City Life Starter

Written by Bebe Thomas

The Word

36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 

37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with fasts and prayers. 

38And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 

40Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Luke 2: 36-40 (NASB)

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His holy tent [tabernacle]. He will hide me in the secret place of His tent. He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalm 27:5

Reflection

As Pastors Chris and Ji have discussed, the Gospel of Luke is written historiographically with a strong emphasis on historical accuracy and detailed narrative. Luke, often regarded as a meticulous historian, begins his account by stating his intention to provide an orderly and carefully investigated narrative. He draws from eyewitness testimonies and other sources to ensure the reliability of his account. This approach is evident in his detailed descriptions of people, events, geographical locations, and cultural contexts, aiming to present a comprehensive and trustworthy record of Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke’s method reflects his commitment to documenting the truth and providing a clear, factual account for his readers. The information was meant to be shared orally with a diverse audience as the apostles travelled to share the Good News.

Anna, the prophetess, is a significant figure in the Gospel of Luke. She is introduced in Luke 2:36 as an elderly widow, the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. After being married for only seven years, she dedicated her life to worship, fasting, and prayer in the temple. Anna is described as a devout woman who never left the temple, serving God night and day in fasting and prayer. Upon seeing Jesus, Anna spoke of the child “to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Despite Luke’s short description of Anna, the details he provides offer us significant insights. First, we know that names are significant in the Bible because they describe a person’s character. Anna’s name in Hebrew means “grace” or “gracious.” Second, her father is Penuel, which means the “face of god.” Third, we know that Penuel is from the tribe of Asher, which means “happy” or “blessing” (See Genesis 30:13). From these few details, we know that not only was Anna devout, but she comes from a devout and well-respected lineage.

Asher was one of the 12 original tribes of Israel. (See Genesis 49:28; Exodus 24:4, 28:21, 39:14; Ezekiel 47:13; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Acts 26:7; James 1:1; Revelation 21:12). The tribe of Asher camped in tents just outside of the tabernacle walls during the Exodus. After the Exodus, its men numbered 41,500 strong and occupied the coast-land from Dor (outh) to Sidon (north) (See Joshua 19:24-31). Asher was known for its oil production which brought its people wealth and religious prosperity. In Deuteronomy 33:24, Moses gives Asher special blessing: “Blessed be Asher with descendants, and let him be pleasing to his brethren, and let his foot be dipped in oil.”

Indeed, these details are significant. Anna would have been a very well respected woman, lending to the reliability of Luke’s narrative. Although we do not know why she did not remarry, we know that she was content to live in the presence of the Lord, within the walls of His temple, “safe in His holy tent.” As a Jewish woman of her lineage, she would have known of God’s repeated promise to bring redemption to his people (i.e. the “redemption of Jerusalem”) (See, e.g., Isaiah 62:12; Jeremiah 31:11). Instead of worrying about what the next day would bring, she was steadfast and waited for God’s promise to materialize. What faith!

Application

Anna is one of the few women prophets mentioned in the Bible alongside Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), and Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9). Luke shares Anna’s story alongside Simeon as one of the first witnesses to Jesus’ presence in the temple.

This is a beautiful testament to the role of women in the bible—and in the greater Church in general. Women were respected, they were seen and heard. Their voices mattered. Don’t skip over these short passages. Let the story of a devout widow who was one of the first people to witness the infant Jesus in the temple rest on your heart. Find peace in knowing that there is a place for everyone under “His holy tent.”

Prayer

Lord, just as Anna found refuge, may I also seek shelter in Your presence, within the safety of Your holy tent that welcomes us all. Amen!