What other biblical examples show women leading in worship and celebration? Starting Point: Miriam in Exodus 15:20 “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.” Other Women Who Led Worship and Celebration • Judges 5 – Deborah • 1 Samuel 2 – Hannah • 1 Samuel 18 – Women of Israel • 2 Kings 22 – Huldah • Luke 1 – Mary the mother of Jesus • Matthew 28 – Women at the tomb • Acts 2; 21; 1 Corinthians 11 – Women prophesying in the church Deborah’s Victory Hymn (Judges 5) “On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang: ‘When the princes of Israel take the lead, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.’” (Judges 5:1-2) • Deborah—already serving as judge and prophetess—steps forward to compose and sing Israel’s national anthem of gratitude after Sisera’s defeat. • She draws leaders and people alike into corporate praise, modeling how spiritual authority and worship can flow together. Hannah’s Prayer-Song (1 Samuel 2:1-10) “Then Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is lifted up by the LORD…’” (v. 1) • From the tabernacle courts at Shiloh, Hannah’s personal thanksgiving erupts into a prophetic psalm that exalts God’s sovereignty. • Her words become part of Israel’s worship literature, echoed generations later in Mary’s Magnificat. Women Celebrating Saul and David (1 Samuel 18:6-7) “As the troops were returning home…the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing…And as the women danced, they sang out: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’” • A spontaneous parade led by women, complete with song, dance, tambourines, and cymbals. • Their public worship acknowledges God’s military deliverance through David. Huldah’s Prophetic Word Sparks Renewal (2 Kings 22:14-20) • King Josiah sends priests and officials to the prophetess Huldah. • Her message of covenant faithfulness motivates the king to renew the nation’s worship and celebrate Passover with unprecedented zeal (2 Kings 23). Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) “Then Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’” (v. 46-47) • Mary breaks into song before Elizabeth, weaving together quotations from the Law, Prophets, and Psalms. • Her Spirit-filled worship anticipates the coming King and invites others to rejoice in God’s mercy. First Worshipers of the Risen Christ (Matthew 28:8-10) “They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.” (v. 9) • The women at the empty tomb become the first to celebrate the resurrection. • Their worship is immediately followed by the commission to announce the good news to the apostles. Women Prophesying in the Early Church • Acts 2:17 – “Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” • Acts 21:9 – Philip had “four unmarried daughters who prophesied.” • 1 Corinthians 11:5 – Women pray and prophesy in gathered worship, demonstrating active leadership through Spirit-given speech. Key Takeaways • From Exodus to Acts, Scripture repeatedly shows women stepping forward in Spirit-empowered praise, prophecy, and celebration. • Their leadership spans private devotion, national victory songs, prophetic calls to repentance, and the proclamation of the risen Christ. • Each account underscores the same truth Miriam embodied: when God delivers, His daughters are among the first to lift the banner of worship and invite others to join. |
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