Tuesday, April 13, 2010
19-04-2010: Ruth Chapter 4
We have come to the end of the book of Ruth and it has been a cultural adventure learning about the traditions and expectations in Israel sometime between 1050 B.C. and 500 B.C.. The book shows God's providence and care for women who suffer due to the death of their husbands and sons. It also tells the story of a brave and devoted lady called Ruth ro her loved mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz, who eventually choses to be the kinsman redeemer, reflects God's love, mercy and protection in a time of need.
Monday, March 8, 2010
26-02-2010: Ruth chapter 3
At first this chapter of Ruth might seem a bit controversial. In it we read about Naomi giving advice to Ruth to seduce Boaz (v1-v4). When we read on, the story seemingly becomes even more controversial as Ruth aks Boaz to spread his garment over her and lays there untill morning leaving before anyone can recognize her (v9 and v14).
However, as we looked deeper into this chapter, some things were revealed to us:
- the tradition and role of a kinsman redeemer (the role that Boaz plays) can be found back in Deut 25 v5 as a protector and redeemer of the widowed wife, the name of the dead brother/family member and the property of the family.
- the humble, devoted and obedient character of Ruth, v5, v9, v10-v11(a great role model to follow)
- the generous, compassionate and protective love of Boaz (ressembling God's love for us) v11 and v15. The garment of Boaz ressembling protection and providence --> Ps. 91.
Another eye-opener was to see how many times the words curse (in the beginning) and blessing are recorded in this book and how many blessings that are spoken over Ruth, Naomi and Boaz turn into reality. One example is the blessing spoken in chapter 1 v9 and the reality of this blessing starting in chapter 2, solidifying in chapter 3 and becoming a reality in chapter 4. But we will read more about that next time we meet!
However, as we looked deeper into this chapter, some things were revealed to us:
- the tradition and role of a kinsman redeemer (the role that Boaz plays) can be found back in Deut 25 v5 as a protector and redeemer of the widowed wife, the name of the dead brother/family member and the property of the family.
- the humble, devoted and obedient character of Ruth, v5, v9, v10-v11(a great role model to follow)
- the generous, compassionate and protective love of Boaz (ressembling God's love for us) v11 and v15. The garment of Boaz ressembling protection and providence --> Ps. 91.
Another eye-opener was to see how many times the words curse (in the beginning) and blessing are recorded in this book and how many blessings that are spoken over Ruth, Naomi and Boaz turn into reality. One example is the blessing spoken in chapter 1 v9 and the reality of this blessing starting in chapter 2, solidifying in chapter 3 and becoming a reality in chapter 4. But we will read more about that next time we meet!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
5-02-2010: Ruth chapter 2
In chapter 2 of this book we read how Ruth works in the field behind the harvesters in the hope that they would leave some food behind for her to take home for her mother-in-law Naomi.
Whilst reading the passage we realised how much God provided for these women and especially for Ruth and this without her even knowing. E.g. Ruth 'by coincidence' ends up working in a field that belongs to Boaz, a wealthy and caring man who is a close relative of Naomi. Without embarassing Ruth or putting himself in the spotlight, Boaz makes sure that Ruth ahs more than enough food to bring back to her mother-in-law.
Both Ruth and Noami feel very blessed through this experience and it seems like the previous bitterness and sorrow is starting to turnaround for the better...
Some of us stood still by this generosity of God that reaches out to non or not-yet-believers. We can often forget that God is still very active in the lives of the people who do not know Him yet (HALLELUJAH!). His grace surpasses our understanding and reaches out to the lost and found.
Whilst reading the passage we realised how much God provided for these women and especially for Ruth and this without her even knowing. E.g. Ruth 'by coincidence' ends up working in a field that belongs to Boaz, a wealthy and caring man who is a close relative of Naomi. Without embarassing Ruth or putting himself in the spotlight, Boaz makes sure that Ruth ahs more than enough food to bring back to her mother-in-law.
Both Ruth and Noami feel very blessed through this experience and it seems like the previous bitterness and sorrow is starting to turnaround for the better...
Some of us stood still by this generosity of God that reaches out to non or not-yet-believers. We can often forget that God is still very active in the lives of the people who do not know Him yet (HALLELUJAH!). His grace surpasses our understanding and reaches out to the lost and found.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
22-01-2010: Ruth chapter 1
Core verses in this chapter: v14 'Then they lifted up their voices and wept again and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law but Ruth clung to her. And v16-17: 'But Ruth said: entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go. And wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people will be my people. And your God my God. Where you die, I will die. And there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me'.
These two verses show Ruth's (meaning friend) dedication to stick with her widowed mother-in-law and her commitment to Naomi's people and Naomi's God although it wasnt Ruth's people nor her God as she was not an Israelite. Maybe it also shows her love/dedication for her dead husband as well as her love for her mother-in-law? She was willing to give up everything (her future, marriage, providence...) to support her mother-in-law.
Naomi, the mother-in-law who's name means pleasant, lovely, delightful is seriously hurt and angry with God for the pain she has had to suffer. She lost her husband and two sons and now with little hope of a future, returns to her home country Moab with Ruth at the beginning of the harvest and wishes to change her name to Mara meaning bitter. Orpah, the wife of Naomi's second dead son decides, after Naomi's advice, to return to her home in the hope of finding a new husband and future. Only Ruth is stubborn/dedicated enough to stay with Naomi whatever the cost.
The dedication of Ruth gives insight of God's dedication to us. It is also a great example of how we can commit our lives to God by following Him wherever He goes, no matter what the cost.
I can't help but be reminded of Sister Act's final song I will Follow Him. The love of these nuns for their God/husband/Companion/Comforter/Provider... Beautiful!
These two verses show Ruth's (meaning friend) dedication to stick with her widowed mother-in-law and her commitment to Naomi's people and Naomi's God although it wasnt Ruth's people nor her God as she was not an Israelite. Maybe it also shows her love/dedication for her dead husband as well as her love for her mother-in-law? She was willing to give up everything (her future, marriage, providence...) to support her mother-in-law.
Naomi, the mother-in-law who's name means pleasant, lovely, delightful is seriously hurt and angry with God for the pain she has had to suffer. She lost her husband and two sons and now with little hope of a future, returns to her home country Moab with Ruth at the beginning of the harvest and wishes to change her name to Mara meaning bitter. Orpah, the wife of Naomi's second dead son decides, after Naomi's advice, to return to her home in the hope of finding a new husband and future. Only Ruth is stubborn/dedicated enough to stay with Naomi whatever the cost.
The dedication of Ruth gives insight of God's dedication to us. It is also a great example of how we can commit our lives to God by following Him wherever He goes, no matter what the cost.
I can't help but be reminded of Sister Act's final song I will Follow Him. The love of these nuns for their God/husband/Companion/Comforter/Provider... Beautiful!
Ruth
The next book we have chosen to discuss is Ruth as it is a much loved short book in the Old Testament.
Author: Unkown, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel
Date: Between 1050 B.C. and 500 B.C.
Theme: God's sovereign intervention brings universal redemption (AMEN! :))
Key Words: Sovereignty, The Almighty, Redeemer
(Source: Spirit Filled Bible, NKJV)
Author: Unkown, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel
Date: Between 1050 B.C. and 500 B.C.
Theme: God's sovereign intervention brings universal redemption (AMEN! :))
Key Words: Sovereignty, The Almighty, Redeemer
(Source: Spirit Filled Bible, NKJV)
Monday, January 4, 2010
30-12-2009: Haggai chapter 2
The second chapter of Haggai falls into 3 parts:
- God's promise for the here and now (the building)
- God's blessings
- God's promise for the future
In the first part of this chapter we see that God encourages His people to be strong and to work because He is with them(v3-4). He reminds us that everything is His (the silver and the gold is mine v8). And that the glory of this new building will be even greater than the former one. And that in this temple He will give His peace (v9).
In the second part we read that God wants to bless His people even though they were unfaithful to Him, disobedient - whatever they did, whatever they offered was defiled (v14). God tried to warn them by stricking all they did (v17) but they still did not turn to Him. But this parts ends with God saying: 'From this day on I will bless you' v(19).
The end of this chapter (and the book) Haggai gets the word of the Lord for the second time and in it God repeats what He has said before in chapter 2 v6-7. He warns them of a shaky time to come but that He will take His servant (Zerubbabel --> political leader of Judah)and make him like His signet ring because He has chosen Him (v23). (--> chosen, sent by God with God's authority)
During the CBS we had loads of different interesting inputs linking this book with different books in the bible (read Ezra 5&6; Matt 6 V33; Col. 3 v1&2; Josh. 1 v9; Rev. 3v14-17; John 15). It was really cool to see how important messages are repeated by God through His Word. This little book of Haggai is filled with great warnings, promises and blessings and teaches us a lot about priorities and action. As was said on the last CBS: "It's not because it are hard times that we can't offer anything - it are hard times because we don't offer what God really longs from us'.
We also pondered about what we could offer and someone said it was important to offer from the heart - not because you have to, but because you want to - you want to please your Creator because you Love Him. Another person said that it was OK to be in a period where you dont feel like you can offer anything much, meaning that there are different seasons in our lives; times where we are full of His presence and joy and times when we're working things out and are just not so sure. And that's OK.
Another person shared that He felt God wanted him to offer more of his time to God, another said it could by energy, money, studies, etc. It could be different depending on where you are at and what you are doing now.
- God's promise for the here and now (the building)
- God's blessings
- God's promise for the future
In the first part of this chapter we see that God encourages His people to be strong and to work because He is with them(v3-4). He reminds us that everything is His (the silver and the gold is mine v8). And that the glory of this new building will be even greater than the former one. And that in this temple He will give His peace (v9).
In the second part we read that God wants to bless His people even though they were unfaithful to Him, disobedient - whatever they did, whatever they offered was defiled (v14). God tried to warn them by stricking all they did (v17) but they still did not turn to Him. But this parts ends with God saying: 'From this day on I will bless you' v(19).
The end of this chapter (and the book) Haggai gets the word of the Lord for the second time and in it God repeats what He has said before in chapter 2 v6-7. He warns them of a shaky time to come but that He will take His servant (Zerubbabel --> political leader of Judah)and make him like His signet ring because He has chosen Him (v23). (--> chosen, sent by God with God's authority)
During the CBS we had loads of different interesting inputs linking this book with different books in the bible (read Ezra 5&6; Matt 6 V33; Col. 3 v1&2; Josh. 1 v9; Rev. 3v14-17; John 15). It was really cool to see how important messages are repeated by God through His Word. This little book of Haggai is filled with great warnings, promises and blessings and teaches us a lot about priorities and action. As was said on the last CBS: "It's not because it are hard times that we can't offer anything - it are hard times because we don't offer what God really longs from us'.
We also pondered about what we could offer and someone said it was important to offer from the heart - not because you have to, but because you want to - you want to please your Creator because you Love Him. Another person said that it was OK to be in a period where you dont feel like you can offer anything much, meaning that there are different seasons in our lives; times where we are full of His presence and joy and times when we're working things out and are just not so sure. And that's OK.
Another person shared that He felt God wanted him to offer more of his time to God, another said it could by energy, money, studies, etc. It could be different depending on where you are at and what you are doing now.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
11-12-2009: Haggai chapter 1
The first chapter of Haggai falls into 2 parts:
- The command to build God's house (v1-v11)
- The people's obedience (v12-v15)
In the first part we see Haggai boldly explaining the situation to the Zerubbabel (Z.) the son of the governor of Judah and to Joshua (J.), the son of the high priest. He makes it clear that it is time to work on God's house instead of putting all the effort in building their own houses. v6 especially spoke to us:
'You have sown much, and bring in little, you eat, but do not have enough; you drink but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
In the second part we see that the power of this confronting message impressed Z. and J. and the people and they aboyed the voice of the Lord and the words of Haggai as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared (respected) the presence of the Lord. After the step of obedience Haggai spoke God's next message to the people emphasizing that God was with them (v.13). In the last part of this chapter we see that God awakens/arouses/opens their eyes and they started to work on the temple.
- The command to build God's house (v1-v11)
- The people's obedience (v12-v15)
In the first part we see Haggai boldly explaining the situation to the Zerubbabel (Z.) the son of the governor of Judah and to Joshua (J.), the son of the high priest. He makes it clear that it is time to work on God's house instead of putting all the effort in building their own houses. v6 especially spoke to us:
'You have sown much, and bring in little, you eat, but do not have enough; you drink but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
In the second part we see that the power of this confronting message impressed Z. and J. and the people and they aboyed the voice of the Lord and the words of Haggai as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared (respected) the presence of the Lord. After the step of obedience Haggai spoke God's next message to the people emphasizing that God was with them (v.13). In the last part of this chapter we see that God awakens/arouses/opens their eyes and they started to work on the temple.
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