April 4, 2006 - Ruth 1-4 and Luke 8:1-25
The book of Ruth is a wonderful story that teaches God's redemption for those who exercise faith in Him. It was a great blessing to me to be able to read it again this morning in an unhurried way, so that God could speak to me clearly. I praise God for His faithfulness to speak to me through His Word. I know He will do the same for you.
The book begins by telling us how Elimelech took his family from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine. I had not realized it before, but this move could have been against God's will. It could have been a selfish desire. instead of a real need. Then, his sons married Moabite women. We know this was not God's will. God had told them not to intermarry with pagan people. Therefore, the story begins with this family missing God's will. Could that be why Elimelech and his sons ended up dying in Moab? I don't know for sure, but it could be the reason. However, once they died Naomi made plans to return home to Bethlehem. She was depressed, but she was being faithful to God by returning to Israel. Also, she must have been a good witness to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, because she had come to believe in the one true God. (1:16) I believe Elimelech's family were believers, but they were out of God's will. God did not forsake them, though. He was still there for them, if they would turn to Him, which Naomi did.
Then, the rest of the story is based on Ruth's faithfulness and God's provision of redemption through the close family member or goel, Boaz. Did you notice how Ruth acted in faith, so God led her to the right field to glean barley? Did you notice the righteous way that Boaz acted to his workers, and how he treated Ruth so well? This is a picture of God's love and mercy to us. Did you notice how Ruth took the first steps toward redemption by going to Boaz when Naomi instructed her? Then, Boaz, the redeemer, responded to her faith. He performed the rites of redemption, and she became his wife. Then, they bore a son. This was God's gracious fruit for the faith of Ruth. The son was Obed, David's grandfather. Therefore, without Ruth's faith and Boaz's redemption David would not have come into the world.
What does this say to us today? God can take our mistakes and make something wonderful, if we will just turn back to Him in faith. It says that God is always ready to redeem the faithful. God is a redeeming God. He sent Jesus as the Redeemer for the whole world. He is waiting for us to respond in faith to His witness of Himself to us like Ruth did. Have you trusted Jesus as your Redeemer? Have you responded in faith to His revelation of Himself to you? This is the most important step in life. Then, God can work His gracious miracles in your life. He can save you from sin and bless your life with much fruit.
Luke 8 has an emphasis on fruit, too. The parable of the Sower is all about fruit. If we receive God's Word and act on it, it will bear fruit. However, it is all about the condition of our hearts, the soil, and our faith, what we do with the Word. Do you believe His Word and do His Word? It is not enough to just know it in your head. Those of His family hear it and do it. (v.21) Do you believe He can do anything? (v.25) If you do, then where is your faith? That is what He asked His disciples, and that is what He is asking us today. He will bear the fruit through us, if we will trust Him and His Word.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.
The book begins by telling us how Elimelech took his family from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine. I had not realized it before, but this move could have been against God's will. It could have been a selfish desire. instead of a real need. Then, his sons married Moabite women. We know this was not God's will. God had told them not to intermarry with pagan people. Therefore, the story begins with this family missing God's will. Could that be why Elimelech and his sons ended up dying in Moab? I don't know for sure, but it could be the reason. However, once they died Naomi made plans to return home to Bethlehem. She was depressed, but she was being faithful to God by returning to Israel. Also, she must have been a good witness to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, because she had come to believe in the one true God. (1:16) I believe Elimelech's family were believers, but they were out of God's will. God did not forsake them, though. He was still there for them, if they would turn to Him, which Naomi did.
Then, the rest of the story is based on Ruth's faithfulness and God's provision of redemption through the close family member or goel, Boaz. Did you notice how Ruth acted in faith, so God led her to the right field to glean barley? Did you notice the righteous way that Boaz acted to his workers, and how he treated Ruth so well? This is a picture of God's love and mercy to us. Did you notice how Ruth took the first steps toward redemption by going to Boaz when Naomi instructed her? Then, Boaz, the redeemer, responded to her faith. He performed the rites of redemption, and she became his wife. Then, they bore a son. This was God's gracious fruit for the faith of Ruth. The son was Obed, David's grandfather. Therefore, without Ruth's faith and Boaz's redemption David would not have come into the world.
What does this say to us today? God can take our mistakes and make something wonderful, if we will just turn back to Him in faith. It says that God is always ready to redeem the faithful. God is a redeeming God. He sent Jesus as the Redeemer for the whole world. He is waiting for us to respond in faith to His witness of Himself to us like Ruth did. Have you trusted Jesus as your Redeemer? Have you responded in faith to His revelation of Himself to you? This is the most important step in life. Then, God can work His gracious miracles in your life. He can save you from sin and bless your life with much fruit.
Luke 8 has an emphasis on fruit, too. The parable of the Sower is all about fruit. If we receive God's Word and act on it, it will bear fruit. However, it is all about the condition of our hearts, the soil, and our faith, what we do with the Word. Do you believe His Word and do His Word? It is not enough to just know it in your head. Those of His family hear it and do it. (v.21) Do you believe He can do anything? (v.25) If you do, then where is your faith? That is what He asked His disciples, and that is what He is asking us today. He will bear the fruit through us, if we will trust Him and His Word.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.