Luke the physician wrote how, “there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. (Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”, and in chapter two and verse thirty-six of his book Luke shared about, “Anna, a prophetess” where we read:
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 a husband seven years from her virginity;
The verse reads, “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser:” Luke began with the words, “and there was one Anna” or “and there existed a woman whose name was Anna which means grace”, “a prophetess” which means “a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed either by inspiration or by dreams and visions”, “the daughter of Phanuel” or “the female progeny and descendant pertaining to Phanuel which means the face of God”, “of the tribe of Aser” which means “belonging to the offshoot, clan or kindred which pertained to Asher which means blessed and was the eighth son of Jacob”. Luke mentioned a “woman” who belonged to the “tribe” of “Asher” in Israel, and was “Phanuel's” female offspring .
The verse continues, “she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;” Luke added the words, “she was of great age” which means “Anna was well stricken in years or old”, “and had lived” or “and dwelt, breathed, continued her life” “with a husband” which means “alongside of a male spouse” “seven years from her virginity” or “seven years from the time she was in her maidenhood”. Luke shared how “Anna” was at this time an older woman who “lived” with her “husband” for seven years after her “maidenhood”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn about another person who was mentioned pertaining to the birth of Jesus. “Anna”, who was a woman who revealed “future events” through dreams and visions, was within the Messiah's story. God employs all kinds of people within His Kingdom, and as “Anna” was faithful in her service to the Lord as a “prophetess”, God would allow her to see His Messiah and Son Jesus before others knew who He was. God wants all people to know His Son Jesus, and those who are faithful to seek that which God has given to them shall see the Lord and have opportunity to receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how Anna was, “a widow of about fourscore and four years”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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