Women of the Bible Lesson 25 Anna: A Story of Devotion

Luke 2:36-38, And there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about eighty-four years of age who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. Coming at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem. (MEV) 

Today we will be studying the life of Anna.  The three verses above are all that is recorded in the Bible about her; however, we can glean from her life as described in Luke as well as what we know of historical events at that time.  Anna’s was a life of devotion.   

We will start with the facts that Luke gave us. 

#1 Anna was a prophetess. “A prophetess is a female prophet. The word prophet comes from the Greek word prophetes, which means “spokesman.” A prophet in the Bible is a person who proclaims God’s Word and therefore speaks for God—a spokesman for God. A prophetess was, therefore, a spokeswoman for God.”i  At this time in history the Lord had been silent for 400 years.  To hear from God testified of an intimate relationship with Him and to be called a prophetess indicates that others identified Anna as having a close relationship with God.   

#2 Anna was from the tribe of Asher. “Because the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, including the Tribe of Asher, in 722 BCE, the tribes fled into exile, causing them to be considered the Lost Tribes of Israel.”ii  The Tribe of Asher, as a whole, never returned to Israel.  Anna is one of those who somehow managed to return.  There is, however, no record of how or when.   

#3 Anna was a widow after only 7 years of marriage.  “In ancient times, the primary purpose of women in marriage was to produce children and heirs to carry on the family line. A childless widow endured double adversity, with no husband to provide for and protect her, and no son to carry on the family name and care for her in her old age. She might have been considered a disgrace to her family and left in a precarious position.   

God recognized the widow’s plight and rose to her defense: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5). A person who denied justice to a widow was cursed by God: “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow” (Deuteronomy 27:19). Laws and special provisions were put in place to safeguard widows against neglect and abuse.” iii 

#4 Anna was advanced in years being either a widow for 84 years or 84 years old.  Either way she was no longer a young woman. Age does not bother God.  He will use anyone who is willing to be used.   

#5 Anna never left the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. “She was faithful in her attendance at public services at the temple, worshiping with fasting's and supplications night and day.”iv  Anna probably lived in a room off the temple or in a home nearby.   

#6 Anna saw Jesus when he was brought to the temple for the first time.   

There are several lessons we can learn from Anna’s example today. 

First, Anna never gave up.   

There are a couple schools of thought about Anna’s widowhood.  The first is that because she was married for seven years and had no children, she was considered barren and thus undesirable to other bachelors.  The other is that she chose to remain single in order to serve God wholeheartedly.   

Regardless of why she remained single, the reality is that being widowed and childless could have left her depressed, lonely, and angry with God and the world.  However, we see that Anna was devoted to God. Luke tells us that she ministered in the temple day and night, praying and fasting.  Rather than allowing self-pity to rob her of joy and peace, Anna sought fellowship with God. 

Second, Anna saw what others did not see.   

When Anna saw Jesus, she saw the Redeemer she had been proclaiming and looking for all her life.  How many people were in the temple that day?  Outside of Simeon, Anna was the only other who recognized that this was no ordinary family and no ordinary child.   

Amos 3:7 tells us that the Lord God does nothing without revealing His purpose to His servants the prophets.  Anna heard from God and knew that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah/Redeemer.   

When we walk in close fellowship with Jesus, we will be able to see (discern) things that others do not.  God will speak to us about things that are happening and will direct or steps just as He did with Anna.  The key is intimacy with Him.  We must keep our hearts and minds free from the clutter of this life and keep our focus on Him.  Walking in constant communion with Him.   

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. This does not mean we do nothing but pray all day, however it does mean that we stay aware of the Lord’s presence as we go about our daily activities and then when issues arise, or Holy Spirit nudges our hearts to pray we can immediately connect to Christ.  

Thirdly, for Anna, praise appears to be like a reflex.   

Upon seeing Jesus, Anna’s immediate reaction was that of praise.  Psalm 71:8, My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. (ESV) 

Psalm 34:1, I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth. (MEV) 

Hebrews 13:15, Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. (AMP) 

Anna wore the garment of praise. “The phrase garment of praise is a metaphor for the gladness and thanksgiving God’s people feel when they are filled with the joy of the Lord. In ancient times, it was customary for a grieving person to wear sackcloth (see Esther 4:1). The garment of praise is the opposite of sackcloth; it is brightly colored raiment indicative of celebration. The Christian Standard Bible translates it as “splendid clothes.””v 

Finally, Anna’s life teaches us that there are rewards for devotion to the Lord.   

Anna was rewarded with seeing the Messiah/Deliverer in person during her lifetime.  Her devotion to the Lord and His house allowed her to be on the scene for the greatest revelation of all times; the dedication of the Son of God!!!! 

The Bible is full of scriptures that describe the blessings/rewards for a life devoted to God.  The following are just a few examples. 

James 1:12, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV) 

 Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (ESV) 

Hebrews 11:6, And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV) 

In closing, Anna’s life of devotion demonstrates for us that we must never give up, as we stay in close relationship with God will be able to see things others miss, praise to God should be our first response in all situations, and devotion to God will be rewarded.   

May we, this Christmas, seek to live a life devoted to the Savior.  A life that is a testimony to His grace, mercy, and faithfulness.  May we, like Anna, offer up our highest praise to the one who came to Bethlehem, leaving His glory behind to live as a man and to ultimately die for the sins of all men.  As we celebrate His birth, may we never forget why He came!!!! 

Works Cited:

i https://www.gotquestions.org/prophetess-Bible.html 

ii https://study.com/academy/lesson/tribe-of-asher-history-symbol-descendants.html#:~:text=The%20Tribe%20of%20Asher%20was%20founded%20by%20Asher%2C%20who%20is,fertile%20and%20ideal%20for%20agriculture. 

iii https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-widows.html 

iv Believer's Bible Commentary Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald. 

v https://www.gotquestions.org/garment-of-praise.html