Where Does My Help Come From?

Richard came to my door with a smile and an envelop. He exclaimed, "We're having a celebration! I have designed and created a statue that we are erecting next to Lori's headstone. We will unveil it at our celebration." 

Richard's wife, had died one year earlier and he worked at a place that designed and made bronze statues. "I would love it if your family could come," he said as he handed me an invitation. 

 Richard and I were good friends though he was much older than I, we shared a great thirst for understanding the Hebrew culture and language within the Old Testament.

"It will be an Ebenezer!" Then with a smile "I'm raising an Ebenezer."

I wrinkled my brow, another Hebrew word I recognized, but couldn't define. "An Ebenezer?" I asked.

He smiled, "Yes, it is a Hebrew term meaning "stone of help." Samuel erected a stone monument to remind the Israelites how God helped them. I want to make a monument to honor Lori and to remember God's help in our lives." Richard's love and conviction for God and Christ always left me amazed, he knewfrom where his help came.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked, "I could tell you more." We walked to my backyard and sat down on the chairs as my children played on the swing set.

Richard began, "The Old Testament tells the story of a time when the Philistines declared war on the Israelites and their large armies were advancing toward Jerusalem. The Israelites knew they were in trouble and would be destroy without help. They went to the prophet, Samuel and pleaded with him to ask the Lord to save their lives. Samuel prayed and the Lord intervened, the outnumbered Israelites miraculously won over the Philistines."

"God intervened powerfully for them, didn't he?" I observed.

"Yes, he often did, Richard agreed, "but this time was a little different because while the Israelites celebrated their victory, Samuel pondered. He wondered how he could help them remember to turn to God instead of their idols and their own strength." Richard had been watching the children as he told me the story, but now he looked directly in my eyes. "Samuel erected a stone monument and gathered them all together and declared, pointing to the monument,"  Richard's voice deepened, "'Hitherto has the Lord helped us' and named the monument, Ebenezer or 'Stone of Help'. Samuel invited them to remember from where their help came and he promised that if they remembered they would always have His help and protection."

Richard wasn't just telling me a story, I felt he was sharing his testimony. "This statue you designed is not only about your wife, it is about showing the world your belief and love for God, am I right?"

Richard's eyes glistened, "Yes, that's the true definition of an Ebenezer - a monument to recognize and remember God's hand in all things. Speaking of definitions, I know you love words and etymology. Would you like to hear more definitions of the word 'ezer'? 

"You know I would." I said. I have a habit of bringing a notepad and a pen with me everywhere I go and had pulled it out. As I wrote down the word, Richard unfolded its meaning.

"The Hebrew word 'ezer', or help, is used three different ways in the Old Testament. The first describes God when he helps the Israelites, like in the story of Samuel. The second is used to describe other nations when they strengthen or stand with the Israelites in their time of need." Richard paused to let me finish writing. He continued, "But did you know it is a description of Eve when she was given to Adam?" 

Confused and very curious to know more, I glanced over at my children to make sure they were still playing nicely and in hopes they wouldn't interrupt, "No, how?" I begged, "Tell me more." 

He chuckled, he was in his element. He reminded me of my father when he would say, "I've gotcha where I wantcha, now I'm gonna teacha." 

"Following the creation of Adam," Richard explained, "YaHWeH or Christ said, 'I will make him an ezer kenegedo [or help meet] for him'. (Genesis 2:18) Ezer kenegedo literally means 'a helper like his opposite' today we would say, 'his other half'." Again, he paused. I thought of the implications of Eve being called an ezer and said, "Just as Christ stands with Israel as 'The Helper of Israel' so is Eve stand with Adam as 'The Helper,' am I understanding that correctly?"

"Yes, you are."

"Whoa, that sheds new light on their relationship." I was beginning to "see" that I had a blurred vision of them before. 

Richard continued, "Can you imagine Adam and Eve standing side by side celebrating their opportunity to go to earth together? It made them stronger in the war against Satan." he was on a roll, "We are following in their footsteps as couples. When we help God, by remembering who we are, God helps us." 

An Ebenezer is a monument to remember God and Christ. His descendants, our cousins, must have known that William would have never erected a monument without it being in honor of his Helper, Jehovah, The Creator of the world. Oh, speaking of the Pilgrims reminds me of a quotation I read about providence and being content no matter what is going on around you. The Pilgrims were perfect examples of this. It is from the book I found in the library called Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember." He reached into his bag and pulled out a wrinkled piece of paper and handed it to me. 

It read: 

"Being grateful is a choice.  It's not a feeling dependent on our circumstances as we clearly see in the Pilgrims lives. They believed that God was in control - 'Providence' they called it. They responded to the circumstances of their lives with a perspective that said, 'God has allowed this for our good.'…  

"Thank you," I told Richard, "What a perfect way to describe the Pilgrims and a great example to follow." 

Later I put a copy of his Providence quotation in our devotional book, so we could work on memorizing it.

As we left each child showed enthusiasm for our new project. The next day we went to the mountain and chose our smooth stones and together we gave them to Richard. 

Years later we still have our stones as a reminder of where our help comes from and we have memorized the quotation about Providence and have many well-cherished memories of Richard who passed away shortly after he carved our stones.  The angel statue with her outstretched hands is a true depiction of both Richard and Lori, messengers of Christ, with a life-changing message of love and friendship. Thank you for sharing your life, your stories, your testimony with us.

We raise our Ebenezer and celebrate when we remember Christ's help in our lives. To help us remember we say these words, "I know where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, my Rock, my Ezer, my Savior, Jesus Christ."

References:

• This is based on a true story. The exact words of the dialogue and the order of how things happened may have been different than is written. Richard Erickson was an extraordinary friend and mentor. I want to be a better friend because of his example and the example of those he thought of as heroes.
• For a complete list of 'ezer' used the scriptures see https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=h5828
• For the definition of helpmeet see http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/articles_helpmeet.html
• Rainey, Barbara; Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember
• Psalm 121 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." 
• An article on Eve as an "Ezer" in a military sense see https://happiness-seekers.com/2018/04/30/gods-secret-tribute-to-women-a-hebrew-word-that-will-change-the-way-you-see-womanhood/
• For more on the origin of the word women and Eve as a 'ezer' see Weyland, Heidi; A Call For Christian Women (article) www.christinasforfamilyfaithandfreedom.com
• For more on the obelisk of William Bradford see https://historicaldigression.com/2017/09/