Deborah

As a Judge the people came up before Deborah to hear what she had to say regarding their matters; as a Prophetess (not Preacher, Priest or Pastor), God used her in a specific prophetical way to SPEAK FORTH his will (as he did with Anna in the New Testament). It was limited and for a short span of time. She never acted in the capacity of a Moses, Elijah or Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos or etc. She never did miracles synonymous with Old Testament Prophets given authority to act on God’s behalf. Further, no where is a woman mentioned as having written a line, verse, passage, chapter or book in the entire bible. Several books (Ruth and Ester) are named after women, but they did not write the book. No where is a woman said to have the authority of any major or minor prophet, nor are there any women mentioned AS major or minor prophets in the bible. This is critical because when we get to the New Testament, you will find this exact same theme running completely through to the end of Revelations. God used women throughout the scriptures, but God has always remained consistent in his actions when it comes to the ROLES of men and women in biblical times and throughout the scriptures.

Another way to look at it, why would God give HEADSHIP to the man, yet, also say it’s okay for Women to be Priest, Preachers or Pastors? Paul told the women to learn in silence and be in subjection to her own husbands - which was consistent with their role as a HELP-MATE. It would be a complete contradiction for them to be a Priest, Preacher or Pastor because it would mean they would have to be OVER men (which goes against God’s word), she would be usurping her husband’s authority; it would mean she is in a Pastoring and Teaching leadership posture (which Paul told women to learn UNDER their own husbands leadership and teaching). Remember: God has ALWAYS been constant and consistent in his actions as it pertains to our ROLES as men and women. He has never deviated, only we do.

Finally, all the women I’ve ever seen posing as Priest, Preachers or Pastors cite Deborah as the foundational scripture to validate and support their calling. Wrong! Deborah was a JUDGE who had a husband she submitted to, and who God used for a very specific period (or time frame) in the Old Testament. Another person we want to look at is Huldah.

Hulda

Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2Chronicles 34:22) was an Israelitess and wife of Shallum (who was the King’s keeper of the garments). Apparently, Huldah had a profession in the College setting. She was respected and known to be a person of strong faith seeing she was an Israelitess - descendant from the children of Israel.

In this particular case, Huldah is giving very specific instructions (one time) to those in need - in this case being King Josiah (the boy King). You will remember Josiah started his reign at 8 years old. He reigned for 31 years. It was common in those days for a there to be older men or women whose walk with the Lord was legendary, meaning, they never departed from praying and following God’s law. You will remember (when we get to the New Testament) that such was the case with Anna the Prophetess. She never departed from the temple (Synagogue) but was in prayer night and day.

In Huldah’s case, King Josiah already knows what the scriptures is saying and that it’s correct, but he wants to validate it from someone who is known to read and understand them better than himself, that’s where Huldah comes in. You see, the High Priest - Hilkiah finds the Mosaic Book of the Laws in the House of the Lord while repairs are going on. He then brings the book to Shaphan the scribe and tells him to read it. After Shaphan reads it, he takes the book to King Josiah and tells him what they have found and tells him they are in big trouble because they as a people have radically departed from it’s instructions. King Josiah tears his clothes and tells the High Priest - Hilkiah and his subordinates to go with Shaphan to talk with Huldah the Prophetess (One Who Speaks Forth) and see what she has to say about it. It’s very important for you to know that the Scribe (Shaphan) ALREADY read the Law to the High Priest who in turn, explained them to the King. So King Josiah knows what it says and that they are about to face the wrath of God for their (Judah’s) disobedience as a nation. Huldah’s words are only confirmation with the hopes that she (knowing the law very well because she studies it day and night), could shed some insight as to what they should do to prevent God’s wrath from being on them. This is a very important, very important point. She - Huldah is a Prophetess in that she is knowledgable about the Law, is in prayer all the time; God used her for a very specific reason and at a very specific time to proclaim, reveal or confirm his word to the King. That was it! No where do you read that Huldah was going around the country like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos or the rest of the Major or Minor Prophets giving instructions or doing frightful signs. Her 15 minutes of fame was just that, the King asked her what she thought, she answered and end of story!

Of course we could easily read far more into this story if we wanted to, but that would be Eisegesis (meaning to read INTO) instead of Exegesis (which means to dig OUT OF). What we are instructed to do regarding the Word of God is to Exegete the scriptures using it’s narrative context, meaning, cultural and historical setting. In this case, Hulda’s involvement and role was defined. She was not mobil, she was stationary. She was not given SUPERNATRAL powers as was regularly distributed to Prophets. In fact, none of the women we will read about had Prophetic Supernatural Powers. Another important fact, when God talks about the Law of Moses and the PROPHETS, Prophetess are not mentioned or included. When we get to the New Testament, even Jesus will use this biblical term: Law of Prophets (Luke 24:25-27)

Jesus elevated the roles of women more than anyone did, consequently, even Jesus would not violate the Word of God and Laws of the Prophets. He came to fulfill them. Therefore, having this understanding - this would be a great place to end with Hulda, and begin with Noadiah.