Bible in a Year Blog

Ruth 2:1-4:22 + John 4:43-54 + Psalm 105:16-36 + Proverbs 14:26-27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Hi everyone!  Brief post today.  Back to a full post tomorrow!

Old Testament – In today’s readings in Ruth we are introduced to the incredible man, Boaz, who is really a “type” of Christ figure. Also in chapter 4 verse 16 the name of David is first mentioned in the Bible! It is awesome to read today how David descended from Ruth, and of course ultimately Jesus descended from Ruth! Today in Ruth chapter 2 verse 10 we read – “Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.””

And in chapter 3 verse 15 today we read – “Boaz also said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured out six scoops of barley into the cloak and helped her put it on her back. Then Boaz returned to the town.”

New Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in John titled “Jesus Heals the Royal Official’s Son” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 105’s verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in John reminded me of Casting Crowns song “Glorious Day:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrqPGt11bA

Is today a glorious day for you? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”  Proverbs 14:26 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have a healthy fear of the LORD. Pray that the LORD is your strong fortress. Pray tht your children will find refuge in the secure fortress of the LORD.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Ruth 2:1-4:22

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] (1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP)

Everything in today’s reading screams “humility.” The entire book is about love, the love not of the flesh or “love” that stems from lust, but love that is described in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians,

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET.)

Too often today, and probably yesteryear too, woman compete with each other, mother-daughter, mother-in-law-daughter-in-law, best friends and not so good friends. But here we are privy to a relationship that is not based on envy or self-serving, but true genuine love. Naomi didn’t ask Ruth to go into the fields, Ruth desired to go so that she could be a benefit to her mother-in-law. While she was out in the fields, Naomi was concerned for Ruth’s safety and health not her belly. While in the fields Ruth didn’t have an attitude problem looking for what “I deserve,” or “my rights,” she worked hard and long. She was respectful thus she became respected. Even before she went into the field, her love for her mother-in-law was well known and she was honored for that.

What I always marvel at when I read the Book of Ruth is God’s mercy and grace. His people, though they were not His people, like Ruth, can be anyone. Anyone that is who gives up, “And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29 NET.)

May all who come to this site become a “whosoever,” one who leaves all to follow the King.

Ramona

======= Anka:

It amazes me the kind of love Ruth has for Naomi..wonder if she wasn’t a teeny weeny bit scared.Yet she took no gods with her for protection.She was obedient to Naomi in spite of her
saying(I returned empty),she follwed Naomi to serve her with probably little expectations because Naomi didn’t guarantee she’d get married again.When she was given food she thought of Naomi.Kinda makes me really look at my idea of serving God…do I serve him cos I want to be in His good books,think alot of the reward in heaven…have I truly given everything up or do I still hold on to things in my past(just in case….)I think Ruth paints a pretty good picture of what serving really is…Right now I really love grace cos I sure need it.
God bless you all

Anka

====== Mae:

======= Jim:

In every direction are the snares and quicksand of death. We may see the big ones and walk away only to sink slowly into another. One of the best observations concerning people is a quote by Dr. Albert Ellis (the most frequently cited author of psychotherapy works published in the last 50 years and ranked the most influential therapist by clinical psychologists) from a New York Times article, “All humans are out of their minds. They’re not only disturbed. They get disturbed about their disturbances. Until you accept that people are crazy and do all kinds of terrible things, you’re going to be angry.” Dr. Ellis feels that the basis for neurotic behavior is a self-loving, perfectionist refusal to accept being a “fallible, incessantly error-prone human and when they fall short of their unrealistic ideals, they largely think of themselves as sub-humans.” This is a much better description than just “pride” or “envy” (or other words for the loss of humility) as the source of all evil. Ellis teaches unconditional self-acceptance (“you always accept you no matter what you do”), unconditional other-acceptance (“nobody is evil, even if they do evil things”), and unconditional life-acceptance (“you always accept things, no matter how they are”). The modern focus on improving behavior rather than psyches (in which Ellis has played a major role) is in the right direction, for one can never convert a lifelong need for irrational control into a sane and adult mind. Psychiatry is by and large about getting people from -5 to 0, but recent research into what it might take to get to a +5 found the answer was faith and social capital (the Lord’s Prayer contains no singular pronouns). After trying unsuccessfully for years to cure alcoholism by means of psychoanalysis, even Dr. Carl Jung concluded that alcoholism could not be treated by either medical or psychodynamic techniques. He reasoned that the underlying problem was one of spiritual emptiness and wrote in a letter to Bill Wilson (in which Jung coined the phrase, “spiritus contra spiritum” or “spirits against the spirit”), “I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil.” Jung further concluded that conventional religion was usually equally spiritually impoverished and just as ineffective as therapeutic efforts in the battle against alcoholism. “Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain: it offers escape from the snares of death.”
Ruth would have hoped to lift a few handfuls of grain (not enough for even one person to survive) with a full day’s work from what was missed by the normal workers (OT law gives this right to the poor – but if seen taking too much, one could easily end up getting beaten), but when she returns with 40 pounds worth it is obvious that someone is intentionally helping her out (the expression translated to “it turned out” as well as Noami’s praise for “blessed be he of the Lord” suggests that it was more than just a coincidence but that God directed her steps) and Noami sends her back with specific instructions. Boaz was compassionate by providing such supply as well as doing it in secret so as not to shame the recipient, but what happened later on the threshing floor? Many would suggest that the reference to “laying” was a polite way of saying she had sexual relations with Boaz with “feet” referring to sexual privates (and anyway, harvest time is celebrated with rites of fertility when the Jews often were permitted more moral leeway than usual). I think in this case, however, that the author and Noami were using their words (and actions) very carefully in order to suggest marriage (with only the sexual overtones that would imply). Ruth made her marriage objective clear (although at night as a means perhaps of protecting Boaz from embarrassment in case he chose to refuse) with “spread the corner of your garment over me” (as in Ezekiel 16:8, Deuteronomy 22:30, 27:20, and Malachi 2:16) by the custom still practiced by some Arabs today of a man throwing a garment over the woman he has decided to marry. Boaz handled himself honorably (not as likely if he had passed out from drinking at a festival) when he deferred to another who would have prior claim (as did Ruth with her willingness to marry another sight unseen for here duty to her dead husband) even if Boaz did just happen to mention the extra burden of potential inheritance disputes from Noami’s family in order to get him to back down (less of a threat to Boaz being “a man of great wealth”). Boaz had already shown some of this honorableness when he previously told the men in his fields not to touch Ruth (and of the dangerous times when a lone woman could end up raped while working in the fields).
Jesus himself again testifies in our reading today and He was received (as they had seen his miracles and believed). John later tells us in Revelation that Jesus waits at the door with ointment for our eyes, but waiting at the door implies that we must first ask him in or go to Him (as the father humbly does for the health of his son). Satan, on the other hand, will proudly walk right into our life. Jesus, however, does not go the man’s home in order to show that the trip back was not necessary demonstrating that God does not always answer our prayers with the means and methods we expect (and He rebuked them for a faith that required the earlier miracles of 2:1 while the Samaritans did not). Here the sickness of the son resulted in the piety and new faith of the entire family. The boy was cured about 1:00pm, 17-20 miles away in Capernaum and yet the use of “yesterday” suggests the man remained in Cana an extra day proving he did not need to see what happened. Jesus gives one of the basic reasons why people will not believe: they want to see signs. Long distance miracles were rare in the OT and people generally more easily believe magicians when they were in person. Keep in mind, though, that Satan is able to perform signs and wonders to deceive (2 Thes 2:9-10). Compare this story with the similar one with a centurion in Capernaum from Matthew 8:5-13. Today’s Psalms calls us to praise and remember God’s wondrous works including the first covenant and the lives of Joseph, Moses, and David.
Jim

======= John:

John 4:43-54
Royal official is “basilikos” and is only used twice by John (both in this chapter). The meaning denotes being in the king’s service. The King is Herod Antipas.
Herod’s men were despised by the Jews of the land. Maybe even more so than the Samaritans in the earlier part of the Chapter.
John 4:50A “Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” NIV
The actual Greek tense here is present active indicative – the boy lives and will continue to live.
So the “official” went from taking Jesus at his Word to believing in Him. It appears that through his faith and evangelism the whole household believed.
Some scholars think the name of this man was given in Acts 13:1. A prophet in Antioch – Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) – the foster brother of Herod.
======================================================
Elliot McQuaid talks about the gospel of John as being the “Glory of God”. Each miracle (of the seven primary miracles described) greater than the last.
Water into Wine: Jesus changes water into wine, Jesus is physically present, his disciples (Jews) believed in Him (could be considered prone to believe).
Healing of royal official’s son: Jesus changes sickness into health, Jesus is twenty miles away, a despised man and his whole household believe in Him. (Could be considered prone not to believe before the incident.)
In both cases – the wine stewards and the father were helpless. They had no remedy for the situation. Much like us before we are saved – there is nothing we can do to help ourselves get to heaven until the Father and Jesus act. The Father draws us, and Jesus provides the “way”.
John

======= John:

RUTH
kinsman-redeemer (“goel”)
Vance mentioned this role of Christ the other day, and I was going to expound upon it now. But I found a good commentary that explains my thoughts.
=====================================================
The goel – sometimes translated kinsman-redeemer – had a specifically defined role in Israel’s family life.
· The kinsman-redeemer was responsible to buy a fellow Israelite out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48).
· He was responsible to be the “avenger of blood” to make sure the murderer of a family member answered to the crime (Numbers 35:19).
· He was responsible to buy back family land that had been forfeited (Leviticus 25:25).
· He was responsible to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
======================================================
But the consideration of Jesus in this book of Ruth doesn’t begin with the mention of King David; Jesus has been through the whole book, pictured by Boaz and the office of the kinsman-redeemer.
· The kinsman-redeemer had to be a family member; Jesus added humanity to His eternal deity so He could be our kinsman and save us.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying family members out of slavery; Jesus redeemed us from slavery to sin and death.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying back land that had been forfeited; Jesus will redeem the earth that mankind “sold” over to Satan.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, was not motivated by self-interest, but motivated by love for Ruth. Jesus’ motivation for redeeming us is His great love for us.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, had to have a plan to redeem Ruth unto himself – and some might have thought the plan to be foolish. Jesus has a plan to redeem us, and some might think the plan foolish (saving men by dying for them on a cruel cross?), yet the plan works and is glorious.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, took her as his bride; the people Jesus has redeemed are collectively called His bride (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 21:9).
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, provided a glorious destiny for Ruth. Jesus, as our redeemer, provides a glorious destiny for us.
comments by David Guzik
======================================================
Note: Let me add that what is left out in Jesus’ role of kinsman-redeemer is His role as the “Avenger of Blood”.
It is nice to think of the Love of Christ and the beauty of his message – and that was and is certainly appropriate for the message of salvation from the “Lamb of God”.
But I firmly believe that when Jesus comes back it will be as the “Lion of Judah”, and He will be the “avenger of blood”.
At a steady rate over the last 20 centuries, and in all 238 countries, 70 million Christians have been martyred -killed,executed,murdered -for Christ.
–from Table 1-1 in World Christian Trends,William Carey Library,David Barrett & Todd Johnson.
Satan, his minions, and his followers will answer for this and other crimes.
John

======= John:

Ruth
Quick Hits
Boaz did not come to the fields and immediately count grain or talk to foremen – Boaz blessed his workers and they blessed Boaz.
Ruth was grateful to be with Naomi, was grateful to have the opportunity to glean food, and was humble throughout.
Boaz blesses Ruth:
“May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
======================================================
” Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.”
In that day, this was understood to be the role of a servant – to lay at their master’s feet and be ready for any command of the master. So, when Naomi told Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet, she told her to come to him in a totally humble, submissive way.
Ruth asking for a covering or a spreading of Boaz’ garment over her:
“Many people interpret this as Ruth propositioning Boaz. That demonstrates a lack of understanding of Jewish culture. On the hem of the garment was the symbols of a tribe and any symbol of authority. Ruth is acknowledging his position and seeking his favor in redeeming her. She is asking him to play the role of kinsmen redeemer.” – Bill Donahue
“Even to the present day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirt or end of his talith over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection.” (Clarke)
======================================================
Naomi changes – from bitter to a doting grandmother
“But we should also learn from what she learned. We should learn that God’s plan is perfect and filled with love, and even when we can’t figure out what He is doing and it all seems so desperate, He still knows what He is doing. We should learn that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” – David Guzik
======================================================
Jesus’ Ancestors
So from the Son of Rahab and a Moabite wife – the line of Jesus was continued.
John

======= Helen:

Part of a verse that stood out from the passages most for me today:
Ruth 4 verse 11(b)
When the witnesses bless Boaz the kinsman-redeemer they include:
“May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem”.
I hadn’t noticed that before. . .
Blessings, Helen.

======= Melissa:

I have been on a journey to find more daily inspirations. Your site has offered an opportunity to continue to do this. I am thankful. From books to blogs, I believe we can share and uplift with many people.
Melissa

======= Deb:

Thank you for continuing my walk with Christ at this site. It’s the first thing I do every morning.
I also like the sometimes shorter posts.
Deb