I chose Anna for a couple of reasons. One of my aspirations for this blog was to work through each female character found along Luke’s journey but that hasn’t really worked so far, I don’t think that is how I work either. I don’t like sticking to certain rules even if they are ones I have created for myself! Anyway, back to Anna! In just two verses we learn so, so much about this woman. Luke really knew how to encapsulate the biographies of people in the most succinct ways. In a couple of verses like this it is amazing to see how much Luke chooses to share with us about Anna.
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
There was also a prophet,
The first thing we learn about Anna is that she is a prophet. People would have known her name and sought her wisdom from God. She is the only named prophetess we find in the New Testament and what is remarkable is that according Gill “prophecy had ceased among the Jews for some hundreds of years, it now revived upon the coming of the Messiah” . As Luke does a lot of pairing throughout his book, the reading of Anna and Simeon is no different. There is a beautiful uniting between both passages. Both male and female equally bringing their adoration and approbation to Jesus. Both have been waiting for him and his covenant in earnest. What we read of Simeon in the penultimate verses demonstrate a most revered elderly man of God, most probably a priest although he is not named as one, he obviously prophecies too, yet it is Anna who is known as prophet (Gallaher-Branch.R 2017). She has a title. She has a position of authority. I just like the image of this, these powerful lovers of God praising Jesus. These gatekeepers heralding in the new era. They stand at the gateway welcoming Jesus and demonstrating humanity in its honest form. Both men and women are there proclaiming together in equal stead the Glory of Jesus and his promises. I love it!
Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher.
The fact that she is named is an important factor. For women your name was often greatly connected to the man to whom you belonged. A woman did not have her own identity but was known by her male relations. Yet, here we learn her name, Luke shares it with us. We also hear that she is the daughter of Penuel and do not get the name of her husband here which wasn’t a normal tradition. Luke chooses to draw out that she is the descendant of the tribe of Asher. Her heritage is interesting. McArthur.J (2008) Says “that her ancestors had either migrated south before the assyrian conquest of Israel, or they were among the small and scattered group of exiles that had returned from captivity, either way she (Anna) was part of the believing remnant from the North Kingdom. She was therefore a living emblem of God’s faithfulness to his people”. I love how her name means grace too which draws together a couple of things. Firstly, Anna was a prophet and after a couple of hundred years without one being mentioned this itself was a big deal let alone it was a woman. Secondly, she was an image of restoration and redemption within her family's line of displacement and exile. Where people have come from and their family heritage is a lovely image of looking at how God uses the mistakes or failings of others to bring about an opportunity to demonstrate his grace and intricate redeeming plans for humanity, as we see here through Anna both in her name and her character but also how she knows the scriptures and prophecies of those gone before.
She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.
Here Luke is really emphasising Anna’s age, this woman had also been widowed for a very long time! Some scholars say that this verse could be referring to her age of 84 years or it could be referring to the years she has been a widow, which would make her about 105 years of age. Either way, she is of great age and with that age comes wisdom, devotion, knowledge and patience for God’s will. I really love what Gallaher-Branch.R 2017 says about Anna’s grand age “In Deuteronomy, Moses prophesies that for the tribe of Asher, Anna’s tribe, “your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25). Surely Anna’s life shows evidence of that.” She is a strong woman of God, who would have also suffered for being a widow, although she had a strong presence within the temple, being a widow meant exclusion, alienation, and often poverty too. Of Course, with Anna we only know what Luke has left for us-so her position may have been different.
Anyhow, Anna demonstrates God’s heart to use those who offer their faithfulness to him, he uses the hearts of those who are devoted. Anna is a strong, obedient woman who has committed her life to God. I love how her age is a prominent point here. Why would Luke need to mention this? It mirrors that of the mention of Simeon’s status too, as though they were both at similar life stages, and spiritual stages too, but still it is intriguing to me. Why was her age worth mentioning? Age was honoured in this time. I think in a sad kind of way our society is not so inclined to marvel at the older generations. We are all a little if not completely frightened of ‘aging’ it is everywhere, creams and potions to keep us ‘young’. I guess Anna is a symbol to us today that old age is glorious and it symbolises discernment,a wealth of experiences, liberation and a more mature relationship with God, others and perhaps ourselves. I want to be more like Anna.
She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
We learn here that Anna was very devoted to her life of service to God. She never left the temple. Which is likely to be referring to this literally. McArthur J (2008) Says that she could have lived within the temple walls, often priests were given board whilst teaching at the temple, but with Anna we have read that she is a devoted woman who had a spiritual gifting of prophecy; perhaps she had been offered somewhere to stay. She worshipped day and night, she was utterly and completely devoted to this temple. There was no letting up for her! And as Gallaher-Branch.R 2017 points out this life of ardent service is energising her, it keeps her going, she is not envisaged as struggling or tired, but impassioned. She was waiting for the messiah and she wasn’t going to miss him. The time of salvation was coming, after praying and fasting for more than 60 years she was about to meet Jesus.
Something Anna’s spiritual depth and endless servitude challenges me to do is to be a gatekeeper for others whose faith needs encouraging or praying for. All through my life I have had various women of wisdom who have moved through the seasons of life beside me, praying for me, being an Anna. Being a gatekeeper, praying over me. These women showed strength of character and rode out the waves of turmoil for me because I wasn’t strong enough or didn’t have the foresight to wait it out! Anna has reminded me to be one of those for the younger Christians I find along the way.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
AT THE VERY MOMENT! Anna knew! She had been living in that temple for years,praying and fasting for this day to come- She knew where she needed to be in that moment. “she recognizes who this child is and tells of his significance to selected people in Jerusalem. Her actions affirm Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.”” Gallaher-Branch.R 2017.
Can you imagine how she would have felt! Hearing the words of Simeon and knowing they were truth. Everything had come together. Everything made sense. The messiah had come. She first thanks God. I love that. She praises God for his faithfulness, for his mercy and for his plan. Then she speaks prophetically when she speaks for ALL who were looking forward to redemption of Jerusalem. McArthur. J (2008) says that this is written in the continuous state, Anna not only spoke out to all those waiting for the messiah but she will continue to tell everyone for the rest of her life, she thus became one of the first witnesses to Christ. I imagine she lived everyday sharing the hope of Christ. One could say she was one of the first missionaries.
I was moved to tears when reading about Anna. I am amazed at how much you can learn from two verses of scripture. There is so much to draw out and learn from the lives of these women. I can’t help but compare my spiritual walk to that of Anna’s and I feel slightly ashamed, I am so human, so fickle at times. She had the message we have now, the name of Jesus. Ultimately, these women were used in the story of God. Anna was the ultimate devoted Jesus seeker. She was there at the forefront, waiting to share this news with the WORLD.
Devoted to Eszter Detki my beloved sister in Christ. You were always there when I needed to talk about women and the Bible, you’d get passionate with me. Your heart was full of justice.
Websites and google books used:
No comments:
Post a Comment