Women in the Bible

[Rachie]

The gift of prophecy God does not distinguish based on gender. Women prophets were present in the Old Testament and the New Testament. A prophet means that someone proclaims a divine message from God. In the Old Testament, Miriam was a prophetess (Exodus 15-20) "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron.... Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the Sea!"

So to was Deborah in the Old Testament a prophetess (Judges 4:4). Deborah was a prophetess and judge and she led the children of Israel to peace for forty years by her prophesies she gave to Barak to go to battle against Sisera. Huldah was also a prophetess (2 Kings 22:14) (2 Chronicles 34:22). Huldah was sought out by King Josiah to authenticate the Book of Law. In the Old Testament Noadiah is also a female prophetess (Nehemiah 6:14). Herbert Lockyer in his book "All the Women of the Bible" (pg 41) describes prophets and prophetesses as being the media between God and his people Israel in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, Anna (Luke 2:36) was referred to as a prophetess. So to did Philip the evangelist have four daughters who were prophetesses (Acts 21:3).

The gift of prophecy is one of the seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.There are differences in ministries and activities, but God works in all of these gifts (1 Corinthians 12-6). Through prophecy, the church becomes edified "But he who prophesies edifies the church"(1 14 Corinthians:3-4). In the book of Corinthians, women are instructed to cover their heads when they prophesy (1 Corinthians 11 4-6). Timothy in asking that women remain silent in the church, was not writing about women who had been given a ministry from God" (1 Timothy 2:10). "And God has appointed these in the church, first the apostles, second prophets, third teachers" (1 Corinthians 12 28).

In the book of Joel (Joel 2:28), it is written that God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh in the last days.

Women clearly have had a long history serving God as prophetesses through the ages to the present day.

 

[Mary Terry]

The minister at my church recently said that it is unfair to blame Eve for eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge because she was tricked by the serpent (devil). But that Adam was fully to blame because he knew what he was eating and was not tricked.

I never thought of it that way but I kind of like it.

 

[Rachie]

In another forum this topic was posted and an interesting discussion was had. A forum member replied and said what I found really interesting was that Joanna, Phoebe and Priscilla where important female figures in the New Testament as well. I don't think they had minsitering roles though.

Hopefully I plan to take some time out tomorrow and going towards more country air and a switch off which will involve quite a bit of time on a trainI think I will stall my research for there for myself on these three women just out of interest. My dad has actually filled me in a bit on the role of Priscilla. For some unknwon reason these women escaped me.

I sent this email to myself to able to look into it on my journey. May be it might something for you to look into yourself if interested.

Joanna Luke 8: 1-3 23:55 24:10
Priscilla Acts 18:2 18 26 Romans 16:3 1 Corinthians 16:19 2 Timothy 4:19
Phoebe Romans 1 6 1: 2

This topic we discussed in High School of course i'm sure and there also are nuns, sisters as well who serve. I did mention in the other thread that we cannot deny that at that time Jesus' 12 disciples were males. I know with Church history that things can prorgess.

Happy reading to me.

 

[Rachie]

I think that this probably could have fitted in the Holy Spirit thread, but that kind of veered a bit and I think it is best to let that one go for me.

I don't know what has happened. I have some personal experiences and there are uncountable people who are using the prophetic role and using this appropriately today in ministering roles today. In fits in here as that seemed to be a role for women in the Old Testatment in the church and Anna too was a prophetess in the New Testatment. Something has happened to damage this ministering role in the public perception for some people and that is a shame. Interesting topic though.

Experience I have had, you get some ministers who may not tell you correct messages from God which can stir up trouble for that indvidual and harm some families. Jesus did say as well though to test the spirits.

You also can get perhaps those who have turned it into a money making exercise or just to boost their own ego. I have pondered this and thought perhaps some leaders may have served God greatly in their life and be great in the Kingdom of God. However, perhaps in their great age with brain changes they may be affected too, this though shouldn't alter their work for God in their life and I think for sure God has given them grace in their old age for some people. Many old people will be fine.

Nobody knows how God fully uses this role today. I think perhaps in today's world some of this anoiting is going of the direction of those who experience limitation in life.

 

[Rachie]

In regards to the post above. I came across this link about modern day disabled neurodiverse prophets. I haven't looked into it much, but thought I would mention it as I came to write about something else below.
Disability and Justice: Prophets on the Edge - Greenbelt

I came to write about a false prophet called Jezebel in the Bible.

Jezebel was a very devious woman. In the Old Testament she was Satan’s daughter and she was a temptress leading children of God into immorality ( 1 Kings 16:31) 1 Kings 18: 4-19, 19: 1 ,2; 21: 5-25, (II Kings 9). She led to the death of some prophets in the Old Testament. Naboth in particular she drove them beyond the point of human distress. The Jezebel in the Old Testament was put to death by being thrown out of the window by Jehu-but this seducing spirit still lives on. Be careful of seducing, immoral and deceptive spirits as the Bible tells us.

She is on the loose and will be captured in the Book of Revelations (Revelation 2:19-21). She is meant to have led the Saints/Servants of God into immorality and as judgement by Jesus will be restricted to bed and bound for failing to turn away from her deceitful immorality. "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways."

Very devious individual, but will be captured.