On this Mother’s Day, we turn to the book of Ruth and its beautiful story of redemption. To redeem means to free by the payment of a ransom—deliverance that assumes a desperate plight. In this story, we encounter both the stunning devotion of a woman to her mother-in-law and the greater reality of spiritual redemption that ultimately points us to Christ. Join us as we consider: 1) Naomi’s plight, 2) her redeemer, and 3) how this story speaks to us today.
The law is good. With this declaration of truth, Scripture shows us that God’s law was meant to bless us. But how does the law do this? At least in three ways as they emerge from this text: 1) protection from evil of the fallen world, 2) conviction for sin which leads us to salvation, and 3) sanctification of the believer unto their conformity to Christ. The law was designed to lead us to the Savior to save us and then to train us that we may be like Him in His love for God and love for man.
The burden that drove Paul to write First Timothy was the distractions that could steer the church away from God’s purpose for her, namely, the administration of God which is by faith, the love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Paul opens his letter with a strong appeal to his authority to ensure that Timothy understood the gravity of the issues at hand and that the church would receive Timothy’s leadership in this matter. In this passage, we find four strong encouragements to guide us away from the thousand termites that can eat away at our own walk with the Lord and the maturation of God’s church: 1) avoid speculative ideas, 2) understand our stewardship, 3) pursue godliness, and 4) exude holy love.
In a story like this, one would imagine this hero to be Ruth, who paid a high price to look after Naomi; but she isn’t. If not Ruth, then Boaz would seem to be it. After all, he is repeatedly called the redeemer, the go’el; but he isn’t. The redeemer is the seed, the ultimate David, the Lord Jesus.
The Lord gave the law for our blessing. It leads us to the Savior to save us, then to train us by revealing Christ in all His righteousness that we may like Him love God and love man.
The church in Ephesus was troubled with distractions. So Paul gave Timothy this charge to put an end to the foolish talk bombarding this church: command certain men not to teach strange doctrines derailing them from the purpose of God to sanctify and lead His people to holy love.
Suffering for Christ is not something strange, but something believers should expect in a fallen world. When Christians face persecution for the sake of righteousness, they are sharing in the sufferings of Christ and are called to rejoice, knowing they are blessed and that God’s Spirit rests upon them. Such trials test and strengthen genuine faith, producing endurance and proving our hope in Him. Rather than being ashamed, believers glorify God, entrust their souls to Him as the righteous Judge, and continue doing what is right. This lesson reminds us that Christians can and should rejoice even in persecution, trusting God’s purposes and His promised glory to come.
Because Christ suffered in the flesh, believers are commanded to arm themselves with the same mindset, resolving to turn away from sin and live for the will of God. The time spent pursuing worldly desires such as sensuality, drunkenness, and idolatry is enough for the past, for Christians are no longer settlers in this world but sojourners who now live to please their heavenly Father. Though the world may be surprised and even malign those who no longer join in its excesses, all people will ultimately give account to God who judges the living and the dead. Therefore, Christians must fix their minds on Christ, follow His will through His word, and live with the confidence that the gospel transforms lives and promises eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Because Jesus Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, He made a way to bring sinners to God so that believers may live with a good conscience before Him. Just as Noah trusted and obeyed God and was saved through the ark, baptism now represents not an outward washing but an appeal to God for a clean conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Christ has risen, ascended, and now reigns at God’s right hand over every authority and power, Christians are called to live with clear consciences by confessing sin, trusting Christ fully, and walking in faithful obedience to Him.
Have you ever had the same or similar thing happen to you twice? Today, we’re going to see how Israel experienced just this from God. And how they can remember it!
Have you ever performed a secret spy mission? It’s exciting. It’s dangerous. It’s risky. Today, we will learn about someone who helped in this secret spy mission and how this person ultimately helped God and His people of Israel.
Being a leader is an important job. Being God’s chosen leader for God’s chosen nation of Israel is probably an even bigger job. We’ve seen how God chose and uses Moses to lead Israel already. Now, we will being a new chapter. Let’s see how God choses and uses Joshua to be the new leader of Israel.
