Friday, July 10, 2015

Friday, 10 July 2015 Ruth 1-4; Acts 8: 26-40 ~ Elizabeth

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ruth 1-4; Acts 8: 26-40

The Book of Ruth relates a beautiful story in the history of King David’s family, illustrating how God guides history for the sake of His people. He works through suffering and redemption to preserve His people and to welcome the nations. These aspects of the book point to the birth of Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, who descends from Ruth and Boaz. Though the Book of Ruth is not a love story, it beautifully illustrates the Lord’s enduring love for us.

There are some challenges for readers, such as the book was clearly written in defense of David’s rule. Some critics see this as distracting from the book’s credibility. Some interpreters view the uncovering of Boaz’s feet as a polite way to note sexual activity. However, nothing else in the book agrees with this interpretation, and everywhere the faithfulness and integrity of Ruth and Boaz are emphasized.

Luther says of Ruth: “God has always been accustomed to collect a church for Himself even from among the heathen. Thus Ruth was a Moabitess, and Rahab was a Canaanite woman. They are numbered in the genealogy of Christ. Nor were these the only women who attached themselves to the godly, but many other Canaanites did so along with them. Not that Ruth or Rahab partook of the forgiveness of sins because they were on the wrong path. No, they were converted; they received the Word from the Israelites. This means, of course, that a heathen or unbeliever became a believer. For after believing the Word which he heard, he was a member of the church and no longer a heathen. (AE 8:135-36)

In our reading from Acts, God leads Philip to bear witness to and baptize an important official from Ethiopia, ensuring that Jews in Africa and also Ethiopians would likewise receive the Gospel. The Holy Spirit brings the eunuch to faith through the Word and Baptism. Today, rejoice in the Word and Baptism you have received, through which the Holy Spirit continues to work in your life. 


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Psalms 1-3; Acts 9:1-21

2 comments:

Pamela said...

22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Today this stood out for me. If Ruth had stayed behind, like Naomi had told her to, Obed would have never been born.

Sometimes I think about the choices I have made and how God has used them. I also think about how the decisions Conrad and I have made might be leading out kids to their future spouses.

Tammy said...

The story of Ruth is one of my favourites. I love her loyalt yto Naomi, I love her willingness to embrace a foreign God when she was given the truth, and I love that she, a Moabitess, was included in the genealogy of Jesus.

One thing I hadn't notice before - I love how Boaz's blessing on Ruth (in chapter 2, given because he heard of her loyalty to Naomi) is fulfilled through Boaz himself!

I love how God led Philip to the Ethiopian ensuring the spread of the gospel.