Jesus came to both men and women that they might receive salvation. The Father God selected a person of each sex to announce the coming of the Messiah. Like the nation of Israel that had long awaited the arrival of Jesus, these two people had waited a very long time. Inspired by the Lord, Isaiah in 742 B.C. revealed unique signs about the way the Messiah would come to His people and to the world. Anna had Isaiah’s words and a personal divine revelation that her Lord was to appear. The spirit of prophecy had left Israel more than 300 years before then, but immediately before Jesus’ birth, it was revived. There are only three verses about this remarkable woman, but the verses are Spirit-filled.
"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser(Asher): she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;.
"And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." (Luke 2:36-38)
Anna (whose name meant “gracious”) was a prophetess, a woman divinely inspired to speak God’s revelations. God, Who does not leave Himself without a witness, poured His Spirit on her. She was of the tribe of Asher, one of the northern tribes of Israel carried away as captives, but some of the tribe of Asher were not captured. Eventually much of the remnant of Asher had reunited with Judah and worshiped in Jerusalem.
She became a widow seven years after she married and had been serving the Lord at the temple for 84 years. If she had married at the age of 12, she would have been at least 103! Some scholars interpret the passage to mean she was 84. It was the practice at the temple to worship God continuously with fasting and prayer. (Psalm 134) She often took the night shift...amazing for 84 or 103 plus!
It was a glorious moment! While Simeon was proclaiming the Baby to be his Savior, Anna appeared from the background and thanked God for letting her see the Messiah. The old prophetess knew that the little baby was the One she had long awaited. She announced His arrival to the people who regularly flocked to the temple to pray for the deliverance of Jerusalem. Anna, Simeon, and a faithful core of believers were ready for the coming of the Lord!
What a beautiful woman Anna was! In her seasoned maturity, she had not grown weary of worshiping her beloved Lord. Her reverence brought her pleasure. Years and years passed while she observed the light of God’s glory moving closer in splendid brilliance. Then one day her great faith was rewarded by the vision of the Messiah, the joy of her desires. She responded by praising, rejoicing, and witnessing.
Anna realized that God loved her!
Quoted from Do You Know How God Loves You? The price of this book has been reduced on Amazon.com from $26.99 to $14.97.
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