(Images for this series are owned and provided by Sarah Beth)
Q: Who are you, Anna?
I am an elderly widow, now over 80 but I don’t like to remember my age! I was married as teenager but widowed after 7 short years of marriage. The trouble with being a widow is that no-one really wants to know you unless you find another husband or can be absorbed into the family. I have found the best and safest place to be is in the temple, out people’s way. The more time I have spent in the temple, the closer I have got to God. In fact, I hardly leave the temple.
For the Reader: Looking at your situation, how can you best make time to know God?
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Q: What was your family like?
My name is Anna of Asher, daughter of Phanuel. I am proud to be part of the Asher tribe. There are not many of us here in Israel since the Assyrians took us into exile hundreds of years ago. Asher was the 8th son of Jacob and his name means blessed. And as a tribe we were indeed blessed. We made amazing olive oil and the trade made us prosperous. What’s more, all women from the tribe of Asher have a reputation for being beautiful (you may not believe it now, but I was once beautiful). All that is long in the past and we now have very little profile. When I was born, my father called me Anna which means “gracious” and “compassionate”. I have tried to live up to my name, even when people don’t show me grace and compassion, but laugh at me as this odd old lady. My father was a godly man. He was aptly named Phanuel which means “the face of God”. Through him I got glimpses of the mighty and gracious God. His example has helped me learn to discern the voice of God
For the Reader: How might your family know God more through your example?
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Q How did you recognise Jesus the Saviour, Anna?
That was an amazing day. As I was praying in the temple, I saw old Simeon head over to this young couple to pray for them. At that moment my spirit seemed to be filled with joy, and it was as if God said to me “you will get to see the face oQ: Who are you, Anna? I am an elderly widow, now over 80 but I don’t like to remember my age! I was married as teenager but widowed after 7 short years of marriage. The trouble with being a widow is that no-one really wants to know you unless you find another husband or can be absorbed into the family. I have found the best and safest place to be is in the temple, out people’s way. The more time I have spent in the temple, the closer I have got to God. In fact, I hardly leave the temple.
For the Reader: Looking at your situation, how can you best make time to know God?
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Q: What did you actually say about Jesus, Anna?
I can’t remember my exact words! My heart was bursting with joy. I am sure the words came out all the wrong way. But I think I said, “this is the one who has been promised by God; this is the Messiah who will save us, who will set us free from oppression.”
When I found out that he is called Jesus, the one who would save us, I looked out for those people I had talked to, prayed with over the years and said – “he is here! The one who was promised.” In fact, I sang with joy as I just bubbled over with the good news. Of course, not everyone believed me… but many did.
For the Reader: Who can you encourage by sharing with them your discoveries about God, and his big story of redemption?
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