outside of this order, it creates dysfunction and disorder.
There is a very significant hierarchical order in the spiritual realm that Adonai has established.
Man was created to be the Aleph/ox/ leader. Woman was designed to be the Beth, house family. She is the co-companion with man.
The word that is hotly debated is the word “subject” or “submit,” yet this word is used many times in scripture and not just in Colossians 3:18.
To subject or submit is the word “hupotasso” which means to “subordinate, be under obedience.”
Let’s understand the word study of “hupotasso.” Ephesians 5:21-24 explains the hierarchical spiritual order.
Ephesians 5:21-24:
21 Submit to one another in fear of the Messiah.
22 Wives should submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord;
23 because the husband is head of the wife, just as the Messiah, as head of the Messianic Community, is himself the one who keeps the body safe.
24 Just as the Messianic Community submits to the Messiah, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
It is a spiritual, universal hierarchical order.
Here are some other references to hupotasso
Romans 10:3, “Their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Hebrews 2:8,” Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under”
James 4:7, ” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee”
1 Peter 2:3,” Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake:”
The biblical understanding of submission is to place yourself in alignment with the other person. Submission is what you do before G-d, out of reverence for Yahshua. Man is to be subject, or in alignment, with the righteousness of Adonai. All things must be subject, or in alignment to Adonai’s commandments. Every knee will bow; we will all be subject or in alignment with Adonai’s universal order.
G-d has created a hierarchical order. When we are in alignment, things are in order. When we challenge, disobey, or buck the system, we are out of order.
When the wife comes alongside and is in alignment or in agreement with her husband, there is order. When she is not in agreement or alignment with her husband, then there is disorder.
Think of it this way, when children line up in the classroom, they line up in single file. Someone has to be first in line. You can’t have a line without someone leading the line. When you “get in line,” you are coming in alignment. You are getting behind them, but you are all going in the same direction. You are in agreement with where you are going.
Man and woman need to be in alignment with Adonai. Man and wife need to be in alignment with each other. It doesn’t mean that the husband gets to make all the decisions; it is just that there is an agreement with the decision, and he gets to lead the way. There is always mutual respect in the decision making. As long as the wife doesn’t keep jockeying for leadership and the husband leads (like the ox) with loving-kindness, then protection and order will ensue.
This is the spiritual, heavenly order. Because the Messiah is the head, He can protect the body. Because the man is the head, he can protect the family. This is how we are created.
A woman is a powerful creation. She is the only creation that was not formed from dust. She was created from another creation. She is to be honored and valued. She brings forth life and community and creates a home. Her home is an extension of who she is. She will need security and protection in the home.
Husbands must love their wives as he loves himself, and the wife must give her husband respect to lead. (Eph. 5:33). However, the text also applies to each of you individually: let each man love his wife as he does himself, and see that the wife respects her husband. This is congruent with Matthew 7:12, “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.
Eve’s entry into the world represents companionship and community.
The woman can help the man (if he will let her) see aspects of his life, which, if overlooked or ignored, can prevent him from reaching his focus and goal. Her perception can help him from being blindsided as he pursues his goals and objectives.
Proverbs 31:10-12, “Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far beyond that of pearls. Her husband trusts her from his heart, and she will prove a great asset to him. She works to bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
The creation of woman was to demonstrate that man was never meant to be alone. Adonai’s introduction of the woman revealed His divine purpose of unity, intimacy, and community.
Amen & Shalom,
Eliyahu Praise
