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Prophetesses

Prophetesses. Prophetesses. Women Prophets? The Old Testament identifies some women as prophetesses: Miriam, Huldah & Deborah The New Testament identifies Anna as a prophetess

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Prophetesses

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  1. Prophetesses

  2. 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?

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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.”

  7. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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

  8. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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)

  9. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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?

  10. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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.

  11. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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

  12. Prophetesses D E B O R A H Judges 4-5 • 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)

  13. 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.

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