Female Preachers of the Bible

Female preachers of the bible

Prophetess – Hebrew interpretation – A woman inspired and directed by God to proclaim the Word.

    Miriam – The sister of Aaron.  Ex – 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.  Micah 6:4 – For I brought thee up out of the , and redeemed thee out of the house of servants, and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron and Miriam.
Miriam was a spiritual leader sent by God to work with Moses and Aaron in directing according
to God's leading. 
Deborah – A prophetess, and Judge.  Judges 4:3-5- And the Children of Israel cried unto the Lord:  for Jabin, King of Canaan had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he mightily oppressed the Children of Israel.  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged at that time.  The children of came unto her for judgment.

Note:  The Children of Israel recognized that the Spirit of God was using this woman named Deborah, and they sought her for the wisdom and counsel of God, Judges 4:5.  If there were any who were against women judges, they would have missed their appropriate blessing for that time. 

Our God is no respecter of persons.  Acts 10:34 – Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is not respecter of persons.

Respecter of persons – To regard one above the other.

A judge during this time in biblical history was a spiritual leader.  The judges were agents that God raised up and used in his efforts to save disobedient .  A judge was one who judged as a magistrate (governmental official with administrative and judicial responsibilities).    A judge was also a ruler among the people.

In the old testament there were only twelve judges.  They were divided into two groups of six.  The Major judges and the Minor Judges.  It is recorded that Deborah was appointed by God to judge .  Deborah was among the Major judges.  The Book of Judges records mostly the military exploits of five of the judges because of this they are called Major judges.  Minor judges received minimal notice.

Deborah left her husband to participate in a mission for God (Judges 4:8).  She was instrumental in encouraging Barak to lead the armies of against the armies of Jabin, who was the king of , and oppressor of the children of .  Amazing that Barak was more comfortable and spiritually secure with Deborah then ten thousand mighty men, Judges 4:6-8.  Barak had nothing against the woman of God; he knew that God was with her.

Deborah was considered a Mother in or a woman leader, Judges 5:7.

If God would use a woman as a judge and spiritual leader over a nation of people, during a time when was in great distress why would he not use “chosen” anointed, women today as spiritual leaders in the church?  Bear in mind, was a type of church.

Deborah, as Judge and prophetess led to battle.  The Lord used her talents, capabilities, obedience and faith to deliver from their oppression.  We do not refer to spiritual leaders in these days as judges; however, as Deborah was called to deliver from captivity, today men and women pastors are called by God to deliver the people from Satan’s strongholds, bondage and captivity, II Tim 2:25-26.   The spiritual leaders of this generation who fulfill the position as a pastor represent the judges of yesterday.  The same God calls us and the mission is the same, to set the captive free. St. Luke 4:18.

·        Huldah – The wife of Shallum.  II Kings 22:14 – She was consulted after Josiah the Kin of Judah saw a copy of the book of the law found as preparations were being made to restore the temple.  She prophesied judgment for the nation but a peaceful death for Josiah the King.  Huldah prophesies – II Kings 22:15-20

·        Isaiah’s wife – Isaiah 8:3 – And I (Isaiah) went unto the prophetess, and she conceived and bare a son.  Then said the Lord to me call his name Mahershalalhashbaz

·        Anna – Luke 2: 36-38.  Anna was an aged widow and prophetess who served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luke 2:37-38 She spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption in .

Anna acted not only as a prophetess but she also did priestly chores.  St. Luke – AND WHEY THEY HAD PERFORMED – They meaning Anna and Simeon performing priestly tasks

·        Philip the Evangelist had four daughter preachers.  Acts 21:8-9. Fulfillment of Old Testament scripture that the sons and daughters would prophesy upon receiving the outpouring of The Holy Ghost, Joel 2:28.

·        Phoebe – Romans 16:1 – A woman who was titled a servant of the church.  Interpretation of the word servant in the Greek dictionary of the New Testament is Diakonos meaning, minister, deacon or pastor.   Paul and Timothy were referred to as servants of Jesus Christ, and we understand that they were Pastors, Paul being an Apostle.  Philippians 1:1.

·        Priscilla & Aquilla – Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, Vs 5 – Greet the church that is in their house.They were referred to as fellowworkers of the Lord out of the Hebrew/Greek bible.  Timothy was also referred to as a fellowworker, Romans 16:21-Greek/Hebrew version and he Timothy was a pastor. It is believed that Priscilla and Aquilla were both ministering to a body of believer’s in their home.

·        The Elect Lady – II John 1:1 – The elder unto the elect lady and her children.  Although there are those who believe that this elect lady was the name of a church, which was held in someone’s home.  Many do not believe this to be so.  It is my understanding that John’s second letter was written to warn a Christian female leader against indiscriminate fellowship with unbelievers.  The letter is addressed to an elect lady, which probably is exactly what is meant.  I believe that this elect lady was chosen by God to feed the word of God to a small band of believers within the confines of her home, which was their church. II John vs. 4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father.

During this time in biblical history many Christians established churches in their homes, Acts 2:46.

           

John commanded the elect lady because her children walked in truth.  I believe that the elect lady was a lady preacher, and her children were those who were under her ministry.  They were walking according to the words that she taught or ministered.

There were not as many women in the bible used by God, as there were men. However it is interesting to know that throughout the Holy pages of inspiration there did exist certain women, special women, who God indeed singled out of the masses of people and chose, anointed and ordained to use as a vessel to speak and counsel his word to the people.  Such a woman was indeed a special elected lady for the causes of the Lord.  Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a Virtuous Woman?  Proverbs 31:25 – Strength and honor are her clothing.

Questions:

Why was Deborah chosen as a Major judge?

Who do you feel that the elect lady represented?

Discuss in what ways God has used women in the bible

What do you think the difference is between the judges of   yesterday and the pastor’s of today?

What was a Judge?   What was the role of a judge?

What were some of Deborah’s gifts?

Why would Barak not go to war unless Deborah went with him? Can you verbalize some of the names of women used by God?