Huldah Was a respected woman prophet in what must have been very much of a man’s world. She was a revered spiritual leader in Judah, a college professor, perhaps in a school of the prophets in Jerusalem. Rulers and priests, even the high priest himself, earnestly and humbly sought her counsel. Greatest honor of all, she was the directly inspired voice of God Himself to her wayward people.
This did not mean that she was some sort of celibate nun. She was a married woman, the wife of a prominent man named Shallum. There seems to be an almost modern touch about their relationship, each with quite different professions, yet treating each other with due respect.
Her words, as exemplified by the few recorded in Scripture, make it clear that she, like Jesus, spoke as one having authority. Repeated over and over is the phrase, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says…”
What was her prophetic message? What is it for us today? In few words, it is, Read your Bibles! Like James, she urges us to be doers of the word. It is similar to that of all the prophets of H Chronicles. If we respond humbly and receptively to God’s word and follow His clear messages and warnings to us, however disconcerting and inconvenient they may be, God will in return respond, bless us and guide us throughout our lives. And, really, isn’t that the basis of all gospel truth? She must have been a very convincing exhorted, for it was her words that impelled the young king Josiah to organize a national “Learn to Read your Bible more Effectively” seminar.
Jewish history tells us that Huldah encouraged the leaders and people of God in a mighty Bible-based reformation and revival. When she died, she was buried at the entrance to the house of God in Jerusalem. A great multiple gateway was built in the southern wall of the temple, a part of which I saw when I visited Israel in 1974. It was called The Huldah Gates. Jesus and his apostles must have used it many times during his mortal life.
Long ago, when I was only in my twenties, there was a sister who used to write to me from America. She was a true Christadelphian Huldah. Her name was Evelyn Banta. At a time when the fortunes and spirit of the brotherhood were at a very low ebb, she prayed often for reformation and revival. She worked hard and braved scorn to promote them. And she was one of God’s humble instruments to bring revival to Caribbean, Central American, and Asian countries. Perhaps in America too, although I wouldn’t know about that.
By the grace of God, right now our brotherhood is beginning another great reformation and revival all over the world, one I would never have believed possible just a few years ago. I want to insist the message of Huldah is crucial: “Read your Bibles!” And especially important is the part about responding promptly, humbly and totally when God is pointing the way. It must be a Bible-based revival to succeed and receive the Lord’s approval.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One