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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Monday, April 24, 2023
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :The Story of Ruth (part 1) Bible Verse:Ruth 1:1-7 (NKJV) "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 Bethlehem (in Judah) went to live 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 they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. Naomi's husband died; and she was left with her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. Then her sons died, both of them; and only the woman was left, out of the original family. She arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for it was told in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in Judah, giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah." Message:
I wanted something from the Old Testament to study, while we wrap up our study of 1 John, and what could be better than the wonderful book of Ruth? Her name is famous, but her full story is not heard often enough. At least the first chapter will be presented in the modernized King James version, because the language is lovely and seems to suit such an ancient tale.
Ruth’s history is set after the Hebrews (led by Gideon) had conquered the various tribes and villages of Palestine, but before Saul became the first king. This would place the time very roughly around 1300-1100 B.C. It was the era of Biblical “judges”, a time of archaic government in transition between tribal leadership and monarchy. The tribes of Israel and Judah were loosely united in a confederacy; ad hoc, irregular leaders would arise seemingly at random. They are called “judges” even if they did no judging! Probably “warlords” would describe most of them better.
Naomi, a Hebrew woman, was driven by famine to leave Israel and live in a foreign country. She and her family stopped in an independent kingdom founded by Lot’s son, Moab, on the southeastern shore of the Dead Sea. While she was there, her sons married Moabite women, but then her husband and both sons died, leaving her alone with only two Moabite daughters-in-law — who were widows themselves! In the ancient middle east, a widow without sons was in a precarious position. Dire poverty was almost guaranteed, and with famine in Moab, starvation was a real possibility.
Naomi learns that the famine in Judah has ended and determines to return to her own tribe. This makes good sense, despite the perils of the journey, because the Hebrews had at least a rough support system for widowed women. Naomi would have been considered still a part of her husband's family and could reasonably expect that they would feel some obligation towards her.
Meditation : Prayer : And now, as a little child, let me abide in you all this day, oh Christ, so that when you appear I may have confidence and not shrink from you in shame at your coming. For I know that you are righteous, and I am sure that I will be made righteous only by my life in you.......Amen |
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