Ezer Kenegdo

Happy International Women’s Day! I am cherishing these early years and moments with my girls. Today it was them choosing to match and having a tea party. I love how girly my little ladies are, but also love that their identities aren’t limited to princess parties and outward beauty. The next minute, they were outside adventuring as super heroes in the dirt, and yes, while still in their tutus. #warriorprincesses #ezerkenegdo

When God made the first woman Eve, he called her an “ezer kenegdo” which means “strength corresponding to” man. God describes HIMSELF as OUR ezer or “strong helper” throughout scripture, in battles and in hard times. I’m so grateful to give my daughters God’s words for them as an “ezer kenegdo” to shape their identity in a world where culture and even church tradition has abused, limited, and stereotyped women, in all cultures and for all of time- it’s part of the curse after sin entered, that men and women would struggle like this. But the gospel frees us from the cycle.

I think God’s original design for men and women to work together as partners has never flourished in our sinful world because the force of men and women coming together with their unique differences (kenegdo) in bearing God’s image would be an unstoppable force! It’s the “blessed alliance” of men and women working together that I’m raising my kids to go after- God’s big vision for us to love God and others alongside each other.

The future isn’t just male, and the future isn’t just female either- the future is male AND female, it’s us coming together as a team, which was God’s original plan for his male and female image bearers seen in Genesis 1:28 BEFORE the fall, that we would “rule, subdue, be fruitful and multiple” alongside each other. 👫 Here’s to strong women- may we be them, may we know them and may we raise them 💪🏽👧🏼👧🏿👧🏻💗