Most of us want to have a happy marriage; we want to enjoy life with our spouse. Recently, the Lord has been teaching me some things. I heard a lady talk about her study looking for some universal principles in Scripture that define a woman’s role. First, she found that women are God’s image bearers along with men. God created them male and female to be in His likeness in His image. Second, God created Eve to be an "Ezer." That Hebrew word is used some 20 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. 3 times it is used of nations Israel ran to for help in a time of battle. 16 times it is used of God, an almost exclusively as one who helps in a time of battle. The other 2 times it is used of Eve as a "helper" for Adam. The lady defined this role as not one to do the laundry and tend the kids, but as a "warrior." Eve was to be at Adam’s side to help him win the battles they would face. Finally, God told them both to be fruitful and multiply and to oversee the planet. They were in a "blessed alliance," with God.

In the light of all that I began to think about Ecclesiastes 4:12, a chord of three is not easily broken. The only thing that defeats us is allowing a wedge between any of the three parties. When unified, God, Gayle and me make a powerful force to cut a swath of light through the darkness. It was only when Eve was pulled aside and acted unilaterally that the battle was lost. Marriage has a purpose, that the couple bear God’s image together, that they fight the good fight as warriors together with God and are fruitful and multiply, especially in the spiritual sense. The three way partnership needs to be guarded, nothing done unilaterally that could divide it, nothing hidden that could drive a wedge in any of the triangle. Joy will be a side benefit, but what a lofty purpose everyone of us has!  

Scott