18/10/15

Why this Bible Reading?Studied Ruth during the summerAlways a challenging chapter/bookOnly four chapters longDiscussed during Faith Mission Convention

which I attended in summerAlso have been thinking about Psalms

recently/this year

Ruth Chapter 11 Now it came to pass, in the days when the

judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 

Ruth Chapter 13 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and

she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

Ruth Chapter 16 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that

she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”

Ruth Chapter 1So she kissed them, and they lifted up their

voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,

Ruth Chapter 113 would you wait for them till they were

grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!”

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 

Ruth Chapter 116 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 shall be my people,And your God, my God.17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth Chapter 118 When she saw that she was determined to

go with her, she stopped speaking to her.19 Now the two of them went until they came

to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

Ruth Chapter 120 But she said to them, “Do not call me

Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Different characters viewpoints1. Ruth2. Boaz3. Elimelech4. Naomi 5. Many more…

Focus on Naomi Tonight will look at chapter one of RuthTrying to see it from the perspective of

Naomi

Different stages in chapter1. Heartache2. Honesty3. Hope

1) HeartacheVerses 1-5Very sad versesNo mention of the LORD in sectionDuring the time of the Judges and National

famineFrom a ‘little while’ to ten yearsSadly it can be easy to identify with today…

Personal ThoughtTunisia Tragedy Today

1. Economical2. Employment 3. Personal4. Physical

The case for Naomi?Can we feel sympathy for the family?Mistakes were made in first few verses But we should feel compassionDid Naomi still have a faith?Can we learn anything for ourselves?

2) Honesty Verses 6-13, 19-21Naomi was in a hard stage of her lifeHow would she react?She was honest about her situation

Negative PointsShe tells Ruth and Oprah not to come with

herStill had a long way to go

Plus Points1. She wanted what was ‘best’ for the girls2. She wanted God’s kindness 3. She did decide to return to Israel (Hard

Journey ahead)4. Importantly she knew about the LORD’s

work in Israel (v6)5. Five times she mentions the LORD’s name6. Verse 13, ‘The Lord’s Hand’

What we can learn?1. Her faith had been shaken2. She was honest about her situation3. She still acknowledged the LORD

Do we ‘cry out to God’?Laments are mentioned throughout the bibleAre they different to moaning/complaining?

Brief Biblical Lament Examples1. Job 2. Psalms3. Lamentations of Jeramiah 4. The Prophets5. The Gospels

Psalms Written for… 150 Psalms, Different

authors1. Community 2. Individual

1. Lament2. Historical3. Praise4. Wisdom5. Messianic

Psalm 13How long, O LORD? Will You forget me

forever?How long will You hide Your face from me?2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,Having sorrow in my heart daily?How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;Enlighten my eyes,Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Psalm 134 Lest my enemy say,

“I have prevailed against him”;Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.6 I will sing to the LORD,Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

DavidAuthor for many psalms is David David often was in times of despairSometimes caused by his own mistakes

Psalm 13How long…Mentioned four timesHow often do we ask that ourselves?Psalm 13 starts with a cry to the LORDPsalm 13 ends with praiseSimilar to other psalms

Back to Naomi 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the

Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

3) HopeDespite the pain and suffering of the chapter

there is hope at the end…Verse 22 does end in hopeFor those who have read the book the story is

not finishedGod is in control

From Start to FinishBeginning of chapter one

End of chapter one

1. Leaving Israel 2. Famine3. Emptiness

1. Returning to Israel2. Harvest 3. Relationships

SummaryHopefully we can learn something from the

book of Ruth/Psalms We can relate to those in the bookIt is also good to cry out to GodHe does hear us