Prophetesses Prophetesses Women Prophets The Old Testament identifies

Prophetesses

Prophetesses • Women Prophets? – The Old Testament identifies some women as prophetesses: Miriam, Huldah & Deborah – The New Testament identifies Anna as a prophetess – The New Testament speaks of women in the church prophesying (Acts 2: 18; 21: 9; 1 Cor. 11: 5), lit. , “speaking forth, ” teaching, etc. – Were these women preaching publicly? – Were these women violating the Scripture’s teaching on the role of women?

Prophetesses • The Role of Women in Scripture – “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man…. ” – 1 Tim. 2: 12 • What kind of teaching & preaching (and, therefore, prophesying) is not permitted by God of a woman? – The kind of teaching that assumes dominion or exercises authority over the man – The Bible does not prohibit her from all teaching • A woman is to teach younger women – Titus 2: 3 -4 • A woman teaches in singing in the assembly – Col. 3: 16 • A woman may teach a man privately – Acts 18: 26 – Public teaching, in the formal position of a teacher with a man in a subordinated position of the student, is not permitted of women by God.

Prophetesses • So, What about Prophetesses in the Bible? – Miriam (Ex. 15: 20) • “Then Miriam the prophetess…and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ” • No evidence that she ever preached to men. – Huldah (2 Kgs. 22: 11 -20; 2 Chron. 34: 19 -28) • Some men came to her privately, sent by the king • No evidence she ever preached to men publicly. – Anna (Luke 22: 36 -38) • She “did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ” • She could not go beyond “The Court of Women. ” • No evidence she ever preached to men publicly.

Prophetesses • Prophetesses & Women Who Prophesied – Were chosen by God – Acted only upon & by the authority of the Lord – Spoke forth the Word the Lord gave them and/or served in the capacity for which He had chosen them – Worked within the confines of the Lord’s will and did not violate any of God’s principles concerning women – God cannot lead someone or cause someone to violate His nature, His principles or His will

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Sat in the Place of Authority (4: 4 -5) – Apparently no worthy male leaders among God’s people in the midst of the utter corruption of that day (Deborah was uncorrupted by the decay around her) – She was raised up by God to serve as judge – Inspired by God, He used her to speak forth His Word – No evidence or indication that she ever publicly preached God’s Word to the people • Verse 5 states (like Huldah) that “the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. ” Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Sent for the Right Person (4: 6) – In her position as judge, she knew the proper persons to use and call upon at certain times – When a military man was needed, she sent for Barak Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Spoke the Word of the Lord (4: 6 -7) – She reminded Barak of God’s words about the battle • “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded…? ” • She was not claiming any authority! • She was acting in behalf of the Lord in this matter. – Barak already knew, but he needed a reminder • God had designated the army (4: 6; 5: 12 -15, 18) • God had designated the arena (4: 7; 5: 19, 21) • God had designated the accomplishment (4: 7; Psa. 83: 9 -10) Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Supported the Work of God (4: 8 -10) – Barak refused to go to battle without Deborah • Was he a coward? Did he lack faith? Was this a sign of the times and the weak leadership? – Deborah promised her support to Barak, but reminded him again that this was the Lord’s work • She had called upon Barak to do the Lord’s work. • Who was she not to go herself? Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Seized the Moment (4: 14) – When the time came for battle, it was Deborah who told Barak to get up and go. – She gave credit again to the Lord Who would “deliver” and had “gone out” before them. Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Saw the Enemy Destroyed (4: 23) – The victory was achieved because Barak routed the army of Sisera – Barak won the victory because Deborah had urged him to obey the Lord – Deborah had urged Barak to obey the Lord because it was not her will to be accomplished but HIS Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah Sang in Victory (5: 1 -31) – As a result of her complete reliance upon God & her willingness to motivate others to obey God’s will, Israel again enjoyed relief from oppression (and had rest for 40 years, v. 31) – The song of Deborah & Barak tells us that Deborah was able to get: • The leaders to lead (5: 2, 9 -10) • The followers to follow the leaders (5: 2, 12 -15, 18) • The nation to remember their fellowship with the Lord (5: 3 -5) Judges 4 -5

Prophetesses D E B O R A H • Deborah, the Judge & Prophetess – No evidence she ever publicly proclaimed God’s message to men or multitudes – She served as “a mother in Israel” (5: 7) – Israel “came up to her for judgment” (4: 5) – It was God who had raised her to that position & she acted by & under His authority – She was very careful to exalt the Lord in all she did and to call the nation back to a respect for the Word of the Lord. – She worked within the confines of God’s will.