Welcome to episode 123 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we begin our study in the Book of Ruth, covering chapter 1:1-21. The series is called “My Redeemer Lives.” Today, we will cover:
- The setting for the crisis (vv. 1-2)
- The nature of the crisis (vv. 3-5)
- The response to the crisis (vv. 6-18)
- The interpretation of the crisis (vv. 19-21)
Key takeaways:
- In the midst of our difficulties and struggles, God continues to work out His plans for our lives. They may not be what we plan or expect, but they are exactly what He wants for us.
- The Jewish concept of hesed appears in this chapter. This idea combines our understandings of love, covenant faithfulness, mercy, grace, kindness, and loyalty.
- At the end of the chapter, Naomi is bitter, blaming God for her circumstances and seeing herself as a helpless victim.
- At the end of chapter 1, Naomi’s perception is so distorted by pain that she can see nothing good in her situation. Worst of all, her perception of God is twisted. She can see Him only as her judge.
Quotable:
- Adversity has the potential to bring about a low expectation mindset. We expect very little from ourselves, others, and God.
Application:
- Devastating events happen to most of us. One reaction can be to blame God, thinking that He is punishing us for our sins. While that MAY be the case, it could also be that God is using the adversity to purify us and to develop Christ-like character.
- Ruth is representative of each person who has turned to Christ as savior. She abandons all she has ever known for the promises of hope found in Scripture. She leaves behind certainty and comfort for an earthly life marked by tribulation, mockery, and marginalization.
- When we become bitter toward God, we may view Him as...
- is a sovereign being without grace,
- an omnipotent power without compassion,
- a judicial will without mercy.
You can find the 4-week devotional here.
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