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Truth for today

Truth for Today, Pt3

Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth, Pt3
The Prologue, 1:1-2.

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III. IT WAS A TIME OF DEFIANCE

I think that may be seen in the action taken by Elimelech. He went to Moab to escape the judgment of God. He was hardened beneath the chastening of God. The purpose of chastening is set before in Hebrews 12:5-11.

A name study provides us with interesting details.
Elimelech = “My God is king.”  He typifies the measure or state of true religion there is in such days as the days of the Judges. He had a name to live. Notice he left Bethlehem, “The house of Bread.” In time of famine we should come to Bethlehem, not leave it! See 2 Chronicles 28:19-23.
Naomi. = “My delight.” It is a good name but she did not live up to it. Bitterness was her lot in Moab, verse 20. Obedience and return brought joy, 4:14-15. She possibly married an unsaved man, who professed but was not really saved!
Mahlon and Chilion. “Sick” “Pining or Consumptive.” Such were the offspring born to these two backsliders. Both perished in Moab with their father.
Sickly religion is the offspring of disobedience and backsliding and a looking to Moab for deliverance. Moab was a nation born out of a most wicked union, Gen 19:37.
It is to the modern Moab, the offspring of the union between the church and the world that many look for deliverance in these days.

Truth for today Pt2

Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth, The Prologue,  1:1-2. (Part 2)

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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 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.”

II. IT WAS A TIME OF DISPLEASURE

1. Such disorder and defiance displeased the Lord. That is obvious from just one word — FAMINE. Israel was a land of plenty. The promise to the patriarchs — “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine,” Gen 27:28. Famine was a judgment, Lev 26:14-27.

2. God’s displeasure will be manifested toward His people because of sin. His threats are real not mere bluster. Famine afflicts all. It reminds us that our sins will have an impact upon our children! Exodus 20:5, Num 11:1, 2 Sam 11:27, 2 Chron 29:6-9; 34:19-21.

3. The displeasure and its consequences will continue until repentance. Famine is a lasting plague. Man cannot end it, Mark 4:27, Matt 6:27.

Truth for today, Pt1

Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth
The Prologue,  1:1-2. (Part 1)

“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.”

Stream or download Truth for today, Pt1

The first two verses of this book present us with the initial setting for the history it contains.
The small book of Ruth nestles between the book of Judges and the 1st Book of Samuel. It provides the perfect link between the two eras. It is like the first streaks of dawn that heralds a new day. The  opening reminds us of the dark days of the judges but the book ends with the birth of David’s grandfather, and the hope of brighter times that generates. It is a book in which is foreshadowed the future ingathering of the Gentiles and of better times for Israel when the Lord will visit them again.
The last word of the book is David. It certainly points us to great David’s Great Son! It is the 8th book of the Bible and as such marks a new beginning.
We all know that the whole of Scripture is relevant to our day, even as it has been for all previous generations. Some portions, however, are most obviously relevant. This book is particularly relevant to our day.

The first two verses indicate that:

I. IT WAS A TIME OF DISORDER
The last verse of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel.” Judges 21:25.

1. There was no king. No central command or unifying government. The Lord should have been their King but His law was ignored or rejected by the nation generally. For many professing Christians today, there is “no king.” They are not governed by the law of Christ, the King.

2. Instead there was self rule. “ . . every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Every man was his own king. His whims and fancies, his desires and ambitions were sovereign. “I think” replaced “Thus saith the Lord.” Doctrine is proclaimed on the basis of how popular it will be rather than whether it is in the Word of God or not.

3. It effected everyone.  “ . . every man.” This was the universal rule within Israel. It helps us understand the tragedy that takes place in the opening verses.