A true Prophetic woman/ A different spin on Proverbs 31

On Mother's Day, or during women's day programs, Proverbs chapter 31, verses 10-31 are the most used scripture.  These verses give characteristics of a virtous woman. The first 9 verses are usually ignored, but they hold the key to the rest of the scripture  Verses 1-9 read this way in the King James bible:

1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Verse one tells us that King Lemuel's mother received a prophetic word from the Lord, which she shared with her son. She is letting him know which behaviors are fitting for a king, and those that are not.  Afterwarning her son, that it is not fitting for kings to  drink, or carouse with women, she tells him in verses 10-31 the characteristics of the type of woman befitting a king.

Lemuel's mother was not speaking from her own mind will and emotions She was sharing with her son, what the Lord had put within her heart. The bible does not tell us any thing more about Lemuel or his mother.  If he listend to her, I have no doubt that he found his virtous wife, and reigned well.

If you are prophetic, you may, like Lemuel's mother often receive a supernatural word of knowledge from the Lord for people. The wise biblical king listened to his mother.  In our modern society, people often will not believe God has spoken to anyone unless they are a pulpit preacher.   The bible however never said that pastors would be prophetic  

The word of God is very clear in Amos 3:7  He tells His secrets to His servants the prophets.  This include prophetic women, Nebhi'ah,  aka Prophetess.  Ministries that gdo recognize prophetic women mention Anna, Phillip-'s daughters Hulda and Mirriam.  I have never heard Lemuel's mother mentioned.  

Some Jewish scholars believe that Lemuel was a nick name for King Solomon, which would make Bathsehba his mother Whether this is true or not King Lemuel did not reject the word of his mother.  

The king  did not say off with her head, or how dare she approach him, as ruler with advise  He listened, and her words of wisdom are now part of a very popular scripture. If you are going to use Proverbs 31 in a sermon or teaching, please remember to include the first 9 verses They set the tone for the rest.

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Copyright 2015 Cheryl E Preston

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Hulda The Prophetess

In Second Kings chaper 22 and Second Chronicles 34, the Bible tells us that when the Prophet Jeremiah was not available, the King's messengers sought out Hulda the Prophetess. This shows that women Prophets were just as respected as their male counter parts. In biblical times Prophets were revered because they were God's mouth piece to the people. 

These men had no problem listening to the counsel they received from Hulda. They did not discount her because she was female. Obviously she had shown that she accurately heard the word of the Lord. And had accuracy in her prophesies. We  who ae prophetic women today must maintain our lifeline of communication to the Lord, so that what we will have a reputation of accuracy and credibility.

 Prophets are not recognized in all Christianity churches today.  Some preachers actually say that there is no need more need for Prophets as believers have the Holy Spirit . When you walk in your calling for a while you will know from experience that this is not true. As the Lord will reveal things to you and have you prepared for situations that stun others. 

Many wear the label of Prophet, but if we lined everyone up and ask them to share prophesies they gave which came to pass I have no doubt many would have nothing to say. I think of one female Prophet who was very popular for a time.  I took notice that she gave a lot of revelations from the Old Testament but for all her notoriety I cannot ever recall her actually prophesying something that came to pass.

I Samuel chapter three tells us that the Prophet Samuel was known from one end of Israel to another as a Prophet of God because his words did not fall to the ground. While the word of God does not give many details about Hulda, it is obvious that if she was the king's choice in the absence of the great Prophet Jeremiah, she must have a track record that could be trusted.

Prophesy is one area where we must walk our talk.  We must have a resume where if our name is tied to it, people are confident that it is a word from the Lord. Fellow Nebhi'ah wear your prophetic mantle and wear it well . The title Prophetess before your name does not prove who you are. Flowing in the gift even without the title causes the gift to make room for you. Hulda's gift made room for her to the point of a King seeking her counsel. What an honor.