The Syrophoenician Woman – 8 Points for Bible Study

Bible Study February 13, 2016  – Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

1. The woman’s name is not known. Her identity by Matthew says she is a Canaanite.  As there was no country of Canaan at that time, the term may be a Semitic identification of reference by the Jews to the Phoenicians. Mark identifies her as “….a Greek born in Syrian Phoenicia…” (Mark 7:26).

2. Her story is a lesson in faith and love as she came to Jesus and begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter (Mark 7:26).

3. It is evident, that from the answer Jesus gave her; “First let the children eat all they want” (Mark 7:27) all involved understood the tension between the Jews and the Greeks.

4. Love – Jesus said the greatest commandment is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the Greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).  Jesus also said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 list a number of admirable attributes such as, speaking in tongues, the gift of prophecy, faith to move mountains, giving to the poor, suffering martyrdom and being burned at the stake, but concludes that these great accomplishments are nothing without love. The Apostle John says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). However, Reverend Al Green reminds us that love is “Something that can make you do wrong, make you do right, love.” It is a mother’s love in this case, that makes the women risk prejudicial condemnation, to go to a person from a group that despised her people, and seek healing for her daughter. I’m sure this didn’t sit will with the Jews or her people, the Greeks of Syrophoenicia. Love however, conquered all.

5. In her initial call for help, she recognized him as being a direct desendent of King David. “A Canaanite woman from the vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly  from demon-possession.” (Matthew 15:22)

6. Jesus ignored her plea, but she was persistent. “Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” (Matthew 15:23)

7. There seems to be no real answer at why Jesus ignored the woman and spoke to her as he did in Matthew 15:24-26. Was he being witty to let her know he didn’t despise her like other Jews? Was he teaching his disciples a lesson regarding the scope of their ministry in the future? Did Jesus in his humanness have to come to grips with the true mission of his Father, God? Was he testing the woman’s level of faith? Or, was he using the woman as an example of what level faith in the healing power of God produced a response? No one knows the answers, but we know the woman had faith.

8. Faith – Many times the drive of the inward assurance of success outweighs the skill level. This is not to say that the woman didn’t have sufficient language skills to make her point to Jesus. In order to make the attempt, as She “begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter” (Mark 7:26), she had to have great faith that she would succeed. How many know how to solve their problems of life, but don’t have faith to not only take the first step in the right direction, but approach the task with the tenacity of guaranteed success. The Greek word parakaleo indicates an urgent call. Urgent enough that despite what may appear as rudeness from Jesus put him in a witty, seemingly challenging conversation which resulted in her showing him she had faith that be could and would heal her daughter. For, “Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:28).

Study Guide:                                                                                                                                                    Syswerda, Jean E, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Zondervan, 1999

 

 

The Woman of Samaria – 8 Study Points

Key Scriptures:  John 4:1-42

1. Her Character and Her Dilemma:

Her first problem was that she was a woman. Her second problem was that she was a Samaritan woman. And to complicate matters more, she was a sinner Samaritan woman.

  A. In Jesus’ day, women were not liberated, as we say. They were not allowed to worship with men. In their morning devotions, Men would include this politically incorrect prayer, “Thank God I wasn’t born a gentile, thank God I wasn’t born a slave, thank God I wasn’t born a woman.” Can you imagine that today? Women had no place in public life at all. They were not to be seen or heard, especially by holy men.

B. She was a SAMARITAN woman. She was considered a half-breed. She was a cross between the Israelites and the Assyrians. Between the Jews and the Samaritans there was an embittered hatred. Hundreds of years before, the Assyrian kingdom conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. The ancient conquerors displaced the people, sent them off into the southern kingdom of Israel and those who remained in the northern kingdom over the years intermarried with the Assyrians. They were thought to be “half-breeds.” They were a despised and hated people; full pagans as far as the purists were concerned; in the eyes of the Jews they were a people for whom God no longer had any concern. The Samaritans committed what to the Jew was an unforgivable crime. They lost their ethnic purity.

C. She was a sinner Samaritan woman. She comes to the well at high noon of day, not the time most women come. The fact that she came at high noon tells us a lot about this woman.  Most women, the respectable women of the community came in the cool of the day to draw water. She was alone. Only women of notorious character would come in the middle of the day.   But perhaps she is here at this time in order to avoid the taunts of the other women and being the brunt of the town gossip. Also please note the exchange in verses 15-18.

2. Jesus Travels to Samaria for Her: (John 4:4)

⁴ And he must needs go through Samaria. (KJV)

⁴ Now ^[a]He had to go through ^[b]Samaria. (NIV, AMP)

⁴ This time he had to go through Samaria. (CEV)

He came to that well for her. If you read that entire passage, you will see that the only thing Jesus did was talk to her. He changed His itinerary for her. Remember in verse 4 it said:  “But He needed to go through Samaria.” Whenever John uses the impersonal verb dei’ the necessity involves God’s will or plan: (3:7, 14, 30; 4:4, 20,24; 9:4; 10:16; 12:34; and 20:9) [1]

[1] Strong’s Concordance

dei: it is necessary

Original Word: δεῖ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dei
Phonetic Spelling: (die)
Short Definition: it is necessary, inevitable
Definition: it is necessary, inevitable; less frequently: it is a duty, what is proper.

The usual route would be to cross the Jordan in the south and travel up the Eastern side of the river to avoid Samaria. Jesus changed His travel plans in order to go through Samaria and the only thing he did there was to meet this lady. He came for her. Went out of His way for her…

3. Jesus Asked Her For A Favor: John 4:7

Look at what it says in verse 7: “Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”  Notice she is in the ordinary day, doing an ordinary something, and here comes Jesus seeking her out, asking her for a drink of water – a huge scandal in that day, because no man, no Jewish man, would ever ask to drink from the same cup or bucket as a Samaritan woman. His physical body had a need and he asked this sinner woman to meet the need of his physical body. His physical body was thirsty and he asked this sinner Samaritan woman to give Him a drink to relieve His thirst. He thought so much of her that when his physical body had a need he asked her to do him a favor. But when Jesus left earth and went back to heaven, He formed his physical body into a spiritual body and His spiritual body is now the Church. And just like his physical body had a need then, His spiritual body has a need now. And just like he wanted her to meet the need of His physical body then, He wants us to meet the need of His spiritual body now.  And so he says to us lend me your hands because the only hands I have are your hands. He says, lend me your feet and go into the highways and byways. Lend me your voice to live for me and to witness for me and to testify by me.  Jesus has a need and he wants you to meet that need.

4. An Engaging Conversation

Jesus has the longest conversation ever recorded in the gospel.  He talks face to face with this woman more than he talks to his   disciples as recorded, more that he talks to his family, more than he talks to his accusers. He is engaging in a conversation with the Samaritan woman. A huge scandal in that day, because no man, no Jewish man, would ever ask to drink from the same cup or bucket as a Samaritan woman.

A. 4:9 Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. This phrase could also be translated, “Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans,” referring to the legislation that forbade a Jew to eat or drink with Samaritans, who were more lax in their understanding of ritual cleanness. The surprise was not so much that Jesus would speak with a Samaritan, but that He would drink from a Samaritan vessel.

B. 4:10  the gift of God. This expression emphasizes that salvation is not earned but given (Eph. 2:8). Jesus Himself is the gift of God ( 3:16;  2:20; Eph. 5:25).  living water. In the Old Testament, living or running water was employed figuratively as a reference to divine activity (Jer. 2:13; Zech. 14:8). See also v. 14 and 7:37–39.

C. 4:11 Like the Jews and Nicodemus before her, the Samaritan woman misunderstands the key terms Jesus uses (v. 15; 2:19–21; 3:3–10).

5. A Tantalizing Invitation. And Gift. A Truly Irresistible Offering.              

4:13-15 “ will be thirsty again”. Jesus contrasts temporary with eternal satisfaction, teaching that all earthly pleasures, even if legitimate, are fading. 4:14 “I will give” expresses the divine origin of the blessing: “welling up” is its great abundance; “eternal life” is its endless duration.

Jesus offers her living water and she replies that he doesn’t even have a bucket to get well water, let alone living water.  It is two different conversations going on at two different levels. But somehow the spirit moves within this brilliant woman, that she understands enough to say, “Sir, give me this living water.” “Living water” has a double meaning in the Gospel of John. It can mean “flowing,” as opposed to “cistern,” or it can also mean something that gives life.   The Samaritan woman thought Jesus was talking about flowing water (river or stream). But Living water = SALVATION from sin’s bondage and condemnation.

6. Be Careful What You Ask For 4:16-18

“Go, call your husband, and come here.”   Watch this … the woman says “Sir, give me this water.” And when she said so, Jesus does an interesting thing doesn’t he? He is probing. He is pushing. In the middle of offering water that will sustain everlasting life, Jesus tells the woman: Go call your husband and then come back.

He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”  When Jesus says, Go call your Husband, the woman tries to play it off … by answering “I have no husband” Jesus says “You’ve got that right”. Five times, Jesus says, and living with a man who is not her husband. Jesus holds up a mirror and allows us to see ourselves for who we are. He allows us to deal with our projections, our failures and our insecure core. And in doing so…He calls us to live out of an authentic core and to worship with authenticity and humility. Now watch this…. Don’t miss this point!   Why would Jesus say to her go call your husband after expressing an interest in her life and expressing a desire that she receive everlasting life?  You see her husband was that area of compromise in her life. That husband represented that sin relationship in which she had become comfortable.  It represented that situation that she was no longer struggling to get out of. It represented that relationship that she had rationalized … the one that she figured one more won’t hurt…. And Jesus says that before you can receive the anointing of this water that I have you must realize the sin in your life. The only way to prepare the soil of the heart for the seed is to plow it up with conviction. That was why Jesus told her to go and get her husband: He forced her to admit her sin. There can be no conversion without conviction.

7. Vs 19–26 – DEFLECTION AND THE WAY TO TRUE WORSHIP

Ouch!  Busted. However, instead of listening to Jesus, the woman tried to get Him on a “detour” by   discussing the differences between the Jewish and the Samaritan religions. It is much more comfortable to discuss religion than to face one’s sins!  (vv. 17-18). Impressed at his prophetic knowledge, she raised the main question that divided Jews and Samaritans, whether Jerusalem or Mount Gerazim was the right place to worship God. The woman compares Samaritan worship with Jewish worship. Jesus reveals that true worshippers worship God, who is Spirit, in spirit and truth through the work of God the Holy Spirit. He also reveals Himself as the Messiah. (vv. 19-20 ). Once again Jesus deepened the discussion (vv. 21-24 ). If it were simply a matter of deciding between Jewish and Samaritan worship, the Jewish way is right. But even that is being superseded by a spiritual manner of worship in which God and humanity find their true union in Jesus, who is the Truth (cf. 14:6). After this, there was only one thing left to say: Jesus is the Christ. The woman guessed it (v. 25), and Jesus acknowledged it (v. 26 ).

8. The Disciples Rejoin Jesus – Everyday Evangelism and The Witnesses God Uses

 4:27 marveled (surprised). The disciples’ attitude reflects both the contempt of the Jews for the Samaritans and the male chauvinism that regarded giving instruction to a woman as a waste of time. 4:30 They went out. The witness of the woman was more effective than the visit of the twelve apostles. 4:37 One sows and another reaps. Jesus makes it clear that His disciples have a responsibility distinct from His own. They will harvest what Jesus sowed. The saying may deliberately anticipate (12:23,24 ). 4:42 the Savior of the world. They recognized that Jesus was more than a prophet ( vv. 19,  29,  39 ); He is the Savior (1 John 4:14).

God uses witnesses who are excited about Jesus, have a harvest perspective, and invite others to come to Him.

 

NOTES & SOURCES:

1. Women of the Bible; 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups; Jean E. Syswerda

2. The Reformation Study Bible

3. Excerpts from the Sermon “What Happens When You Meet Jesus” – Rev. Alfonso Woods

4. Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series

5. BibleGateway.com

 

Rahab – 11 Points for Bible Study – 06/20/2015

SCRIPTURES RELEVANT TO 11 POINTS:

Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17-25, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25

1. Rahab was a prostitute.

2.  Rahab was clever and wise.

3.  Rahab saw judgement coming and devised an escape for herself and her family.

4. Rahab hid the two spies that Johua son of Nun secretly sent from Shittim to look over the land especially Jericho.

5. Rahab recognized that the GOD the Hebrews worshiped was the true GOD of all Heaven and earth.

6. Rahab hid the spies on the roof of her house.

7.  Rahab requested of the spies that herself, her family and that all belonging to her be sparred once the Hebrews attacked and took hold of Jericho.

8.  Rahab not only hid the spies but she also lied to the King ‘s guards and sent them in          the wrong direction to search for the spies.

9. By lying to the King ‘s guard Rahab provided the spies with a way out of the city without being caught.

10. Joshua sparred Rahab, her family and all that was hers because she helped the spies.

11. Rahab married Salmon which produce the lineage that Jesus, the Messiah, is descendant from. (Matthew 1:5)

Resources

Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.

A New Group in Fifty Days

The majority of the changes in our lives started with a pivotal event. Some were good experiences such and graduations, marriage, birth of children or new jobs. Some of these pivotal experiences were painful such as job loss, divorce, or death of love ones. Whether the experiences were positive or negative, all of these key events started a series of processes which took our lives in new directions.

As we come to the end of the week of the celebration of the death of Christ and His resurrection we are reminded of the greatest changes within any group in history. When Jesus first appeared to the 11 disciples after The Resurrection (Judas committed suicide Matthew 27:3), they were hiding in fear behind closed doors (John 20:19). With the help of Jesus opening their minds to the Scriptures (Luke 24:45), by Pentecost they became the excited voice of the fulfilled New Covenant (Acts 1:15-16).

Like the change of the 12 disciples (Judas was replaced by Matthias Acts1:26), through the pivotal event of the death and Resurrection of Jesus, we also should experience a change when we accept Jesus as our personal savior. This transformation of accepting Christ, not only affords us a personal relationship with Jesus but also should change our lives to always pursue a life-pattern of service to God according to His perfect will (Romans 12:2).

In the months following the celebration of the Resurrection, let us remember to continue to celebrate with the renewal of our life to Jesus the Christ.

(Reprint from Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry, Facebook, May 2011)

He Has Risen!

Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood behind them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day rise again.’ ” Then they remembered  his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away wondering to himself what had happened.

Happy Resurrection Sunday from Homewords Ministery, because He Has Risen!

Mary Magdalene —10 Key Points for Bible Study on February 28, 2015

Our Lesson on Mary Magdalene comes from Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1, Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1-19; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18 of our main text Women of the Bible by Jean E Syswerda. Here are some important points. These points may not directly answer the questions on pages 211-212.

Mary Magdelene
Her name means “Bitterness”
Ten points of information:
1. Mistakenly characterized as a prostitute.
2. She was possessed by seven demons. She probably suffered from a serious mental or physical illness from which Jesus delivered her.
3. She went to the tomb where Jesus was buried and saw that the stone had been rolled away, at the entrance. She explained to the two angels that she saw that the body of her Lord had been taken away and that she did not know where to find him. She was the first to see the Resurrected Jesus Christ.
4. She cried out in Aramaic “Rabboni” (which means teacher) when she recognized who Jesus was.
5. She was one of several women who took the time out to play a role in the ministry of Jesus. She traveled with Jesus and the twelve disciples. She cared for their needs during the time that they were not earning a living.
6. The women that cared for Jesus and his disciples used their own financial resources to support Jesus and his disciples. They either had no children or their children were grown.
7. They spent their time purchasing food; preparing it; and serving it; while Jesus was teaching and healing.
8. Perhaps they found homes for Jesus and his disciples to stay in during their travels.
9. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
10. She announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She informed them that he told her to tell them that he was ascending to his Father and our Father, to his God and our God.

Scriptures:
Matthew 27:56 – Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Matthew 27:61 – Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Matthew 28:1 –  After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
Mark 15:40 – Some women were watching from a distance, Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.
Mark 15:47 – Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Mark 16:1 – When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
Luke 8:2 – And also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;
Luke 24:10 – It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
John 19:25 – Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1 – 18 – Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (2) So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (3) So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. (4) Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (5) He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. (6) Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, (7) as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. (8) Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (9) (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (10) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. (11) Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb (12) and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. (13) They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” (14) At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (15) He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). (17) Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my Brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (18) Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news. “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Women of the Bible – Mary Magdalene – 02/28/2015

Mary Magdalene is our twentieth study in our series from Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of Mary Magdalene is found on page 209. The Bible Study will meet 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For complete information contact Glenda at 727-542-4683.

LUKE 10:41-42 – Bible Verse and Reflection

“Martha, Martha,” The Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

We need to focus on what is important and that is one thing, Jesus Christ. He is instructing us in this Scripture that He is the right choice and nothing else is as important…Life is like a camera. Focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don’t work out, take another shot…GodVine.com

Jesus is always available to us. We have to make the right choice to choose Him over all else.

MARY OF BETHANY —10 KEY POINTS FOR BIBLE STUDY ON February 14, 2015

BY PETRA VAUGHN FEBRUARY 14^TH, 2015

Our Lesson on Mary of  Bethany, comes from Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 10:38-42 & John 11:1-12:11, here are some important points. These points may not directly answer the questions on pages 199-200.

1. Mary of Bethany, her name may be “Bitterness” page 196 Women of the Bible.

2. Mary of Bethany, is the sister of Martha and Lazarus, not to be confused with Mary, Jesus’ mother or Mary Magdalene.(John 11:1-2) Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus lived together in Bethany, a village less than 2 miles from Jerusalem.

3. Mary stepped outside of the Cultural expectations of the time by sitting at the feet of Jesus with the men. Luke 10:39, She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

4. Mary annoints Jesus head with very expensive oil in a Alabaster Jar.Matthew 26:7, A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he as reclining at the table. Mark 14:3b a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. John 12:3, Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume, she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

5. Jesus took up for Mary, due to her kind gesture of pouring the oil on him, since the gesture seemed to cause an concern for one of the Disciples( Judas Iscariot). Matthew 26:10, Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”Mark 14:6 “Leave her alone” Jesus said, ”Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” John 12: 7, “Leave her alone,” Jesus said, “It was intended, that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

6. Mary will always be remembered for her gesture of love torwards Jesus. Matthew 26:13 & Mark 14:9, “ I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she had done will also be told, in memory of her.”

7. As Mary sat listening to Jesus, her sister Martha wanted Jesus to make her help her serve. Luke 10: 40-41, But Martha was so distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

8. Mary and her sister sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. John 11:3, So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

9. Mary waited expectantly for Jesus to come while her brother was sick. John 11:28-33

10. Mary wept at the death of her brother Lazarus John 11:32-33

1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan 2008 Edition (All scriptures)

2. Women of the Bible 52 Bible Studies for Indivuals or groups: Jean E Syswerda

Anna – 10 Points for Bible Study 12/06/2014

From our lesson of  Anna, Luke 2:22-38, Here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 162-165 of the text, but may help you in our discussion of the Saturday Bible Study 12/06/2014.

1.  Her name means “Favor” or “Grace”.  (3, pg. 162)

2.  She was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  (Luke 2:36)

3.  She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.   She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. (Luke 2: 37-38).

4.  Though she could not echo the prayer of Jewish men, who praised God for creating them neither Gentiles nor women, she could be  grateful for the privilege of ascending beyond the Court of the Gentiles to the Women’s Court, where she would be that much closer to the Most Holy Place.  Having done so, she bowed her head, rocking back and forth to the rhythm of her prayers (Psalm 84:1-3). (2, pg. 302).

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young–

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

5.  Suddenly a voice interrupted her recitation of the familiar psalm.  Old Simeon she saw, was holding a baby to his breast, pronouncing words that thrilled her soul: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”(Luke 2:29-32) ( 2, pg. 302)

6.  Like her, Simeon had lived for nothing but Israel’s consolation.  Though he had not seen, yet he had believed.  Anna watched as the child’s parents hung on the old man’s words.  Then he handed the infant back to his mother, this time speaking more softly: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35) (2, pg. 302)

7. The old woman Anna had probably spent upwards of sixty years in the temple.  In fact, she never left it, ” but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37).  The evidence of her devotion is not just in the fact that  she spent all those years in prayer, but that she recognized the Christ.  (He was, after all, only six weeks old.)  Yet even though Anna had relinquished a normal lifestyle, spent hours of every day in prayer, and gone without food as a sign of devotion, she was still not allowed  access to the actual temple.  Despite being relegated to the outer court for women, however, she never let that restriction squeeze her heart or strangle her love for God.(2, pg. 304)

8. Now she too felt like a sparrow soaring freely in the house of God.  It no longer mattered that she was forbidden entry into the innermost courts of the temple.  God himself was breaking down the dividing walls between Jew and Gentile, male and female, revealing himself to all who hungered for his presence. That day a child had transformed the Women’s Court into the holiest place of all. (2, pg. 303)

9.  Scripture doesn’t tell us whether Anna ever actually wished she were allowed to enter the innermost courts of the temple in Jerusalem.  But her longing for God is obvious.  Clearly, she was a woman with great spiritual appetite, who abandoned her life to God and was rewarded by meeting Jesus and his parents just forty days after his birth, during the presentation in the temple. (2, pg. 303)

10.  The customs of her time may have restricted the physical location of Anna’s worship, but no earthly regulation could bind her actual worship or devotion.  Be an Anna! Don’t let anything limit your devotion to God!  No earthly rules or restrictions.  No past mistakes or sins.  No life situations that you can’t overcome.  Let nothing get in the way of worshiping your God and recognizing your Savior. (2, pg. 304)

1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All Scriptures)

2. Women of the Bible,  One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.

3. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.