Bob Feather June 25th, 2008

The Birth of Samuel

• Samuel’s father was polygamous (verse 2). Those who say that such relationships do not provide fertile soil for jealousy should read this chapter, along with the accounts of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, and the history of Jacob and his four wives.
• While childless, Samuel’s mother Hannah was the object of ridicule by Elkanah’s other wife (verse 6). Let us always remember that children are from the Lord, and that He alone determines whether or not we shall be parents.
• Elkanah was a devoted Jew who took his family yearly for an extended season of worship (verse 3). On one such occasion Hannah’s fervent, but silent, prayer was mistaken by Eli the priest for drunkenness (12-14). Being filled with the Spirit may be confused with drunkenness (Acts 2:13,15); but the believer should never be drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18-20).
• Hannah denied the sin and confessed to praying (15-16). Did she confide in Eli the content of her prayer, or was hers, at least to Eli, an “unspoken request”?
• The priest blesses her with the assurance that her prayer will be answered (17), and accordingly Samuel was born and appropriately named (19-20).
• Like Jephthah, Hannah vows to dedicate her child to the Lord and she keeps that promise (1 Samuel 1:11,24-28).

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Bob Feather June 24th, 2008

Love finds a way

You can either see this as the conniving of a Jewish mother, or as a marriage made in heaven. Take your pick.

The Kinsman Redeemer (Chapter 3)

• Naomi’s “courtship” advice (1-5)
• Boaz’ conditional promise of marriage (6-13)
• Ruth’s engagement announcement (14-18)

The Redeemer’s Kinsmen (Chapter 4)

• Boaz expresses his desire to be the kinsman who will redeem Naomi’s land and marry her childless and widowed daughter-in-law (1-12).
• Ruth and Boaz have a son, much to the delight of Naomi and to the glory of God and the good of God’s people (13-22).

Meditation Points:

1. Naomi promises to seek “rest” for Ruth (3:1)
2. Wash, anoint, change clothes and hide. (3:3).
3. Cover me, for you are a near kinsman (3:9). Sinners need a relative in heaven who will cover them, too.
4. Everybody knows you are a virtuous woman (3:11). What does “everybody” know about you?
5. The man will not rest until he has finished the thing this day (3:18). Do you stop without finishing your work? What work would keep you from sleep?
6. Someone else had the right of first refusal. Boaz honored that right (4:4).
7. The agreement sealed with a … shoe (4:7-8). Not a handshake, not a kiss, not a signature, not with blood.
8. Witnesses. Will anyone testify to your agreement to trust Christ?
9. Tamar and Judah (Genesis 38).
10. Naomi thanks God for remembering her (4:14).
11. A daughter who loves you is better than 7 sons (4:15).

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Bob Feather June 23rd, 2008

The Story of Ruth

What is the significance of this story about the childless Moabite widow who travels with her widowed Israelite mother-in-law back to Israel and, subsequently, marries an Israelite man with whom she has a son?

Precisely this: That son goes on to have a grandson named David; and David becomes the second king of Israel, and, more importantly, ancestor to Jesus of Nazareth (Ruth 4:17; Matthew 1:5).

Introducing Ruth to Naomi (Chapter 1)

• A famine leads Elimilech to move his family to Moab (1-2)
• After their father’s death, the sons marry local girls; but the men die childless, having lived in Moab about 10 years (3-6).
• Naomi releases the younger widows from any real or imagined obligation to support her; her intent is to move back to Israel (7-13).
• Ruth, alone, insists on accompanying her mother-in-law; and Ruth is fully aware of the spiritual and cultural implications (14-18).
• They arrive at Bethlehem in the spring, at the time of the barley harvest (19-22).

Introducing Ruth to Boaz (Chapter 2)

• With no visible means of support, Ruth volunteers to go out and glean; and she happens upon the fields of Naomi’s relative Boaz (1-3).
• Boaz, a man not only of wealth but also of character and spiritual discernment, takes an interest in Ruth (4-7).
• Moreover, he opens the way for her to be secure and successful in her gleaning (8-16).
• Naomi, upon hearing of Ruth’s day, thanks God for His providence; and she encourages Ruth to continue working in the fields of Boaz (17-23).

Meditation Points:

1. Ruth is converted to the God of Israel through her relationship with Naomi. How different from the Moabite women of Balaam’s day who brought judgment upon Israel by their marriage to Israelite men!
2. There were two daughters-in-law.  What became of the other one? One choice can change the direction of our entire life.
3. What would you be willing to do to save your family from famine? from hell?
4. How many men are like Boaz in their concern for the safety and well-being of others?

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Bob Feather June 22nd, 2008

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