Consulting Yahweh Through Huldah The Prophetess, The Wife Of Shallum

Consulting Yahweh Through Huldah The Prophetess, The Wife Of Shallum

2 Kings 22:10-20 reads,

^{22:10Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book. Shaphan read it before the king. ^22:11It happened, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes. ^22:12The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, ^22:13Go you, inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of Yahweh that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us. ^22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. ^22:15She said to them, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: Tell you the man who sent you to me, ^22:16Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on the inhabitants of it, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. ^22:17Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched. ^22:18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, thus shall you tell him, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: As touching the words which you have heard, ^22:19because your heart was tender, and you did humble yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against the inhabitants of it, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you, says Yahweh. ^22:20Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil which I will bring on this place. They brought the king word again.}

Just as Yahweh has prophets so also he has prophetesses. And just as Yahweh speaks through prophets so also he speaks through prophetesses.

How Married Women Servants Of Yahweh Should Fulfil Their Different Roles

In King Josiah's time Yahweh's oracle, consulted by all in Israel, was Huldah the prophetess, a priest's wife. Her husband had his separate priestly duties - those of keeping the wardrobe, while she had prophetic duties. Each one, husband and wife, performed their respective duties in Yahweh's service. In other words, just as was the case with Lappidoth, so also with Shallum. When Yahweh appoints a married woman into his service, whatever the nature of the service, her husband should facilitate her serving Yahweh as Yahweh has appointed for her, and she should duly serve Yahweh, even while maintaining her duties as a wife. For so the wealthy Shunammite woman servant of Yahweh showed, giving her husband honour and due respect, despite being a servant of Yahweh in her own right. In other words, married women who are servants of Yahweh shouldn't allow pride to take root in their hearts on account of Yahweh appointing them to his service. They should humbly perform their duties as wives, even while they perform their duties in serving Yahweh.

Singing Women Are Servants Of Yahweh

2 Chronicles 35:25 reads,

^{35:25Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.}

Some women serve Yahweh through singing songs to him or of his works.

Ezra 2:64-65 reads,

^{2:64The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, ^2:65besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.}

Women Are Equal Members With Men In Yahweh's Assembly

Ezra 10:1-4 reads,

10:1Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore. ^10:2Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land: yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing. ^10:3Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. ^10:4Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with you: be of good courage, and do it.

Women servants of Yahweh should fully participate with other servants of Yahweh when Yahweh's assembly is praying and making confession to him for their sins. In other words, women are part and parcel of worshipping Yahweh, fully participating with the men in worshipping Yahweh, without being excluded.

Singing Women In Nehemiah's Day

Nehemiah 7:66 reads,

^{7:66The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, ^7:67besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.}

Women In Yahweh's Assembly Ought To Participate Fully In Worship And Teaching Services

Nehemiah 8:1-3 reads,

^{8:1All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel. ^8:2Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. ^8:3He read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.}

Women are full members of Yahweh's assembly, even as men are full members of Yahweh's assembly. Women should therefore not be excluded from fully participating in worship and teaching services.

Women Fully Participate In Joyful Celebrations In Yahweh's Assembly

Nehemiah 12:43 reads,

^{12:43They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.}

Surely Yahweh shows no partiality. When it comes to worshipping him and rejoicing in that worship, all who are members of his assembly, including even women and children, fully participate. Yahweh's ways are indeed joyful!

Motherhood Is Service To Yahweh

Psalm 113:5-9 reads,

^{113:5Who is like Yahweh, our God,

Who has his seat on high,

^113:6Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?
^{113:7He raises up the poor out of the dust.

Lifts up the needy from the ash heap;
^{113:8That he may set him with princes,

Even with the princes of his people.
^{113:9He settles the barren woman in her home,

As a joyful mother of children.}Praise Yah!}}}

Yahweh blesses those women servants of his who are barren by removing their barrenness from them. He makes them fruitful and imparts joy to them. In other words, bearing children and being a mother is indeed a way that women servants of Yahweh serve him. Women should therefore not despise being homely mothers, seeing that Yahweh himself blesses his women servants with this blessing.

Yahweh's Advice To His Married Women Servants

Psalm 45:9-10 reads,

^{45:9Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women.

At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
^{45:10Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.

Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.

^45:11So will the king desire your beauty,

Honor him, for he is your lord.}}

45:10-11 is indeed wonderful advice to wives. Married women servants of Yahweh should indeed take this advice to heart, for this is the manner that Yahweh desires they serve him through honouring their husbands!

The Fruit Of Gracious Women

Proverbs 11:16 reads,

11:16A gracious woman obtains honor,
But violent men obtain riches.

How A Husband Considers His Wife Depending On Her Nature

Proverbs 12:4 reads,

^{12:4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,

But a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.}

Wise Women Contrasted Against Foolish Ones

Proverbs 14:1 reads,

^{14:1Every wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.}

Don't Disqualify Yourself From Serving Yahweh As A Married Woman

Proverbs 21:9 reads,

^{21:9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,

Than to share a house with a contentious woman.}

Seeing that being a mother and a submissive wife is serving Yahweh, married women servants of Yahweh should act to ensure that they don't disqualify themselves from this position of service that Yahweh has placed them in. For if they are contentious their husbands will indeed, in heeding this proverb, cease from dwelling with them, thereby bringing upon them shame and reproach.

Married women servants of Yahweh who truly serve Yahweh are rewarded with joy in the homes that Yahweh has settled them in. But those who disobey Yahweh's word in their homes are cast out therefrom and wander about in shame and reproach.

Proverbs 21:19 reads,

^{21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land,

Than with a contentious and fretful woman.}

Proverbs 25:24 reads,

^{25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,

Than to share a house with a contentious woman.}

The Worthy Woman Servant Of Yahweh

Proverbs 31:10-31 reads,

^{31:10Who can find a worthy woman?

For her price is far above rubies.
^{31:11The heart of her husband trusts in her.

He shall have no lack of gain.
^{31:12She does him good, and not harm,

All the days of her life.
^{31:13She seeks wool and flax,

And works eagerly with her hands.
^{31:14She is like the merchant ships.

She brings her bread from afar.
^{31:15She rises also while it is yet night,

Gives food to her household,

And portions for her servant girls.
^{31:16She considers a field, and buys it.

With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
^{31:17She girds her loins with strength,

And makes her arms strong.
^{31:18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
^{31:19She lays her hands to the distaff,

And her hands hold the spindle.
^{31:20She opens her arms to the poor;

Yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
^{31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household;

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
^{31:22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
^{31:23Her husband is respected in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.
^{31:24She makes linen garments and sells them,

And delivers sashes to the merchant.
^{31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing.

She laughs at the time to come.
^{31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom.

Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
^{31:27She looks well to the ways of her household,

And doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
^{31:28Her children rise up and call her blessed.

Her husband also praises her:
^{31:29"Many women do noble things,

But you excel them all."
^{31:30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;

But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
^{31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands;

Let her works praise her in the gates.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

The Lot Of Contentious Wives

Proverbs 27:15-16 reads,

^{27:15A continual dropping on a rainy day

And a contentious wife are alike:
^{27:16Restraining her is like restraining the wind,

Or like grasping oil in his right hand.}}

If a husband cannot restrain a contentious wife, what is he to do with her? Isn't it to do away with her?

Married servants of Yahweh should not be contentious with their husbands, but should obediently submit to them, and honour and respect them appropriately. For in this they build their own homes and Yahweh joyfully blesses them for this.

Wives Who Rule Their Husbands

Isaiah 3:12 reads,

^{3:12As for my people, children are their oppressors,

And women rule over them.

My people, those who lead you cause you to err,

And destroy the way of your paths.}

Earlier on we saw that Yahweh appointed Deborah wife of Lappidoth a judge over Israel, ruling over his people Israel. And she ruled them with Yahweh's word, seeing she was also a prophetess. And the land had rest from their enemies for 40 years. In other words, it isn't the case that the people commit errors and destroy the way of their paths on account of having a woman as their ruler. For when rulership takes place according to Yahweh's word the people walk in righteousness and do not destroy their paths.

Then how are these women ruling over Yahweh's people in an erroneous manner and destroying their paths?

The main role for women is as wives. According to Yahweh's word wives are to be subject to their husbands in their families, being ruled over by their husbands rather than they ruling over their husbands. When wives rebel against their husbands, or when husbands abdicate their rulership role over their wives, the situation in the family is turned upside down. This is contrary to Yahweh's word and is therefore error. And seeing this is a departure from Yahweh's way it is indeed a destruction of the way of the paths of Yahweh's people.

It therefore appears to me that Isaiah 3:12 is talking about the family context, rather than the context of Yahweh's assembly, seeing that it also talks of children being the oppressors of Yahweh's people. In other words, in the context of Yahweh's assembly, women can indeed rule over the assembly when Yahweh so appoints them. But in the family context Yahweh has already appointed the husband as head over the wife and therefore married women should indeed submit to their husband's rule, according to Yahweh's word.

How Yahweh Will Deal With Haughty Women Among His People

Isaiah 3:16-4:6 reads,

^{3:16Moreover Yahweh said, "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,

And walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes,

Walking to trip as they go,

Jingling ornaments on their feet;

^{3:17Therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion,

And Yahweh will make their scalps bald."
^{3:18In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces, ^3:19the earrings, the bracelets, the veils, ^3:20the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, the charms, ^3:21the signet rings, the nose rings, ^3:22the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses, ^3:23the hand-mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
^{3:24It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness;

Instead of a belt, a rope;

Instead of well set hair, baldness;

Instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth;

And branding instead of beauty.
^{3:25Your men shall fall by the sword,

And your mighty in the war.
^{3:26Her gates shall lament and mourn;

And she shall be desolate and sit on the ground.
^{4:1Seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread, and wear our own clothing: only let us be called by your name. Take away our reproach."}}}}}}^{4:2In that day, Yahweh’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel. ^4:3It will happen, that he who is left in Zion, and he who remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem; ^4:4when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. ^4:5Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. ^4:6There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.}}

Yahweh Doesn't Accept Women Servants When They Are In Sin

It should be noted that Yahweh doesn't accept his women servants when they are filthy or unclean, that is when they are haughty or otherwise in sin. When they are in a sinful state he punishes them, such as abasing those who are haughty, and removing from them the material possessions by which they manifest their haughtiness. In addition he makes widows of them, by causing their husbands to perish in war or in other situations, thereby bringing upon them the reproach of widowhood.

Haughty Women Refuse To Share A Husband But Humble Ones Do

Yahweh has prophesied that he will cleanse his filthy women servants in the day of Yahweh's branch. At that time they will have been abased and will no longer be haughty. At that time they will willingly submit to their husbands, even having a heart to share their husbands, for seven of them will be married by one man, that their reproach of widowhood be removed from them. In other words, Yahweh shows that it is haughty women who refuse to share their husband in polygyny according to Yahweh's word. But those women that he has cleansed, no longer haughty but humble, willingly share their husband, without even insisting that he provides for them.

Be A Humble Woman Servant Of Yahweh

Women servants of Yahweh should therefore be humble. And in their humility they would willingly share their husbands should the need arise, such as when another woman servant of Yahweh needs a husband and it is the husband of one of these married women who is appropriately placed to marry the unmarried woman. In other words, women servants of Yahweh should have love in their hearts and willingly facilitate the provision of the needs of those who are needy, even for husbands.

Isaiah 32 And Isaiah 3:16-4:6 Speak Of The Same Time Period

Isaiah 32 reads,

32:1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice. ^32:2A man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a great rock in a weary land. ^32:3The eyes of those who see shall not be dim, and the ears of those who hear shall listen. ^32:4The heart of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. ^32:5The fool shall be no more called noble, nor the scoundrel be highly respected. ^32:6For the fool will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profanity, and to utter error against Yahweh, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. ^32:7The instruments of the churl are evil: he devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right. ^32:8But the noble devises noble things; and in noble things shall he continue. ^32:9Rise up, you women who are at ease, and hear my voice; you careless daughters, give ear to my speech. ^32:10For days beyond a year shall you be troubled, you careless women; for the vintage shall fail, the harvest shall not come. ^32:11Tremble, you women who are at ease; be troubled, you careless ones; strip yourselves, and make yourselves naked, and gird sackcloth on your loins. ^32:12They shall strike on the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. ^32:13On the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yes, on all the houses of joy in the joyous city. ^32:14For the palace shall be forsaken; the populous city shall be deserted; the hill and the watch-tower shall be for dens forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks; ^32:15until the Spirit be poured on us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest. ^32:16Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field. ^32:17The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. ^32:18My people shall abide in a peaceable habitation, and in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. ^32:19But it shall hail in the downfall of the forest; and the city shall be utterly laid low. ^32:20Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send forth the feet of the ox and the donkey.

It appears that the time spoken of in Isaiah 32 is the very same time spoken of in Isaiah 3:16-4:6. For it is the time when Yahweh pours out his Spirit upon this people, immediately after a time when his women servants will have been misbehaving. For just as the women in Isaiah 3:16-4:6 will have been haughty, so also the women in Isaiah 32 will have been careless. And just as a man will be rare in Isaiah 3:16-4:6, with seven women seeking to be married by one man, so also will a man be rare in Isaiah 32, as seen from 32:2.

Be A Faithful Woman Servant Of Yahweh

Yahweh's message to his women servants is that they should serve him faithfully and with due care, listening to his words. They should not be haughty, but should be humble in their hearts, working righteousness.

Isaiah's Wife Was "The" Prophetess

Isaiah 8:1-4 reads,

^{8:1Yahweh said to me, Take a great tablet, and write on it with the pen of a man, For Maher-shalal-hash-baz; ^8:2and I will take to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. ^8:3I went to the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said Yahweh to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ^8:4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and, My mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be carried away before the king of Assyria.}

Isaiah the prophet's wife was a prophetess. Yahweh therefore blessed his house by giving his gift of prophecy to both husband and wife. And when Yahweh gave a word to her husband that concerned her participation she duly participated, facilitating the fulfilment of Yahweh's word.

Submit To Your Husband Even As You Serve Yahweh

Women servants of Yahweh, including those who are married, should duly submit to their husbands. For submitting to their husbands is indeed part of serving Yahweh, even when Yahweh has given them other gifts by which they can serve him.

Transgressing Married Women Are Divorced

Isaiah 50:1 reads,

^{50:1Thus says Yahweh, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.}

[Previous Section] [Contents] [Next Section]

Your comments on this article

Click here to inform a friend about this article

Return to Servants of Yahweh Site Contents page.

Go to Home Page

© 2000, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of Yahweh, P O Box 78, Royston, SG8 7WF, United Kingdom. E-mail: servantsofyahweh@serveyahweh.org. Permission is hereby GRANTED to reproduce this and other publications in the Servants of Yahweh web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, unless otherwise stated.

Financial contributions, payable to Servants of Yahweh, and sent to P O Box 78, Royston, SG8 7WF, United Kingdom, are welcome and gratefully received. These facilitate the effective distribution of the word Yahweh has given us, both in electronic and hard copy formats. Not all have easy access to the Internet and therefore cannot easily access our web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, for this information where it is freely available. These need hard copies of the information published on our web site. Production and distribution of books and booklets is significantly more costly than publishing and distributing material over the Internet. In this regard your financial contributions, whether by way of tithes and/or freewill offerings, go a great way in disseminating the word Yahweh has given us to the people he wills it to reach. May Yahweh richly bless you for your financial contributions to Servants of Yahweh.