The Virtuous Woman
A Recipe
Step 27
Welcome back!
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Path
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Gift
Another great Step today, loaded with Truth ... Glad to have you here
to share it with me!
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Sometimes we believe that we know the Truth about something, but do
we know the whole Truth? Do we put ourselves in other people's shoes
before we decide what the Truth of a matter is and even try and
determine their destiny?
Oft times when we read things, we like to apply the parts that we agree with to our lives, but the rest, we disregard. This is even true many times when we read the Bible. Sometimes we don't bother to search for the whole Truth, because it may not fit our lifestyle ... Or our approval!
Since you are becoming more and more virtuous, you'll probably feel
the urge to talk about your Christianity more with people, so let's
discuss a very important question that a lot of people aren't quite
clear on:
Should a Woman Preach?
Let's take a look at the whole Truth, from several different viewpoints.
The Bible is a big book, no question about it, and many Christians
have never read it cover to cover, let alone understood all of it's
implications. In addition, we're all individuals and the
interpretation for one person, is quite different from the
interpretation for another, even when two people are reading the same
translation (because the Holy Spirit provides different messages for
different people at different times)!
Looking at things from a different point of view is a very important
thing, and the challenge in this Step, is to open your mind to
different viewpoints about women teaching or preaching using all
Scripture on the matter.
We're going to start off with a little exercise in looking at things
from a different perspective. Did you know that all things in the
Bible do not apply to all people. Jesus Himself explained this when
He was talking about the laws of divorce and said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Purpose
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Power
In other words, every situation is different, and God judges the
heart.
Here's a great example:
The 6th Commandment is: Thou shalt not kill. But ... Because king
Saul did not kill all of the Amalekites, as God told him to do,
it angered God and the Prophet Samuel came and killed the king of the
Amalekites. This was one of the reasons that Saul's anointing was
taken away and the kingdom of Israel was taken from him.
1 Samuel 15:33
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy
mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces
before the Lord in Gilgal.
Yes, you read that right ... A Prophet of God killed a man because God wanted him to. Yet ... Thou shalt not kill. As you can see all laws are not applicable to all circumstances.
Just as Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Now you can see Truth reveals that we can be mistaken about the Truth in the Bible and we need to study God's Word to find the whole Truth.
So, without much further ado, let's look at the topic at hand:
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Questions
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Answers
Are Women Allowed to Preach?
In the Bible, a prophetess is a woman who speaks the messages of God
to others. Did you know there are several of these prophetess chosen
women mentioned in the Bible? Check these out:
Miriam, Moses' sister:
Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with
dances.
Deborah, who was a judge of Israel:
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at
that time.
Huldah, who prophesied during the reign of king Josiah:
2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and
Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son
of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt
in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible List
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Names
Isaiah's wife:
Isaiah 8:3
And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son.
Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
Now many say ... Okay, I agree there were women that spoke
the Word of God, but that was back then, what about the New
Testament? OK.
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;
Then they say, Okay, but what about after Jesus rose to Heaven and
the New Covenant began? All right.
Philip's four daughters:
Acts 21:9
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Truth
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Vow
The Truth that women would prophesy (share the Word of God) is Prophecy.
Look at the words of the Lord that the prophet Joel spoke about what
would happen when the end is near:
Joel 2:28-29
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour
out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in
those days will I pour out my Spirit.
The Apostle Peter confirmed this as well:
Acts 2:16-17
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams:
So, we see that women have and will speak the Word of the Lord.
But, what about those hardcore doubters that accept this Truth ... But will then say that perhaps they did and will prophesy, but what about
the present day?
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Research
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Promise
You may be wondering why these rascals are so very determined to
prove their point. It may be because of a few things Paul said.
There are two places in the New Testament where Paul addresses this
subject. This passage is directed at married women.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
In this passage, Paul says "I" don't allow:
1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression [wrong].
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if
they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety
[control].
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Warning
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Danger
If you are a woman, you are probably pouting, right about now ... If you do not hear.
Let me remind both, yet again of what Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
We can dissect this a little further, too. The selection from 1
Corinthians specifies that married women should not speak in
the Church. What about outside the church? Well, then you have to
define "Church." Is any gathering of two or more Christians
considered "Church?"
I suppose that's another matter of interpretation for everyone to
debate about.
Unmarried Women
We learned earlier that Philip's four daughters prophesied. Acts
21:9, you'll learn that these women were all virgins (unmarried),
and the scripture from the Prophet Joel Joel
2:28-29 and Peter Acts
2:16-17 that you read above says that the Lord will pour out His
Spirit upon the handmaidens (unmarried), so we have evidence that
unmarried women have Prophesied after Jesus was taken to Heaven.
So, women have, will and are prophesying according to
the Word of God.
Now these Christian woman preaching bashers can only say "Okay, I
agree with all that, but married Christian women cannot preach."
They may use scripture such as:
1 Corinthians 7:34
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin [unmarried as
back then if you were not married, you were to be a virgin]. The
unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be
holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for
the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Facts
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Fears
But they need read the next verse also:
1 Corinthians 7:35
And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare
upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon
the Lord without distraction.
What if this matter is just as we found out earlier, that one rule
does not apply to all situations.
As Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Now, it may seem like this study is very pro-women, so we'll look at
the other side of the coin as well. Without a doubt, not every woman
should be preaching or teaching but only those led by the Holy
Spirit.
In fact, many events recorded in the Bible confirm that when the
advice of a woman was followed ... Things turned out for the worst.
But ...
While you are considering that, add this little tidbit ...
Consider the story of Deborah who instructed Barak, and Huldah who
the priest of Judah turned to for instruction.
They came to her because she was a Prophetess. She had the Word of
God and they came to her for it.
Preaching and teaching is definitely not for everyone ... But that's
for God to decide, not man. You on the other hand, have to discern
whether or not the individual's words, whether it be man or woman ...
Married or single ... Are words that are divinely inspired, and you
then have the choice of whether or not you will listen or believe.
But it seems you should hear the words as to check the fruits as to
prove all things. I mean ... What if it is God's Word spoken
through them? What if a woman is indeed a prophetess of God,
and you stifle her because you haven't looked at this from a
different and more spiritual point of view as we have been taught to?
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Discussion
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Quotes
I mean ... Most that disagree with a woman sharing the Word of God
say they take the Bible literally and that is why they say what they
say referring to the Scripture Paul shared.
But ... Is not Scripture to be taken literally?
Like this one:
Acts 2:16-17
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams:
All Flesh
According to this Scripture, when taken literally ... In attempting
to silence a woman, you may have just attempted to hush God's Word.
You may be telling God's messenger-ette to simmer down now,
skeedaddle back to the kitchen and leave the proclaiming of God's
Word up to the men, when God Himself may have sent her to share what
was in His mind, through her words. Just as He said He would.
Joel 2:28-29
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in
those days will I pour out my spirit.
All Flesh
God will choose whoever He wants to and is not limited to
man's limited understanding.
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Test
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Pitfalls
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world
to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought things that are:
I am in harmony with Paul that a woman should not be sharing her
words in Church:
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression [wrong].
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if
they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety
[control].
Prophetesses - Biblical Prophetess Bible Summary
Women Prophets or Prophetess in the Bible Calling
But ... The Truth is that a woman's words, can sometimes be
the Words of God and His Words shared thru her can be
shared anywhere, anytime to anyone.
It does not make her the teacher or the one showing authority
over a man ... But, rather that God is teaching through
her.
Whether you're a married or unmarried woman or man, the best thing to
do is pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and above all, let
God's will be done ... not man's.
Ponder on These Words of Truth
May the Grace and blessings of God follow you through the day!
See you next time for our final Step!
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Prophetess in the Bible Resources
Bible Study Tools ... Were There Female Prophets in the Bible? Several women in the Bible are identified as prophetesses. They served the nation of Israel, or were given the gift of prophecy.
Compelling Truth ... What is a prophetess in the Bible? Simply put, a prophetess was a female prophet, a woman called by God to declare His revelation to His people. In the Bible, the "office" of prophet and the gift of prophecy were given to both men and women.
Desiring God ... What Is Prophecy Today? Women Prophesy. Here is the second one: “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife [or woman] who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head” (1 Corinthians 11:4–5).
Got Questions ... What is a prophetess? A prophetess is a female prophet. The word prophet comes from the Greek word prophetes, which means “spokesman.” A prophetess was, therefore, a spokeswoman for God. The faithful prophet or prophetess was one who, regardless of whether or not he or she was listened to, spoke everything God said to speak. There are several prophetesses mentioned in the Bible.
Holy Spirit ... Prophetesses - This is one of the most awesome gifts you will ever receive or share. Get to know the Holy Spirit because you could be one of the modern day Women Prophets.
Knowing Jesus ... 16 Bible verses about Prophetess - Luke 2:36 - And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage.
Sojourners ... 10 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2022 - Christianity Today's “Who's Next?” and Rejuvenate Magazine's “40 under 40.” She's the author of More Than Serving Tea and God of Justice.
The Gospel Coalition ... Can Women be Prophets? The argument is sometimes made that since Hulda was a prophetess in the Old Testament and Philip had four daughters who prophesied.
After you finish the Prophetesses Bible adventure delving into the Women Prophets Biblical Prophetess Bible passages and discussing the Prophetess in the Bible, you can also check out some of the other Christian entertainment, games, music, books, mall, studies and programs within our Christian community below:
