In First Samuel, chapter One, verse eleven, Hannah shows her gratitude, love, and devotion to the Lord through her willingness to dedicate her son to the work of the Lord. The vow of Hannah contained two solemn promises: the one pledged the son she prayed for to the service of the Eternal all the days …
In First Samuel, chapter One, verse five, Hannah’s barrenness is ascribed directly to the activity of God. He had withheld children from her to prepare her for the birth of her son Samuel, who would become a great prophet. Hannah’s experience of barrenness, frustration, shame, and waiting was a trial of her faith. But the …
In Ruth, chapter four, verse seventeen, God honored Ruth and the virtuous young woman who forsook her pagan homeland to remain loyal to her mother-in-law and the God of Israel by allowing her to become the grandmother of Israel’s king David and thus an ancestor of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ. As Naomi nurses her …
In Ruth, chapter four, verse ten, Boaz becomes a redeemer in two ways. He married Ruth and preserved the name of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. The firstborn son of Boaz and Ruth was considered a son of Elimelech’s line. Boaz redeemed the family land that Naomi had said and restored it to Elimelech’s line. Boaz …
In Ruth, chapter four, verse fourteen, although Naomi had experienced great sorrow and adversity, she had maintained her faith in God. Because of her faith, God ordered events that her life ended in goodness and blessing. Naomi could testify at the end of her life that the Lord is very pitiful, as in James five, …
In Ruth, chapter three, verse twelve, The nearest relative had the first right to marry Ruth and inherit the family land. Only if he refuses was Boaz free to marry Ruth. Naomi mentioned in passing that Boaz is a “redeemer,” a relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s late husband, so he has the responsibility to buy Elimelech’s …
In Ruth, chapter three, verse nine, the gesture indicates Ruth was asking Boaz to take her for his wife. The covering symbolizes protection and support. Boaz has been sleeping on the community threshing floor. He’s had a successful harvest and celebrated with others with food and wine. Now, he only must sell his grain. He …
In Ruth, chapter three, verse four, the laying down of Ruth at Boaz’s feet view in the light of the customs of that day. It was done discreetly and without sexual connotations. As Boaz remained on the threshing floor during the night to protect his crop, Ruth went there, and her action conveyed to Boaz …
In Ruth, chapter two, verse twenty, Naomi begins to understand that God had not forsaken her and that His love and kindness toward her were unchanged and constant. Her attitude changed from her earlier perception that God had turned against her. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, and neither knew what to …
In Ruth, chapter two, verse twelve, is the key to the entire book. Even amid great apostasy during the period of the judges, God watched over those who clung to Him with sincere trust and committed faith, as described in Psalms seventeen, verses eight, thirty-six, seven, sixty-three, stanza seven. The story of Ruth is God’s …
