Book of Ruth

This is seven parts, although on one big post. 

• Introduction
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Summary

The following quote is from a friend's Facebook status which caused this study.

Hey Brothers, if all she does is come to church looking pretty and has no worship life in her; she can't be your Ruth. 

Ladies if he's too cool to shout and praise God; he can't be your Boaz.

Here is some of the stuff i have found.

INTRO ~
This book can be divided out into four main parts by chapters:

1. Ruth Deciding      or Love's Resolve
2. Ruth Serving        or Love's Response 
3. Ruth Resting        or love's Requests
4. Ruth Rewarded    or Love's Reward

There are always many ways you can go with this. Four chapters are proven so much stuff, to the story of the kinsmen redeemer which is a foreshadow of our Savior Jesus Christ to the the power to serve. So many aspects in just four chapters i will try to share a few of them because to do all of them would take super long time.  One way to start a study is to look at the main people and the main places then go form there, while this is not exciting this helps see the people.

Our Main People (grandparents to King David):
Ruth -  "friendship" - originally wife of Mahlon, later married to Boaz.
Boaz - "Fleetness" -

Supporting (lesser) Roles:
Naomi - "pleasant"
Mara (Naomi) - "Bitter" - This is how Naomi felt after her husband and sons died.
Elimelech - "God is my king"
Mahlon - "sick" Husband of Ruth, son of Naomi & Elimelch
Chilion - "pining"  Husband of Orpah, son of Naomi & Elimelch

SIDE NOTE - both of her son's names are relating to having an illness 

Orpah - "hind"  Wife of Chilion

Places spoken of:
Bethlehem - "House of Bread". A town in Judah located about six miles southwest of Jerusalem  The birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ.

Moab - "progeny of a father" The region outside of Israel, located south of the Arnon River and east of the Dead Sea. Moab was the son of Lot and was the product of a incestuous relationship between a father and a daughter (Gen 19:31-37). These people were marked because of that.

Into the story we go . . .

CHAPTER 1 ~
This story can not be talked about until the fact that they left God's lands and entered a land full of pagans and idolatry just because of physical circumstance.

Before we get to the main scene there are some leading up events ... Naomi took her husband's and son's death as a personal trouble from God. She tried to discourage the girls from going back into Bethlehem. Chapter one verses 8 - 12 is all about Ruth being discouraged from her mother-in-law to ever enter the place where she will receive her great blessing.  Naomi was being Mara and was working in the flesh! It is important to note while she was being bitter she blessed them (1:8,9) and asked that the Lord deal kindly with them and find rest with their new husband. When she did this, they all wept.

Naomi's discouragement to go with her only worked on Orpah but not Ruth. This section could be called "A Tale of Two Women",  This is interesting in 1:14 where it says "Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her". The word clave means "clung to". This is the equivalent  to touching something versus holding it.  Right after this she is told once again to return to her people. This opens up one of the best loyal comments and the best confessions with Ruth's reply.

1. Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee:
2. for whither thou goest, I will go; and
3. where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
4. thy people shall be my people, and
5. thy God my God:
6. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried:
7. the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 

Wow! What a  seven fold consecration of Ruth! When Naomi decided she was not going to sway Ruth into going to back to Bethlehem then she decided to have Ruth go with her.  Naomi changes her name to Mara ("bitter") and is the second time she has claimed God's judgement on her personally (verse 13 and 20). Modern day terms for verse 20: "call me not pleasant but bitter".

CHAPTER 2 ~
This chapter introduces Boaz! This chapter shows something very interesting about their culture, the tradition was let the harvesters go through once and what ever was left unharvested as a form of welfare for the poor and the widows. They wanted a hand up, not a hand out! I suspect that Naomi directed Ruth to this particular field knowing it belongs to Boaz. Ruth was given very special treatment harvesting. Boaz even told his young men not to touch her, and not to rebuke her. She had the eye of the land owner! She followed what Boaz said and what Naomi said and stayed there the rest of harvest season. Ruth had to spend her time in the field during the harvest! Verse 23 said she stayed loyal and faithful to his field until the harvest was finished.

CHAPTER 3 ~ 
This chapter introduces the kinsmen redeemer custom. Ruth followed a custom and started talking to Boaz about him being able to redeem the land, he takes her up on the offer. Naomi sets this up and Ruth obediently obeys! Boaz reconizes Rtuh's claim to kinsmen redemption.


CHAPTER 4 ~ 
The final chapter has an interesting scene. Boaz calls the elders to the gates of the city, and talks with the anonymous person who is a closer kindsman redeemer than Boaz is. This anonymous redeemer wanted the land but not to fulfill the place of the kinsman (v. 4-6), but Boaz wanted to do it. The reason why the anonymous redeemer refused to mary Ruth is not completely evident but it is thought that he had a wife already and did not want to mar the inheritance, it was not worth more land. Old testament rules state that the child would be counted as the offspring of Mahlon. The old testament rule of the loosed shoe is intersting too, he took a shoe off his foot (both singular) to indicate he was passing on the land.


SUMMARY ~ 
While this study is not too in depth, thats for later,  it gives the characteristics of the people in this little 4 chapter book.  This book shows the grandma of David - who was the least likely candidate through obedience and favor came into her destiny. Chapter one 7 fold decree reveals the heart of Ruth. We cant forget Orpah, who wanted to come over too however she didnt cling like Ruth did.  Ruth declared and decreed she is going!

Back to the original quote ....

Hey Brothers, if all she does is come to church looking pretty and has no worship life in her; she can't be your Ruth. 

Ladies if he's too cool to shout and praise God; he can't be your Boaz.

Ruth  was no doubt dedicated to all she did, the decree she gave Naomi proves this.  Boaz being a righteous man followed through all he should have through out the book of Ruth. This quote is very profound for men and women alike. Ruth quote matches better to the book than the Boaz quote does, however the nature of Boaz is shown, he followed the law of gleaning to the poor, Boaz was for sure more about his commitments than his image.  We can all learn from both of them. 

Kenneth Copeland retells Smith Wigglesworth raising a man from the dead

I love this!

Analyzing the story of Lot (part 4, final post)

Four parts & post dates 
Sept. 7th Intro - Before
Sept. 14th During
Sept. 21st After  
Sept. 28th Summary (this one)

MISC scriptures

2Pe 2:5-8 KJV  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;  (6)  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;  (7)  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:  (8)  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Eze 16:49-50 KJV  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  (50)  And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

Summary

     The story of Lot is a very dynamic one, and we can take much from this story. I fully believe that it was Abraham's prayers that saved lot, to me its all over the story.  The act committed by his daughters against him is two fold, for one i believe it warns against alcohol on any level and two it shows that either the daughters did not trust the men of Zoar or the corruption in Sodom was so bad it was etched into their mind and caused them to create such an act. It is important to note that the particular act was not a sin until the law though.  Lot entered into Sodom with many things, then left with pretty much nothing.  This is an important concept because as the quote goes "Sin will take you longer further than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay. It will cost you more than you want to pay" which is evident inside the story of Lot.

  Something very important to remind yourself when dealing with this is that while the church continuously concentrates on only one sin, it was no one thing it was many. While the city was full of sin, it was full of many different types. Ezekiel tells us that "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." We must never let those sins come into our life - Help the poor, the needy and never become idle. I believe idleness breeds sin which will only snow ball until it takes over, the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).

Finally, the take away from this is to not go near wicked (sinful) areas, and stay diligent at seeking God.


Thank you for reading this series!! 

As always if you liked it, share it or comment!

Analyzing the story of Lot (part 3)

Four parts & post dates 
Sept. 7th Intro - Before
Sept. 14th During
Sept. 21st After  (this one)
Sept. 28th Summary

AFTER (aftermath of the destruction) versus 30 – 38

Lot Finally listened to the angels and went up to the mountain (compare 30 to 17 – 23).  The daughters plot to have children by their father (31-35) by getting him drunk. This is where the Moab and Bena-ammi came from!

Nuggets from 30-38:

• Lot finally enters into the mountains, going through Zoar which was saved!
• The older daughter says they  must cause their father’s seed to be passed on however it is never implied Lot had any sons within this story, there is a theory Lot had ten people in his family which is why Abraham stopped at that number. It is important to not they went through Zoar but still did this act, showing their morals was harmed while in the Sodom.
• The most important moral from this story is the fact he had to separate from Abraham because of having too much wealth, when he left Sodom he had nothing, the war that went on his uncle recovered most of what he lost – I believe the moral is that Sin will make you barely escape from your life and you will lose all you have.

Analyzing the story of lot (part 2)

Four parts & post dates
Sept. 7th Intro - Before
Sept. 14th During (this one)
Sept. 21st After
Sept. 28th Summary

DURING: 

Chapter 19 (destruction of Sodom) verses 1 – 26 & 27-29 about Abraham
Chapter 19: Re-enter Lot (whom has not been spoken of since chapter 14).  Verse 1 tells us Lot was sitting at the gate, which some suggests can mean one of two things, either Sodom was so evil he could not stomach it during the day or he was an elder sitting at the gate of the city.  Right after Lot brought these angels to his house the city mob of both young and old men who tried to break down and demanded to have the angels (4 and 5), Lot offered his daughters (8) – an action that is unthinkable, however some suggest the custom was to protect guests at some cost but others have also suggested that he did this knowing they wouldn’t accept them. When Lot refused to give up the men they used the classic reply of “don’t judge me” although worded different (9). This refusal caused a reaction in the men who challenged Lot saying they would do worse to him, and almost broke down the door! Men of Sodom were then blinded by the angels (11).  The angels did tell Lot they are going to destroy the city (13). Angels then proceeded to ask lot about any family members, asking about sons-in-law (v 12) but when Lot went to them to warn them they laughed at him (14).  It is interesting that Lot lingered, and had to be essentially pushed out of the city (16 and 17). The angels tell Lot to head to the mountains; however he goes to Zoar which causes it to be spared (19-23). It is interesting that Sodom was not destroyed until Lot entered Zoar (22)!! Destruction of Sodom finally happens in verse 24, and he levels the city (25).  Lot’s wife is never named and will forever be known as the lady that was turned into salt(26), however she just did not look behind her, but lingered behind her not wanting to leave Sodom and all she had there when this happened she ended up being encrusted into salt.

Chapter 19: 1-26 Nuggets:

• Lot was at the gate of the city, denoting a position in the city (Deut 21 suggests the elders sit at the gate of the city)
• The famous offering his daughters to protect the angels in his house, it was accustom to protect the guests at all cost, however some suggest that Lot knew the city mob was past the point of wanting a woman
• Men of Sodom told Lot he was judging them for telling them to not to be wicked.
• When Lot did this they became violent! 
•  Lot’s daughters it is implied they were married but still virgins.
• Lot had to be forced out of the city (16 & 17)
• Zoar was spared because Lot went to it instead of the mountains like he was originally told! 
• Sodom was not destroyed until after Lot was in Zoar (22)! 
• Lot’s wife was looking back longing for the days; it was not a mere glance

Chapter 19:27-29 Nuggets about Abraham

- it is clear through these scriptures Abraham’s prayers is the main reason God changed his plan concerning these cities.

Analyzing the story of Lot (part 1)

Four parts & post dates 
Sept. 7th Intro - Before  (this one)
Sept. 14th During
Sept. 21st After  
Sept. 28th Summary

Last day bible nuggets from the story of Sodom

Information often looked over to the story of Lot

“As it was in the days of Lot... Shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed?"

This story mainly is composed of three areas – before (13-18), during (19) and after.
Luke 17:26-30 (KJV) 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

BEFORE the great story (Genesis 13 – 18):

To get into the story of Lot with Sodom and Gomorrah we have to start before the story, we know that Lot went with Abram when he left his home land and followed God to a new land(Gen 13:5 - 13).  The first mention of Sodom & Gomorrah was in Genesis 10:19 listed as a border city to Caanan. The second mention of these cities are when Lot pitched his tent toward there (Gen 13:10).

Genesis 13:10-13: 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

Three nuggets from verses 10 - 13:

• This place was well watered, thus tempting to move to the area. (Verse 10), Lot naturally chose this area because it was well watered! This scripture shows that everything that looks nice is not all it’s cracked up to be. What a nugget based in biblical truth! 
• Lot went from the plain of Jordan then into the Cities of Sodom & Gomorrah. This is showing he did not journey there straight away but went toward there slowly. (Verse 12)
• The men of Sodom were wicked, my opinion he knew this when he was going there (Verse 13).

Chapter 14 begins with a great war with Sodom & Gomorrah eventually losing in verse 11. Lot was taken captive along with his goods (verse 12) but was rescued by his uncle (verse 16).  Interesting Nugget here too, Abram is not a fighter, but through the help of God he won this battle using the divide and conquer technique). Abram returns to Sodom after slaughtering the other king (verse 17). The only reason Abram was involved was because of his nephew Lot.  When Abram returns all the goods unto the king of Sodom he tells Abram to keep it but give him back the people, however Abram refuses on the grounds he does not want the king to blame Abram’s wealth on taking anything from the king(21-24).

Chapter 14 Nuggets:

• Sodom and 3 other cities are beat but rescued by Abram, who is not even a fighter.
• Abram’s only payment for this was what his men have eaten during the battle

Chapters 15, 16 & 17 introduces quite a bit into the story that does not connected into the story of Sodom, Abram’s name was even changed to Abraham! God establishes a covenant which caused this name change.


Chapter 18 the story resumes although probably some years later! This chapter opens up with a divine visitor to Abraham! Abraham was extremely courteous to the three men who shown up, believed to be the Lord and two angels.  Verses 1 – 8 shows how courteous Abraham was and gives insight to the traditions of that time, even mentioning him not eating with them in verse 8. Abraham was told again (first time 17:15-19) about having a son.

While still in chapter 18, Verse 22 shows us the two men left Abraham and went toward Sodom to see the great wickedness.  There is a great pre-tribulation rapture which is verse 23 when he asks the Lord “shall you destroy the righteous with the wicked?” he asked, of course the answer is NO!  This is Abraham’s intercession to the Lord to not destroy the city (verse 23). This is also the first intercession mentioned in the scripture! Abraham barters with God to not destroy the city for 50(verse 24, 26), then for 45 (verse 28), he stops at 10 people (verse 32). The Lord leaves after this, it’s to be noted the angles has already left in verse 22.

Chapter 18 nuggets:

• The two angels leave to go to Sodom, while the Lord stays and talks to Abraham face to face (see exo 33:11) 
• Abraham haggles from 50 people to 10 people not to destroy Sodom, being an intercessor to save his nephew Lot. 

Just a look at the Prodigal son!

something we have always heard about the prodigal son is the fact his brother was not exactly thrilled by the way he was welcomed back.

This story can be summed up into seven parts::
1) departure and sins
2) misery and chastisement
3) conviction and resolve - Luke15:17: "And when he came to himself"
4) return and welcome
5) confession & repentance - Luke 15:21 is the prodigal son's confession and repentance it says "and the son said >unto him, father, i have sinner against heaven, and in they sight, and am no worthy >to be called thy son"
6) reconciliation-rejoicing
7) jealousy and anger of the elder brother

This story also points out something, you do NOT feed people when they are in the "pig pen" per-se , if they stay comfortable in their condition God can not work with them and you prolong them in their place of despair and ultimately make it harder for them to come out of.

verse 21 is an interesting verse, the son admitted to sin again heaven (God) and against his father (man). When we sin lots of time there are TWO things to apologize for, however it's not to everyone and their brother, its to that specific people and not those on the side lines. Verse 21 shows true repentance!

Verse 25-32 shows how most church people react when some one reverse their backsliding, i have seen it plenty of times, they do not want to celebrate the return of their brother but they despise the killing of the fatted calf for his brother. V31 is interesting, he acknowledged while the prodigal son does not have an inheritance they should still be glad that their son has went from dead to life, from lost to found.

One that that bothers me is when some one returns to Christ with a true heart of repentance, we play the role that the brother played and demand they come back as a servant and stay there, not to become a saint like they were called. Its true they may never be where they were (in this example have the great inheritance) but at the same time, they are still a family! celebrate when one is lost and found, even if they have been found again!

mini post

My bible says Matt 7:22 & 23 there are TWO reasons while he casts people into the fire

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1) Workers of iniquity
2) God never knowing them.


Iniquity is continual unrepentant sin, its great than a sin or transgression
The other one is God not knowing you, which is interesting though because many people have accepted Christ and claim him, however if He does NOT accept YOU then you are still lost.

The only way for him to know you, and for sin to be completely out of your life is a continual personal relationship with Jesus based between you and him, Following a man will get you nowhere, he can not save you and he did not die on a cross for you! The bible tells us to work out our own salvation with fear & trembling because its a very serious matter. NO ONE can have your relation with Jesus except you, invest in your relationship with Jesus above others, for when you seek first The King of God then everything else will be added!!

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Easter 2012: a look back to the first post

This is a link to my first post - FOUR years ago! I know this blog isn't updated regularly but i always try to post interesting stuff on here when i do post.

http://wcooley.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-2008-jesus-name.html

May the future be more brighter than the past,
-Bill