Taken from Front Porch Wisdom by Froswa’ Booker-Drew

Adapted from the Chapter 1, “What Do Leadership, Women, and Work Have to Do with It?”

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What Do Leadership, Women, and Work Have to Do with It?

Some of you may remember the song “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” by Tina Turner. Tina was reflecting on an abusive relationship, noting that love wasn’t enough to keep things together. Tina was married to Ike Turner, and her strength and courage eventually propelled her to leave the abusive marriage and save her own life. In the divorce she asked for nothing but to keep her name. Many would say she was starting over, but she understood she was bringing something with her that was invaluable: her power. With unwavering faith in herself and her abilities, she believed that her potential was limitless. Tina assessed her circumstances and aspired to a better future. She had developed a practice of reflection and tapped into her inner leader.

So what do leadership, women, and work have to do with the front porch and our faith? With a slight twist on the lyrics, we must conduct a similar examination. We must examine our thinking and interpretation of who we are and what God says about us. Many of us have grown up in faith communities that have led us to believe we are inferior to men. This misunderstanding is often rooted in the interpretation of Genesis 2:18, which states, “And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him” (ASV).

When we do not see our value in Christ, it impacts how we see ourselves in other areas of life. Ezer kenegdo is a Hebrew phrase that means “a helper suitable for him” and is used in the Bible to describe the relationship between Adam and Eve. Kenegdo says the thing God makes for Adam will be like him. So this creation will be on the same level as Adam, not better or worse. This helper will be half of a pair and will relate to Adam as the South Pole relates to the North Pole. Ezer is also interpreted as “warrior,” and ezer kenegdo can be interpreted as “a powerful complement.” How would our lives be different if we had known earlier that we are not a “suitable helper” but were created to be a powerful complement—and that we have value to each other, to men, and to God. We must own this and walk in it. This does not minimize or diminish our brothers but recognizes our significance.

Ezer kenegdo has significant implications for women’s leadership. In this context, the phrase is a powerful affirmation of women’s value and potential. It suggests that women are not simply helpers or companions to men but powerful and capable leaders in their own right. This can be a powerful source of inspiration and empowerment for women who desire to lead or are currently leading. Ezer kenegdo can also shift the way we think about leadership. Traditionally leadership has been seen as a masculine trait; however, ezer kenegdo suggests that it’s not about dominance or power but partnership and collaboration. This can be a helpful framework for women who want to lead in a way that is more inclusive and collaborative.

In these ways ezer kenegdo can help women leaders see themselves as powerful and capable and help them build strong partnerships with others, both men and women. This can help women leaders overcome the challenges they face in the workplace and achieve success in their careers.

It’s important to emphasize the remarkable nature of women as God’s creative masterpieces. Just like men, women are the embodiment of divine genius and are fearfully and wonderfully made. This identity as image-bearers of God is inherent and unchanging.

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WOMEN MODELS IN THE BIBLE

The Bible features numerous influential women, including Deborah, Mary, Martha, Hagar, and Leah. However, many more women have made significant contributions and their stories are worth exploring. These women can teach all of us valuable lessons and inspire us in our faith journeys. I will share a few examples, but I encourage you to seek out and learn about other women in the faith who may not be as well-known.

The five daughters of Zelophehad. In Numbers 26–27, we encounter the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. After their father died without sons, these women boldly approached Moses to request the rightful inheritance of their father’s land, challenging the prevailing tradition that property immediately passed to males. Moses sought guidance from God, who affirmed that they should receive their father’s land. To ensure that the inheritance remained within their tribe, the women were required to marry within the tribe, preserving their legacy and the integrity of their ancestral lineage.

Abigail. In 1 Samuel 25:3, the Bible introduces Abigail, a beautiful and intelligent woman who was married to a challenging man named Nabal. When David sought assistance from Nabal, he was met with a refusal. David’s anger flared, and he planned to kill Nabal. However, Abigail intervened, displaying quick thinking and strategic reasoning to save her husband.

Her approach was calculated; she waited until daybreak, when Nabal was sober, to confront him. Abigail revealed the consequences of his actions, causing Nabal’s spirit to fail, and he became like a stone. Divine retribution followed, and about ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, leading to his death. Upon hearing of Nabal’s demise, David, recognizing Abigail’s wisdom and virtue, asked her to marry him (1 Samuel 25:40-42). Priscilla. In Acts 18, we encounter the remarkable figure of Priscilla, a woman mentioned in four different biblical texts. Together with her husband, Aquila, they owned a business and dedicated their lives to supporting Paul and his ministry, becoming kingdom financiers. Priscilla’s character stood out as she possessed a generous and compassionate spirit, actively involved in spreading God’s word as a dedicated missionary. Jehosheba. We are introduced to Jehoram’s daughter Jehosheba, the wife of the high priest Jehoiada, in 2 Kings 11. After the assassination of King Ahaziah, his mother seized power and ruthlessly eliminated potential rivals. However, Jehosheba bravely saved her nephew, the infant Joash, keeping him hidden for six long years. When Joash was seven, she orchestrated his coronation as king. Jehosheba’s courageous actions reveal her strength of character and unwavering determination.

Susanna. The Roman Catholic Bible includes the book of Susanna. Susanna was a wealthy Babylonian Jewish woman married to Jo’akim. She was the daughter of Hilki’ah and was raised to fear God. She was a stunning and devoted wife who faced a grave accusation from elders in the community who deceitfully charged her with promiscuity out of revenge for her rejection of their advances. They had a history of lying and perverting justice, abusing their power and position in the community. To further their scheme, they falsely accused her of adultery, leading to an unjust sentence of death.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Daniel, who was taken into captivity from Judah under King Nebuchadnezzar’s rule and lived as an exile in Babylon. We are aware of the accounts of Daniel’s faithfulness and prophetic voice, but this narrative involving Susanna isn’t as well-known. Through divine intervention, God selected young Daniel to champion Susanna’s defense, leading to the revelation of the elders’ deception. For me, Susanna symbolizes the resilience and bravery of standing firm in the face of tremendous adversity and opposition. Her story represents standing up against power, trusting God even when your fate looks bleak.

Eunice and Lois. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul draws attention to Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, emphasizing their vital role in shaping Timothy’s faith. Despite the limited information available about these women, Paul emphasizes the profound impact of their training and teaching on Timothy’s life. In a culture dominated by male authority, these exceptional women assumed the role of mentors, sharing wisdom that transformed Timothy’s trajectory. This serves as a reminder of the influence we can have on our own children’s lives, underscoring the importance of providing them with a strong foundation of faith and values.

Taken from Front Porch Wisdom by Froswa’ Booker-Drew. ©2025 by Froswa’ Booker-Drew. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press. www.ivpress.com.

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