Women in the Bible – Anna the Prophetess – Who Prophesied About Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem

Women in the Bible – Anna the Prophetess – Who Prophesied About Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem

Luke 2:36-38 (ESV) And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The next Women of the Bible is our first in the New Testament. It also happens to be one of my favorite people in scripture. Her name is Anna. The name comes from a Hebrew word, which means “favored.” She lived her whole life for a single encounter: an encounter with Jesus, the Messiah.

Her life began like most Hebrew women. She was taught the law and the prophets. Anna knew about the promised Messiah. She believed that He would come and deliver Israel. She married as a virgin, but her husband died seven years after they were married. Apparently she had no children, so after she was widowed as a young woman Anna committed her life to service at the temple. Her days and nights were filled with prayer and fasting. She knew her God, and longed for the Promise that the prophets had said would come.

Her once-in-a-lifetime encounter came when she was eighty-four years old. Most Jewish girls married young; sometimes as early as thirteen. After seven years of marriage, Anna may have been serving in the temple for over sixty years. Imagine sixty years of fasting and prayer, day and night. Clearly she was well acquainted with her God. It was no wonder that He would use her to bless His own Son.

After Jesus was born it was Jewish custom to bring Him to the Temple to be circumcised. When Mary and Joseph entered the temple that day no one had to tell Anna who they were. She knew it was the Christ. After Simeon had spoken words over Jesus, Anna began to give thanks to God, and began telling others that their Redemption had finally arrived. The Messiah was born! Jesus, Son of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, had come to earth. Anna was there to welcome Him.

What about you? Would you be willing to spend sixty years of your life in service to God, denying yourself the human pleasures that most enjoy, just for one encounter with the King of Kings? Anna did.