ISHA…

God created woman – ISHA…אישה, as the last on His list, during the creation – Genesis 2:18,23. This doesn’t mean she is the least important, in all of creation. Nay, on the contrary, she is a very important “piece” in the whole scheme of things, that God planned.

If we look at the creation account, we see that man was incomplete, on his own, and hence, God said for the very first time, *”It is not good.”* Poor and lonely man, struggling with life, without a proper companion. It speaks volumes about the significance of the woman, in a man’s “world” – his life.
– “18 And YHWH God says, “[It is] not good for the man to be alone; I make him a helper as his counterpart.” – Genesis 2:18

The journey that a woman takes, from the moment she is born, till the time she leaves this earth, is a journey unlike any. She plays multiple roles, and has such critical, invaluable and inestimable contribution for her family, and the society. She is A DAUGHTER, a SISTER, a FRIEND, a WIFE, a MOTHER and a GRAND-MOTHER – spanning multigenerational time frame, with a multi-purpose life, and multitasking with effortless ease.

A woman’s place is irreplaceable. There are no two opinions about this. She conducts herself with HONOUR and DIGNITY. She is WARM, LOVING, KIND and GENEROUS. She is INDUSTRIOUS; she is the INITIATOR; she is INGENIOUS; and she is the force that INTEGRATES everything, while ASSIMILATING herself, into the God given role, making inestimable contribution, with little or no concern for herself.
– “10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” – Proverbs 31:10-29

May we, as men, learn to always honour the woman, and the lady of the house. May women, realise their God given role, and live it, for the glory of her Creator. May we learn, as families, to always love, cherish and honour the mother, wife and daughter, which she so rightfully deserves. Even so, the LORD help us.