From Bitterness to Blessings 03.31.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday March 31, 2008 and today we are going to study the book of Ruth. The book of Ruth is the 8th book of the Old Testament and contains 4 chapters. The author of the book is unknown, the book was written to the people of Israel and the purpose of the book is to show the historical record of Israel and to illustrate the concern of God for all people. It also illustrates the kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ and shows that God can turn bitterness into blessing.

Please read Ruth Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about a famine in the land; Elimelech and Naomi and their move from Bethlehem to Moab; Naomi and Ruth returning to Bethlehem; and the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that no matter what you have in your life, God forgives and will turn any situation around for all who believe.

A severe famine existed in Bethlehem. A man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and two sons left Bethlehem, and went to Moab in search of food and, hopefully, a better life and resided in Moab. "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 Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there." (Ruth 1:1-2).

However, during the next 10 years Naomi's life was filled with bitterness as unforeseen tragedy struck them in the idol-worshiping country of Moab. Elimelech died, then his sons ignored their Covenant relationship with God and married Ruth and Orpah, who were Moabite women. Sometime later, Mahlon and Chilion also died. The three childless widows were left without a means of support. "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 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. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah." (1:3-7).

Soon Orpah returned to her earthly securities, back to her people, and to her gods. But Ruth was no longer a Moabite in her heart, for she had forsaken the gods of Moab and confessed her loyalty to the God of Israel. "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." (1:14-17).

Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem where Boaz, assumed the right of "kinsman-redeemer." He purchased the inheritance of Naomi and took Ruth as his wife. "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz....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. 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. 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 born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 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." (2:1,4:13-17).

The Book of Ruth highlights our Lord's loving-kindness to Gentiles in selecting Ruth, a Moabite woman, who became the great-grandmother of King David. For the third time God united both Jew and Gentile in the ancestry of David and of our Lord Jesus.

The thrilling conclusion is that out of our most miserable failures, God will work something beautiful when we put our lives in His hands. Ruth's love for Naomi and for God overcame all the hostilities that existed between the Moabites and the Jews and she became an ancestress of Christ. These historical facts illustrate the love of God for all mankind. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatian 3:28-29).

Her story should give encouragement and hope to the most despondent, helpless, defeated person. One may be discouraged and know that he has left "his Bethlehem" and gone into the land of sin, and there buried all hope, but God can always bring something beautiful out of the most miserable circumstance when we turn to Him with our whole heart.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through, Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1), which means House of Bread. Jesus, is the Bread of Life, that satisfies the spiritual hunger of all who come to Him. "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:32-35).

Today's Psalm: 9:1
"I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works"

Today's Prayers:
Dear Lord Jesus,
As we earnestly seek and follow You our minds are being renewed daily. Our ambitions, goals, and affections are being transformed into Your likeness. The ways of the world have less grip on us as we transfix our thoughts upon You. It is in dying to the world that we become alive unto Christ and it is through Your mercy that we offer our lives today as living sacrifices. Help us Lord to turn to You whole heartedly and leave behind the lusts of the world that keep us from being the best that we can be. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful Monday, I love you and I am praying for you daily.
God Bless,
Christina

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