Tag Archives: God

Ruth Chapter 1 – The Famine

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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.  V1

The author, who is believed to be the prophet Samuel, inspired by the Holy Spirit gives us a timeline of these events, “in the days when the judges ruled” , these events happened around the same time period of the book of Judges between 1380 BC to 1050 BC

We see there is a severe famine in the land, this will kick off a sequence of catastrophic events which God will ultimately use for His glory and the fulfillment of the Messianic line in Jesus Christ. This is a fascinating book of how we connect the dots between the Old Testament to The Lord. 

A certain man of Bethlehem (Elimelech) you should already see the ties to Christ, as this man is a citizen of Bethlehem, a Jew, however due to the severe famine, they were forced to move to Moab to find food. Of course Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah, as we walk through the book of Ruth, we will make all the connections to the Messiah

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  Matthew 2:1

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.  Micah 5:2

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.  V2

So the mans name is Elimelech, which means “My God Is King” which is very prophetic as this story will be about the Kinsman Redeemer which ultimately leads to Jesus Christ. HIs wifes name is Naomi and their twos sons are Mahlon and Chilion, make note they are all Jewish from Bethlehem, where when the sons move to Moab they will marry gentiles wives (Ruth and Orpah)

Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.  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.Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.  V3-5

Now here is where the the issues begin, because of the severe famine in the land, Elimelech dies, who is the man of the household, but also Naomi’s sons will also die during this time of famine, this will lead this family in a severe crisis, how will they be able to support themselves?

You must remember during this time period, it was almost impossible for a widow or single mother to raise her family financially. Typically the husband or next of kin, the son, would support the family , however in Naomi’s case , she lost her husband and two sons in a pagan land. 

This reminded me of a scenario the religious leaders were challenging Jesus on who would be the husband of a widow who theoretically lost 7 husbands

23The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27Last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”  Matthew 22:23-28

The Sadducees (religious leaders) presented this bizarre challenge to Jesus, about a woman who lost her husband and then all seven of his brothers died, who will be together in the resurrection, what were the religious leaders referencing?

Well they were presenting what we know as “Kinsman Redeemer” during ancient times, if a wife lost her husband, should be married to one of his brothers to provide for her and the family, since there was no welfare or unemployment. While the religious leaders use an exaggerated example to try and trip up Jesus, you can get an understanding of this practice in that time period

This how the story of Ruth begins, with Naomi heading back to Bethlehem to find her Kinsman Redeemer, which will ultimately be found through Ruth, a Gentile in Boaz which is a shadow of Christ

The Impossible made Possible!

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When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:25-26

What shall I do to inherit eternal life? This was the question by the Rich Young Man, a great question that all of us should ask, however the response he received from The Lord was not what he was hoping for! This young man had everything the world could offer, he had youth, he had money, he had power, but the one thing he was lacking was Christ!

And the only way this man could come to Christ, was to deny himself and carry his cross, which he wasn’t willing to do! You see this man loved the ways of this world more than he loved God. Yes he loved the idea of eternal life but had no interest in the eternal Son of God, the majority of the world has the heart of this man, carnally minded and no actual love for God

So the disciples posed the question then, “Who then can be saved”? Who can save us from this body of death, o wretched men that we are? (Romans 7:24) The bad news is you can’t , you are dead in your trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1)  you are an enemy to God (Romans 5:8) The Lord himself said “With Men This Is Impossible”

Many people have tried to save themselves, many people have tried to make themselves righteous, many people have tried to come up with a religion or formula that would satisfy the wrath of God, but it all fails because “Nobody is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18) The legalist doesn’t want to hear this! The deceived declares they are self righteous and a “good person” But the only good in us is Christ alone!

But there is good news, as Christ said “With God all things are possible” In Christ you can be saved, In Christ you can be made righteous, In Christ you can be Born Again (John 3:3) into a new Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) Your only hope is in the blood of The Lamb Jesus Christ, who can wash away all your sins (John 1:29)

In You, there is no possibility of salvation, the only path is eternal damnation in Hell Fire, but In Christ you can be saved! With God all things are possible, Christ has made the way, run to the cross, get on your knees and cry out to The Lord today! Today is the day of salvation(2 Corinthians 6:2)  in Jesus Christ, Amen!

Return To Egypt? Numbers 14:3

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Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”  Numbers 14:3

God with His great mercy and compassion, delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, God made a way, God performed miracles that crippled an entire elite nation, God destroyed the most powerful military in the world without the Israelites  engaging in battle, God provided food and water in the wilderness, God even promised and delivered the promise Land, a beautiful paradise flowing with Milk and Honey

However even though God has promised victory, God never said the way would be easy! In order to be in the covenant with our Father, we need to trust and obey his word and works. While many enjoyed the blessings from God, they never truly loved him and trusted him as God their Father. So when the going went tough, they wanted to run back into the slavery of Egypt instead

Many self professed Christians are like this today! Many claim they have professed Jesus Christ as Lord, many have claimed to put their faith and trust in Christ, many will even say they had a “Born Again” experience, however when life gets hard, they want to go back to Egypt. They want to go back into the slavery of sin where they were set free from! But If the Son Jesus Christ has set you Free, you are Free Indeed! (John 8:36)

If you are truly a Child of God, you are no longer a slave, as a slave has no residence into our Fathers house! (John 8:35) This idea that you can enjoy The Freedoms of Christ and still be a slave to Egypt is madness, it’s a total deception of Satan, you were Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) You are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, You are a Child of God in Christ (1 John 3:1) You are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18)

So how can a Child of God want to go back to Egypt? Well this is evidence they were never a Child of God at all , Jesus said “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) You will know them by their actions, by the way they live their lives. A Child of God doesn’t live in slavery, a Child lives in the Freedom of Christ (Galatians 5:1) Walk in the Newness of Life by the Holy Spirit, Walk in the Newness of Life as a Child of God, Walk in the Newness of Life by Christ (Romans 6:4)

Would it be better for us to return to Egypt? Would it be better for a dog to return to its vomit? (Proverbs 26:11) Certainly Not! How can we who are Alive in Christ be made a slave to sin again? If your Church is living in Egypt, Flee! If your friends are living in Egypt, Flee! Turn to the Promised Land, bought to you by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ , Amen!

From a Slave to a Son!

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and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”   Luke 15:19

The prodigal Son, one of the most famous parables for a reason, because we were all once this prodigal child, God our Father was dead to us, we wanted nothing to do with him, yet we wanted our inheritance! We wanted prosperity, we wanted health, we wanted protection, but we didn’t want anything to do with our Father in Heaven, can you relate?

Just like this prodigal, many of us found our way into the pig pen! We went into the far country, enjoying prodigal living, experiencing the blessings of our Father, yet we gave him no glory! We gave ourselves the glory, we wanted to build our own kingdoms, we wanted to build our own empires. Yet when the money went dry, we found out , it was all a lie from the pit of Hell. 

What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul? (Mark 8:36) It profits us nothing! We end up with the swine, worse off than the slave. In fact we come to the realization, we are slaves! We are slaves to sin (John 8) slaves to immorality, slaves to drugs and alcohol, slaves to the world and the devil. And when we are all destroyed, Satan discards us like a carcass into the bone pile

However, then the Holy Spirit awakens our heart, we desire to come into the presence of our Heavenly Father, we think , if I could just be one of his servants, I would be satisfied. So we make long trek back to our Father, covered in our filth, with our heads buried in shame, how could God ever want to even look at me again?

Ah, prodigal Child, but the Holy Spirit enlights you about Christ, the Son of God died on the cross to pay for your sins, he washed you clean by his blood, you are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you are a new Creation in God by Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So we come to The Father, and what is his response? Our Heavenly Father greets us with open arms, all of Heaven celebrates! The sinner has come to repentance! (Luke 15:7) How can we ever be in the presence of our Father again? Jesus Christ has made you righteous before The Father! (2 Corinthians 5:21) We hoped to be just a hired servant, and because of Christ , we are now a Child of the Living God! (Galatians 4:6) Amen!

Saved Today, Condemned Tomorrow?

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

Do you remember the day you were saved? Do you remember when the Father drew you to the Son? Do you remember when the Holy Spirit regenerated you and made you a new creation in Christ? If you are a Child of God, you probably remember this day like it was yesterday

If you have never been Born Again (John 3:3) then please, get on your knees and give your life to Jesus Christ today! The Lord is faithful and all His works on the cross are sufficient for our salvation! Unless you are Born Again, you wont see the Kingdom of God

However as the walk with Christ presses on, you find that its not easy being a Child of God. You find out that you will need to deny yourself , carry your cross , and follow our Master just as He said (Matthew 16:24) And some days you wondered if you were ever saved at all! 

The good news friend is our Lord is the everlasting God, He was in the beginning at Creation (John 1:1-3) and He will be with us till we come into glory! Our Lord does not change! Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever! If you were sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit today, you are still sealed by God tomorrow (Ephesians 1:13)

Some just can’t accept this Grace and Mercy of our Father in Heaven. They toil night and day trying to earn their salvation, they agonize that today they might have lost grace. Please don’t fall into the pit of false religion, its where Satan loves to dwell, to torture the lost sheep

Instead put your true faith in the Good Shepherd, Christ has never lost one of his sheep! (John 10:28) Never! There hasn’t been one sheep that was lost by the Great Shepherd, or God must be a liar. Friends, if we are able to lose our seal of the Holy Spirit, they we are all doomed, because nobody is worthy of Gods grace and salvation

Put your trust in the finished works of our Master, when He said “Teltelestai” meaning “It Is Finished (John 19:30) Your sin is forgiven, the atonement has been paid, you are a regenerated Child of God, no longer a slave to sin but part of the body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:27) Amen!