Restoration of the Divine Helper

God’s grand perspective of women, from Genesis to Paul

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From the very first pages of Scripture, God had something magnificent in mind for women — and the story has never changed. This book traces that story from Genesis through the writings of Paul, uncovering what God always intended for women and how the whole arc of the Bible moves toward their restoration and glory.

While the apostle Paul is often accused of being a woman-hater, we will see that he actively confronts the cultural values of his time in order to restore the woman’s glory. Throughout the book, misunderstandings will be addressed, and passages that reflect the glory of women will be presented.

For those who want to go deeper, a companion video series expands on the book’s message — from the restoration of the Divine Helper to Christ’s direction for the church. With over six hours of teaching across the sessions, Dr. Eckman brings the material to life for personal study or small groups.

Excerpt from Chapter One

What is Headship?

In 1 Corinthians 11:3, we read that God is the Head of Christ; Christ is the Head of the Church; the man is the Head of the woman. The Head is a decision maker but also the source of life including the kind of life that is inherited. Adam’s moral choice determined the moral life of Eve, the moral life of those that Eve would bear, and the moral life of every human being born on this planet. Only one exception exists and that is Christ, born of the Virgin Mary. Adam had a unique role to play, and Eve had a unique role to play. Let us now examine hers.

“But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good or beneficial, it is not a good thing, for the man to be alone I will make him a helper suitable for him.’

Genesis 2:18

Two juxtaposed realities need to be clearly noticed. One is the seriousness of the death threat, and the other is the immediate comment that Adam needs help. The most obvious place he needs help is to be kept from getting executed by God!

Again, the word for helper is a wonderful Hebrew word, azer. This word azer appears over 20 times in the Old Testament and 16 times it is used of God. The related verb, noun, and adjective derived forms of azer are used with reference to God 60 times in the Old Testament! Azer always refers to a significant helper like God: a king, a prince, or a great warrior. In a number of contexts, it carries with it the idea of protection. In Psalms it is used of God as a helper who protects.

Our soul waits for Yahweh; He is our help [azer] and our shield.

Psalm 33:20

Another way of speaking of Eve is to say, “. . . I will make him a helper and a shield suitable for him.” Who and what does Adam need protection from? God knew a tempter would enter the garden, and Adam would need to be protected from the tempter. We might add as we consider the story of the temptation carefully that Adam may have needed protection from himself.

The word Azer underscores how critical the helper is. It is someone who is crucially important, who will deliver another from a grave problem, and is a loyal companion.

Azer is a magnificent term. It is not the Hebrew word for a slave, or a hireling, or an assistant, or a vice-president. We would not say to God, “God, you are my assistant.” But instead, God is our azer, our helper. God said, “I will make him a helper azer suitable for him (or who is his complement).” Because the helper was able to harmoniously match him, it meant she was a magnificent helper who was his equal. Aramaic is a sister language to Hebrew and in one of its great dictionaries the verbal form of azer is defined as helper, protector. This insight is powerful because it underscores the role of Eve as a helper like God and a protector like God.

Restoration of the Divine Helper - God's Grand Perspective of Women from Genesis to Paul

Restoration of the Divine Helper - God's Grand Perspective of Women from Genesis to Paul

from $10.99

While the apostle Paul is often accused of being a woman-hater, we will see that he actively confronts the cultural values of his time in order to restore the woman's glory. Throughout the book, misunderstandings will be addressed, and passages that reflect the glory of women will be presented.

For those who want to go deeper, a companion video series expands on the book's message — from the restoration of the Divine Helper to Christ's direction for the church. With over six hours of teaching across the sessions, Dr. Eckman brings the material to life for personal study or small groups.

Package:

The Companion Video Series

Restoration of the Divine Helper

Thirteen teaching sessions with Dr. David Eckman

1. Restoration of the Divine Helper 41:08
2. The Failure of the Divine Helper & the Head 35:20
3. The Value of the Divine Helper Illustrated in the O.T. 27:30
4. Jesus Elevates the Divine Helper 19:08
5. Jesus & the Uncleanliness of Women 39:25
6. Women Disciples & Jesus 21:26
7. Christ Establishes the Divine Helper & Headship in the Church 15:14
8. Chaos in the Church 26:02
9. Clothing in the Church 26:32
10. Christ's Direction for the Church — Equality 32:45
11. Christ's Direction for the Church — Correct Roles 19:41
12. Christ's Direction for the Church — Spirit Filling 39:41
13. God's Role for the Leaders in the Church 37:42