Twelve Extraordinary Women: Anna

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The character of Anna is revealed in only a few short verses at Luke 2:36-38. They read as follows:

"Now there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

In those three short verses, a number of details can be considered. First of all, Anna is called a prophetess, of the tribe of Asher. MacArthur goes into great depth to point out just what Anna's role as a prophetess was. He suggests that she didn't predict the future, which we often think of when we think of a prophet. Rather he suggests that Anna was called a prophetess in regard to the fact that she spoke the word of God.

When you consider Anna's background, it is extraordinary that she did so. Anna was "the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher." The tribe of Asher was a part of the northern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom split. If you've read OT history, you know that Jerusalem was located within the boundaries of the southern kingdom of Judah. Judah had very few good kings, but Israel had none! All the kings of Israel had ignored the 'way of the Lord.' The northern kingdom also not having access to Jerusalem, the Holy City, built new alters and made sacrifices upon those alters. The northern kingdom established an alternative priesthood. In essence, MacArthur dubs them as the 'apostate northern Kingdom.'

Apparently, Anna's ancestors were among the small remnant of exiles who returned from captivity. She was a fine example of God's faithfulness during a time when the Scriptures were silent for 4 centuries, up until Jesus' birth. She was a part of the minuscule believing remnant that came from the northern kingdom.

Anna was a widow, which in those times usually meant a life of hardship. Yet she "did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day." This verse expresses Anna's faithfulness and devotion to the Lord.

God has given us a glimpse at the woman that He chose to lay eyes upon the living Messiah. She was a descendant of the apostate northern kingdom with all their pagan rituals. She was most likely poor financially, having been so for many years, since she was a widow for decades. But by the grace of God, He placed her at the temple exactly at the moment when Simeon was declaring Jesus as Savior.

What an awesome God!

The verse continues, "She gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Anna lived out the remainder of her life continuing to fast and pray; and she enthusiastically shared her hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anna was truly an extraordinary woman!