at the heart of the turbulent history of the kingdom of Judah appears a fascinating but little known figure that of the Prophet as hula this exceptional woman who lived in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah in the 7th Century BC deserves a closer look at her character and influence for she played a crucial role at a pivotal time for the future of the nation hula is a Biblical figure who merits being rediscovered for this courageous proetus played a key part in Israel's history and in her example remains relevant for us today yet she is
little known and rarely highlighted let us examine in detail who this woman was the context in which she exercised her prophetic Ministry and the reasons why her influence was so significant what do we know about halah her name in Hebrew means mole or shrew which is is rather unusual for a person's name this perhaps suggests she was of modest Origins she is one of the rare women explicitly called a propheus in the Hebrew Bible it is a prestigious title generally reserved for men paa was certainly an educated woman able to read and interpret the scriptures
at that time few women had access to such education we do not know if she had children unlik like most women of the era she is not described by her motherhood none of her oracles or prophetic words were preserved in the Bible except for her prophecy to Josiah after this famous episode under Josiah the Bible no longer mentions holda we do not know the end of her life and Ministry the our biographical information comes from two brief passages in 2 Kings 2214 and 2 Chronicles 34:22 let us read together 2 Kings 22:4 to20 then hilah
the priest ahikam akbor chiffon and ASA went to hudah the prophetess the wife of shalam the son of tikva the son of harus Keeper of the Wardrobe ult in Jerusalem in the second quarter and they spoke with her then she said to them thus says the Lord God of Israel tell the man who sent you to me thus says the Lord behold I will bring Calamity on this place and on its inhabitants all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods
that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands therefore my wroth shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched but as for the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord in this manner manner you shall speak to him thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning The Words which you have heard because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they would become a desolation and a curse
and you tore your clothes and wept before me I also have heard you says the Lord surely therefore I will gather you to your fathers and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace and your eyes shall not see all the Calamity which I will bring on this place so they brought back word to the king from this we learn that she was the wife of a certain shom wardrobe Keeper at the temple in Jerusalem she therefore lived near the religious and political nerve center of the kingdom of Judah but far more than a
simple housewife holda stood out for her remarkable prophetic gifts to the point of being officially consulted by King Josiah on a theological matter of foremost importance this Pious King who ascended the throne at the age of 8 undertook to restore the long neglected and Forgotten Temple this major renovation project led to a major Discovery the high priest hilaya got his hands on an ancient text none other than the book of the law given by God to Moses most likely Deuteronomy understanding that this was the Holy founding scripture of Israel King Josiah immediately decided to verify
it authenticity and to question the prophet as hudah to know God's will that such a high doctrinal mission was entrusted to a woman may come as a surprise given the subordinate position reserved for women in society at the time yeah holda clearly enjoyed great Spiritual Authority no doubt acquired through her closeness to God developed in diligent prayer and meditation on the scriptures indeed James 4 it encourages us draw near to God and He will draw near to you as the Apostle Paul reminds us there is neither male nor female for you are all one in
Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28 God blows where he Wills without worrying about human barriers it is true that holda stands out as an exception as an Old Testament prophetess the prophets were mostly men and only a few women took on this role as God's spokesperson in addition to Hala one can mention Miriam Deborah and Isaiah's wife the prophetess several factors may explain the Rarity of prophetesses the patriarchal society of the time offered few places and opportunities for women confined to the domestic sphere they were generally not educated in the law and scriptures difficult in this context
text to emerge as a spiritual guide the status of Manny forbidding women from teaching on religious subjects in public when men were present also limited their prophetic influence prophecy required long periods of retreat in the desert a lifestyle hardly accessible to women who had to take care of their homes the Moors of the time made it reprehensible for a woman to exercise Spiritual Authority over men some think the masculine and warlike image of God in the Old Testament did not lend itself well to female spokespersons this is why hudah case is remarkable the fact that
King Josiah came to consult her officially publicly acknowledging her prophetic Authority testifies to her exceptional gifts and qualities her inspiring example shows that God grants his gifts to all those he chooses regardless of their gender so social status or origin Paul this example forcefully reminds us that God can use any of his children to convey his messages if they surrender to the holy spirit with faith as the Apostle Peter quoting the prophet Joel declares and it shall come to pass in the last days says God that I will pour out of my spirit on All
Flesh and they shall prophesy acts 21:17 what encouragement to use our gifts in the Lord's service wherever he has placed us without letting our status intimidate us thus this prophetess who marked the history of Israel invites us to cultivate our inner life to discern God's voice and to Faithfully Proclaim his words of truth and Grace without fearing unfavorable reactions her courage and integrity continued to pave the way for All Those whom the Eternal calls to be his Witnesses she could have adapted her prophecies to flatter the the king and gain his favor but with Integrity
she declares the whole truth of God's word however severe and displeasing it may be she does not hesitate to denounce the sins of the people calling them to repentance this faithfulness commands respect moreover hudah Oracle reveals the two faces of the prophetic word on the one hand the warning of judgment on the other the hope of divine forgiveness it reminds us that in the face of a just God sin has disastrous consequences but this God remains also merciful ready to spare those who sincerely seek him this balance between truth and Grace is characteristic of the
true prophets of Yahweh she was a woman endowed with great Inner Strength Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me even if Society impose limits on her as a woman she did not allow these obstacles to hinder her prophetic vocation or diminish her faith she trusted in her gifts and the call God had placed on her life imagine hoola as someone with a deep inner life she must have cultivated her relationship with God in prayer and meditation on the scriptures to clearly discern his voice her closeness with the Lord Shone through
and gave her Authority her life testifies that one can serve God God Faithfully in the humble condition that is ours 1 Corinthians 1 2629 on the fact that God chooses the humble and the despised she did not seek Glory or power but used her gifts where she was her discreet yet real influence commands respect I take from her example that one should never underestimate what a person who surrenders to God can accomplish regardless of their gender or social status 1 Samuel 16:7 for the Lord does not see as man sees for man looks at the
outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart the Lord writes straight with crooked lines however hudah is not an isolated case in the Bible other prophetesses are mentioned there first we can mention Miriam Moses sister she is called a propheus in Exodus 1520 after singing a song of praise to God for the deliverance from Egypt Deborah judge of Israel in the time of the judges chapters 4 and 5 she led the victory against the Canaanites and sang a long prophetic song Isaiah's wife Isaiah 8:3 we do not know her name but she had a
son with a prophetic name noadiah amyia 6:14 a prophet us who with others tried to scare Nehemiah Anna Luke 2:36 38 daughter of Fel of the tribe of Asher she prophesies about Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem Philip's four daughters acts 21:9 who prophesied although few these prophetesses testify that God's spirit could Inspire women to exhort or praise God that said among these women the one who stands out the most because of her importance is undoubtedly Deborah here's some reasons that explain her predominant role Deborah was judge of Israel an exceptional position of leadership and
Authority for a woman at that time she arbitrated the disputes of the people she personally led the Israelite Army into battle against the Canaanites with General Barack and God gave him a resounding Victory Deborah Victory song judges 5 is one of the oldest poetic texts in the Bible it reveals her prophetic gifts she was recognized as a wise counselor whom the people would come to for judicious guidance and decisions her courageous leadership made it possible to free Israel from the Yoke of the Canaanite enemy and bring 40 Years of Peace she is among the few
women to have held political and Military functions in Israel her story inspires women leaders and shows that God can give them authority to guide his people for all these reasons Deborah really stands out from the other biblical prophecies by the extent of her influence and accomplishments in God's service nevertheless Deborah's case raises a dilemma on the one hand the Bible presents Deborah as a judge and military leader over men but on the other it says that a woman should not have authority over for a man how can we reconcile these aspects it is true the
verses indicate that the man is the head of the woman in the creational order for example 1 Timothy 213 and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man but to be in silence for Adam was formed first then Eve however Deborah's story seems to be an exception Allowed by God within the framework of his son sovereignty in that troubled period of the judges Deborah emerges through her exceptional leadership gifts wisdom and Faith the fact that Barack agreed to fight only if Deborah accompanied him judges 48 shows that she
had incontestable Spiritual Authority from God Barak was not taking orders from a mere woman but recognize the anointing of the spirit on Deborah Deborah's case illustrates that God and his wisdom can bring about exceptions for specific reasons at a given time but this does not undermine the general principle of male female complimentarity intended by the Creator finally holda points to Jesus Christ the word of God par Excellence just as Josiah sought the Divine will through her Believers today must listen attentively to The Voice of Jesus the ultimate Prophet by welcoming his teachings into our hearts
we receive instruction rebuke but also comfort and promise of redemption rediscovering forgotten figures like holda reminds us how much Biblical history is full of fascinating characters who all have a role to play in God's Grand narrative and his people this humble woman who served her God wisely and courageously in her time certainly deserves our attention and respect her example transcends the centuries to encourage every believer to use their gifts in the service of the Kingdom through the power of the [Music] spirit
