Ebenezer

Hi sisters,

This word, ebenezer, came up in my quiet time in I Samuel 7. The short background is this. The people of Israel were turning from serving Baal and Ashtaroth to serving Yahweh only. Samuel asked the people to gather at a place called Mizpah where he would pray for the people. Here is the rest of the story:

Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”

Ebenezer means “stone of help.” I immediately remembered that “ezer” is used to describe Eve. In Genesis 2:18, God says He will make Adam an “ezer kenegdo” (which is often translated as helpmate). Then I also recalled that God is called our “Ezer” in verses such as Psalm 33:20.

“Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help (ezer) and our shield.“

I started to wonder: what is the context when the Bible uses the word ezer? I found that ezer is used 20 times and only used to describe God other than the time used to describe Eve. When it is used, it is in the context of battle or rescue from perilous circumstances. For example, notice Psalm 33:20 uses ezer in the same phrase as shield. Below are the preceding verses to Psalm 33:20. They warn us not to assume victory is won by the might of an army or by physical strength (16-19):

“The king is not saved by his great army;
    a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
    and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
    on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
    and keep them alive in famine.“

The word help does not seem to fully capture the weight of the circumstances of the verses above because in the Bible “help” is essential for victory. Help in the English language seems to evoke feelings of servitude. Or help is a nice gesture, like helping with chores. But help in the Bible is the difference between life and death. Help is battle language.

Therefore, I pondered what it would mean that God gave the name ezer kenegdo to women. I became keenly aware that we operate in our design when we are in battle! Robert Alter says it would be better to translate ezer kenegdo as “lifesaver.” Of course this is not to take the place of God as being the ultimate Lifesaver and the Giver of life. However, God has woven this part of His image into us as women! We as women operate in God’s image by being on the battlefield and being part of saving life!

What does that mean?

I know it can’t be stereotyped or seen as a one-size-fits-all definition. I think of Ephesians 6:10-20 where Paul is describing the armor of God. A woman who is going to be on the battlefield must be equipped for it. For example, we need our sword: the Word of God; therefore, being saturated in the Word is essential. At the end of the armor verses, Paul says we are to pray always. Prayer gives us tactical advantage against the powers of darkness.

I also think of Isaiah 58 where God is calling the people to true fasting. Operating as a lifesaver means we do not simply spend our time in religious activity, but that our actions actually bring life to the oppressed, outcast, hungry, poor, and afflicted. In other words, our spirituality also manifests physically. Jesus reiterates this principle in Matthew 25:31-46.

I think of Proverbs 1:20-21. Wisdom is a feminine noun in the Bible. In verse 20, we are told “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.” Sounds contradictory to verses that talk about women being “quiet” (I Timothy 2:12). But remember, as I have mentioned in this blog previously, there are many seemingly contradictory passages in the Bible. Even in the New Testament we find very bold women who clearly speak up and are honored (Lydia, Phoebe, and Priscilla; the four daughters of Philip who prophesied – Acts 21:9). Therefore, a lifesaver knows when the battle requires her to be quiet AND when it requires her to speak on behalf of truth, justice, and God’s Word. For example, maybe the battle plan is to plead with God in prayer in private to end human trafficking. Or maybe the battle plan is to advocate in the streets and in the courts. On our knees or in the streets; both save life.

Then of course, I think of Matthew 28:19-20 and Titus 2:3-5. God wants us on the battlefield in making disciples. We are called to train the next generation of women.

God’s redemption plan includes us women being in the fight because He wove ezer into our very identity. So, my fellow ezer kenegdos, are you on the battlefield?