Ä “A Suitable Helper” ä Genesis 2:18. A Suitable Helper ä Introduction: ä A.“I will make him a helper suitable for him."

““A Suitable Helper”A Suitable Helper”Genesis 2:18Genesis 2:18

A Suitable HelperA Suitable Helper

Introduction:Introduction:

A.“I will make him a helper suitable for him."A.“I will make him a helper suitable for him."


B. “A helper suitable” means “an appropriate B. “A helper suitable” means “an appropriate helper.”helper.”


C. 1 Cor. 11:8, 9, “For man is not from woman, C. 1 Cor. 11:8, 9, “For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.”the woman, but woman for the man.”


D. Therefore, the woman should help her D. Therefore, the woman should help her husband. She should be very interested in every husband. She should be very interested in every aspect of his life, physical and spiritual.aspect of his life, physical and spiritual.


E. In this study we are going to review some E. In this study we are going to review some examples of Bible women that were or were not examples of Bible women that were or were not “suitable helpers.”“suitable helpers.”


EVE. Gen. 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the EVE. Gen. 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree tree was was good for food, that it good for food, that it was was pleasant to the pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make eyes, and a tree desirable to make one one wise, she wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”husband with her, and he ate.”

Would you call herWould you call her a a suitable helpersuitable helper??


1 Tim. 2:14, “And Adam was not deceived, but 1 Tim. 2:14, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”transgression.”


She let Satan deceive her and then she persuaded She let Satan deceive her and then she persuaded her husband to sin also. her husband to sin also.

That was certainly NOT the plan of God. That was certainly NOT the plan of God. She should have insisted on obedience and not on She should have insisted on obedience and not on

disobedience.disobedience.


At once we see that the woman has much At once we see that the woman has much influence over the man, for evil as well as for influence over the man, for evil as well as for good.good.


NOAH’S WIFE. NOAH’S WIFE. Gen. 6:22, “Thus Noah did; Gen. 6:22, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” did.”

What did his wife say about that?What did his wife say about that?


Did she say “Not me, you’re crazy, there has Did she say “Not me, you’re crazy, there has never been a flood, never been a flood,

-- you’re going to shame us before all the -- you’re going to shame us before all the neighbors, neighbors,

-- that idea of an ark is nonsense?”-- that idea of an ark is nonsense?”


Did she talk that way? Did she talk that way? I don’t think so. Genesis 7:1 says, "Come into I don’t think so. Genesis 7:1 says, "Come into

the ark, you and all your household.” the ark, you and all your household.” 1 Pet. 3:20, eight persons saved, therefore, all 1 Pet. 3:20, eight persons saved, therefore, all

were faithful.were faithful.


– – SARAH, ABRAHAM’S WIFE.SARAH, ABRAHAM’S WIFE. 1 Pet. 3:1-6, “1 Pet. 3:1-6, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to

your own husbands… -- as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”


LOT’S WIFE. LOT’S WIFE. Gen. 13:12, When Lot separated from his uncle Gen. 13:12, When Lot separated from his uncle

Abraham, he chose the best for himself and Abraham, he chose the best for himself and “pitched “pitched his his tent even as far as Sodom.”tent even as far as Sodom.”


What did his wife say about that? What did his wife say about that? She should have – and probably She should have – and probably could have could have

persuaded him that they were doing wrong. persuaded him that they were doing wrong. Being in submission doesn’t mean “o.k., just Being in submission doesn’t mean “o.k., just

whatever you say…”whatever you say…” Materialism destroys many families.Materialism destroys many families.


Move without investigating to see if there is a Move without investigating to see if there is a faithful church, faithful church,

-- what effect it will have on the family, the -- what effect it will have on the family, the environment for children… environment for children…

-- being away from home… (fatherless home).-- being away from home… (fatherless home). -- Only $$$? Best salary or business opportunity?-- Only $$$? Best salary or business opportunity?


Gen. 19:17, the angels told them, “Escape for Gen. 19:17, the angels told them, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you.”your life! Do not look behind you.”


Gen. 19:26, “But his wife looked back behind Gen. 19:26, “But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”him, and she became a pillar of salt.”


Instead of supporting her husband in obeying Instead of supporting her husband in obeying God, she disobeyed, God, she disobeyed,

-- wanting to have her own way, she lost her life -- wanting to have her own way, she lost her life and Lot lost his wife.and Lot lost his wife.


Manoa’s wife, (Samson’s mother), Manoa’s wife, (Samson’s mother), Judges 13:22, Judges 13:22, 23, “And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall 23, “And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!"surely die, because we have seen God!"


ButBut his his wifewife said to him, said to him, -- "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would -- "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would

not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands."offering from our hands."


I imagine that every husband thinks that he has I imagine that every husband thinks that he has married an intelligent wife. married an intelligent wife.

Therefore, he should listen to her and consult Therefore, he should listen to her and consult with her. 1 Pet. 3:7, “understanding …honor …” with her. 1 Pet. 3:7, “understanding …honor …”

Many times she thinks more clearly than her Many times she thinks more clearly than her husband.husband.


Hannah, wife of Elcanah. Hannah, wife of Elcanah. 1 Sam. 1:11, being barren, asked for a son,1 Sam. 1:11, being barren, asked for a son, -- promising, “I will give him to the LORD all the -- promising, “I will give him to the LORD all the

days of his life”.days of his life”.


Her famous son was the Her famous son was the prophet Samuel prophet Samuel - - -- who was dedicated to the Lord to serve in the -- who was dedicated to the Lord to serve in the

tabernacle from childhood.tabernacle from childhood.


Every woman should imitate Hannah, Every woman should imitate Hannah, -- dedicating her son or daughter to God, -- dedicating her son or daughter to God, -- not in the tabernacle, but in their daily life. -- not in the tabernacle, but in their daily life. -- In this way Hanna was the ideal “suitable -- In this way Hanna was the ideal “suitable

helper.”helper.”


1 Tim. 2:15, “she will be saved in childbearing if 1 Tim. 2:15, “she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control… self-control…

1 Tim. 5:14 I desire that 1 Tim. 5:14 I desire that the the younger younger widows widows marry, bear children, manage the house.”marry, bear children, manage the house.”


Titus 2:4Titus 2:4, “admonish the young women to love , “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”not be blasphemed.”


In this way the woman is a “suitable helper.” In this way the woman is a “suitable helper.” This is her principal role, for her own happiness This is her principal role, for her own happiness

and for that of her husband and children.and for that of her husband and children.


Bathsheba, wife of Uriah. Bathsheba, wife of Uriah. 2 Sam. 11:2, “it happened that David walked on 2 Sam. 11:2, “it happened that David walked on

the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman saw a woman bathing, and the woman was was very very beautiful to behold.” beautiful to behold.”


David committed adultery with her, and gave David committed adultery with her, and gave orders that her husband, Uriah the Hittite, be orders that her husband, Uriah the Hittite, be placed in the “the front line of the fiercest battle” placed in the “the front line of the fiercest battle” so he would be killed.so he would be killed.


Then David took Bathsheba for his wife. Then David took Bathsheba for his wife.

Is this the way to be a “suitable helper” of her Is this the way to be a “suitable helper” of her legitimate husband?legitimate husband?


Matt. 5:28, “whoever looks at a woman to lust for Matt. 5:28, “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”his heart.”

-- It’s a sin to lust for a woman, but what about -- It’s a sin to lust for a woman, but what about the lack of modesty in the woman? the lack of modesty in the woman?

-- Both are guilty. -- Both are guilty.


Jezebel, wife of King Ahab. Jezebel, wife of King Ahab. 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:31, “he married Jezebel the daughter “he married Jezebel the daughter

of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him.”serve Baal and worshiped him.”


Ahab was a king of Israel, but he married a Ahab was a king of Israel, but he married a pagan woman (“of the Sidonians”) who pagan woman (“of the Sidonians”) who worshipped idols worshipped idols

-- and due to her strong influence over him, was -- and due to her strong influence over him, was one of the worst kings of Israel.one of the worst kings of Israel.


Was she a “suitable helper”? Was she a “suitable helper”? She “helped” him to completely leave God. She “helped” him to completely leave God. What can be expected when a man marries this What can be expected when a man marries this

kind of woman?kind of woman?


1 Kings 21. Ahab wanted the vineyard of Naboth.1 Kings 21. Ahab wanted the vineyard of Naboth. -- but he did not want to sell it to him because it -- but he did not want to sell it to him because it

was an inheritance from his fathers. was an inheritance from his fathers. --Ahab was very sad and Jezebel wanted to --Ahab was very sad and Jezebel wanted to

“help” him.“help” him.


She commanded that two perverse men accuse She commanded that two perverse men accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the king –Naboth of blaspheming God and the king –

-- so they could stone him and then Ahab could -- so they could stone him and then Ahab could take possession of the vineyard. take possession of the vineyard.

That’s how she “That’s how she “helpedhelped” him.” him.


What about Job’s wife?What about Job’s wife? Job 2:7, “So Satan went out from the presence of Job 2:7, “So Satan went out from the presence of

the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”head.”


Job 2:8 And he took for himself a potsherd with Job 2:8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. of the ashes.

2:9, Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold 2:9, Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? fast to your integrity?

Curse God and die!"Curse God and die!"


What a good “suitable helper”! What a good “suitable helper”! Instead of encouraging him to persist in his Instead of encouraging him to persist in his

fidelity, she wanted to discourage him and even fidelity, she wanted to discourage him and even denounce God.denounce God.


God said that Job was perfect (1:1) and Satan God said that Job was perfect (1:1) and Satan said he only served God for what he could get out said he only served God for what he could get out of it. of it.

Therefore God was permitting Satan to put Job Therefore God was permitting Satan to put Job to the test. to the test.


Job’s wife becomes an accomplice of Satan. Job’s wife becomes an accomplice of Satan. What trial could be more terrible than this, that What trial could be more terrible than this, that

his own wife would talk that way? his own wife would talk that way?


Elisabeth, wife of Zacharias. Elisabeth, wife of Zacharias. Luke 1:5, “Luke 1:5, “There was a certain priest named There was a certain priest named

Zacharias. His wife’s name Zacharias. His wife’s name was was Elizabeth.Elizabeth.””


Luke 1:6,Luke 1:6, And they were And they were bothboth righteous before righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”ordinances of the Lord blameless.”


How many evangelists, elders and others have How many evangelists, elders and others have been shamed been shamed

-- and their influence practically destroyed by the -- and their influence practically destroyed by the conduct of the wife?conduct of the wife?


This is indeed being “a suitable helper.” This is indeed being “a suitable helper.” BOTH were just and conducted themselves BOTH were just and conducted themselves

blamelessly in ALL the commandments of the blamelessly in ALL the commandments of the Lord. Lord.

The husband was a priest and the wife supported The husband was a priest and the wife supported him in everything.him in everything.


Herodias, Herod’s wife. Herodias, Herod’s wife. Mark 6:18, Mark 6:18, “John had said to Herod, "It is not “John had said to Herod, "It is not

lawful for you to have your brother's wife." lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Therefore Herodias held it against him and Therefore Herodias held it against him and

wanted to kill him, but she could not.”wanted to kill him, but she could not.”


She was not “a suitable helper” of her first She was not “a suitable helper” of her first husband (Philip, Herod’s brother), husband (Philip, Herod’s brother),

--and now being reproved for her sin, she is --and now being reproved for her sin, she is furious and resolved to take vengeance on John.furious and resolved to take vengeance on John.


Herod made a very rash promise to Salome, Herod made a very rash promise to Salome, daughter of Herodias, to give her whatever she daughter of Herodias, to give her whatever she asked up to the half of his kingdom. asked up to the half of his kingdom.

And what did she ask? And what did she ask? "I want you to give me at once the head of John "I want you to give me at once the head of John

the Baptist on a platter."the Baptist on a platter."


No one is capable of blessing more than a good No one is capable of blessing more than a good woman, woman,

-- but there is no one that is capable of wounding -- but there is no one that is capable of wounding and doing more damage to others than the and doing more damage to others than the infuriated woman, full of hate and passion.infuriated woman, full of hate and passion.


Sapphira, wife of Ananias, Sapphira, wife of Ananias, Acts 5:1, “Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a Acts 5:1, “Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a

possession. And he kept back possession. And he kept back part part of the of the proceeds, proceeds,

-- his wife also being aware -- his wife also being aware of it..” of it..”


““and brought a certain part and laid and brought a certain part and laid it it at the at the apostles' feet. apostles' feet.

And Peter answered And Peter answered herher: "Tell me whether you : "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" sold the land for so much?"

She said, "Yes, for so much."She said, "Yes, for so much."


What should she have done? What should she have done? Told him that she would have no part in such a Told him that she would have no part in such a

plan --plan -- -- because it was their offering to God and that -- because it was their offering to God and that

they had to do it with all sincerity.they had to do it with all sincerity.


What if she had spoken up and opposed what he What if she had spoken up and opposed what he was doing?was doing?

Probably that that tragedy would have been Probably that that tragedy would have been avoided, avoided,

-- because -- because such is the influence of a good wife.such is the influence of a good wife.


Priscilla, wife of Aquila. Priscilla, wife of Aquila. Acts 18:1-3, Acts 18:1-3, ““Paul…stayed with them.” Paul and Aquila were Paul…stayed with them.” Paul and Aquila were

of the same trade (tentmakers) of the same trade (tentmakers) -- and Priscilla practiced -- and Priscilla practiced hospitalityhospitality toward Paul. toward Paul.


Rom. 16:5, “Likewise Rom. 16:5, “Likewise greet greet the church that is in the church that is in their house,” their house,”

-- the house of Aquila and Priscilla.-- the house of Aquila and Priscilla.


Also they practiced hospitality toward the Also they practiced hospitality toward the church. church.

To offer one’s home for the services of the church To offer one’s home for the services of the church is something very significant. is something very significant.

How many wives are willing to do this?How many wives are willing to do this?


Acts 18:26, Apollos “began to speak boldly in the Acts 18:26, Apollos “began to speak boldly in the synagogue. synagogue.

--When Aquila --When Aquila and Priscillaand Priscilla heard him, heard him, theythey took took him aside and explained to him the way of God him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”more accurately.”


This faithful wife was a This faithful wife was a good studentgood student of the of the Scriptures. Scriptures.

She knew the doctrine and helped her husband to She knew the doctrine and helped her husband to explain more accurately the way of God to an explain more accurately the way of God to an eloquent evangelist.eloquent evangelist.


CONCLUSION. All these examples teach women CONCLUSION. All these examples teach women what they should be and do, what they should be and do,

-- as well as what they should not be and do in -- as well as what they should not be and do in order to be “a suitable helper.”order to be “a suitable helper.”


Are you Are you avoidingavoiding the bad practices of women like the bad practices of women like Eve, Bathsheba, Jezebel, Herodias, Sapphira, the Eve, Bathsheba, Jezebel, Herodias, Sapphira, the wife of Lot and the wife of Job? wife of Lot and the wife of Job?


Are you Are you imitatingimitating the good qualities of women the good qualities of women like the wife of Noah, Sarah, the wife of Manoah, like the wife of Noah, Sarah, the wife of Manoah, Hannah, Elisabeth and Priscilla?Hannah, Elisabeth and Priscilla?

Una Ayuda Idónea – A Suitable HelperUna Ayuda Idónea – A Suitable Helper

Documents

Ä “A Suitable Helper” ä Genesis 2:18. A Suitable Helper ä Introduction: ä A.“I will make him a helper suitable for him."