Wednesday, December 16, 2015

2 Kings 22

"So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her. 15 Then she said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, " vv.14-15

Read chapter 22
A woman prophet, a prophetess.  This is only one of six (or so) prophetess mentioned in scripture.  We don't know much about her other than what's recorded here.  "She lived in Jerusalem, and her husband, Shallum, was probably a Levite, as he had charge of what must have been the wardrobe for the vestments of the priests. The narrative here shews in what esteem she was held both by king and people, and her language in her answer has quite the prophetic character. She speaks not her own words but the message of the Lord the God of Israel" (Cambridge Bible).  Both Jeremiah and Zephaniah were prophets during this time yet here the king goes to her to hear the word of the Lord.  Perhaps because she dwelt in Jerusalem where Jeremiah and Zephaniah would have been outside of the land???
We can learn some from her character and attitude whether we're a man or a woman.  Huldah is not moved by big titles or intimidated by the power of men as she responds confidently and with authority to the high ranking government officials. She refers to the king as just any other man by saying in a manner to "Tell the man who sent you to me".  She spoke directly and to the point.  This wasn't a public show, but private, not trying to usurp Jeremiah or Zephaniah.  So women, how can you be like Huldah?  Men, how can you learn to go to women of God?

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