Sinners and Outsiders
Sinners and Outsiders Have you ever met a person who is so in love with a particular topic that they talk about all the time? They find a way to bring it up in conversation all the time. Everyone else in the conversation begins to sigh as they know it would take a house fire to end this conversation. They talk about their love of a particular TV show, or particular cars, or interest. Sometimes it can feel like this when
Bitter to Blessed
Ruth 4:13-17- Bitter to Blessed In the first five verses in the book of Ruth, we saw the loss of Naomi’s family. She went to the fields of Moab full and came back empty. In the first five verses, she goes through significant loss, which she explained is the Lord dealing with her bitterly (Ruth 1:20). This week, in these five verses, she goes from bitter to blessed. Naomi saw redemption from the hand of Boaz. Boaz was standing at the
The Court Room
Ruth 4:1-12- The Court Room Last week we looked at the promise made by Boaz to Ruth on the threshing floor, that he would redeem her if the relative closer to her would not. The chapter ended with Ruth’s return to her home with Naomi. Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” Ruth returns home in the early morning, and we will see
The Threshing Floor
Ruth 3:1-18 I. Plan for Redemption (1-5) We continue our study through the book of Ruth. We turn to chapter three, which follows a similar structure to the second chapter. It begins with a conversation between Naomi and Ruth, then moves to the fields where greetings and conversations occur between Boaz and Ruth, then finally returns to Ruth coming home and updating Naomi. The book of Ruth is short yet sweet. It is a literary masterpiece of writing. This week we come
Seeking Shelter, Finding Fruit
Ruth 2:1-23- Seeking Shelter, Finding Fruit Chapter one of Ruth sets the scene for the rest of the book. Naomi and Ruth are now in the land of Judah. Being back in Judah is one significant hurdle to cross. When Sarah and I were engaged, we needed to go through the process of getting a visa for me to come to America. A lot of paperwork and documents, waiting, an expensive medical exam, and an interview at the American embassy. We
Pain and Providence
Ruth 1:19-22- Pain and Providence Last week we looked at this passage briefly, as we saw it in the narrative. This week I would like to study this passage more deeply, within the narrative but theologically. This passage has rich meaning and can teach us a lot about ourselves and the Providence of God. Particularly the providence of God in times of suffering. We began looking at the dark and depressing time that the book was written in and Naomi, who
The Prodigal Daughters
Ruth 1:6-22- The Prodigal Daughters When telling a story, you can often tell what is important to the writer based on the amount of time that is given to a particular aspect of the story. This is true in Ruth; the first five verses of the book explain a vast amount of time (over ten years) in very few words. There is no dialogue, no explanation, no details about Mahlon and Chilion's wedding. However, we come to a brief moment in
Empty and Alone
Ruth 1:1-5 This week we will be starting a new sermon series on the book of Ruth. This short poetic book about loss and Pain but with a beautiful story. The book is wedged between the book of Judges and 1 Samuel. Two books show the rebellion of God’s people and their unfaithfulness. Both Judges and 1 Samuel are gruesome and gory books that show epic battles and warriors. Ehud, the left-handed warrior who stabs Eglon the King of Moab, which
Ruth- Introduction
Ruth- Introduction The small book of Ruth is located in our English Bibles between Judges and 1 Samuel. This short book is an amazing story of loyalty, commitment to God, and God’s ordinary providence. We will be looking at the book in five parts over the coming weeks. Before we get into the actual text, I want to discuss some areas of the book that are fascinating and looking at the story within history, the Canon, and the book's overall beauty.
