Verses That Get on My Nerves (especially as a woman)

Have you ever just had a verse that rubbed you the wrong way? Something that if you were honest, you questioned God about why He’d let that one get into the Bible. I’ve had a few. Here’s one of mine:

Have you ever just had a verse that rubbed you the wrong way? Something that if you were honest, you questioned God about why He’d let that one get into the Bible. I’ve had a few. Here’s one of mine:

Genesis 2:18 “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”

As a woman, I’ve wondered why the word “helper,” especially when I see how this can be interpreted at times to mean: “do whatever I say to help me.” So, what do I do with a verse that gets on my nerves? I dig a little deeper.

You don’t have to dig far too find out that this is a translation/interpretation issue, not a God one. The NET Bible uses this translation: “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.’”

This is because it turns out the Hebrew word (’ezer) that is often translated “helper” has nothing to do with being subordinate, which is how the word “helper” is sometimes thought of in English. Instead, the word is used to describe God in the Bible (e.g. Exodus 18:4, Deuteronomy 33:29, Hosea 13:9). No way could this word mean inferior, lower, or “obey-er of my whims” and still be used about God.

So, I’ve come to see that “companion” is a little better translation and closer to what God intended. It’s more of one who comes alongside and can be counted to be there for you, not someone lower and subordinate. I’ve also come to see that verses that get on my nerves just need a little more investigation to find what God’s heart really is.

Anyone else got some verses that rub you the wrong way? Check them out, and let’s see if we can’t find a little more truth on this journey.