Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Encourage Christians to be bold and unashamed in speaking God's truth, following the example of Hulda the Prophetess.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into the life of a lesser-known, yet extraordinary woman in the Bible—Hulda the Prophetess. We'll discover how her boldness and unashamedness in speaking God's truth serves as an example for all believers.
Charles Stanley said, "His voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness." The world doesn't need more Christians who are timid and silent about their faith. It needs more Christians who are willing to boldly and unashamedly proclaim the truth of God's Word.
Before we dive into the Scripture, let me read the passage for you:
"14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15 And she said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’” And they brought back word to the king."
Hulda the Prophetess is a fascinating character in the Bible, as she is one of the few women mentioned as a prophetess. She is an excellent example of boldness and unashamedness in speaking God's truth.
Her story can be found in 2 Kings 22, where she is sought out by the high priest and other officials to inquire of the Lord on behalf of King Josiah. Hulda's willingness to boldly speak the truth of God's Word, even when it was difficult and unpopular, serves as a powerful example for all believers.
In the passage, Hulda delivers a message of judgment and destruction upon the people of Judah because they have forsaken God and turned to idolatry. This message would not have been popular or well-received, yet Hulda does not hesitate to speak the truth. She understands that her role as a prophetess is to communicate God's Word, even when it is difficult or challenging. This boldness is a quality that all believers should strive to emulate in their own lives, as we are called to be unashamed of the gospel and to speak the truth in love.
Another aspect of Hulda's boldness is her position as a woman in a male-dominated society. In ancient Israel, women were often marginalized and not given the same opportunities as men. Yet, Hulda's role as a prophetess demonstrates that God does not discriminate based on gender. He chooses and empowers individuals based on their faithfulness and willingness to serve Him. Hulda's example serves as a reminder that God can use anyone who is willing to be bold and unashamed in their faith, regardless of their gender or societal status.
Hulda's unashamedness can also be seen in her willingness to confront the religious leaders of her time. In the passage, Hulda is sought out by the high priest and other officials, who are representatives of the religious establishment. Instead of being intimidated by their authority, Hulda speaks God's truth to them without hesitation.
This demonstrates her confidence in the Lord and her understanding that her authority comes from Him, not from the approval of others. In our own lives, we may face situations where we are called to confront those in authority or challenge the status quo. Like Hulda, we must be bold and unashamed in our faith, trusting that God will give us the words to speak and the courage to stand firm.
Furthermore, Hulda tells the officials that King Josiah will be spared from the coming disaster because of his humility and repentance. This message of hope and grace is a reminder that God is always willing to forgive and restore those who turn to Him in repentance. As believers, we must be bold and unashamed in sharing this message of hope with others, even when it may seem counter-cultural or unpopular.
Hulda's example in speaking God's truth is a reminder of the importance of standing firm in our faith. In a world that often encourages compromise and conformity, we must be willing to be bold and unashamed in our commitment to God's Word. This may mean speaking the truth in love, even when it is difficult or unpopular. It may mean standing up for our faith in the face of opposition or ridicule. And it may mean sharing the message of hope and grace with those who are desperate for the love and forgiveness of God.
We must recognize that being bold and unashamed in our faith is not always easy. It requires courage, conviction, and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and trust that God will equip us and empower us to speak His truth. This may mean facing rejection, ridicule, or even persecution. Yet, as we see in Hulda's story, the rewards of being bold and unashamed in our faith far outweigh the challenges we may face.
In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from Hulda's example as we seek to be bold and unashamed in our faith. We can ask God to give us the courage to speak His truth, even when it is difficult or unpopular. We can seek opportunities to share the message of hope and grace with those around us, trusting that God will use our words to touch hearts and transform lives. And we can remember that our authority comes from God, not from the approval of others, and that He will empower us to stand firm in our faith, no matter the circumstances.
God calls each of us to speak His truth in our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO