Nougat 30

How long is too long to wait? Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from today’s Holy Nougat

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In her time, not unlike some places now, widows rights were somewhat limited if they had no male ‘protector’ to safeguard them. Moreover, as an Asherite, it was highly unlikely that she would have much family around, given that Asher was one of the ‘lost tribes’ of Israel. It’s worth noting that their ‘lostness’ was rooted in the context of the Exile, when legend has it that the tribes of Israel were banished, losing access to the Land of God’s Promise and many opted to intermarry etc. (Thus, references to the return of the lost tribes include Anna’s tribe Asher). This is also important as Asher’s wealth came from the olive groves they’d managed in Israel. Access would have been lost, and as a childless widow, her options were even more limited.

That background may help us grasp the dire situation Anna encountered. Yet, we are given additional information in the clues of her background. Names were very important in the Hebrew narrative, so we note Luke’s reference to Anna’s tribe and lineage. Asher was one of Leah’s 2 sons born of her maidservant Zilpah. More importantly, his name means ‘blessed’, as he was born ‘to’ Leah outside of her childbearing days. Her father was Phanuel (Greek), or Peniel (Hebrew). For some of us, there is that instant recall of another Peniel, the place where Jacob wrestled with God and was transformed. The name transliterates ‘face of God’, ie – seeing God face to face.

Being one of the few named women in the Bible, we also must consider Anna’s name meaning … Grace. Furthermore we ought to remember one Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, who after a long season of barrenness gave birth to Samuel, Israel’s first major prophet. All these pieces come into play as we reflect on this woman who dedicated at least 45 years of her life to the full-time service of God in the temple as a prophetess.

So the pieces are – a widow of 49-55 years (married sometime between 12 and 18, plus 7 years as a wife); a prophetess for most of her 84 years; grace-filled (ie anointed); with inheritance of blessings; was waiting to see the face of God. Anna had no children of her own that we know of, and the child she awaited would be a blessing to her and the entire world.

I don’t know whether I’d last for 20 years waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise without losing Hope. But Anna waited for over 45 years. No husband, no kin; just humbly living her days waiting for the Messiah. And her patience was rewarded. After 45+ years of waiting, she met Jesus in the temple. Held Him for herself.

Your situation might seem to be extreme right now and even hopeless. From the outside, it may seem like a lost cause.

But God!!!

The world may have forsaken you and you’re left with shadowy memories of the way things were – or how you heard things were – and you might feel like giving up.

But God

God might seem slow to answer – these days, 5 seconds is a long time, 5 years is interminable; 50 is complete disaster!

If you have not yet received a clear answer from God or seen the grace, hold on – rest in the promise God’s given you directly, continue praying and seeking God’s face, remain steadfast – God’s never too late.

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May all we seek be found in Christ