ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Women Prophets
Read 15:20&version=NKJV&src=tools">Exodus 15:20, 04:4&version=NKJV&src=tools">Judges 4:4, 22:14&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Kings 22:14, and 06:14&version=NKJV&src=tools">Nehemiah 6:14. What do these texts also teach about the prophetic role?
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There is abundant evidence in Scripture that God called women to be prophets. (See the use of the Hebrew word nevi'ah [15:20&version=NKJV&src=tools">Exod. 15:20] and the Greek word prophētis [02:36&version=NKJV&src=tools">Luke 2:36].) In 06:4&version=NKJV&src=tools">Micah 6:4, Miriam is listed with Moses and Aaron as those sent to the people. Miriam is presented as a prophetess who sang a song of victory when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea (Exod. 15:20-21). Yet, this prophetess, like her male counterparts, was not without fault, as her shameful attitude toward Moses and his Ethiopian wife reveal, actions for which the prophetess had been duly punished (see 12:1-10&version=NKJV&src=tools">Num. 12:1-10).
We can see the work of another prophet in the story of Deborah, who served as a judge in Israel (04:1-4&version=NKJV&src=tools">Judg. 4:1-4).
In fact, there is clear evidence that Deborah (04:4&version=NKJV&src=tools">Judg. 4:4) received revelation from God (Judg. 4:4-9, 14-22). Her song of victory (05:2-31&version=NKJV&src=tools">Judg. 5:2-31) is an acknowledgment of God's intervention and had deep theological significance for the nation at that time in history.
Read 22:11-14&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Kings 22:11-14. Why did King Josiah's men go to Huldah? What should this tell us about her important role in the nation?
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Huldah "the prophetess," was consulted by the top men of King Josiah's council (22:14&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Kings 22:14, 34:22&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Chron. 34:22) after they read the words of the "Book of the Law" (2 Kings 22:8, NKJV) (believed to be Deuteronomy) to the king, who, in response, "tore his clothes" (2 Kings 22:11, NKJV). This was obviously a very serious matter, and the king took it that way, which is why his men went right to Huldah. She had received a message from God regarding the impending judgment of Judah. Josiah's reforms resulted from Huldah's prophetic messages and averted God's judgment on His people.
Men prophets and women prophets though called of God, were also sinners in need of grace. What hope can you take from their stories?
