Meditating on the Word of God; God's key to prosperity and success!

We feel led in this season to study the Book of Ruth.

Ruth lived in the time of the “Judges” as the first verse of the book reminds us. The evil of the times is captured by the last verse in Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”, Judges 21:25.

As the narrative opens, we are introduced to Elimelech’s decision to do “what was right in his own eyes”, to leave Bethlehem for a new life in Moab. Almost immediately, we are informed of the sad consequences of his decision. Sometime after they had settled in Moab, Elimelech dies. Naomi, his wife is left widowed with her two sons. They marry Moabitess women, Orpah and Ruth. Soon thereafter, both sons die. Naomi with her two daughters-in-law are left widowed!

Yet in the darkest circumstances, we begin to discern God’s loving and wise providence. Somewhere in Ruth’s time with Naomi, she experienced and responded to the goodness, love and mercy of the God of Israel. This was what enabled Ruth to cling to Naomi and to the God whom she served. From Ruth’s simple but heartfelt response to the love of God, the narrative now turns. In the chapters which follow, the supernatural and loving hand of God takes over. Ruth finds favour with the rich but godly Boaz. He marries her. They have a son, Obed who is the father of Jesse who in turn becomes the father of King David!

What an encouragement! We are living in a time when even among the people of God, it seems many are “doing what is right in their own eyes”! Likewise, we are reaping the evil harvest of what we have sown. Yet in all these, all it takes is one, to experience the love of God and respond to Him. Like Ruth we can be blessed by God’s over-ruling power to work all things for our good and the good of many.

Read through the whole book in one sitting before you begin your daily study.

Reading Plan: Week of 30 August – 5 September 2010
30 Aug Ruth 1:1 - 5 “A certain man . . . went to dwell in Moab”

31 Aug Ruth 1:6 - 14 “The LORD deal kindly with you . . .”

01 Sep Ruth 1:15 – 18 “Entreat me not to leave you . . . “

02 Sep Ruth 1:19 - 22 “They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest”

03 Sep Ruth 2:1 - 3 “Please let me go to the field and glean . . . “

04 Sep Ruth 2:4 - 7 “Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem . . .”

05 Sep Ruth 2:8 - 13 “The LORD repay your work and a full reward be given you by the LORD . . . under whose wings you have come for refuge”

Example of SOAP
Scripture: “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”, Ruth 1:1

Observations
1. The immediate context of this verse is the last verse of the preceding book, the Book of Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”, Judges 21:25
2. This was what Elimelech did. Instead of seeking God for his needs, Elimelech moves to Moab, doing what seemed right and good in his own eyes, according to his own understanding.
3. “Elimelech” means “My God is my King”. He is a type of Israel. God was meant to be Israel’s King. But under adversity, Israel was found wanting as Elimelech was. Instead of honouring God as his King, Elimelech takes things into his own hands. He turns to Moab instead of God for deliverance. This was an indictment as much of Israel as it was of Elimelech.
4. Shortly after, we read of the evil consequences which befell Elimelech, Naomi, his wife and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion.

Application
1. I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, one who believes and confesses that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Saviour..
2. Am I honouring the Lord Jesus Christ both in word and in truth? Or am I among those He said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me”,
3. Do I seek to hear from the Lord in the decisions of my life or do I use my own thinking, my own reasoning in running my life? Is Jesus really my Lord or am I my own lord and king?

Prayer
“O Lord, grant me grace and your goodness to repent from going my own way. Instead, reveal Your glory so I can put my whole-hearted trust in You. May I seek Your will for my life and obey You when it is shown to me. In Jesus name, Amen!”