Anna's Devotion While Waiting for the Messiah
Anna's Devotion in Biblical Context
Anna, a prophetess and widow, is introduced in Luke 2:36-37 as a devout figure who waited for the redemption of Jerusalem. Her devotion is characterized by her continuous presence in the temple, fasting, and praying day and night [5]. This portrayal of Anna is set against the backdrop of a broader biblical theme of waiting for the Messiah.
The concept of waiting is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. The creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19) [1]. Believers are exhorted to wait upon God for salvation, guidance, and the fulfillment of His promises (Psalm 25:5, 21; Habakkuk 2:3) [3, 4]. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the object of this waiting, as believers anticipate His coming and the manifestation of His glory (Titus 2:13) [2].
Anna's Character and Actions
Anna's actions and character are exemplary of this waiting. After seven years of married life, she was widowed and remained devoted to God, attending temple services daily [5]. Her title as a prophetess, like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah, signifies her spiritual role and insight (2 Chronicles 34:22) [5]. Anna's waiting is not passive; it is marked by active devotion, including fasting and prayer.
Theological Significance of Waiting
The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of the Church Fathers, emphasizes the importance of waiting and prayer. Augustine encourages believers to pray in hope, faith, and love, citing the example of the widow who perseveres in prayer (Luke 18:1-8) [7]. This tradition underscores the value of persistence and faithfulness in waiting for God's redemption.
Reformed theologians like Charles Hodge highlight the significance of waiting for the second advent of Christ. Believers are exhorted to look forward to this event with expectation and earnest desire, as it is a source of comfort and motivation for holy living (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28) [10]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that waiting on God involves expecting His presence, salvation, and the fulfillment of His promises (Psalm 130:4; Genesis 49:18) [8, 9].
Anna's Devotion as a Model
Anna's devotion serves as a model for believers waiting for the Messiah. Her example illustrates the importance of perseverance, prayer, and faithfulness in the face of uncertainty and delay. As the biblical narrative and Christian tradition attest, waiting is not merely a passive state but an active expression of faith and hope in God's promises.
The historical and theological context of Anna's story underscores the significance of her devotion. In a time of expectation and longing for the Messiah, Anna's faithfulness stands out as a testament to the power of prayer and devotion. Her story continues to inspire believers across various Christian traditions, including Reformed, Baptist/Reformed, and Patristic interpretations [6, 8, 10].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 8:19 (NASB) — For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”
- Titus “Titus 2:13 (YLT) — waiting for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,”
- Psalms “Psalms 25:21 (LITV) — Let purity and uprightness keep me, for I wait on You.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anna — Grace, an aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a "prophetess," like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (2 Chr. 34:22). After seven years of married life her husband died, and during her long widowhood she daily attended the temple services. When she was eighty-four years old, she entered the temple at the moment when the aged Simeon uttered his memorable words of praise and thanks to God that he had fulfilled his ancient promise in sending his Son into the world (Luke 2:36, 37).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — THE BIRTH OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, AND VERY GLORIOUS (part 2): thee, seeing that (12) the Lord hath shut thy womb, so as not to give thee fruit in Israel? And Anna was grieved exceedingly, and put off her garments of mourning, and cleaned her head, and put on her wedding garments, and about the ninth hour went down to the garden to walk. And she saw a laurel, and sat under it, and prayed to the Lord, saying: O God of our fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, as Thou didst bless the womb of Sarah, and didst give her”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XV.--28. There is therefore in us a certain learned ignorance, so to speak--an ignorance which we learn from that Spirit of God who helps our infirmities. For after the apostle said, "If we hope (part 1): CHAP. XVI. -- 29. Considering all these things, and whatever else the Lord shall have made known to you in this matter, which either does not occur to me or would take too much time to state here, strive in prayer to overcome this world: pray in hope, pray in faith, pray in love, pray earnestly and patiently, pray as a widow belonging to C”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:4: I wait for the Lord,.... For his gracious presence and the light of his countenance, being in darkness, as well as in the deep; for his salvation and deliverance out of the depths of distress; for an answer of prayer, having cried unto him for application of pardoning grace he had some view and hopes of; and for the performance of promises the Lord had made to him; and for eternal glory and happiness: all which are to be patiently and quietly waited for, God having his set time to do them; and may be confidently expected, since he is gracious and merciful, wise and p”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 49:17: I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. Jacob finding his spirits faint and flag, stops and breathes awhile before he proceeded any further in blessing the tribes; and as he found he was a dying man, and knew not how soon he should expire, expresses what he had been thoughtful of and concerned about in time past, and still was; that he had been waiting and hoping for, and expecting a state of happiness and bliss in another world, where he should be saved from sin and Satan, and the world, and from all his enemies, and out of all his troubles; and this he firmly bel”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 86: who are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” ( Tit. ii. 13 ) (it is to them who look for Him, He is to “appear the second time, without sin unto salvation,” Heb. ix. 28 ); as those who are expecting and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God. ( 2 Pet. iii. 12 .) It is a marked characteristic of the apostolic writings that they give such prominence to the doctrine of the second advent. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come. ( 1 Cor. iv. 5 .) “Christ”