What Do Women’s Stories in the Bible Teach about Women Exhorting Men?
White lights twinkled along the wrought iron railing, as the stainless-steel patio heater adjacent to our table released invisible waves of warmth. My two new friends and I enjoyed a leisurely meal, thankful for the opportunity to talk in-person. We are new course creators—each preparing to launch a 2021 online course into cyberspace. After discussing the merits of Flodesk, Kajabi, Canva, and Momentum, Julie sought my advice on her Bible literacy course. She asked, “What do I do if men sign up for my course?”
May Women Exhort Men in the Church?
A foundational question behind Julie’s question is, “May women exhort or teach men in the church?” Whether the answer is yes or no, it likely influences how men and women in the church relate to one another and who teaches who. In Julie’s understanding, a Christian woman may exhort and teach the Bible to women (and children), but not to men. But, what do women’s stories in the Bible teach about women exhorting men?
What Did Women Do?
In his book, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible, author Scot McKnight describes how he assigns his students an exercise to chart the activities of women in the Bible. He uses the acronym “WDWD” to tell women’s stories by asking, “What Did Women Do?”[1] It was with this in mind that I answered Julie. I suggested she read through her Bible and observe if she could find stories of women exhorting men.
The Meaning of Exhort
The term “exhort” means to advise, to admonish, or to encourage. In Romans 12:6–8, exhortation is listed as a spiritual gift.[2] Sometimes, exhortation contains an urgent appeal. For example, John the Baptist urged his listeners to “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). He encouraged all to share their possessions with others, advised tax collectors to collect what was required, but no more, and admonished soldiers not to accuse people falsely. John “exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them” (Luke 3:8–18).
So, back to WDWD… Are there Bible stories in which women exhorted men? Let’s begin in the Old Testament book of Judges.
Deborah (Judges 4:1–5:31)
Deborah is a prophet and the national leader over the Israelites (Judges 4:4–5). She “held court under the Palm of Deborah… and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.” Deborah was one of the twelve significant judges during the period of judges. One particular day, Deborah sent for her general, Barak. She said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor…’” God gave Deborah his detailed plans for defeating Sisera, their enemy. Deborah told Barak God’s instructions. And, Deborah exhorted Barak to obey the Lord, and that their victory was assured (Judges 4:8–9). What did Deborah do? She spoke the commands of the Lord to Barak.
Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14–20; 2 Chr 34:22–28)
From 2 Kings 22:14, we know that Huldah was a prophet and the wife of Shallum. She spoke the Word of the Lord to King Josiah through his male entourage: Hilkiah, his priest, Ahikam and Akbor (two representatives), Shaphan, his scribe, and Asaiah, his servant. In her exhortation, she explained, “This is what the LORD says…” Through her prophetic words, Huldah validated the book of Deuteronomy as part of the Torah (perhaps the first symbolic act of canon formation.) After Huldah’s prophetic message, King Josiah summoned all of Judah and Jerusalem’s elders to follow all that was spoken, with kingdom results. What did Huldah do? Huldah spoke the Word of the Lord to King Josiah through his emissaries.
King Lemuel’s Mother (Prov 31:1–9)
A Queen mother’s exhortation to her son, King Lemuel is recorded in the book of wisdom. Her wise counsel is applicable today and excellent instruction for all leaders (called “an oracle” in the NET Bible). She encouraged her son to avoid immorality and not to crave alcohol. And, she admonished her son on the need for real justice, “Speak up for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute…defend the rights of the poor and needy.” What did King Lemuel’s mother do? She exhorted her son through “an inspired utterance,” and her words continue to instruct believers.
Now let’s turn to the New Testament and examine four more women’s stories:
Anna (Luke 2:36–38)
Anna, the daughter of Penuel, was a widow and a prophet. Scripture records that she was always at the temple, “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (NET). As a prophet, she spoke for God. When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple for the first time, Anna recognized him as the awaited one. Giving thanks, she “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” What did Anna do? Anna recognized the awaited Messiah and exhorted those at the temple, men and women, to recognize him.
Priscilla (Rom 16:3–5; 1 Cor 16:19; Acts 18:18, 24–28; 2 Tim 4:19)
The apostle Paul described Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, as his “co-workers” (Rom 16:3). They hosted churches in their home. In Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila invited Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, to their home. Then they “explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:24–26). Shortly afterward, Apollos “vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah” (Acts 18:28). What did Priscilla do? She taught Apollos more fully about Jesus, and her exhortation helped guide him in his future ministry.
Lois & Eunice (2 Tim 1:5; 3:14)
Two women taught Timothy about the Lord God. Paul commended Timothy’s “sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (2 Tim 1:5). They were among the early women to embrace Christianity. What did Lois and Eunice do? While a child, they introduced Timothy to faith in God. And, as he grew into a man they instructed him in the Scriptures and exhorted him to fully embrace faith.
What Did Women Do?
We began by asking the question, “May women exhort or teach men in the church?” Which led us to search the Bible to understand, “What Did Women Do?” There is a clear, connecting thread running through these women’s stories in the Bible. Do you see it? At God’s direction, women exhorted men—women spoke God’s word to men. And, this leaves us with a new question, “Do we exhort women in our churches today to do what women did in the Bible?”
To learn more about women and prophetic speaking, read my blog post titled, “How Many Women Prophets Prophesied in the Bible?”
Image: THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. Anna, a prophet, is on the right with a scroll. A 1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY
[1] Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet, 2nd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018), 214.
[2] Some additional Bible uses of the term “exhort” and “exhortation” are found in 2 Tim 4:2; 1 Thess 2:3–4; Heb 13:22; and 1 Cor 1:10, 4:16.: