Women of Courage – Anna – Mar. 1, 2014

Women of Courage – Anna – Mar. 1, 2014

2. Three verses in Luke tell Anna’s story, from them what do they tell us about Anna?

^{Luke 2: 36} And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

She was at least 84 yrs. old, a prophetess who fasted and prayed night and day, she was married 7 yrs. She had suffered this loss, then lived at the temple, and was content to serve God night and day.  She was a young woman when she began her service in the temple. She was obedient to her God. She knew the scriptures and placed her life in God’s hands. She had lived a long time before Christ, and therefore had seen a lot of sin in the land.  She thanked God and spoke to others that came in and out of the temple about God’s redemption.  She came from the tribe of Asher. She was placed in the pages of scripture. God wanted us to know these details about her. As quoted, “she was not defined by a husband’s absence but by God’s presence”.

At the very moment that Christ was brought to the temple, she was allowed to see and know who he was. She did not doubt who he was and began immediately to proclaim God’s great gift.

3. Anna and Hannah are similar in what ways?

Hannah was faithful to visit the temple. They both loved the Lord and prayed to the Lord a lot.  They both looked for the redemption of Israel.  They both served and fasted. Both had sorrow and trusted God through it. Hannah fasted for her sorrow.  They both served, either at home, around her, or at the temple. They prayed fervently. They were dedicated to their service and were committed to stay in the service for God.  They both lived during corrupt times, saw a lot of evil, and yet they both depended upon God.

Are we committed to our service for God?  This is a question we need to ask ourselves.  When we age and our bodies weaken we should still seek ways in which to serve God.  We are the temple of God and we should be serving God where we are and where God leads you.  Are we putting the effort into what we do as a joyful service, or is it a burdensome task.   Why are we in service? Is it all about you, the attention, or because you are praising God with the tasks that you are doing? 

4.  How was Anna like or unlike the five women called prophetesses in the Old Testament?

Shera gave us the scriptures to read about all these women and then mentioned a handout that she would be sending out to us that would help us understand these prophetesses.