We are considering how that we will “learn” as a result of studying the history of the righteousness given us in the Bible.* It is a knowledge which will guide our feet in the darkness of this world. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Ps 119:105.
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts,” 2 Peter 1:19.
Both these verses indicate the source of light that will guide us in the darkness of this world.* It will show us what to do in a time of crisis. “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things,” Luke 24:45.
When there is confusion, as there was in the hearts of the two on the road to Emmaus, the Bible, under the Holy Spirit’s blessing, will show us the way.
In this book we have come from the darkness of Moab right up to the light of the promised coming of the Messiah. To the very last it is full of instruction for the child of God.
First of all consider the practical lessons.
I. THE WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD TO THE SINNER
1. The honoured wife. Ruth had forsaken all for the name of the Lord. Now she has found abundance as a result. She is the wife of “a mighty man of wealth . . . and his name was Boaz,” Ruth 2:1. Psalm 113:7-8.
2. A fruitful mother. She no children in Moab. “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward,” Psalm 127:3. “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD,” Psalm 113:9. “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life,” Rom 6:21-22. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries,” 1 Pet 4:3.
3. A blessed daughter. Verse 15. What a benefit to Naomi Ruth was! She was better than seven sons. Here is what God can make the sinner to be.
4. A privileged ancestor. She who was an obscure idolator has by the grace of God been brought into the family of God and intimately related to Christ after the flesh. So it is with all who believe. “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother,” Matthew 12:48-50.
II. THE MERCY OF GOD TO THE BACKSLIDER
“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,” Ruth 4:15-16. She had earlier said: 1:11-14. Hopelessness and weeping was the lot of Noami. She was “empty”, 1:21. But now look! She nurses the progenitor of Christ.
III. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO THE SAINT
Boaz was a good and holy man. He had prayed most generously for Ruth, 2:12. His prayers were answered, not only upon Ruth’s head but also upon his own. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” Gal 6:7.
As I said at the end of last week’s study, we are going to return to what Romans 15:4 says. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Studying the histories of good and godly men and women in the Bible – plus youngsters such as Samuel the boy and the little maid of 2 Kings 5 – will benefit us greatly.
Firstly, we will ‘learn’. First use of the word, Matt 15:9. The word means ‘teaching or learning’. It is the only book which will ONLY impart knowledge and wisdom to you. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, Psalm 71:17.
The Bible contains what we are to learn to obey.
It is a knowledge which will take us to heaven. 2 Tim 3:15.
