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MARCH 26
Proverbs 12:15–16
The way of a fool is right in his own
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eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise. 2:36 a prophetess. This refers to a woman
A fool’s wrath is known at once, the Old Testament, not a source of revelation.
16 who spoke God’s word. She was a teacher of
But a prudent man covers shame.
The Old Testament mentions only 3 women
Luke 2:25–52 who prophesied: Miriam (Ex. 15:20); Deborah
(Judg. 4:4); Huldah (2 Kin. 22:14; 2 Chr. 34:22).
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem One other, the “prophetess” Noadiah, was evi-
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whose name was Simeon, and this man was dently a false prophet, grouped by Nehemiah
just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of with his enemies. Isaiah 8:3 refers to the
Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And prophet’s wife as a “prophetess,” but there is
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it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit no evidence Isaiah’s wife prophesied. Perhaps
she is so-called because the child she bore
was given a name that was prophetic (Is.
8:3,4).This use of the title for Isaiah’s wife also
shows that the title does not necessarily indi-
2:26 it had been revealed to him. It is signif- cate an ongoing revelatory prophetic min-
icant that, with messianic expectations run- istry. Rabbinical tradition also regarded Sarah,
ning so high (see 3:15) and with the many Old Hannah, Abigail, and Esther as prophetesses
Testament prophecies that spoke of His com- (apparently to make an even 7 with Miriam,
ing, still only a handful of people realized the Deborah, and Huldah). In the New Testament,
significance of Christ’s birth. Most of them, the daughters of Philip prophesied (Acts 21:9).
including Simeon,received some angelic mes-
sage or other special revelation to make the
fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies this woman was a widow of about eighty-four
clear. years, who did not depart from the temple, but
served God with fastings and prayers night
and day. And coming in that instant she gave
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that he would not see death before he had thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all
seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the those who looked for redemption in Jerusa-
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Spirit into the temple. And when the parents lem.
brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him 39 So when they had performed all things
according to the custom of the law, he took according to the law of the Lord, they
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Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: returned to Galilee, to their own city, Naza-
reth. And the Child grew and became strong
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“Lord, now You are letting Your servant
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depart in peace, in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of
According to Your word; God was upon Him.
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
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Which You have prepared before the
31 at the Feast of the Passover. And when He
face of all peoples, was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusa-
A light to bring revelation to the
32 lem according to the custom of the feast.
43 When they had finished the days, as they
Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.” returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Je-
rusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not
And Joseph and His mother marveled at know it; but supposing Him to have been in
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those things which were spoken of Him. the company, they went a day’s journey, and
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to sought Him among their relatives and
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Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is des- acquaintances. So when they did not find
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tined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking
and for a sign which will be spoken against Him. Now so it was that after three days they
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(yes, a sword will pierce through your own found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst
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soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts of the teachers, both listening to them and
may be revealed.” asking them questions. And all who heard
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Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, Him were astonished at His understanding
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the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. and answers. So when they saw Him, they
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She was of a great age, and had lived with a were amazed; and His mother said to Him,
husband seven years from her virginity; and “Son, why have You done this to us? Look,
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