After the Famine

In Ruth 2, there’s a beautiful picture of harvest. Look back to Ruth 1:1, “There was a famine in the land.” The Christian life’s like that. It’s not always harvest. Sometimes, it’s famine. Sometimes, we feel like we’re on the mountain-top. At other times, we’re in the wilderness. Whatever your circumstances, remember this: God knows what’s best for you. …

More than a chance meeting

Ruth 1:1-2:23 Ruth meets Boaz. It seemed like a 'chance' meeting - 'she happened to come...'(2:3). It was more than that. God was at work. Ruth had committed herself to the Lord (1:16-17). She was being guided by the Lord (Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6). Ruth was unassuming and grateful, hard working and responsible (2:10,13,7,18). She …

At the time of harvest

Ruth 2:1-16 It wasn't always harvest. Remember Ruth 1:1 - "There was a famine in the land." In today's world - for some, there is harvest. For others, there is famine. At the time of the harvest, we give thanks to God and we share with people in need. Do not forget the Lord (Ruth …

No Turning Back

Ruth 1:1-22 This is the story of an older woman - Naomi - and a younger woman - Ruth. The great words of Ruth 1:16-17 stand  out - "But Ruth answered, “Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, …

Christ is my Rock and my Salvation.

Ruth 3:1-4:22; John 9:35-10:21; Psalms 62:1-12 The book of Ruth ends by locating Ruth within the family tree of David, the shepherd-king. He, in his turn, forms part of the family tree of Christ, “the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), the “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). David, the shepherd of Israel, pointed away from himself to …

Responding to God’s Word (8): Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.

Ruth said to Naomi, "All that you say to me, I will do" (Ruth 3:5). Let's look beyond Ruth and Naomi. Let's look at ourselves and the Lord. How is our faith in the Lord, how is our obedience to the Lord, and how is our rejoicing in the Lord? https://youtu.be/KB4KcleYiWM

Some Simple Thoughts From The Scriptures

Genesis When I was writing these words, I was thinking of some of the stories in the book of Genesis (the book of beginnings). I was thinking about Adam, Abraham and Joseph - and I was thinking about Jesus!___________________________________________ It was the genesis of my life.Things were looking so good.Then, it all went badly wrong.What …

Famine in the land

"There was a famine in the land" (Ruth 1:1). The situation seemed hopeless. We wonder, “Where will hope come from?” In Amos 8:11, we read about a different kind of famine: “not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” How do we find hope …

Is There A Revelation In A Genealogy?

Ruth 4:18-22 "A genealogy is a striking way of bringing before us the continuity of God's purpose through the ages. The process of history is not haphazard. There is a purpose in it all. And the purpose is the purpose of God" (Leon Morris, Ruth).

Can A Hopeless Situation Be Turned Around?

“There was a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). The situation seemed hopeless. We wonder, “Where will hope come from?” In Amos 8:11, we read about a different kind of famine: “not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” How do we find hope …

A new beginning (Learning From The Book Of Ruth)

Following the triple tragedy of the deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:3-5) and the departure of Orpah (Ruth 1:14), there was a new beginning for Naomi and Ruth.This new beginning came to them when "they came to Bethlehem" (Ruth 1:19). The town of Bethlehem marked a new beginning for them. It marks a …

Learning From God’s Word: Ruth

Ruth 1:1-22 Following the triple tragedy of the deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:3-5) and the departure of Orpah (Ruth 1:14), there was a new beginning for Naomi and Ruth. This new beginning came to them when "they came to Bethlehem" (Ruth 1:19). The town of Bethlehem marked a new beginning for them. …

Link to Rev James Philip’s notes on Ruth

Ruth

Ruth

RUTH 1:1-2:23  -  Ruth meets Boaz. It seemed like a ‘chance’ meeting - ‘she happened to come... ‘ (2:3). It was more than that. God was at work. Ruth had committed herself to the Lord (1:16-17). She was being guided by the Lord (Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6). Ruth was unassuming and grateful, hard-working and responsible …

Ruth

RUTH 1:1-2:23  –  Ruth meets Boaz. It seemed like a ‘chance’ meeting – ‘she happened to come… ‘ (2:3). It was more than that. God was at work. Ruth had committed herself to the Lord (1:16-17). She was being guided by the Lord (Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6). Ruth was unassuming and grateful, hard-working and responsible …

Difficult situations can be turned around – to glorify God …

Ruth 1:1-2:23; John 9:1-34; Proverbs 12:8-17 Difficult situations can be turned around to glorify God (John 9:3). The story of Ruth is the story of mourning turned to rejoicing. In John 9, we have darkness turned into light, blindness to sight. This is the story of “amazing grace” – “One thing I do know. I …

Overview Of The Old Testament: Ruth

Ruth meets Boaz. It seemed like a ‘chance’ meeting - ‘she happened to come...'  (Ruth 2:3). It was more than that. God was at work. Ruth had committed herself to the Lord (Ruth 1:16-17). She was being guided by the Lord (Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6). We read about Ruth. We learn about Jesus Christ. When …

May God help us to lead people to Christ… (Ruth 3:1-4:22).

Ruth was covered by the 'garment' of Boaz, her 'kinsman-redeemer' (Ruth 3:9). Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He has become one of us. He shares our 'flesh and blood', our 'humanity'. Through His 'suffering' and 'death', we are brought to 'glory' (Hebrews 2:10-11; Hebrews 2:14-15). In Him, we 'rejoice': 'He has clothed me with garments of …

It happened by chance, or was there something more?

“She happened to come … ” (Ruth 2:3). It happened by chance, Or was there something more? Was it just coincidence, Or was the hand of God in it? Sometimes, we wonder, Why has this happened to me? Why has it turned out this way? Who are we to say, “It’s just one of these …

A New Beginning!

Following the triple tragedy of the deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:3-5) and the departure of Orpah (Ruth 1:14), there was a new beginning for Naomi and Ruth. This new beginning came to them when "they came to Bethlehem" (Ruth 1:19). The town of Bethlehem marked a new beginning for them. It marks …

God does not abandon us. He stands by us.

"Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). These words were spoken by Ruth. She was speaking to her mother-in-law, Naomi. What comfort Ruth's words brought to Naomi. Ruth was not going to abandon her. She was going to stand by her. In the love that Ruth had for Naomi, …

The Lord be with you! The Lord bless you!

"Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, ‘The Lord be with you!’ ‘The Lord bless you!’ they answered" (Ruth 2:4). "The Lord be with you! The Lord bless you!" There's nothing more important than this. This is more than saying "I hope that you're things are going well for you." Things are going well - what does this …

Praying Through God’s Word: Ruth

Ruth 1:1-2:23Sometimes, Lord, it seems to us that some things just happen by chance. You’re saying to us, “No. It’s more than that.” You are working in us. You are showing us Your love. Day-by-day, You are showing us that You are the faithful God. You are the God of “amazing grace.” Help us to …

Can The Famine Become A Harvest?

In Ruth 2, there’s a beautiful picture of harvest. Look back to Ruth 1:1 – “There was a famine in the land.” The Christian life’s like that. It’s not always harvest. Sometimes, it’s famine. Sometimes, we feel like we’re on the mountain-top. At other times, we’re in the wilderness. Whatever your circumstances, remember this – …