“So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her. Then she said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold…”
II Kings 22:14-16 NKJV
Rabbinic sources mention 7 prophetess in the Bible – Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Huldah, Abigail, and Esther. In ancient times, and even among some religions today, women are viewed as weaker sex. But thought out the Bible, we see G-d honoring and elevating noble women.
Hudlah was one such woman. She was the wife of the keeper of the wardrobe – the man responsible for guarding, keeping, and maintaining the Kings garments. Scholars say Hudlah even had her own gate – a place where others would come to seek her advice. Additionally, they say that Hudlah prophesied to and taught many women. She was a woman of character and esteem. Others looked to her for counsel and wisdom.
When her name appears here in 2 Kings, it may have been the first time we’ve read of her but not the first time she was known. We don’t know how long she was “hidden” from King. We don’t know how long she served at the gate – teaching, prophesying, and counseling. We don’t know how long she waited, listened, and watched. But we DO know that when the King sent a messenger to her for counsel, she was ready.
I have to wonder what it was like for her. Had G-d awakened her early that day and spoken His word to her in advance? How did He speak to her – dreams and visions or straight to the heart? How had her reputation reached the ear of the King? And what must have been said of her – and for how long- for the King to seek her first?
Here’s what I can learn from Hudlah. Be ready. When I walk in intimacy with G-d, listening to Him, I’ll recognize His voice and be ready when He sends for me. Be virtuous. How I act and interact today has tremendous impact on my tomorrows. If I am faithful in and with the small things, He will trust me with greater things. Be valiant. When He opens the door, walk through. She didn’t stammer when they came to her for the Word of the Lord – she spoke with confidence, conviction, and courage – thus says the Lord. Be patient. Serve where He’s called me for as long as He’s called me and when He’s ready, He’ll promote and release me into the next thing.
Be Hudlah today – be ready, be virtuous, be valiant, and be patient. He sees you. He sees me. He hasn’t forgotten us. And when He’s ready, when He says go, we’ll be ready to respond, here we are, use us. His ways are perfect and timing can be trusted.
Father – thank You for Your Word and for naming women in Your word to leave an example for me. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35
August 5, 2022