18/10/15

Why this Bible Reading? Studied Ruth during the summer Always a challenging chapter/book Only four chapters long Discussed during Faith Mission Convention which I attended in summer Also have been thinking about Psalms recently/this year

Ruth Chapter 1 1 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 1 3 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 1 6 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 L ORD 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 L ORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The L ORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”

Ruth Chapter 1 So 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 1 13 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 L ORD 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 1 16 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 L ORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth Chapter 1 18 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 1 20 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 L ORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the L ORD 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 viewpoints 1. Ruth 2. Boaz 3. Elimelech 4. Naomi 5. Many more…

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

Different stages in chapter 1. Heartache 2. Honesty 3. Hope

1) Heartache Verses 1-5 Very sad verses No mention of the LORD in section During the time of the Judges and National famine From a ‘little while’ to ten years Sadly it can be easy to identify with today…

Personal Thought Tunisia Tragedy Today 1. Economical 2. Employment 3. Personal 4. Physical

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

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

Negative Points She tells Ruth and Oprah not to come with her Still had a long way to go

Plus Points 1. She wanted what was ‘best’ for the girls 2. 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 name 6. Verse 13, ‘The Lord’s Hand’

What we can learn? 1. Her faith had been shaken 2. She was honest about her situation 3. She still acknowledged the LORD

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

Brief Biblical Lament Examples 1. Job 2. Psalms 3. Lamentations of Jeramiah 4. The Prophets 5. The Gospels

Psalms Written for… 150 Psalms, Different authors 1. Community 2. Individual 1. Lament 2. Historical 3. Praise 4. Wisdom 5. Messianic

Psalm 13 How long, O L ORD ? 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 L ORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Psalm 13 4 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 L ORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

David Author for many psalms is David David often was in times of despair Sometimes caused by his own mistakes

Psalm 13 How long… Mentioned four times How often do we ask that ourselves? Psalm 13 starts with a cry to the LORD Psalm 13 ends with praise Similar 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) Hope Despite the pain and suffering of the chapter there is hope at the end… Verse 22 does end in hope For those who have read the book the story is not finished God is in control

From Start to Finish Beginning of chapter one End of chapter one 1. Leaving Israel 2. Famine 3. Emptiness 1. Returning to Israel 2. Harvest 3. Relationships

Summary Hopefully we can learn something from the book of Ruth/Psalms We can relate to those in the book It is also good to cry out to God He does hear us