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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program. |
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These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing
of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on
living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery,
otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Click here to
contact LMM
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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13 |
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God's
sovereignty, His creation and its conviction before us!
Whether it be
a 100-year storm or any weather related event God is in control!
According to scripture and despite the theories of "global warming" soon
ready to rip apart the planet, the earth has adhered to its normal wind
circuitry, solar patterns and flowing rivers for hundreds and hundred of
years friend! This is especially mentioned by one of the wisest men ever
to live: King Solomon.
1 The
words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of
vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What
profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One
generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth
abideth for ever. 5 The sun
also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he
arose.
 6
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north;
it whirleth about continually,
and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All
the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place
from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All
things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied
with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. -
Ecclesiastes 1:1-8
Also know as "The
Preacher", Solomon steps out even further saying that there is nothing
that is new under the sun; what has been will be and what was done in
the past will be done in the future. Nothing is by happenstance!
9 The
thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done
is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath
been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no
remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of
things that are to come with those that shall come after.
In the book of
Colossians, the apostle Paul weighs in on the matter of creation and
also writes of the power of The One who hath redeemed us:
the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:16,17 - 16 for by him
were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Many astrologers tell us us if you
want to see the next celestial convergence of Venus, Jupiter, and the
moon, plan ahead because on November 18, 2052, you’ll be able to
peer through the evening sky as these neighboring planets meet in the
expanse of space. That remarkable event had already occurred as recent
as December 1, 2008, and it will happen again 40 years from now.
This predictability, as well as things such as eclipses and the return
of Halley’s Comet (July 28, 2061....just after my 100th birthday), prove
the order of the universe. If no fixed set of laws governed the movement
of everything in the universe, such predictions could not be made and
chaos would result.
Are these rules simply coincidence or random standards? Can we see God’s
hand in these celestial certainties? Look at Jeremiah 33:25-26. God has
in view the covenantal relationship between Himself and His people
Israel, and in effect, He says that His fixed universal laws, “the
ordinances of heaven and earth,” have the same certainty as His promises
to His covenant people, His future "bride to be".
Jeremiah 33:25,26 -
5
Thus saith the Lord; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I
have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; 26 then will I
cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not
take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on
them.
And as another
example of His sovereignty while not being
finished with Israel, God has committed to us through the riches of His
grace the knowledge of some of the promises she as a nation and can look forward to some
day...especially being fused into God through his Spirit in that day!
Psalm
19
1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handiwork.
2 Day
untoday uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end
of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race.
6 His
going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends
of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the
Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there
is great reward.
12
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from
the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
These are but
a few examples of God's sovereignty and I hope that with all the
predictions of end-time events, the Mayan doomsday 2012 calendar
and likely more depressing forecasts to come, that readers will
find comfort in knowing there is a Holy God in control during
this time of unmerited grace and that we should be thankful to
Our Great God, The Lord Jesus Christ!
THE REVELATION OF THE
MYSTERY
by Russell S. Miller
"How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery; (as I
wrote afore in few words,
"Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ) "Which in other ages was not made known
unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit; "That the Gentiles should
be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His
promise in Christ by the gospel"
Ephesians.3:3-6
When the
world was ripe for the judgment of God to fall, the Lord Jesus
Christ in mercy and grace reached down from heaven to save "the
chief of sinners," and in so doing "shewed forth all
longsuffering" to this doomed world. Unlike the Twelve and their
Kingdom gospel, Paul was made a minister of the Church and a
dispenser of God's grace today. In Colossians, the Apostle Paul
says:
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His
Body's sake, which is the Church:
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the Dispensation of
God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God;
"Even the Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from
generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
this Mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the
hope of glory" (Col.1:25-27).
Paul declares that those things concerning the Church were a
"secret" hitherto "NOT made known" (Eph.3:5), "...HID IN GOD..."
(3:9) and, "HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, but now is made
manifest to His saints" (Col.1:26).
He says that
"this mystery" is NOT found in the Old Testament scriptures.
Search and see that its absence is conspicuous. And furthermore,
in Galatians, he states again exactly how he got his message:
"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached
of me is not after man.
"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, BUT
BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST" (Gal.1:11,12).
Paul
got his gospel from the Lord Jesus Christ. No man taught Paul
the gospel that he preached. He "received" it "by the revelation
of Jesus Christ." The fact that PAUL got this "knowledge" from
the glorified Lord, Himself, boldly proclaims that he DID NOT
preach Jesus Christ according to a prophetic gospel; rather Paul
is specially "chosen" of God through whom "this Mystery among
the Gentiles" was to be revealed to the world. The message that
he preached in all fourteen of his epistles concerning "the
revelation of Jesus Christ" are summarized in the words of
Romans 16:25,26:
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you ACCORDING TO MY
GOSPEL, AND THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE
REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD
BEGAN,
"BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST, and by the Scriptures of the
prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
made known to all nations for the obedience of faith"
Romans16:25,26
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Today's World News
BLESSINGS FROM IRAQ!...Whaaat in the blazes??.....
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the
province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king,
have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden
image which thou hast set up. - Daniel
3:12
The preceding and following bible
passages are from the book of
Daniel. This article focuses
on the faith of three young men despite the turmoil around them.
While we are so thankful under this
current dispensing of God's grace and do not have to be tested "to the
death" as these brave men did. This account remains one of the biblical
classics illustrating the faithfulness and power of God.
Babylon, Iraq:
Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold
Statue
1 Nebuchadnezzar the
king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the
breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the
province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather
together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the
treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the
provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar
the king had set up. 3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains,
the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the
rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of
the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before
the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then an herald cried aloud,
To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 5 That at what
time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,
dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden
image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 6 And whoso falleth not
down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a
burning fiery furnace. 7 Therefore at that time, when all the people
heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all
kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell
down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had
set up. 8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and
accused the Jews. 9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O
king, live for ever. 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man
that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,
and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the
golden image: 11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he
should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are
certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of
Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not
regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image
which thou hast set up. 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury
commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought
these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them,
Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods,
nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15 Now if ye be ready
that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and
worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye
shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;
and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16 Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar,
we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it
known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship
the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full
of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they
should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be
heated. 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to
bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning
fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen,
and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst
of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king's
commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the
fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And
these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into
the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king
was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his
counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25 He answered and
said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and
they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace,
and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the
most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes,
governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered
together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor
was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor
the smell of fire had passed on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and
said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath
sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have
changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not
serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a
decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing
amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut
in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is
no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30 Then the king promoted
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
STANDING,
WALKING AND RUNNING FOR GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam
In a way the
Christian life is a stand; in another it is a walk, and in still another
a race.
In I Cor. 15:1 the Apostle Paul writes of "the gospel... wherein ye
stand" and in Rom. 5:2 of "this grace wherein we stand," while in Gal.
5:1 he bids us: "Stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made
us free." Perhaps all this is well summed up in his appeal to his
beloved Philippians:
"Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown... stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Phil. 4:1).
But the Christian life is more than a stand -- it is a walk (which in
Scripture refers to conduct). Once, says Paul, we walked "in trespasses
and sins" (Eph. 2:1,2) but having been saved by grace, through faith in
Christ, we are now to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Thus the
Apostle bids us to "walk worthy of the Lord" (Col. 1:10), to "walk
circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because
the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).
But the Christian life is even more than a walk; it is a race. Sad to
say, many Christians whose "walk" is consistent and commendable, have
never come to look upon the Christian life as a race. These never put
enough into it so that it might be said of them that they are running.
Yet the same great Apostle wrote, by divine inspiration:
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb.
12:1).
The word "patience" in this passage points up the fact that the
Christian life is not a short "hundred-yard dash"; it requires much
endurance. Thus we should put into it all that we have. "They which run
in a race," says the Apostle, "run all," but they do not all receive the
prize. Hence the admonition: "So run that ye may obtain" (I Cor. 9:24).
Those who have not trusted Christ as Savior have not even begun to
stand, or walk, much less to run a race for Him. These might as well
forget rewards until they first accept "the gift of God... eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
BIBLE FOOD
FOR THOUGHT DEPARTMENT:
Pastor Curt Crist from Grace Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC often threads
these 7 fundamental questions into his teachings in order to help edify the
saints:
- WHERE WAS SIN JUDGED?
AT THE CROSS....
- HOW MUCH OF IT?
ALL OF IT....
- WHAT WAS THE VERDICT?
GUILTY...
- WHAT WAS THE PENALTY?
DEATH...
- WHO TOOK IT?
JESUS CHRIST...
- HOW MUCH OF IT?
ALL OF IT....
- HOW MUCH DID HE LEAVE FOR YOU?
NONE OF IT....
Of which
the Pastor would jokingly close: "Why you've been trained pretty
good!"....
www.welcometograce.net
http://www.welcometograce.com
THE FOLLY OF WORLDLY WISDOM
by Cornelius R. Stam
Has not the world made great progress, intellectually,
since Paul's day? Is this not evident on every hand? Of
course! For one thing, our physicists have taught us how
to kill each other much faster now. Moscow, London or
Washington could be wiped out in a few minutes, and this
is a considerable saving in time!
And
think what has been accomplished in the field of
electronics! We can now keep intelligent people glued to
their TV sets for hours on end, their eyes riveted to
shows which are often unwholesome, but sometimes at
least entertaining and occasionally even informative.
And think of the many time-saving devices in our homes!
We are all saving so much time that we cannot even be
hospitable to each other and our mental institutions are
over-crowded with patients who have collapsed from
enjoying all this leisure time.
Then
consider our achievements in transportation! Our
thoroughfares are crowded with automobiles whose drivers
are getting jangled nerves in traffic jams and choking
in the deadly carbon monoxide fumes, or else racing at
high speeds, which is great fun until suddenly some
object looms up ahead as if from nowhere. And the
airplane! This is really something! We can now fly
through the air with so much noise and commotion that
innocent people for miles around our larger airports are
kept awake nights. Of course, the minority should be
willing to suffer cheerfully for the majority and it is
important that great numbers of people get places fast,
fast, fast.
But all this is nothing compared with what is going on
in outer space. We now have all sorts of things orbiting
around out there -- and it's not all debris. It includes
some very sensitive instruments, serving us faithfully
from day to day. Indeed, men from our earth have
actually landed on the moon and have brought some of its
rocks and dust back with them. Soon, maybe, we will have
people from beautiful New England, or the breath-taking
Rockies, or the lovely shores of Oregon, living on its
barren wastes. Wonderful prospect! And we can always get
the necessary billions from the taxpayers.
But
the best of it is that while we have aspired to reach
the moon, and even Mars, we've got a Great Society going
on earth; a Society whose wild pagan music has all but
replaced the beautiful melodies and harmonies of the
classics, and whose twisted "art" reflects the
bewildered confusion of our times; a Society in which
children and young people are corrupted, women are
robbed and raped, and men, women and children are
murdered in the streets. Oh, it's wonderful! The young
people demonstrating at our universities for the right
to use filthy language if they want to, and demanding a
greater voice in running our institutions of learning;
the minority groups marching to protest their various
grievances, the rioting and bloodshed, the burning and
looting! And meantime, ever so quietly, our most
sophisticated mob syndicates are running fine motels and
other business organizations -- and pouring an
ever-increasing flow of narcotics, pornographic
literature, etc., into our enlightened community, judges
and juries doing what they can to favor the criminals
and, should any of them land behind prison bars, the
parole boards are there to help get them released as
soon as possible, so that our happy society may benefit
from their experience and our mental and penal
institutions may be further enlarged. Surely we've never
had it so good.
Thanks be to God for the truth of Gal. 1:4:
"[Christ] gave Himself for our sins, that He might
deliver us from this present evil world
[or, "age"] according to the will of God and our
Father."
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COFFEE
CORNER
WOMEN
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Ruth
I have found that over my time studying God's word that renown men of
old, chosen ambassador's of God throughout the bible were much like you
and I. Some had families, vocations and circumstances that were all
similar to people today in some way. Throughout the next series of
publications, I will be giving readers a mini-exposition on some of
these men and women of God through the eyes of the grace of God
looking back...
Vital Statistics:
-
Occupation:
Ruth had no specific occupation per se but was the
wife of Mahlon. However, as the account unfolds,
Ruth is at least able to sustain herself and her
mother-in-law by working the fields.
-
Date of
Writing: 1100 B.C. The book must have been
written sometime after the beginning of David’s
reign. The information in Ruth 4:18-22, which
pertains to the historical significance of Ruth as
David’s great-grandmother, bears this out. The date
of the account is indicated by the opening
statement: “In
the days when the judges ruled.
. . .” The dates of the judges probably comprise a
period of about 300 years, beginning with the
judgeship of Othniel and concluding with that of
Samson, though Samuel also served as a judge.In Ruth
4:18-22, the events took place during the life of
David’s great-grandfather and mark the birth of his
grandfather.
-
Unique
characteristics: The book of Ruth traces the
lineage of Ruth to David. The completion of that
line is in Matthew 1 and finds its fulfillment in
Our Lord Jesus Christ! The Book of Ruth show's the
beauty of God’s grace. As a foreigner, even a
Moabitess, can be linked with Israel’s blessing
through His sovereignty and plan. Theologically, the
concept of kinsman-redeemer as a type of Messiah is
clearly evident. He must be a blood relative, have
the ability to purchase, be willing to buy the
inheritance, and be willing to marry the widow of
the deceased kinsman. The love that Ruth showed to
Naomi provides a pattern of devotion.
Background: The book of Ruth is such a heartwarming story
and another amazing account of how God can use all types of people for
His glory. The book begins with a man by the name of Elimelech who moves
his family to Moab which is about 30 miles east of Jerusalem but on the
other side of the Dead Sea.
Driven by famine, Elimelech, with his wife, Naomi, and his two sons,
Mahlon and Chilion, cross the Jordan to stay for a period of time in
Moab, where there is sufficient provision. The two sons, after marrying
Moabite women, die, and their father dies as well. Naomi is left a
widow, with two foreign daughters-in-law.
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 how that the LORD had visited
his people in giving them bread. -
Ruth 1:6
Ministry:
Hearing reports from Bethlehem that the famine has ended, Naomi makes
preparations to return. Both of her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth,
accompany her for at least a portion of the journey. Naomi knew that she
would no longer be able to bear another husband for her
daughter-in-laws. and encouraged them both to return from the land of
whence they came.
12 Turn again,
my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I
should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and
should also bear sons; 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown?
would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it
grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out
against me. -
Ruth 1:12,13
Probably thinking of the problems
they might encounter as foreigners in Judah, Naomi strongly urges the
girls to stay in their own land. Both of the young widows refuse, but
Naomi presents the facts. First, she is not pregnant, so the chance of a
younger brother fulfilling the levirate responsibility is not a
realistic possibility. Second, she has no prospects of remarriage and
consequently no prospect of further children. Orpah is persuaded
and kisses her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth “clung to her”
(1:18). The verb, having the connotation of being glued to something, is
the same verb used of marriage (Genesis 2:24). In essence, Ruth
renounced her former life in order to gain a life that she considered of
greater value. She decided to follow the God of Israel and his laws.
Ruth’s appeal to the God of Israel was more than equal to Naomi’s pleas,
and the two of them returned together. Their arrival in Bethlehem was
traumatic for Naomi. Having left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons,
she returned empty. She told her friends to call her “Mara” (bitter).
But she had returned at a propitious time, the beginning of the harvest
season.
REAPING
IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ (2:1-23) The first verse of the
chapter provides the setting for the narrative that follows by
introducing Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech. In the second verse,
Ruth volunteered to glean the fields by following the reapers and
picking up the small amounts left behind. Gleaners were also permitted
to harvest the grain in the corners of the fields—a provision for the
poor contained in the law (Leviticus 19:9-10). Ruth happened to come to
the field of Boaz. When he visited this field, he noticed Ruth, inquired
about her, and learned her identity. His overseer reported that she had
industriously worked the fields from early morning until that time.
Boaz, attracted to her because of her loyalty and concern for Naomi,
graciously made additional provisions for her. She was given a favored
position in reaping, directly behind the main body of reapers. Further,
she was to receive water that had been drawn for her by the young men—an
unorthodox arrangement. Ruth, falling before Boaz in a gesture of great
humility and respect, asked why she—as a foreigner—should receive such
favor. Boaz gave two reasons: her kindness to her mother-in-law, and her
spiritual insight, which led her to seek after Israel’s God:
The Lord recompense
thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel,
under whose wings thou art come to trust.
She was also given a place at the
reapers’ table and, upon Boaz’s orders, returned to the fields, this
time to reap from the grain that was not harvested. At the end of the
day she returned home to Naomi and told her of the day’s events. Naomi
informed Ruth that Boaz had the right of redemption (see below). Ruth
returned to his fields until the end of the harvest season.
RELYING
UPON THE KINSMAN (3:1-18) Naomi advised Ruth to approach
Boaz as a go’el, or kinsman-redeemer. The plan suggested
by Naomi seems peculiar, yet some thoughts may give a certain reasoning
to it.
(1) Naomi seems to have believed that
Boaz was the nearest kinsman, being ignorant of the yet nearer one
(3:12). Consequently, according to Israelite law (Deuteronomy 25:5ff.),
it would be the duty of Boaz to marry Ruth to produce offspring, since
her husband died. (2) Boaz’s response to Ruth’s actions demonstrated his
gentlemanly concerns for her. He explained to her that he was not the
nearest kinsman but promised that he would take care of the necessary
procedures the next day. Protecting her reputation, Boaz sent her home
before daylight.
The general presentation of Naomi’s
character in this book is that of a God-fearing woman. Naomi predicted
that Boaz would settle the matter that very day.
REDEEMING
THE INHERITANCE (4:1-22) Boaz went to the place of
business, the city gate. The city gate area comprised the forum where
the public affairs of the city were discussed. Boaz indicated that he
wished to discuss a matter of business with the nearer kinsman. Ten of
the city elders acted as witnesses. The first matter at hand was to deal
with the issue of property. Boaz asked this nearer kinsman if he was
willing to acquire property for Naomi.
Then said Boaz, What
day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of
Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the
dead upon his inheritance.
-
Ruth 4:5
The nearer kinsman was unwilling to
marry Ruth because this would inevitably cost him some financial loss,
since he would have to divide his own property with any son of his born
to Ruth. Thus he relinquished his rights by the custom of taking off his
shoe. (The shoe was symbolic of the land rights that belonged to the
inheritance.) So Boaz took the part of being the kinsman-redeemer. The
marriage of Boaz and Ruth produced a son who, under Israel’s laws, was
reckoned as Naomi’s child and heir.
Of much greater significance is the
couple's offspring as noted in the closing passages of this inspiring
account:
13 So Boaz took Ruth,
and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her
conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi,
Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a
kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto
thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy
daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven
sons, hath borne him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her
bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it
a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name
Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now these are
the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, 19 and Hezron begat Ram,
and Ram begat Amminadab, 20 and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon
begat Salmon, 21 and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, 22 and Obed
begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
-
Ruth 4:13-22
WHICH GOSPEL?
by Cornelius R. Stam
A friend asks: "Have
you heard the good news?" and you reply: "What good
news?" Naturally! All good news is not the same.
Yet few
people follow this procedure when they read in the Bible the
phrase "the gospel" -- which simply means "the good news."
They have been taught that "the gospel is the gospel" and
"there is only one gospel," but this is simply not so in
the light of the Bible itself.
God has
not proclaimed only one gospel, one item of good
news, down through the ages, but many. He has qualified the
word "gospel" by distinctive titles, just as a woman
labels her preserves to distinguish the different goodies
she has put up for the winter.
The
"gospel of the kingdom" and the "gospel of the grace of God"
are not the same, and certainly the "gospel of the
circumcision" and the "gospel of the uncircumcision" are
not the same.
When we
come upon the phrase "the gospel" without any qualifying
title, we should immediately ask: "Which gospel?" and
invariably the context will provide the answer. Luke 9:6,
for example, simply states that the twelve disciples went
about "preaching the gospel," but Verse 2 of the same
chapter explains how the Lord had sent them "to preach
the kingdom of God" -- not the cross, but the
kingdom, since He, the King, was in their midst. These
disciples could not have engaged in "the preaching
of the cross," as Paul later did, for it was not until
at least two years later that the Lord "began" to tell them
how He must suffer and die (Matt. 16:21) and Peter "began to
rebuke Him" (Ver. 22) and none of the twelve even understood
what He was talking about (Luke 18:34).
But
whereas "the gospel of the kingdom" had been
committed to the twelve while Christ was on earth, "the
preaching of the cross" (as good news) and "the
gospel of the grace of God" was later committed to
the Apostle Paul and to us (1 Cor. 1:18; Acts 20:24).
Today
we do not proclaim the kingdom rights of Christ. Rather we
proclaim "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).
_________________________
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
_________________________
|
A
Letter from a Friend
been revoked".
Joe
knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able
to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after
further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was
not the intended recipient but instead "copied" or "cc'd" as a
reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost
his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to
be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO
mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for
those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for
Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!
In a much similar example, when
we
read the bible, identifying our TO
mail is very important lest
we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without
understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our
"cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently
"read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend.
The result when this happens: confusion!
(see
