SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF BIBLE WOMEN
LESSON 4
PERIOD OF PREPARATION
New Testament Women
The Fading Jewish Age
Jesus’ Birth to His Baptism
About 30 Years
(References in Luke unless otherwise noted)
ANNA—grace
(Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah)1. Whose daughter was she? Of what tribe (2:36)?
2. What was she (2:36)?
3. How old was she and how long was she married (2:36)?
4. How long had she been a widow (2:37)? This is a trick question.
5. What was her continuous work? She is remembered for her devotion and piety (2:37).
6. What special person was it her privilege to see (2:34, 38)?
7. What was her attitude toward this event (2:38)?
8. In what way could we compare Anna to Miriam. What were they both (2:36; Exod 15:20)?
9. How does Anna compare to Phebe (Rom 16:1-2).
10.From Anna, what lessons can be learned about widows?
11.Who are widows indeed (1 Tim 5:3, 5, 9, 10)?
12.What should be the attitude of aged women toward younger women (Tit 2:4-5)?
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
1. Some ask, “If the priesthood belonged to men, why would Anna’s services be necessary?”
What was her
service? Was Anna a priest or a prophetess? Was she serving men orGod?
2.
Since ANNA was of the tribe of Asher, what right did she have in the temple? Somehave contended that from the time of Jeroboam, the apostate king, priests were appointed
from all tribes (I Kings 12:1, 31) and that was why she was there.
Consider the three ideasbelow and then tell what is wrong with the above explanation.
a. Was she a priest(ess) or a prophetess?
b. Could anyone prove she was in the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies?
c. Into what part of the temple grounds were all
tribes of Israel allowed to come?3. Notice that Joseph and Mary were of the tribe of Judah.
Would Anna have had the sameright in the
courtyard of the temple as did an Israelite from any tribe? Consider thefollowing scriptures: 2 Chron 26:16-21 (High priest in the Holy of Holies); Heb 9:6-7 (Any
priest in the Holy Place): Heb 7:14-15 (Jesus of the tribe of Judah); Heb 11:17; Exod 28:1;
Num 18:7; Num 3:9-10; Lev 1:5, 8, 11. Remember: none of these people were Gentiles.
4. How does Anna seem to demonstrate that there was a lingering hope in Israel for the
coming Messiah?
5. Thus far, who has honored the Christ both in Bethlehem and in Jerusalem?
6. What command of Titus did Anna fulfill (Tit 2:3-5)?
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© Beth Johnson
Permission granted to use lessons without changes