Podcasts about Moabite

Matthew 1:1-17Episode 1 - Nov. 30, 2025Jesus didn't come from a perfect family with a perfect story.He came through a broken family with a broken story for broken people like us.Christmas reminds us that God's redemption enters through the cracks.Matthew begins Jesus' story with a genealogy to show that God is patient with long, messy, complicated stories.For centuries, He wove His plan through faithful people and failures, kings and shepherds, revival and rebellion.Your story may feel too far gone or too complicated, but the genealogy whispers:God is not afraid of long, messy stories.Including four women was shocking in a patriarchal culture—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah's wife.”Each carried pain, shame, and loss, yet God honored them in the Messiah's line.Tamar was wronged and denied justice. Her story says: God sees and lifts the marginalized.Rahab was a prostitute from the wrong city and religion, but she believed God. Your past isn't stronger than His grace.Ruth, a Moabite outsider, was redeemed by Boaz. Outsiders become family in God's kingdom.Bathsheba, the victim of David's abuse, reminds us: God refuses to airbrush sin. He restores the broken.Together they declare: God works through what others hide.Jesus' family was complicated, painful, and beautiful—just like ours.Hebrews 2:11 says Jesus is “not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.”You don't have to hide your story.The secrets, the shame, the outsider feelings, the addiction, the abuse—Jesus walks into all of it.He came through a broken family for broken families.Your past doesn't define your future—your Savior does.Advent is waiting: for healing, reconciliation, change, repentance, release.God is patient with long stories and present in them.If He can weave Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba into Jesus' story, He can weave you into grace.After forty-two generations, Matthew ends:“Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.”The mess prepared the way for the miracle.Christmas isn't “clean up and come to Jesus.”It's “Jesus came into the mess for you.”At the cross, He took Judah's betrayal, Tamar's injustice, Rahab's past, Ruth's outsider status, David's sin, Bathsheba's wounds—and ours.He broke their power and turned shame into redemption.Christmas is costly. God entered through a broken family to build a redeemed one.You are not defined by what you've done or what's been done to you but by what Jesus has done for you.Your story isn't ruined—it's redeemed and whole.CONNECT: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727GIVE: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/givingPRAYER: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727Social Media Handle: @crossbridgebrickell

The book of Judges shows us what life looks like when a people try to live without God. Israel was religious, but their religion had drifted far from the God of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua. Judges tells us bluntly that a generation arosewho did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel(Judg. 2:10). Surrounded by nations with kings, Israel wanted one too. Wanting a king wasnt the problemGod had already promised a coming ruler from Judah:The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples(Gen. 49:10). He even gave instructions for Israels future king in Deuteronomy 17. The issue wasnt the idea of kingship, but Israels motivation. They wanted a king not to be more like God, but to be more like the nations. Their first king, Saul, looked the parttall, strong, impressivebut his heart was far from God. He cared more about preserving his image than obeying the Lord. The breaking point came when God commanded him to destroy the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a brutal nomadic tribe who had been Israels sworn enemies since the days of Moses, attacking Israel from behind when they were weak and exhausted (Ex. 17). Instead of obeying fully, Saul spared their king and kept what pleased him. So the Lord said through Samuel: Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrificesAs in obeying the voice of the LORD?Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice,And to pay attention than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination,And insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry.Since you have rejected the word of the LORD,He has also rejected you from being king. (1 Sam. 15:2223) Saul finally confessed,I have sinned because I feared the people and listened to their voice(1 Sam. 15:24), but the damage was done. Samuel told him the kingdom had been torn from him and given toa neighbor of yours, who is better than you(v. 28). That neighbor was a young Judean shepherd named Davidsomeone no one expected. When Samuel arrived at the home of Jesse (Boaz and Ruths great-grandson), he assumed Israels next king would look like one of Jesses oldest sons. But God corrected him:Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart(1 Sam. 16:7). After seven sons passed by without Gods approval, Samuel asked,Are these all the boys?Only then did Jesse mention his youngestDavidso overlooked that even his family hadnt considered him. But when David appeared, the Lord said,Arise, anoint him; for this is he(v. 12). And from that moment on,the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward(v. 13). David Was Gods Man The first time we are invited to look into Davids heartand to see what set him apart from everyone elseis in 1 Samuel 17 when he faced Goliath in battle. While Israels army stood frozen on the front lines, David had only been sent to deliver food to his brothers. The Philistines had proposed a champion-to-champion battle: Goliath against anyone Israel dared to send. The stakes were highthe losing side would become the servants of the winner. No one in Israel wanted to step forward. After Goliath roared,I defy the battle lines of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together!Saul and all Israel weredismayed and extremely afraid(1 Sam. 17:1011). For forty days, the giants taunts filled the valley. And for forty days, young David went back and forth between tending his fathers sheep and tending to his brothershearing the escalating tension firsthand. Eventually David had heard enough. Offended by Goliaths insults against God and His people, he asked,What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes the disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he has dared to defy the armies of the living God?(v. 26). When word reached Saul, David was brought before the king. Without hesitation, he said,May no mans heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine(v. 32). David stepped forwardnot with armor, experience, or military strengthbut with confidence in Yahweh. Armed only with a staff, a sling, and five stones, David stood as Israels champion. Goliath mocked him, saying,Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?and cursed him by his gods (v. 43). He then threatened,Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals(v. 44). But Davids response revealed everything about his heart and his source of confidence: But David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a saber, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you and remove your head from you. Then I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that this entire assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lords, and He will hand you over to us! (1 Sam. 17:4547) Davids confidence was not in his ability, but in Gods character. The God who had rescued Israel before would rescue them again. David slung one stone, struck the giant in the forehead, and killed him with what seemed like nothing more than a slingshot. There was no earthly guarantee that David would defeat Goliath. But he knew God had promised Abraham that Israel would represent Him among the nations, and that a king would one day rise from Judah, the one to whomthe scepter shall not depart and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples(Gen. 49:910). David trusted that Gods purposes could not be stopped by a Philistine giant. David Was Israels Flawed King Under Davids leadership, Israel finally defeated and subdued the Philistinesthe nations greatest threat throughout the time of the Judges and during Sauls reign. David had been one of Sauls most successful military commanders, and the women of Israel even sang,Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands(1 Sam. 18:7). Under Davids rule the borders of Israel expanded, and the promises made to Abraham appeared closer than ever to becoming reality. Some of the high points of Davids reign include making Jerusalem the capital of Israel, bringing the ark of the covenant back into the city as the visible sign of Gods presence, preparing the way for Solomon to build the temple, and establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center of the nation. David wanted God to be at the center of everything Israel did, reflecting Gods covenant at Sinai where the people were called Godstreasured possession, Hiskingdom of priests, and Hisholy nation(Exod. 19). But David is also remembered for one of the darkest moments of his lifehis adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband in a desperate attempt to cover up his sin. Uriah, one of Davids most loyal soldiers, was a man devoted to his king and to Israel. He also happened to be married to a woman of striking beauty named Bathsheba. We are told in 2 Samuel 11 that while Israels army was out fighting, David remained in Jerusalema decision that placed him exactly where temptation could reach him. What follows is one of the most sobering accounts in Scripture: Now at evening time David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the kings house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent messengers and inquired about the woman. And someone said, Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? Then David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he slept with her.(2 Sam. 11:24) Soon after, Bathsheba sent word back to the king:I am pregnant. David never imagined his sin would come to light so quickly. Like many who try to hide their sins, he moved from temptation to adultery, and from adultery to deception. He brought Uriah home from battle, attempting to manipulate him into sleeping with his wife so the pregnancy would appear legitimate. But Uriah refusedhe would not enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers risked their lives. With his plans unraveling, David chose a darker path. He wrote a sealed letter to Joab, the commander of the army, and sent itin Uriahs own hand as messenger. The letter read: Place Uriah at the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck and killed (2 Sam. 11:1415). It was a death warrant. And David made Uriah carry it. Uriah died just as David intended, and for a moment the king must have felt deep reliefhis sin was concealed. But the covering of sin never hides it from God. The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and when the truth broke through Davids self-deception, he finally said,I have sinned against the LORD.[1] The difference between David slaying Goliath and Davids failing with Bathsheba was not his strength, his ability, or his statusit was his dependence on God. When David trusted God, giants fell. When David trusted himself, David fell. We Need a True and Better David It was before Davids great sin with Bathsheba that God promised him that through his linage would come another king in 2 Samuel 7:1216; this moment is one of the most breathtaking moments in the entire Old Testament. Before a flawed king of whom God knew would fall terribly. The One David worshiped exclusively announced that the hope promised to Adam and Eve, the covenant repeated to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that would one day burst into reality through one of Davids descendants: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:1216) This covenant echoes the very promises God made to Adam and Eve, and later to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a promise given specifically to Judah, and its path can be traced through some of the most unlikely people in Scripture. It moved forward throughTamar, a Canaanite woman surrounded by scandal. It continued throughRahab, another Canaanite woman who married Salmon of Judah and became the mother of Boaz. Boaz then marriedRuth, a Moabite widow, and they had a son named Obed. Obed fathered Jesse, and from Jesse came David. Consider the astonishing depth of God's grace, mercy, and loveHe chooses to accomplish His purposes through people with significant flaws. The covenant God was fulfilling through them is what theologians refer to as an unconditional covenanta promise not reliant on human strength, virtue, or even obedience, but founded solely on the perfect will of our good and holy God![2] Think about the weight of the promise made to David: Aforever throne that will never be compromised by sin.Aforever kingdom that will never be overcome by evil.Aforever King whose righteousness will never need improvement. Israel didnt just need a brave king, or a talented king, or even a repentant kingIsrael, and indeed the entire world, needed a perfect King. A King who would never fail, never fall, never waiver, and never walk away from God the way David did on the roof that night. And here is where the grace of God overwhelms:God chose to fulfill His forever covenant promise through the very place of Davids greatest failure. Bathshebathe woman David exploited, the woman whose husband he murdered, the woman whose story began with sinis the very woman God folded into the line of redemption. Bathsheba bore David five sons; the first was conceived through their affair and was taken from them by God through death. Of the other four sons listed in Scripture, was Solomon and the last child listed was Nathan. ThroughSolomon, the royal line flowed to Joseph, throughNathan, the line flowed to Mary. And standing at the end of both genealogies is the One the prophets longed forJesus, the Son of David. Jesus is the King that David could never be. He is the flawless Son whom God promised.He is the Shepherd-King of Ezekiel 37 who gathers the broken, restores the wandering, and rules with justice and compassion. He is the One who never surrendered to temptation, never hid His sin, never needed to be confronted by a prophetbecause He lived in perfect dependence on the Father every moment of His earthly life. Every one of us knows what it is to stand in front of a Goliathan addiction, a fear, a bitterness, a woundand feel small. And every one of us knows what it is to stand on the roof like David, spiritually lazy, drifting, self-confident, and one decision away from disaster. But Gods purpose was never for David to be the hero of IsraelDavid was the signpost, not the destination. His victories pointed to the kind of dependence God wants from us, and his failures pointed to the kind of Savior we desperately need. The remarkable message of the gospel isnt simply that God offers us another chance, but that He provides us with a greater Kinga true and better David. This King never surrendered to temptation, never acted out of pride, and never misused His power for harm. Instead of taking anothers life to hide His wrongdoing, He willingly gave His own life to atone for ours. Jesus, as the Son of David, is the true and better Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Boaz, and David. He is the King David could never be. And to the weary and the woundedto the Davids who have fallen, and to the Bathshebas whose stories have been marked by anothers sinHe speaks: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:2830). [1] David is remembered as a great king, but also as a deeply flawed man. And yet, Scripture still calls hima man after My heart(Acts 13:22). [2] Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you wrongdoers. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure... (Isa. 46:8-10).

This Advent message uses the theme of Hope to explore the Book of Ruth. The story begins in the despair of Naomi, who loses her husband and sons and returns to Bethlehem, bitter and empty. Her darkness is broken by the radical hope of her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who pledges loyalty to Naomi and her God, Yahweh. […]

This week, Greg and Nathan wrap up their journey through the book of Ruth with a deep dive into Ruth 4, a chapter where legal negotiations, bold faithfulness, and God's quiet providence converge into a story far bigger than anyone in Bethlehem could have imagined. At the city gate, Boaz steps into the public square to do things the right way, navigating the cultural and legal process of redemption with wisdom and integrity. Greg and Nathan break down why the gate mattered, why Boaz started by talking about a field instead of Ruth, and why the unnamed redeemer stepped aside once Ruth entered the picture. They'll unpack the meaning behind the ancient sandal ceremony, the elders' powerful blessings, and the surprising declaration that Ruth is “more than seven sons.” Together, they trace how this chapter moves from uncertainty to overflowing joy—culminating in a genealogy that links Ruth, a Moabite widow, to King David, and ultimately to Jesus, the Redeemer behind every redemption story. If you've ever wondered how God weaves ordinary, fragile lives into His grand purpose, this finale will encourage you, challenge you, and help you see Ruth's story with fresh eyes. Join Greg and Nathan as they explore how God redeems broken stories and threads them into His redemption story—one that stretches from the fields of Bethlehem to the throne of the true King.

Balaak, a Moabite king, pays a local prophet Balaam to curse Israel. God has other plans. Numbers 22:1-20, 21-41; 23:1-12, 13-26. #everydaychristians

The story of Ruth begins with these words: In the days when the judges governed (v. 1a). Just before Joshua died after a lifetime of faithful service, he warned all of Israel: Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Josh. 24:14-15) The book of Judges recounts Israels history shortly after entering the promised land, and just in the second chapter, we are told: Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers... (Jud. 2:11-12), which characterizes the tone and climate of Israels spiritual health. The book of Judges also concludes with the words: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Jug. 21:25). While in the wilderness, God warned Israel that there would be consequences to their choices, especially when it came to their trust of God and obedience to God: Beware that your hearts are not easily deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods, and worship them. Otherwise, the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the sky so that there will be no rain, and the ground will not yield its produce; then you will quickly perish from the good land which the LORD is giving you (Deut. 11:16-17) As we move from Judges into the book of Ruth, the opening five verses immediately shed light on the spiritual condition of Naomis husband, Elimelech. These verses reveal how Elimelech, in his role as both husband and father, deeply influenced the direction and well-being of his family. The famine in the land did not just reflect a lack of physical food; it also mirrored the spiritual famine within Elimelechs own heart and soul. There are some things I want to point out to you that I believe will help you appreciate just how relevant this book is to us today. First, let me begin by stating that Bethlehem means house of bread yet there was no bread in Bethlehem because there was famine in the land due to Israels disobedience. God had promised that He would bless His people if they obeyed Him, so the reason why there was no bread in Bethlehem was because of Israels unfaithfulness, not Gods unfaithfulness. Second, we are told that Elimelech was a man of Bethlehem in Judah..., which means that he belonged to the tribe of Judah. God called Elimelech to live in Bethlehem, yet he chose to move to Moab because he believed that he and his family could thrive in a place outside of where God called him to live. Some of the things that Elimelech had to know about Moab was that the people originated out of an incestuous relationship after Lots older daughter got him drunk for the purpose of having sex with her father so that she could become pregnant with his child (Gen. 19:30-38). Secondly, the Moabites were known for their scheming to get Israel to sin against God (Num. 22-24). Thirdly, the Women of Moab were known for seducing the Israelite men for the purpose of getting them to worship the gods of Moab (Num. 25). Moab was not a place for a family to thrive spiritually, but this is the place that Elimelech took his family to live. The other important detail we need to consider is that while Naomis name means Pleasant nothing about her life seemed pleasant. Her husbands name meant God is my king but he certainly did not live like God was his king. The meaning of the names of their two sons were, Mahlon (Weakness, sickness) and Chilion (destruction, failure); both men took for themselves Moabite women who did not grow up worshiping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; taking Moabite women as wives was something God commanded Israel not to do (see Deut. 7:1-4). Noamis husband and both of her sons died, leaving her with nothing but two daughters-in-law who were also destitute with no husband or male child. Naomi Suffered Loss When Naomi left Bethlehem with her husband and two sons, she leftfull. Because of the famine in the land (v. 1), moving to Moab must have felt like the right decisionan act of survival for the sake of their family. But while in Moab, tragedy struck. Her husband, Elimelech, died. Then her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruthsomething God had warned His people against because of the danger of idolatry (Deut. 7:23). And after marrying these women, both of Naomis sons also died, leaving her with two widowed Moabite daughters-in-law and no descendants of her own. Naomi had lost the three most important men in her life, along with any hope of lineage, inheritance, or security. There was nothing for her in Moab, and because of her husbands death after leaving Bethlehem, there was nothing but maybe the kindness of her relatives back in Judah. So when she returned to Bethlehem, it is no surprise that she no longer wanted to be called Naomi, which means pleasant. She asked instead to be calledMara, meaning bitter. She explained the bitterness in her own words: The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty (vv. 2021). Ruth: A Woman of Excellence Naomi failed to recognize the blessing her Moabite daughter-in-law truly was. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, she urged both Orpah and Ruth to go back to their own people and gods in Moab. While Orpah left to go back to her people and her gods, Ruth decided to remain with Naomi and even declared to her mother-in-law: Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me, and worse, if anything but death separates me from you. (1:1618). One reason Naomi discouraged Ruth from coming back with her was concern for Ruths safety. There was significant hostility between Moabites and Israelites. This is clear in chapter two, after Ruth entered a field belonging to Boaz. Everyone in the field knew Ruth was a foreigner, as the foreman explained to Boaz, She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from Moab. Boazs response reveals the real danger Ruth faced. He spoke kindly to her, saying, Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but join my young women here. Keep your eyes on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have ordered the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw (Ruth 2:89). Ruths foreign status exposed her to rejection, prejudice, and mistreatmentyet she chose to stay with Naomi anyway, embracing uncertainty and risking lifelong exclusion. Her courage did not go unnoticed. In chapter three, Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence (3:11)a term that carries the sense of valor, honor, and strength of character. Remarkably, the same word is used of Boaz in 2:1, while you do not see it in the way the NASB translated Ruth 2:1, just about every other translation does recognize this: Now Naomi had a relative of her husbands, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. The parallel is deliberate. The narrator wants us to see that Ruth and Boaz are kindred spiritstwo people marked by integrity, bravery, and covenant faithfulness in a time when such qualities were rare in Israel. Boaz: A Kinsmen Redeemer Boaz is the third important character in the story of Ruth, for he is the only one qualified to serve as Naomis kinsman-redeemer. Every kinsman-redeemer had to meet three qualifications: He had to be a family member, He had to have the ability to redeem, and He had to be willing to redeem. A kinsman-redeemer held several responsibilities in the Old Testament: he could buy back family land lost to famine or debt (Lev. 25:2530), redeem relatives who had sold themselves into slavery (Lev. 25:4755), avenge the unlawful death of a family member (Num. 35; Deut. 19; Josh. 20), and step in when a family member faced a wrong they could not fix on their own. Naomi needed that kind of help. She had lost her husband and both sons. She had no land, no security, and no hope. Ruth could not redeem her, so she went out to glean in the fieldsa provision God had given for the poor and the foreigner (Lev. 19:910). Thats where we first meet Boaz. He told Ruth, Do not go to another field I have ordered the young men not to touch you (Ruth 2:89). Ruth bowed in gratitude, asking why he would show kindness to a foreigner. Boaz told her he had heard of her loyalty to Naomi and her trust in Israels God (2:1113). He saw Ruth as a woman of excellenceworthy of honor and protection. When Naomi learned how Boaz treated Ruth, she urged Ruth to approach him at the threshing floor. Though the scene might look questionable at first glance, Ruth 3:613 makes it clear: both Ruth and Boaz acted with purity and integrity. Ruth lay quietly at his feet, and when Boaz awoke, she said, Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer. She wasnt tempting himshe was invoking covenant language, the same wings imagery Boaz used earlier of the LORDs care (see 2:12). Boaz responded with joy: I will do all that you ask, for everyone knows you are a worthy woman (3:11). He was both willing and able to redeem her. And he did. So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son (4:13). Through Boaz, Naomis emptiness was replaced with joy, and Ruth was blessed with a godly husband and a son. The women of the town celebrated: Then the women said to Naomi, Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him. Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. And the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, A son has been born to Naomi! So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. (4:14-17) What began in sorrow ended in joy. What started with loss ended in redemption. God used a barley field, a faithful woman, and a willing redeemer to bring about His plannot just for Naomi and Ruth, but through Boaz and Ruth the line of the kings would come with the birth of David by whom all other kings would be compared in Israel. This leaves us with the point of this little book in the Bible. There is a True and Better Redeemer Boaz was not only Naomis redeemerhe was also a picture of the Redeemer who would one day come through his and Ruths own bloodline. Boaz was only a shadow of a true and better Boaz. Remember the announcement of Jesus birth delivered by the angels to lowly shepherds: And so the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David [Bethlehem] there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). It was the disobedience of Israel that led to the famine that compelled Naomis husband and sons to leave where there was no bread to a place that led to a deeper and more severe famine that left Naomi empty. God used all of the hard things in Naomis life so that another Son would be born in that same city to do what no other person was able to do; Jesus said of Himself: I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty (John 6:35). When Adam and Eve bit into the forbidden fruit, creation was cursed and humanity was lost. Eden was forfeited, and mankind was expelled from Gods presence. The only way for Eden to be restored and the curse removed was for another Adam to comeone who was related to humanity, who had the ability to redeem what was lost, and who was willing to carry out the redemption. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed; Obed fathered Jesse; Jesse fathered David. Many generations later, Jesus was born to Maryconceived supernaturally while she remained a virginqualifying Him uniquely as the Kinsman-Redeemer mankind and creation needs. How was Jesus qualified? Jesus had to be a family member of humanity, and He was, as demonstrated by the human bloodline recorded in Scripture. Jesus had to have the ability to redeem, which He had because the virgin birth made Him both fully God and fully manperfectly qualified to redeem creation. Jesus had to be willing to redeem, and that willingness led Him to the cross, where He became our curse and took our sin upon Himself. Jesus did not remain dead. On the third day He rose in victory! Our Kinsman-Redeemer lived the perfect life we could not live, died as the sin-bearer though He was spotless, and then conquered death itself. All of heaven rejoices that the Redeemer who was slain now standsaliveinterceding for us: Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals, for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth (Rev. 5:910). And maybe thats where you need hope today. Perhaps you are living with the consequences of choices you made years ago. Perhaps bitterness has taken root because life did not turn out the way you imagined. Perhaps, like Naomis family, you have wandered far into Moabfar from God, far from joy, far from where you began. But hear the good news:the book of Ruth declares that no one is too far for Gods love, grace, and mercy to reach. If God can take a famine, a foreigner, and a broken widow and weave them into the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ HimselfHe can redeem your story too!

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Macy English to play Knowing Faith Theological Trivia. Grab a pen and paper to play along!Questions Covered in This Episode:The Story of the Bible:Name the four gospels.In what waters did Naaman wash in to be healed of leprosy?Who in the Old Testament prefigures Christ as both priest and king?True or False: King Saul was from the tribe of Judah.Which prophet's scroll records the story of the valley of dry bones?Spiritual Belief:What does the word “Trinity” describe?The Nicene Creed says the Son is “begotten, not made.” What heresy does that refute?Which ecumenical council affirmed Mary as Theotokos or the “God-bearer”?Which heresy claimed Jesus only appeared to have a human body?What Latin term captures the Reformation truth that faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone?Spiritual Formation:What word means “to become more like Christ”?According to John Owen, sanctification involves the mortification of ___ and vivification of ___.True or False: The Greek word for “fruit” of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is plural.Who first popularized the phrase “means of grace” to describe habits that grow believers?Which Reformation theologian taught that true knowledge of God leads to knowledge of self?Bonus Round:Who was the left-handed judge who killed the Moabite king Eglon with his sword?Guest Bio:Macy English is the Owner & Principal Consultant of English Media, where she helps businesses with all things sales & marketing. She is a lover of people, culture, marketing, and health, and she strives for all that matters in life. Macy and her husband, JT, live in Arvada, CO, with their two kids and love to travel.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Deep Discipleship Program Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway's Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It is said that when Benjamin Franklin was an American Minister in Paris, he spent an evening with a group of intellectuals at a time when literary circles were known for being agnostic or even atheistic. He was called on to contribute to the entertainment and read from what he called a “charming bit of literature.” He proceeded to read the entire Book of Ruth. The normally skeptical audience was delighted and wanted to know where in ancient history such a beautiful and idealistic story could be found. They were shocked to find out it had been copied from the Bible. The story of Ruth is indeed beautiful as an endearing account of loyalty, faith and divine providence. The account explores how Ruth's faithful decisions amid hardship reflect profound spiritual lessons. After the deaths of her husband and two sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, chose loyalty over comfort and insisted on going with her into a land of a diversly different culture. Ruth's declaration, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” marks a pivotal moment of voluntary discipleship, echoing the call to follow Christ. Naomi's selflessness and Ruth's humility set the stage for divine providence to unfold. Ruth's decision to glean in Boaz's field, seemingly by chance, revealed God's guiding hand. Boaz, a wealthy and godly man, noticed Ruth's integrity and ensured her safety and provision. His actions mirrored Christ's care for his followers, offering not just sustenance but honor and protection. Key takeaways from this amazing account include strong insights into the three main people in the account: Ruth's loyalty and humility positioned her to receive God's abundant blessings. Naomi's wise and selfless guidance allowed Ruth to make a free, faith-driven choice. Boaz's integrity and generosity reflect Christlike leadership and compassion. The story further emphasizes that: God can work through imperfect decisions to bring about redemption. Humble service and steadfast commitment open the door to spiritual abundance. Providential “happenings” often disguise divine orchestration. Ultimately, Ruth's story illustrates how one person's faithful choice can ripple across generations, shaping legacy and revealing God's character. Her journey from foreign widow to honored matriarch in Israel's lineage of Jesus himself reminds believers that dedication, humility and trust in God's timing yield lasting impact.

Elijah to Heaven, Elisha succeeds him. The Moabite war: Jehoshaphat once more joins enemies to defeat a mutual enemy. Moabites defeated.

Paul Axton preaches: This sermon compares two understandings of Israel and God as presented in Nehemiah, Ezra, and Ruth, with Ruth the Moabite foreigner serving in the messianic line and as a kinsman redeemer through her faithful loving kindness, over and against the retributive picture of God and exclusive picture of Jews in Ezra and Nehemiah.   If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!

Malachi 2:10-16 We are continuing in the book of Malachi. This morning we'll be covering chapter 2 verses10-16. Please turn there. You can find it on page 954 in the pew Bible. This is our fourth of eight sermons in Malachi. It's a short book. It only has 4 chapters, but as you have seen already, it packs a punch. Malachi's prophecy began with a reminder of God's electing love for Israel. But then God turns to the ways in which they have been unfaithful in response. The overall theme of the book is God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness. And we will see that clearly in our text this morning. The people were demonstrating a lack of faith in God because of unfaithfulness in their marriages. Reading of Malachi 2:10-16 Prayer There is one relationship in life that is more important than any other. This relationship requires dedication. It's a relationship built on forgiveness. It's one where if you are not seeking to honor the one with whom you are in this relationship with, then you will struggle. Your path will be filled with difficulty. This relationship is that important. I'm talking about your relationship with the Lord. Some of you probably thought that I was going to say, “your relationship with your spouse.” Right? After all, a marriage relationship is critically important. But your relationship with the Lord is more important. It's tempting to see our text this morning as only applying to marriage. After all, it has plenty to say about marriage, and we're going to get there. However, this passage is ultimately about your faith in the creator God. So, whether you are married or not, you are directed to draw near to the Lord by faith. I don't know if you noticed it, but the word “faithless” is used here 5 times. Look at verse 10. After asking a couple of rhetorical questions, which we'll get to, it says, “why then are we faithless to one another.” Then immediately in verse 11. “Judah has been faithless.” Judah was the southern kingdom which was exiled, some of whom had returned. So in other words, God was calling them faithless. Now go down to verse 14. In the middle there it says, “…the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless.” That is repeated at the end of 15. “Let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” In those instances, it is faithless to their spouse. And finally, this passage ends with this, “so guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” So, faithless. Their faithless actions and faithlessness in their marriages, displayed a faithlessness before God. To give a little structure this morning, we'll consider this in 4 points. 1. Faithless before a Faithful God (2:10–11a) 2. Faithless with a Faithless Bride (2:11b–12) 3. Faithless to a Faithful Bride (2:13–16) 4. Faithful despite a Faithless Bride Those may be hard to remember, but they are printed there on page 4. 1. Faithless before a Faithful God (2:10–11a) So again, #1, Faithless before a faithful God. Verse 10 and the first half of verse 11 begin by emphasizing their covenant relationship with God and therefore with one another. The two questions there in 10 direct them to God. Malachi asks “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” They already know the answer. Yes, he is God their Father. Yes, they are his children. And yes, he is their creator. Those questions are to remind them of who God is;  who they are; and the centrality of his relationship with them. You see, before God speaks into the tangled mess of their marriage relationships, he first directs them to himself. He also directs them to one another. That is because their faithless actions not only reflected their faithlessness before God. But it also reflected on their faithlessness with one another. In other words, because they were in a covenant relationship with God together, anyone who broke that covenant with God, was being faithlessness toward one another. And anyone breaking the covenant with one another, was being faithless before God. By the way, we are going to get very practical in just a couple of minutes. But before we get there, it's critical to first understand why breaking the covenant was an act of faithlessness. It says that by their actions, they were “profaning the covenant.” That's  a strong statement Let me say a couple things about it: ·      The reference to covenant here includes the promises that God made to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. God established a relationship with them as his people. He called them to be his. He gave them his law. He promised them a kingdom and that they would be a people as numerous as the sands of the sea. They were set apart by the God of all creation. It was a beautiful thing. ·      But they “profaned” the covenant relationship. They profaned it because they were dishonoring God by violating the relationship that he had established with them. They had been breaking his commands. Rather than acting in faith, some had been rejecting the covenant promises that God had given them. So, it was serious. That's why it says in 11 that they had been faithless. They had been faithless to God and faithless to one another. Now, I want to say one more thing before we get to the heart of this passage about marriage. In the middle of verse 11 it says that they profaned the “sanctuary of the Lord.” At the heart of the word translated “sanctuary” is the word set apart. Some believe this is a reference to God's covenant people. They were profaning one another. And I think that's right. It goes along with two things. First, verse 10 had just said that they were faithless to one another. And second, immediately after saying they had profaned the sanctuary, it says, “which he loves.” Remember from the opening verses of chapter 1. God loves his people. In summary, their sin broke faith with God and with one another. Sometimes we don't think about that. Our sin is not only a sin against God it is sin against the covenant community. No matter our sin, it affects the community, sometimes in a more direct way, which we will see here, or sometimes indirectly. Either way, it was breaking fellowship with God and with one another. Ok, then, but what was it? What sin had they committed which was an abomination to God and which was faithless to one another? Well, they had been violating God's sacred establishment of covenant marriage. They were violating it in two ways: First, many had been marrying people outside of the covenant. And second, many had been unlawfully divorcing their spouses. 2. Faithless with a Faithless Bride (2:11b–12) Which brings us to points 2 and 3 about those two things. About unholy marriage and unlawful divorce. Point 2 is this: Faithless with a Faithless Bride. They were being covenantally unfaithful because they were marrying outside of the faith. Right there at the end of 11. They had “married the daughter of a foreign God.” Verse 12 points the finger at some men who were doing this When the exiles were in Babylon, all around them were not just Babylonians but also other nations that Babylon had conquered and brought to Babylon. The temptation was to intermarry with those outside of God's covenant people. But even when they were back in Jerusalem, there were now people from other kingdoms. Part of the temptation was marrying into the people group who was in control in order to improve their plight. Now, whether it was just an attraction to someone outside of the covenant community or whether it was for economic gain, either way, it was an abomination, as God says. And let me be very clear. This is not about race. There is nothing in the Bible that prohibits marriage between people from different ethnic backgrounds or people groups. Rather, this is about marrying outside of God's covenant community. That is very clear at the end of verse 11, “the daughter of a foreign God.” Plus, we have several examples of women who were originally outside of God's covenant community, but who became part of the covenant, and then married an Israelite. Think of Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite woman who was joined the covenant community and then married Boaz. Rahab is another example. She was a Cannanite, whom God spared from the destruction of Jericho because of her faith. She married Salmon. The admonition for us is to only marry someone who shares our faith in Christ. Let me take a moment to speak to those of you who are not married – young and old. Not everyone is called to be married. The apostle Paul wasn't married, and he makes it clear that there are blessings to being single. But many of you have the desire to be married. Younger kids, I want to make sure you are listening as well. Marriage may be far from your mind right now. You may be thinking “eww, marriage.”  But that will likely change. So, listen as well. If you decide to get married, the most important thing is to marry someone who shares your faith in Christ. It's God's command to marry in the Lord. The world says that love is not a choice. It says that when love finds you, no matter with whom, you cannot say “no.” But don't buy the lie. Don't mix up attraction with love. Love is a choice. Yes, you should be attracted to someone you want to marry, but that person needs to share your faith and commitment to your Lord and Savior. There is no such thing as missionary dating. Do you hear me? You are playing with fire if you are dating someone who you think you can win over to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit job to change someone's heart. Don't go there. The most important relationship you have is with the Lord and if you can't share that with your spouse, it is difficult and comes with consequences. I know several godly people who are married to unbelievers, and they would confirm that struggle. Sometimes that happens because one spouse comes to faith in Christ after getting married. Praise the Lord. If that happens, the struggle is still there. If you are in that situation, stay married. As the Scriptures say, so that you may win over your spouse. But sometimes someone young in his or her faith marries an unbeliever. It's only later that the person realizes the sin of it and how difficult it is. God forgives and he helps. If that is you, stay married and continue to pray for your unbelieving spouse to believe. And we will pray along with you. But for those of you who are not married, I plead with you, if you marry, marry a Godly man or woman who loves the Lord and his Word. Not just someone who says they are a Christian, but someone who demonstrates their faith and Love for the Lord. These verses are saying that marrying outside of God's covenant community demonstrates faithlessness. The consequences are difficult. 3. Faithless to a Faithful Bride (2:13–16) Which brings us to the other thing that they were doing. Many were unlawfully divorcing their spouses. This is point 3. Faithless to a Faithful Bride. As we already saw, twice it mentions unfaithfulness to the wife of their youth. These men had made a covenant commitment to these women, yet they were walking away from their marriages. We're not told, but perhaps some of them were the ones who then married outside of the covenant community. Before I go on, I want to be sensitive to the burdens and pain in this room from past marriages. Some of you have endured difficult marriages that have failed. Perhaps your marriage failed because of your own sin or perhaps your spouse's or perhaps both of you. Whatever the situation, it's hard and there's often relational fallout beyond the breaking of that marriage covenant. But I want you to know that God is merciful and forgiving. As you look back and either recognize your own complicity or you feel the hurt of being sinned against, know that God forgives and ministers his grace. To be sure, God's mercy and forgiveness is never to be a justification for an unbiblical divorce. The Scriptures are clear about divorce. Jesus spoke of divorce being permissible when sexual infidelity has occurred. Elsewhere abandonment is included. I would include abuse as a form of abandonment. These grievous sins are the only grounds for divorce. What was happening in Jerusalem is that marriages were being annulled because a spouse no longer cared to be married. And because of it, God no longer heard them or received their offerings, verse 13. They were weeping because of God not receiving them. It was not a godly grief that led to repentance, but rather just a groaning because of the consequences. In verse 14, they ask, “why has he not?” Why does God no longer accept us? By the way, this is the Malachi pattern, remember. They were reaping the consequences of their sin but didn't acknowledge their sin. And so the hammer drops again. Two weeks ago the hammer dropped on their polluted offerings. Last week it dropped on the corrupt priests. And here, it's back to the people, some of whom were faithless by divorcing their spouses without warrant. But they had made a covenant with their spouse. The Lord was a witness to that covenant commitment. And look at verse 15. “Did he [that is, God] not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?” They were united to one another in marriage. It's a reference back to Genesis 1. God was actively present in bringing about that oneness. So by abandoning their marriage, they were abandoning God. And not only that, they were abandoning God's call for them to raise their children to know the Lord. As the middle of 15 says, God desires “Godly offspring.” It would be a downward spiral of faithless future generations. Now, not every husband or wife was walking away from their marriage. But even some who were still married were considering divorce. We know that because it says, “guard yourself in your spirit and let none of you BE faithless.” The verse before said some of them “have been faithless.” In other words, for the ones who were still in their covenant marriage, they were to guard their hearts and minds against going down the path of divorce. And, actually, did you notice that the phrase, “guard yourself in your spirit” is used twice. Once in verse 15 and second in verse 16. Ok, let me now speak to those who are married. Some of your marriages are struggling. And I probably only know the half of it. Every marriage has its ups and downs, but some marriages have acute struggles for a variety of reasons. And it is hard. What is supposed to be the most intimate relationship on earth, is sometimes fraught with tension and mistrust and heartache because of current sin or past sin... which can lead to more sin and cause more tension and more mistrust and more heartache. If that is you, I want to say two things: 1. As it says here, “guard yourself in your spirit.” Do not let yourself wander to thoughts of divorce. Don't let go of the covenant that you made to your spouse. Pursue your spouse again. Recommit yourself to your marriage. There's a warning here of faithlessness if you pursue unbiblical divorce. So, guard your thoughts and your heart. 2. Number 2. There is help and there is hope. There is not a single elder here unwilling to help if your marriage is struggling. Please reach out. I will meet with you and pray with you, multiple times if necessary. We can also find help outside of our church if you would be more comfortable with that. But please reach out. If you do not think your marriage needs help, but your spouse does, let me encourage you to honor and listen to your spouse. Set aside whatever is preventing you from getting help. And do not lose hope. We serve a God who is in the business of forgiving and reconciling. The forgiveness and reconciliation that he gives you, individually, is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation in you marriage. 4. Faithful despite a Faithless Bride Which is a nice transition to point 4. Faithful despite a Faithless Bride I'm not talking about a marriage between a man and a woman here. I am talking about the marriage between Christ and his church. Despite the unfaithfulness of God's people, his bride, God has remained faithful. The marriage paradigm is the pattern that God uses all throughout Scripture to convey his faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness. And this goes all the way back to the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, when they ate of the forbidden fruit, their sin was spiritual adultery. They had been in a covenant relationship with God. He promised them life, but they turned against his promise of blessing and instead ate that which was forbidden. That spiritual adultery theme continues throughout the Scriptures. God's people were betrothed to God, but they forsook his name and committed spiritual adultery against him by going after other so-called gods from the surrounding nations. But as we read in Hosea 2 earlier in the service, despite the people's unfaithfulness, God promised that he would be faithful. He promised to be their husband who would protect and lead them in righteousness and justice. They would once again be called his people and they would call him their God. This is the pattern over and over in the Old Testament. The people forgot the Lord. They acted in adulterous ways like the people here in Jerusalem. Yet God was merciful… and just like here, he called them back to himself. And the climax of this marriage paradigm in Scripture… is found in Christ. He not only sought his bride, the church, but as we read earlier in Ephesians 5, he died for her. There is no greater love. He sanctifies and cleanses her. By giving his church his righteousness, Christ presents her pure and spotless. SO not only is he faithful despite her unfaithfulness, he makes her faithful. And he nourishes and cherishes her and leads her. And all of that will come to full fruition when he returns for the consummation of the great spiritual wedding. He will usher his people, his bride, into the wedding supper of the Lamb forever. Beloved, this is the reason that marriage is sacred. Marriage on earth is patterned after the union between God and his people. It is why a Christian should only marry a Christian. It is why God hates divorce. It is why those who are married should fight for their marriage and not against it. It is why in a marriage relationship you should love and forgive just as Christ loved you and forgave you. It is why a husband has been called to be the spiritual leader in his marriage and home. It is a sacrificial leading. Again, as Ephesians 5 said, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and died for her. The people in Jerusalem didn't have this full picture, yet. They didn't yet know of what was to come. But as we will find out in these next 2 chapters, God is going to lift the curtain and give them a glimpse of what was soon to come for them. In the meantime, they were to return in faith to God by returning in faithfulness to their covenant marriages. For those who desire one day to be married, seek Godly spouses by faith in Christ. And for those who are married, pursue and love our spouses because God has pursued and loved you. For all of us, may we see the beauty and wonder of our bridegroom, Christ. And because of his love and faithfulness to us, may we seek to be faithful in return to him.  

He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord.2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord.3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.5 Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation.9 When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.10 If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.12 Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:14 For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.15 Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:16 He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God.19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

Ruth 1:1, 2b-5, 7-8a, 14b, 16-17, 19a - In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. ... They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives … They lived there about ten years, and both [sons] died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. … So she set out … to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house.”….And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her …. Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” … So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem.

Ruth was an extraordinarily courageous and loyal woman of God. In our society of disposable relationships, cancel culture, and cutting off parents, Ruth presents us with a challenge to stick with family even when calamity strikes and hope seems lost. As a Moabite, Ruth was unlikely to be accepted in Israelite society. Even the Torah itself codified exclusion of all Moabites. Even though she was likely to face unfair prejudice and racism, she still chose loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, over her own comfort and security. In the end, she found the love of her life.   Listen on Spotify   Listen on Apple Podcasts —— Links —— Check out the other episodes in the Heroes of Faith series Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group, follow on X @RestitutioSF or Instagram @Sean.P.Finnegan Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play it out on the air Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here Get Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price. Get the transcript of this episode Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library.

Send us a textOverview:The book of Ruth is more than a love story set in the days of the Judges.  At one level, the story is about Ruth, a Moabite widow who chose to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem. She was a stranger, an outsider, under the condemnation of the Law — for Deuteronomy tells us that no Moabite could enter the assembly of the Lord. And yet Ruth was redeemed by a near-kinsman.This is the heart of the book: redemption through a kinsman. In Exodus, Israel was redeemed by the blood of a lamb. In Ruth, redemption comes through a near-kinsman. The New Testament brings these together in Jesus Christ, who alone qualifies for both. He is our near-kinsman — fully human, the Son of Man — and He is also the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).Ruth also serves a greater purpose: it introduces us to the line of David, which ultimately identifies the line of the Messiah. Ruth's story is the missing link that ties the promises of Judah to the kingdom of David, and from David to the true King, great David's greater Son, Jesus Christ.But the message is not just about genealogy or law. It is also about what it means to live faithfully. Ruth's quiet trust in God, her kindness to Naomi, and her courage to step into the unknown all show us that simple faith and steadfast love still go a long way in living a life pleasing to God.So, when we read Ruth, we see the gospel in miniature: the outsider brought near, the hopeless given hope, and the Redeemer stepping in to claim what was lost. The Balance of GrayFaith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Come As You Are Series: Jacob-Don't Count Yourself OutGenesis 28:10-15 "Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran.  When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”The theme of this episode is don't count yourself out.  Do you ever do this?  Do you ever hear about someone doing something and count yourself out because you don't think you are strong enough, or you don't believe you are good enough, or you are not sufficient in some other way?  Do you ever hear about someone receiving a blessing and count yourself out of receiving a blessing because you are not good enough or you are not holy enough?  I think we all count ourselves sometimes.  We hear about people receiving blessings and good things from God, and we tell ourselves they are holier than we are.  They are better Christians than we are.  They are closer to God, so of course He is blessing them.  We then proceed to think of all the ways in which we are falling short.  We think of all the things we are doing wrong and how God couldn't possibly bless us.  In my Encounter class, we talked about the verse above, and when I heard her talking about it, I knew some of you needed to listen to it as badly as I did.  In the verse above, God is bestowing upon Jacob an amazing blessing. He is promising to give him and his descendants the land on which Jacob lay.  God is also promising Jacob that his descendants will be like the dust of the earth and will be spread out to the east, west, north, and south.  Then he says all people on earth will be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.  God promises to be with Jacob, to watch over him, and to bring him back to that land.  I am not sure if you're familiar with the story of Jacob.  If you aren't, you probably assume Jacob is a great guy.  It is easy to think he is a very holy man who was doing everything right. However, this is not the case.In Genesis 27, the chapter right before this, Isaac, Jacob's dad, asked Esau, Jacob's brother, to prepare him some food, and then he would give him the blessing he deserved because he was the oldest.  However, Jacob's mom persuades Jacob to get the blessing instead.  Jacob dressed up like his brother; they even put goat skin on his hands so he would be hairy like his brother's hands.  Then he brought food to his father and pretended to be his brother.  His father doubted, but Jacob convinced him and stole his brother's blessing.  When Esau came home, he was really angry.  He begged his father for a blessing, but there wasn't really one to be had. He had already given it to Jacob.  Esau was so angry that he decided he would kill Jacob once his father passed away.  Their mother heard about Esau's plan and told Jacob to run away.  She told him to go and stay with her brother until Esau's anger calmed down.  It was on his way to her brother's house that Jacob had this dream.  Jacob was not doing everything right.  He was not the ideal person we would think God would choose to bless, and yet God blessed him tremendously.  Do you know what that means?  That means He can bless you tremendously, too.  It means you don't have to count yourself out from whatever it is you think you want to do or whatever it is God wants to do for you.If we look back through scripture, we will see plenty of examples of where God used people we would have never chosen to do the things he wanted to get done.  God chose Tamar, a woman whose husband died. Because her father-in-law refused to give his other younger son to her so she could conceive a child, as was the custom back then, she pretended to be a harlot and tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her so she could conceive a son.  Tamar was definitely not doing everything right, and yet God used Tamar as part of the lineage that brought about David, the king, and therefore our savior Jesus as well.  There is also Ruth, who was not even a Christian; she was a Moabite woman, a foreigner.  Even though she was not a Christian, she was the great-grandmother of David.  I know it feels like we are getting it all wrong sometimes.  I know it feels like we can't possibly be doing enough to earn God's blessings.  I know it feels like we are never good enough.  I know.  And yet, God isn't asking us to be good enough.  God isn't asking us to do enough.  God isn't asking much from us at all.  He isn't expecting us to get it all right.  He isn't expecting us to be perfect.  He is just expecting us to show up each day as we are and to spend some time with Him.  He does the blessings, not us.  There isn't a way to earn blessings.  God gives them freely to all who ask and to all who seek them.  The next time you are counting yourself out because you think you are not enough or because you think you have done too much wrong, think of Jacob.  Think of how he first stole his brother's birthright by telling Esau he could only have a bowl of soup if he gave up his birthright.  Esau was starving, so he agreed.  Then Jacob went in and pretended to be Esau to steal his blessing, too.  Whatever it is you did, God can still bless you.  He is not counting you out, so don't count yourself out.  I heard a phrase in class, and it really stuck with me.The teacher said, “When we believe the lie, we empower the liar.”  I love this.  The enemy is the father of lies.  When we believe these lies, we are empowering him and giving him authority in our lives.  God loves you, he loves you just as you are.  He made you, and He is our good, good Father.   Don't count yourself out.  God will use you if that is what you want.  God will bless you.  God isn't looking for perfection.  If you don't believe me, go back and look at almost every bible story written.  David was blessed beyond belief, and yet he had an affair and then had the girl's husband killed in battle.  I could go on, but I will leave the rest of the stories up to you.  Hopefully, you can already see that whatever you did is not enough to count you out of God's blessing.  There is nothing you can do that would exclude you from God's blessings.  God is always waiting with open arms for us to turn back and repent.  Don't count yourself out!Dear heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, help us to realize you love us right where we are.  Help us to see that you don't need us to be perfect, you just need us to be us. Help us not count ourselves out.  Lord, please bless us as abundantly as you blessed Jacob. Please bless our perfectly imperfect lives, Lord.  We love you, Lord, you are truly amazing.  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. Just a reminder that there are only three more weeks to sign up for the retreat in October. I hope you will CLICK HERE and check out the details. It will be a great opportunity to meet some amazing people. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I!  Have a blessed day!  Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “My children, I long to heal you, to heal you in every way. When you think I delay, don't. I am using every moment to bring a greater, deeper health to your mind, your soul, your body, your spirit, your relationships, everything that might be in need of my healing touch, because I am the healer.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Naomi's Return to Bethlehem Naomi returns to Bethlehem after hearing that the famine is over. She had left Bethlehem during the famine, thinking they would fare better elsewhere. She realizes that leaving God was a mistake that cost her dearly. The townspeople recognize her and ask, "Is this Naomi?" Naomi asks them to call her Mara, meaning bitter, instead of Naomi, meaning pleasant and delightful. She feels that the Lord has dealt very bitterly with her. Grace on the Road Back Home Even when one thinks they have lost everything, God sees the choice to return home and helps on the journey. Naomi says she "went out full, but he hath brought me back again empty." There is grace on the road back to full. Many people feel they have gone too far from God to ever feel His presence again. When one chooses to head back toward God, He helps along the way. God was helping Naomi even before she left Moab. The very day she decided to return home, God began blessing her again. Help on the Journey Naomi decides to return home and tells her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. Orpah returns, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. God gave Naomi a helper in Ruth, who loved her more than seven sons. Naomi didn't realize that Ruth would be instrumental in bringing her back to fullness. Everyone needs help, and God provides it. God put "stick to it" in Ruth, who was determined to stay with Naomi. God's Orchestration Naomi is an elderly woman, beaten down by the loss of her husband and sons. She only has Ruth, a Moabite widow, with her. No upstanding Jewish man would consider marrying a Moabite. God moves for those who decide to return to fullness. Even if one feels half full, God wants them completely full of Him. While the choice to return is personal, it is God who ultimately brings one home. There is a drawing in the heart to return to God. The Holy Ghost never stops prompting one to return home. God doesn't forsake His own and brings them back. Even if one arrives empty, God is already helping and working in their path. Naomi acknowledges that God brought her back. Emptiness and Filling Sometimes God has to empty things in order to fill them again. Like emptying water from a fuel tank before adding good octane. God removes what isn't supposed to be there to prepare for filling. Naomi couldn't see that Ruth was the best helper she could have. The journey from Moab to Bethlehem is treacherous, about 50-60 miles, taking 7-10 days. Ruth and Naomi had to choose every day to continue the journey. God helps when one heads back home. God had to empty Naomi to fill her up for His glory. The Road to Fullness The journey back to fullness is orchestrated by God. Naomi was still a landowner but had no husband or sons, so she had to sell. As a backslider, one never forgets the day they gained ownership of something from God. Ruth goes to glean in the fields and happens to end up in Boaz's field. There are no coincidences when trying to get back to fullness. God orchestrates the needs for one to be full. Boaz arrives and notices Ruth. He has heard of her kindness to Naomi and her commitment to the Jehovah God. He tells her to stay in his field and eat and drink with his maids. Ruth asks why Boaz has shown her such grace. When one is on the way back to fullness, they have someone helping them. Boaz instructs his workers to let Ruth glean as much as she wants and to drop extra for her. God wants one to be full again. Heavenly Help Ruth returns with a sack full of grain. She also brings Naomi food from Boaz's table. Naomi asks about the man whose field she was in. When she hears the name Boaz, hope is rekindled in her soul. Hearing the name of Jesus restores hope.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 NLT1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die.A time to plant and a time to harvest. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal.A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. 9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. 14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear him. 15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again. • • •God Appoints Every Season of Life • • •Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. • • •Genesis 45:4-8 NLT4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. • • •Every Season Brings New Opportunities to Serve • • •2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. • • •1 Samuel 17:32-37 NLT32 “Don't worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I'll go fight him!” 33 “Don't be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been a man of war since his youth.” 34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” • • •Serve God in Every Season • • •Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. 4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. • • •Ruth 1:1-5 NLT1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. • • •Ruth 1:16-18 NLT16 But Ruth replied, “Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. • • •Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 NLT1 How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things.Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its harshness. 2 Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. 3 Don't try to avoid doing your duty, and don't stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. 4 His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. 5 Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, 6 for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 7 Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen? 8 None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. • • •Application:Every season in life brings fresh opportunities to serve God. Make the most of each and every opportunity you are given to faithfully serve God.

The story told in 2 Kings 3 is most curious indeed. Verses 1-8 tell us of the time that the two kings of Israel and Judah - Jehoram and Jehoshaphat - set out to wage war against Moab who had rebelled and failed to pay the massive tribute that had been imposed on them by Jehoram. Jehoram and Jehoshaphat were not expecting to be defeated by the weather. Surely Yahweh would not have it so. A minstrel was called to induce a mood conducive to the prophet Elisha and this is perhaps puzzling to us. God sent the rain only where the allies - Israel and Judah were encamped. The Almighty also sent a wind which deluded Moab into believing the two kings had turned on each other. The foes of Israel and Judah rushed unknowingly to their destruction. What a gross incident concludes the sorry tale with the Moabite king sacrificing his son to placate his idol that demands human blood - Chemosh.In Jeremiah 51 we have the story in apocalyptic language of Babylon's overthrow. The chapter encapsulates the entire latter portion of the book of Revelation. For yourself it is a worthwhile exercise to open one Bible at Jeremiah 51 and alongside it another opened to Revelation chapters 17-19. Next find how many direct quotes and allusions you can find in the Revelation chapters from Jeremiah 51. The conclusion that this leads you to is that "Babylon the Great" in in the book of Revelation and the mysterious Babylon of Jeremiah 51 are one and the same. An idolatrous and mysterious religious system which today speaks of the mysterious Babylon of the Roman Catholic Church: Revelation 17 verses4-6, 18,18 verses 1-8, 10-17, 19-24; 19 verses 1-3. These overlords who subjected Jerusalem to their cruelties and idolatrous worship were judged by the LORD God Almighty and His saints. Isaiah contrasts those rulers with Judah's Sovereign: Isaiah 26 verses 13-14 compare with Jeremiah 51 verses 39, 57. Those Babylonian rulers were to die and never rise again - "they shall not rise" (Isaiah 26); they shall "sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake (Jeremiah 51). In contrast those trusting in God will experience peace and rise to eternal life - Isaiah 26 verses 1-3, 19-21. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul proves that our Almighty Sovereign's purpose is evident in the creative work of His angels and the hierarchy that this established. God is supreme, a theme that will be expanded in chapter 15, under Him is His Divine Son - who stands as the head and archetype of the entire creation. Next, in the creative order comes the man, then the woman. Paul points out that there is a mutually dependent relationship in Christ between husband and wife. However, as an acknowledgment of the creative order in the work of the angels, it's important for the women to worship acknowledging the principle that women should worship with their heads covered. The Apostle then speaks of practices that were incongruous in the context of the celebration of the Lord's memorial supper of bread and wine. He urges that self examination is imperative to the receiving of the emblems of our Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice. And so the great Apostle declares that before we take the bread we need to scrutinise ourselves. None of us take the emblems with a sense of worthiness - we acknowledge that we are weak, erring and struggling with our mortality and the ravages that sin has brought on our fallen condition and our proneness to sin with which we wrestle on a daily basis. But the important thing is that we continue to strive against sin relentlessly. This we do in remembering our Lord's offering: Hebrews 12 verses 1-11. Surely those who have given up fighting against sin will be condemned with the world. Brother Thomas exquisitely says of the breaking of the bread on page 296 of Elpis Israel: "for to eat his flesh is to digest, and make a part of our mental selves, the truth concerning the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ."

What does it mean to sleepwalk in your faith? How do you handle other Christians judging your worship? What is the significance of Ruth the Moabite being in Christ lineage? What generational curse have you experienced? When has God taken you through a transition and asked you to be strong?

Ruth 1:1, 3-8, 14-16, 22 (Naomi returned with Ruth the Moabite and came to Bethlehem) Isaiah 9:2-7 ('A son is given to us.")

OOBT is back from a summer break, and what better way to return than with the 80th episode! Cue the confetti!

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever, because they met you not with bread and with water in the way when ye came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor, of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam, but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.Deuteronomy 23:3–5Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. It is good to be with you and we thank you for being there and allowing us to make this weekly service possible.Tonight we are pleased to continue our study on the book of Deuteronomy, which teaches us to know God, love God and obey God. Filling in for Ronald L. Dart, with part twelve of this fascinating series, is our good friend, Richard Crow.

Send us a textAs I think about the life of Naomi and how she lived her later years, I cannot help but think of a principle that we learn in the Advent story 3 you cannot tell the end from the beginning. Apart from the Old Testament promises of the Messiah ad the angelic announcements of Messiah's birth, the majestic destiny of Jesus might never be guessed from His humble beginnings and surroundings.As we read the opening lines of Naomi's story one might never guess how the story will end. How anyone lives out the final years of life, like Naomi, is learned as we intentionally trust our lives to a sovereign God and live obediently following His hand.Naomi's story begins with incredible hardship.Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there. Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband (Ruth 1.1-5).Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God's calling in their later years, equipping them to actively pursue and fulfill His calling. FWM provides free materials, events, and other on-line resources that provide shared insights focused on finishing our lives well. We also recruit and train volunteers who lead and encourage small groups around the world to fulfill God's mission for them in these critically important years." - Hal Habecker Website: www.finishingwellministries.org Email us: Hal@finishingwellministries.orgFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finishingwellministriesSupport Our Ministry: https://www.finishingwellministries.org/donateAre there biblical principles to help us understand how to finish well?Explore the Seven Essentials for Finishing Well. Learn more.Thanks for listening as we all strive to live and finish life well!

Guest pastor Sherri Harder shares the beautiful story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz we find in the Old Testament. Ruth, a Moabite widow, demonstrates loyalty, bravery, and faith in God alongside her mother-in-law, Naomi, in a journey full of trials, hope, and ultimately redemption. This message, a favorite of Pastor Sherri's, kicks off our new series full of favorite sermons from our team!

We delve into the story of Ruth, an inspiring tale of loyalty, faith, and divine providence set in the time of the judges. We explore Naomi's tragic journey to Moab due to famine, the loss of her husband and sons, and the unwavering commitment of her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who chooses to stay with Naomi and embrace her faith. As they return to Bethlehem, Ruth's dedication leads her to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. Boaz's extraordinary kindness and generosity towards Ruth highlight his faithfulness to God. Naomi, recognizing an opportunity in Boaz's actions, begins to devise a plan for a brighter future for Ruth.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity St. Matthew 5:20-26 by William Klock In last Sunday's Gospel we were with Jesus and Peter in that fishing boat as Jesus preached to the crowd on the shore.  I said that I had a pretty good ides the sorts of things Jesus was preaching, because both Matthew and Luke preserve versions of his favourite sermon about the kingdom.  Today's Gospel gives us a snippet of Matthew's version of that sermon.  In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says to the gathered crowd, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  In the words leading up to this, Jesus was preparing the people to hear this.  He talks about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world and a city set on hill and a light held high on a lampstand for everyone to see.  “That's how you must shine your light in front of people!” he says, “Then they'll see what wonderful things you do, and they'll give glory to your father in heaven.”  Do your works, does you the way you live make people take notice and give glory to God?  That's a tough one, isn't it?  And then, just in case people might be thinking that Jesus came to do away with the law and the prophets: “Don't suppose that I came to destroy the law or the prophets,” Jesus said, “I didn't come to destroy them.  I came to fulfil them!  I'm telling you the truth: until heaven and earth disappear—and since that won't happen this just means never—not one stroke, not one dot, is going to disappear from the law until it's all come true.  So anyone who relaxes a single one of these commandments, even the little ones, and teaches that to people, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.  And anyone who does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  And this is where Jesus says those words, “Yes, let me tell you: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”   Because Jesus was doing and saying so many things that a lot of people thought weren't right, I suspect some people thought that Jesus was teaching an easier way to the kingdom.  The Pharisees were mad because he didn't seem to keep the law with the same zeal that they thought everyone should, but I suspect there were others who thought Jesus was offering them a way to God without all the spiritual rigor and rules.  Just this week I found myself talking to someone who had left an orthodox, biblical church a few years ago and is now worshipping at a United Church.  The reason: “They aren't so strict.  They let people be themselves.  They aren't so bound to the Bible.”  In other words: The United Church offers a way to God that you can follow on your own terms.  I suspect some people thought Jesus was doing a sort of First Century Jewish version of that.  And so Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case.  No, just the opposite in fact.  Not even the Pharisees with all their zeal for torah, not even they meet the standard.  Later in the sermon he'll go on to talk about the wide and narrow way that will lead Israel to destruction and the narrow gate that few can find and the narrow and difficult way beyond that leads to the kingdom.  No, Jesus hasn't come to relax the standard.  Not at all. But before we can go on we need to ask a couple of questions.  When Jesus talks about “righteousness”, what does he mean?  Well, for the Jews “righteousness” was bound up with torah, with the law and with God's covenant.  A righteous person was someone who was faithful to God and to the covenant and that meant, fundamentally, that he was faithful in living the law that God had given his people. The name “Pharisee” means “separated one”.  That's what Israel was supposed to be.  The Lord had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt to be his people and he gave them a law, he gave them torah, as a way of life that would separate them and that would make them distinct from every other people on earth.  When the nations looked at Israel they were supposed to be moved to give glory to God.  But for most of their history, the Israelites didn't do a very good job of being that separate and distinct people.  They were selective in their obedience.  They worshipped idols.  And so just as he cast Adam and Eve out of the garden and out of his holy presence, the Lord cast out Israel and sent her in exile to Babylon.  Righteousness means “covenant faithfulness” and if Israel wasn't going to be faithful to the covenant, then in order to be faithful himself to the covenant, the Lord would have enact the covenant curses that he promised would befall his people if they didn't keep their end of the covenant—if they were unrighteous. As I've said before fairly recently, the Pharisees knew all of this.  More than that, they believed that the exile was, after a fashion, still ongoing.  Because Israel was still ruled by pagans and because the Lord's presence had never returned to the temple.  They desperately wanted an end to Roman rule and even more than that, they prayed for the Lord's return.  But that wasn't going to happen as long as Israel was still unfaithful—still lacking in righteousness.  So the Pharisees decided to set an example.  They weren't just going to obey the law as best they could; they were going to live their whole lives as if they were priests in the temple.  They wouldn't just keep themselves from sin.  They'd keep themselves ritually pure at all times.  They were ready for the Lord to return.  If only they could get everyone in Israel just as ready!  But not everyone in Israel was as interested in righteousness as they were.  There were a lot of people who just weren't as serious about God's law as they were.  But worse were the compromisers—the Jews who gradually assimilated to the pagan ways of the Greeks and Romans and the people who willingly and knowingly became traitors to the covenant: tax collectors and sinners. Think of it this way: The Pharisees saw themselves in the midst of a culture war.  And they knew it wasn't the first time Israel had faced a culture war.  And so their heroes were the righteous men of Israel's past culture wars.  One of those heroes was Phinehas, one of Aaron's grandsons.  In the book of Numbers we read how Balak, the King of Moab, had hired a prophet to curse the Israelites.  But the prophet, Balaam couldn't do it.  Every time he opened his mouth to curse the Israelites, the Lord caused blessings to spill out.  So Balak, instead, sent a bunch of beautiful Moabite women to infiltrate the Israelite camp and to entice the men of Israel to worship the Canaanite god Baal with them.  Isreal's first culture war.  The men were enticed into sexual immorality and then into idolatry—those two always go hand-in-hand.  But Phinehas, came upon one of the Israelite men in flagrante delicto with one of these women.  Filled with holy zeal, Phinehas grabbed a spear and ran them both through together.  That was the end of Israel's first culture war and Phinehas became a hero for his righteous zeal. But much more recently, the Pharisees looked back on the heroes of the Maccabean Revolt—about 160 years before.  In those days Judah was ruled by Greeks.  And the Greeks just sort of thought that because their culture was so superior to everyone else's, everyone would just assimilate given the chance.  Think of Gus in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  “There are two kinds of people: Greeks and everyone who wish they was Greek.”  But no matter how many temples or gymnasiums the Greeks built, the Jews wouldn't assimilate.  Antiochus IV Epiphanes had enough of it and finally outlawed the law.  If you circumcised your son, you and he would be executed.  He defiled the Lord's altar by sacrificing a pig on it.  In Second Maccabees we read a horrific story of seven brothers and their mother who were tortured and gruesomely martyred when they refused to eat pork.  Jews were forced to offer sacrifices to Zeus.  Mattathias Maccabeus was watching as one Jewish man caved into that pressure.  The writer of First Maccabees tells us how Mattathias burned with zeal for the law, just like Phinehas had.  He ran forward and killed the man at the altar, then turned and killed the King's soldier.  That would kick off a revolt against the pagan Greeks.  But the Maccabean revolutionaries didn't just go after their foreign rulers; like Mattathias they went after compromising Jews as well. They were the inspiration for the Pharisees.  The Pharisees didn't have that kind of power.  They couldn't force anyone to keep the law or to keep it better.  But they had the same kind of zeal.  They desperately wanted, they prayed for the Lord to return to Zion to destroy the Romans and all the other unrighteous pagans—and all the compromisers like the tax collectors and sinners in Israel, too. And—getting back to Jesus peaching on the hillside—and Jesus now says that even that kind of zeal, that kind of righteousness isn't enough to get folks into the kingdom.  In other words, to the people who were coming to Jesus thinking he was making it easier—kind of like some modern liberal spirituality that you can shape to your own liking—Jesus says, “No.  I didn't come to make it easier.”  But then he condemns even the Pharisees.  They were the most righteous people around and even they weren't going to make the cut.  So what now?  Imagine all the people holding their breath to hear what Jesus is going to say next.  They really, really want to know.  Before he ever started preaching, they'd seen him doing all the Messiah things: casting out demons, healing the sick and the blind and the deaf.  They knew without a doubt that the God of Israel was somehow acting in and through Jesus, so they had to think that when he preached, he preached with authority and he spoke for God.  He's got their attention now.  Now they want to know what it means to be more righteous than even the Pharisees. So Jesus goes on and says, “You have heard it said to the people of old, ‘You shall not murder'; and anyone who commits murder shall be liable to judgement.  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement; anyone who insults his brother with foul and abusive language will be liable to the lawcourt; and anyone who says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to the fires of Gehenna.”   And Jesus keeps going on like this.  If we skip down to 5:27—picking up just were today's Gospel ends—Jesus says something similar about adultery.  “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you: everyone who gazes at a woman in order to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  On and on.  Divorce falls in Jesus sites too: Divorce is wrong.  Marriage is a life-long covenant.  Tell the truth, he says, and you won't need to make oaths for people to believe you.  The law commanded justice and put limits on retaliation, but Jesus says, “Don't resist evil with violence”, “turn the other cheek”.  “When someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat, too.  When someone forces you to go one mile, go a second one with him.”  And in verse 43 Jesus puts a cherry on top of all this.  They knew that the law was about loving your neighbour, but then they got the idea that the only people who were their neighbours were their fellow Jews.  Love your neighbours, yes, but hate your enemies—people like the Romans, the tax collectors, and the sinners who openly rejected God's law and covenant.  Love your neighbours.  Pray for God to smite your enemies.  And Jesus says, “No!  I tell you: love your enemies!  Pray for people who persecute you!”  Why?  “So that you may be sons [and daughters] of your Father in heaven.”   Do you want to have a share in the kingdom?  Do you want to be a child of the Father?  Do you want to know how to have a righteousness—a covenant faithfulness—greater than even the Pharisees?  Do want people to glorify God when they see how you live?  Then love the way that God loves.  That's what righteousness has always been about: it's been about a people that conforms to the heart of God.  Righteousness is about sinlessness, but it goes deeper than that and that's what the Pharisees and so many others in Israel had forgotten even though it was there all along: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.” Brothers and Sisters, this is what kingdom people look like in a culture war.  They love the way God loves.  This is the narrow gate, this is the difficult path that leads to the kingdom and life with God.  It's hard.  All we have to do is look around us.  Things haven't changed much since Jesus preached this two thousand years ago.  We're in the middle of a war ourselves and it seems like Christians are prone to the same two failures.  There's a ditch on either side of the road.  You fall into the ditch on this side when you give in and compromise.  Whether it's the Judeans who went along with the Greeks, leaving their sons uncircumcised, eating pork, and making offerings to Zeus or the Christians today who give up and buy into the pagan world's notion that love is whatever you make it, anything goes, and we can all live and fellowship with God on our own terms.  Brothers and Sisters, compromise with a godless and anti-gospel culture isn't the way.  Jesus didn't come to make it easier to get into the kingdom, but there are a lot of people and churches today who think that the answer to the culture and to dwindling interest in the gospel is to lower the bar and to make it easier to think of yourself as a Christian.  Appealing to the cultural moment might get you a few followers in the short term, but it will land you in the outer darkness, weeping and gnashing your teeth just as surely as the opposite error will. The opposite error—the ditch on the other side of the road—is Phariseeism.  And that happens when we forget that the gospel wins not through violence and force but when Christians love the way that God loves.  Brothers and Sisters, no amount of compelling, force, violence, or political power will ever move the heart of an unbeliever to give glory to God because of what they see in us.  But in the midst of a culture war it's very easy for God's people to think that seizing the reigns of power is the answer.  We'll do anything, compromise just about anything, team up with just about anyone no matter how ungodly they are, to get our hands on that power.  And we can do it all with a zealousness like that of Phinehas or Mattathias that feels so right.  We try to meld Caesar and Jesus together, forgetting that Caesars bloody and violent way is the opposite of the gospel, which conquers through love.  You can't trust in Jesus and at the same trust in horses and chariots.  You can't trust in Jesus and at the same time trust in political power.  Jesus demands our allegiance and our trust—all of it and without compromise.  And it's when we give him that full allegiance that we have the loving heart of God.  It's when we're willing to follow Jesus as we turn the other cheek, as we give both our shirt and our coat, as we go the extra mile, even as we go to our own deaths, it's then that world takes notice and give glory to God.  That's how the gospel captivates hearts and transforms the world. Brothers and Sisters, that's the narrow gate and the difficult path.  Don't give up on righteousness when the going gets tough.  And never forget that law is ultimately about loving God and loving our neighbours—everyone—the way God loves them—enough to give his own son.  Love them as God does—even your worst enemy—even to point of sacrifice.  That's how God once captivated your heart and it's how he will captivate theirs. Jesus stresses just how important this is.  Going back to the end of our Gospel in Matthew 5:23 he says, “So, if you are coming to the altar with your gift and there you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave your gift right there in front of the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother.  Then come back and offer your gift.”   We probably miss the significance of this.  To go to the temple in Jerusalem to make an offering to God was the peak of righteousness, of covenant faithfulness.  This took precedence over everything else.  No one.  No. one.  Would go to Jerusalem.  And remember, Jesus is preaching in Galilee, a three day's journey from Jerusalem.  No one would trek all that way, carrying their animal for sacrifice or buying one at an exorbitant price at the temple, wait their turn, and then standing there with the priest ready to make the sacrifice, suddenly realise they needed to go all the way back home to make something right with a brother or a sister.  Yes, I think Jesus is using a bit of hyperbole here, but he wants to drive his point home, because this is how people—especially the Pharisees thought.  If you were doing it for God, nothing else mattered.  Think of the priest and the Levite in Jesus' parable, leaving a man for dead on the side of the road lest they become ritually impure.  For all their talk of loving God, they'd forgotten just how much God loves us and they'd failed to live it out.  That's why they grumbled when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.  They'd forgotten that all of heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents. No, says Jesus.  Never think that you're honouring God if, at the same time, you're failing to love your neighbour the way God loves him.  Never think you're doing God's work if, at the same time, you've compromised his call to faith and to faithfulness.  Never think you're building the kingdom if, at the same time, you're compromising its principles.  Instead, stop what you're doing and make things right.  Go back and love your neighbour.  Reconcile and make things right with him.  Remember that you serve the God who gave his son out of love in order to reconcile sinful you to himself.  Have that kind of love in your heart and let it shape every thing you do. Brothers and Sisters, every Sunday we recite those words of Jesus: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  Don't just mindlessly say those words.  Be shaped by them.  Love God and love your neighbour with everything you've got and then you will have that righteousness greater even than that of the scribes and the Pharisees. Let's pray: O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses Parshas Pinchas, focusing on the story of Pinchas's zealous act against Zimri and Cosbi, who publicly defied God's will by engaging in illicit relations, as described in Numbers 25. Rabbi Wolbe highlights the danger of blurring moral lines, as Zimri attempted by bringing a Moabite woman into the Jewish community, comparing it to Rebecca's relief upon learning her conflicting womb movements were due to twins with distinct destinies, not a single confused child. He emphasizes that clarity in commitment to Torah and mitzvahs is crucial, drawing parallels to Haman's and Amalek's attempts to assimilate and confuse the Jewish people, urging listeners to avoid compromise in spiritual matters and to define their stance firmly on the side of holiness and light.Rabbi Wolbe encourages small, intentional steps toward observance without compromising core commitments, using examples like health goals to illustrate the importance of mental resolve even if actions lag. He stresses the need for wisdom to distinguish between holy and unholy, as recited in Havdalah and Talmudic prayers, to avoid confusion. A story of a newly observant Jew publicly affirming their identity as a religious Jew underscores how verbalizing commitment clarifies one's path. Rabbi Wolbe concludes by urging listeners to manifest their spiritual goals through clear identification with Torah values, fostering a deeper connection to God and a purposeful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.38) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Pinchas is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 16, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on July 18, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Pinchas, #SpiritualGrowth, #Commitment, #Torah, #Mitzvot ★ Support this podcast ★

 In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses Parshas Pinchas, focusing on the story of Pinchas's zealous act against Zimri and Cosbi, who publicly defied God's will by engaging in illicit relations, as described in Numbers 25. Rabbi Wolbe highlights the danger of blurring moral lines, as Zimri attempted by bringing a Moabite woman into the Jewish community, comparing it to Rebecca's relief upon learning her conflicting womb movements were due to twins with distinct destinies, not a single confused child. He emphasizes that clarity in commitment to Torah and mitzvahs is crucial, drawing parallels to Haman's and Amalek's attempts to assimilate and confuse the Jewish people, urging listeners to avoid compromise in spiritual matters and to define their stance firmly on the side of holiness and light.Rabbi Wolbe encourages small, intentional steps toward observance without compromising core commitments, using examples like health goals to illustrate the importance of mental resolve even if actions lag. He stresses the need for wisdom to distinguish between holy and unholy, as recited in Havdalah and Talmudic prayers, to avoid confusion. A story of a newly observant Jew publicly affirming their identity as a religious Jew underscores how verbalizing commitment clarifies one's path. Rabbi Wolbe concludes by urging listeners to manifest their spiritual goals through clear identification with Torah values, fostering a deeper connection to God and a purposeful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.38) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Pinchas is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 16, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on July 18, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Pinchas, #SpiritualGrowth, #Commitment, #Torah, #Mitzvot ★ Support this podcast ★

The whole Bible is about Jesus. So what does the Old Testament story of a Moabite girl gleaning in a barley field have to do with Christ? Discover God's hand in the ordinary events of ordinary men and women. Listen to Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘A Study in Ruth' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

The whole Bible is about Jesus. So what does the Old Testament story of a Moabite girl gleaning in a barley field have to do with Christ? Discover God's hand in the ordinary events of ordinary men and women. Listen to Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29

The whole Bible is about Jesus. So what does the Old Testament story of a Moabite girl gleaning in a barley field have to do with Christ? Discover God's hand in the ordinary events of ordinary men and women. Listen to Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29

Parashat Balak [Numbers 22:2-25:9] primarily tells the tale of Balaam the seer, who is commissioned to curse the Israelites, of whom Balak is deathly afraid. Balak's plan does not go as planned, as God has other plans for Balaam, one of which involves the famous talking donkey, a precursor to the perhaps more famous Mr. Ed. According to the rabbis, the mouth of the donkey was created on the eve of the first Shabbat, late in the 6th day of Creation, suggesting that already imbedded in Creation was this talking donkey in order to remove the donkey from the realm of the supernatural. Most of the parashah is taken up with Balaam's four oracles about Israel, concluding with three oracles against the nations. Of particular interest to synagogue goers is Numbers 24:5, which has been incorprorated into the liturgy as the Mah Tovu, the first verse of a paragraph recited upon entering the synagogue for prayer. It is quite striking that this line is uttered for the first time by a non-Jew. The Parashah concludes with the first half of the story about the apostasy at Baal Pe'or. The Israelite men are seduced by Moabite women, which occasions a plague on the Israelite population, which is only stayed when Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the High Priest, kills one such couple [the man is identified as a member of the tribe of Simeon and the woman as a Midianite] in flagrante delicto. This story will be concluded at the beginning of next week's Parashah, which is Parashat Pinchas. We continue to be mindful of all the hostages who remain in Gaza, the dead and the living, may they be restored to their families immediately. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Pastoral intern Ben Phelps concludes his series in Ruth by focusing on Boaz, who in his role as redeemer gives us a beautiful picture of Christ the Redeemer. In this message we learn about the Redeemer's work that leads to the redeemed's welcome, and paving the way for a royal dynasty, all coming from the most unlikely of courses—a Moabite woman named Ruth.

Redemption E4 — During a dark time in ancient Israel, idolatry, injustice, and death ruled the land and its people. In the midst of a famine, a destitute widow tragically loses her husband and adult sons and is left alone with her immigrant daughter-in-law. It's a horrible situation, but God uses the faithful, loving, and generous acts of ordinary community members to redeem the widow's story. In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the cosmic redemption playing out in the short but profound story of Ruth.CHAPTERSRecap and Setup for Ruth (0:00-13:37)A Story Opening in Tragedy (13:37-27:26)In Comes the Redeemer (27:26-38:18)The Redeemer Redeems (38:18-53:43)Ordinary Acts of Love as Cosmic Redemption (53:43-1:04:40)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESYou can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSICFour songs by Jackie Hill Perry“The Art of Joy”“Suffering Servant”“Ode To Lauryn”“Better”BibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In this Bible Story, we learn about the three kings battling against the Moabite rebellion. God honors Israel solely because they aligned themselves with Judah who remained faithful. This story is inspired by 2 King 3. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 3:16 from the King James Version.Episode 130: As the prophet Elisha was teaching in the towns of Israel, and caring for the people, he experienced miracle after miracle. God used him to help oversee the freeing of a widow and her sons, and the healing of a poisoned stew. And the miracles continued with the feeding of 100 men with only 20 loaves of bread, and the miraculous recovery of a sunken axe head. Each of these events showed how God cares about the everyday life and struggles of his people. Something you and I can take comfort in even today.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this sermon, we looked at how the story of Ruth is a profound portrait of redemption, belonging, and grace. As a Moabite woman, Ruth was an outsider to the covenant promises of Israel. After the loss of her husband, she was destined for a forgotten life without hope. Yet through her bold declaration of faith—"Your God will be my God"—she was adopted into God’s family. Then, through the kindness of Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, God restored what had been lost in Ruth's life, weaving her story into the very lineage of Jesus. As believers, this is our story as well. We were once far off, strangers to God's promises, but by faith in Christ, our true Redeemer, we have been brought near. Jesus takes those who are broken, wounded, or forgotten and invites us into His eternal plan of redemption.

We delve into the story of Balaam's wicked advice and the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience. We discuss how Balaam, a pagan prophet, devised a plan to seduce the Israelites into idolatry through Moabite and Midianite women, leading to God's wrath. The episode highlights the zealous actions of Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, who intervened to stop the plague that God had sent as punishment. God responded to Phinehas's decisive actions by granting him a covenant of perpetual priesthood.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.' If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you[a] will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth[b] the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

In this first episode of Rus the Moavite: Loyalty and Royalty, we begin the remarkable journey of Ruth, a Moabite woman whose unwavering devotion reshaped the future of the Jewish people. The podcast opens with an overview of the Book of Ruth, placing the story during the chaotic era of the Judges. We then explore Elimelech's controversial decision to flee Israel during a famine and settle in Moav—a choice that brings dire consequences. His premature death is followed by the marriages of his sons, Machlon and Kilyon, to Moabite women, which eventually ends in further tragedy.The narrative shifts to Noami's return to Israel after losing her husband and sons. In a deeply emotional moment, she urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moav. Orpah ultimately turns back, and her path leads to an unexpected and dark legacy. Rus, on the other hand, clings to Noami with unparalleled loyalty, uttering the now-famous words of commitment. The episode concludes with Rus and Noami arriving in Israel, setting the stage for a story of redemption, faith, and the hidden roots of royalty.00:00 – Introduction to the Story of Ruth02:51 – When Did the Story Happen?04:49 – Elimelech Leaves Israel During Famine11:24 – Elimelech's Punishment12:07 – Machlon and Kilyon Marry Moabite Women15:16 – Machlon and Kilyon Die18:01 – Noami Prepares to Return to Israel24:29 – Noami Urges Daughters-in-Law to Leave Her29:53 – Orpah Turns Back. Her Story Explained37:53 – Rus Clings to Noami41:39 – Rus and Noami Arrive in Israel

The Book of Judges follows a repetitive cycle: Israelites worship idols, God allows enemies to oppress them, they cry out, and God raises a judge like Ehud to deliver them. Ehud, a left-handed man with a disabled right hand, kills the Moabite king Eglon, showing God uses unlikely heroes. God triumphs through our weakness, gives us salvation comes faith, overcomes opposition, and values availability over ability.

Ruth the Moabite said she'd follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, anywhere. That blind devotion has since made her an enduring symbol of loyalty, faith and determination. And, just in time for Shavuot, we're playing a favourite episode of ours from the vault.Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and by signing up for our newsletter at israelstory.org/newsletter/. For more, head to our site or The Times of Israel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daily Dose of Hope May 19, 2025 Day 1 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 1   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you on this Monday, as we start a new week, with both humility and gratefulness.  You are so powerful, so holy, and so wise.  We need you.  We seek you.  We are desperate to hear a word from you today, Lord.  We also know that we have failed over and over again.  Lord, forgive us for our sins, for the ways we fall short.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Jesus, help us stay focused on you and your Word today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start the book of Matthew.  While the author does not identify himself, most scholars agree it was written by Matthew the tax collector.  He actually mentions himself a couple times in the Gospel.  The events in the book take place in the first 40 or so years of the first century.  It was actually written somewhere between 50 and 90AD.   Let's keep in mind that all the Gospel accounts were passed down and taught orally for about 30-40 years before they were written down.  Each Gospel author collected and arranged these accounts to highlight certain themes about Jesus.  Mark, who we just finished, emphasized Jesus' authority.  Matthew, on the other hand, very intentionally uses his Gospel to demonstrate the continuation and fulfillment of the whole Biblical story of God and the people of Israel.  Thus, he emphasizes how Jesus is the Messiah in the line of David, and he focuses on how Jesus is Immanuel (which means in Hebrew, God with us.) Matthew 1 starts with a genealogy.  Sometimes, our inclination is the brush over the genealogies, but this one is pretty unique.  First, we can see the connection between the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus. As we read through the names on the list, we get a picture of God's history of redemption for his people.  Abraham and David are highlights, as both were recipients of God's promises for the people of Israel, significant parts of redemptive history.  Another reason I love this genealogy is that five women are specifically mentioned. This was at a time when women were basically never mentioned in the history of patriarchal societies. And here we are, five very unique and interesting women–Tamar (who was quite tricky to achieve her purpose), Rahab (at one point a prostitute), Ruth (a Moabite), Uriah's wife (Bathsheba), and Mary.   The first four women were Gentiles or married to Gentiles, they were outsiders to a certain extent, and yet they had tenacious faith, the kind that would be critical for faith in Jesus.  This focus on Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba leads to the introduction of Mary.  It's like the author is saying, “Don't discount Mary!”  She may not be who you would expect to be the mother of the Savior of the world but God uses all kinds of people!  God lifts up all kinds of women, those who are proper and those who aren't. What a beautiful reminder that the Gospel is for ALL. Then, we have Joseph's story.  Joseph is probably the most underrated person in the Christmas story. He is like the father of the bride at the wedding. No one notices him yet he gets to help pay for the whole shin-dig. But Joseph is an example of faithful, unquestioning obedience in the middle of fearful, life-altering circumstances.   Scripture says that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph.  Remember, Mary was a very young girl and was probably very poor.  Joseph would have been older than her.  We tend to think of Joseph as a carpenter but really it's more likely he was a general builder. He was from a kind of backwater, remote area of Palestine. He was probably illiterate (education was generally just for merchants and aristocrats at the time). Both Mary and Joseph were humble people from a very humble part of Israel.   Scripture continues, "before they came together, it was found that Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit." Joseph, being a righteous man, faithful to the law, didn't want her to be publicly disgraced so he had decided to divorce her quietly. At the time, when one became engaged, it was much more formal than it is today. Most likely, Joseph had made an agreement with Mary's father, perhaps years earlier, to take Mary as his wife. This would have been a binding agreement. In the eyes of the law, they were as good as married already, even though the relationship had not been consummated.   Mary was found to be pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that all Joseph knows at this time is that she is pregnant. His fiancé is pregnant and he knows the baby isn't his. We don't think much about Joseph's feelings. We focus a lot on Mary (and rightfully so) but Jospeh must have had all kinds of feelings too.  The whole thing must have been crushing for him. He had hopes and dreams. My guess is that he was hurt and betrayed. Despite that, he doesn't fly into an angry rage or have a desire to hurt Mary even though this would have amounted to adultery in their culture.   Joseph had compassion. He doesn't want to bring additional shame onto Mary if he can help it. Part of this could have been that Joseph was older than Mary. He might have known that a girl of that age didn't really have much control over her sexuality in that culture. Joseph is in a predicament. He wants to be faithful to the law, so he can no longer marry her, but yet he doesn't want to humiliate her either. So he decides to quietly divorce her, not make too much of a big deal about it. Regardless, Mary would face humiliation and be ostracized. That was the nature of the situation.   But before Joseph breaks off the engagement, he goes home and goes to sleep. It's always good to sleep on big decisions. While he is sleeping, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream and says, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” And here is the amazing thing. Scripture says that when he woke up, Joseph did what the angel told him and took Mary as his wife. If Joseph had doubts, they weren't recorded. If he made excuses, we certainly don't know about them. It appears he was simply obedient.    It's worth mentioning that the angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to marry Mary because the baby she is carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We know that Mary was risking a lot, but Joseph was also taking big risks here. He also will make some pretty significant sacrifices. People are generally pretty good at counting and they would know that the baby was conceived before they got married. He also faces being ostracized and being an outcast in his community. It was scary! What would their lives look like? What would their families do? What would become of them? Joseph models for us that we can be obedient in spite of fear. He did what was commanded of him, even when it was hard.   Being obedient to God doesn't always look like we want it to look. Let's be real. We want being obedient to God to be a good job with a comfortable salary, a nice home, good schools for our kids, plenty of leisure time and fun activities, a fairly decent social standing, and occasional church attendance. For most of us, if we are honest, that's what we want obedience to God to look like the typical American dream.  But we learn from Joseph is that obedience to God might not always make sense, it might not be popular, and it might not be comfortable.   Obedience to God may also require sacrifice. In the case of Joseph, obedience may have cost him his reputation and his place in the community. We know that later it means he has to drop everything to go to Bethlehem for a census. Then, he has to go to Egypt to keep the baby safe from an evil king. This probably wasn't what Joseph envisioned for his young family.   When God calls us to something, there are often things we have to give up. Joseph gave up stability and safety. Think about what God has called you to. Maybe God has called you to minister to someone and give up your time. Maybe God has called you to share your faith with your neighbor, coworker, or that person at the gym and risk rejection. Maybe God has called you to volunteer in a specific area or give sacrificially to a mission partner. Maybe God has called you to go back to school, change jobs, reconcile with an estranged friend or family member. Maybe God has called you to full-time ministry. However God has called you (and I can guarantee he has called you in some way), it typically involves some kind of sacrifice, discomfort, and hard work. Being obedient to God doesn't always look like we want it to look.   The last thing I'll mention is that God calls us to obey even when we are fearful of the future. This is so hard but God calls us to obey through the fear. We trust that if God has called us to it, God will see us through it. What I've come to learn is that obedience and trust go hand in hand.   Have a wonderful Monday.  We will chat again tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Ruth 2:15-23 English Standard Version 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah[a] of barley. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

An undocumented alien from a nearby country changes the course of history for an Israelite woman.In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker will examine the life and love of a Moabite widow who left her own family and her own faith practices to care for a woman named Naomi. In the process, she came to worship the Lord God, married her "redeemer," and became an ancestor of Jesus.If you enjoy this podcast and make it a regular part of your week, would you consider helping us with your support? Thank you!

In this message, we will explore how God strategically places us to both care for others and be cared for, as seen in the book of Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite widow, finds herself in Bethlehem, where she receives provision through Boaz and becomes a blessing to Naomi. This story reminds us that we are never where we are by accident - God positions us with purpose. PRAYERText FATHOM to 97000 if you would like a member of our prayer team to pray with or for you.NEXT STEPSAre you ready to learn more about what it means to walk with Christ, get baptized, or get connected within the church body? Click here to complete our digital connect card: https://fathom.churchcenter.com/people/forms/31883GOT QUESTIONS?Learn more about Fathom Church at http://fathom.church/WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!If you are looking for more encouragement and biblical teaching throughout the week, we hope you'll follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or download the Churchcenter app: https://churchcenter.com/setupMORE WAYS TO LISTEN:Fathom Beyond Sunday Podcast - Takes the Sunday sermon a bit further in conversation and application - listen in on an engaging chat between leaders at Fathom discussing faith, life, and how we can carry the truth of the word taught on Sunday into our week Monday through Saturday.Fathom Family Podcast - Real talk on how to build a Godly marriage that is in it for the long haul while leading your kids toward their God-given potential and purpose in Christ.See all the ways to listen here: http://fathom.church/category/listen/

## Exploring the Legacy of Boaz: A Family Legend In the second episode of the "Family Legend" series, we delve into the story of Boaz from the Book of Ruth. This sermon explores the characteristics that define a family legend and how we can leave a God-honoring legacy for future generations. ### The Legend of Boaz and Ruth The story of Boaz, found in the Book of Ruth, is a tale of faith, providence, and legacy. During a time of famine, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth return to Bethlehem after suffering great loss. Ruth, a Moabite, pledges her loyalty to Naomi, famously stating, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay" (**Ruth 1:16-17**). Upon their return, they encounter Boaz, a man of standing and integrity, who plays a pivotal role in their story. ### Characteristics of a Family Legend The sermon outlines four key characteristics that Boaz exemplified, which we can cultivate to become legends for our families: 1. **Prayerful**: Boaz's life was steeped in prayer, even in his greetings and interactions. His blessing upon his workers and his prayer for Ruth's well-being were sincere acts of faith. "May the Lord repay you for what you have done" (**Ruth 2:12**). 2. **Perceptive**: Boaz noticed Ruth, a foreigner, working in his fields. His awareness of her presence and situation highlights the importance of being perceptive and attentive to the needs around us. 3. **Protective**: Understanding the potential dangers Ruth faced, Boaz ensured her safety by instructing his men not to harm her and providing her with water. This reflects the protective nature legends must embody to safeguard their families. 4. **Provider**: Boaz empowered Ruth by allowing her to glean in his fields, respecting her dignity and encouraging her independence. He provided opportunities rather than handouts, fostering growth and faith in God. ### Lessons in Legacy The overarching message is that legends are those who fear God and prioritize the well-being of others over mere happiness. Boaz's actions were not just about meeting needs but about creating opportunities for Ruth to experience God's provision and grow in faith. His life serves as a template for how we can influence our families positively through: - **Prayer**: Inviting God into every aspect of life, trusting Him to work in the lives of those we love. - **Perception**: Being aware and attentive to the needs and situations of our family members. - **Protection**: Safeguarding our loved ones from harm and guiding them through life's challenges. - **Provision**: Empowering others to stand on their own, fostering independence and faith. ### Conclusion Boaz's story teaches us that a true family legend is someone who leaves a legacy of faith and integrity. By cultivating these characteristics, we can inspire our families to follow God and live lives of purpose and significance. As Boaz was to Ruth and Naomi, we too can be guiding lights, pointing our loved ones to the path of righteousness and God's enduring love. For more insights, you can explore the full story in the [Book of Ruth](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1-4&version=NIV).

Ruth 2:15-23 English Standard Version 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah[a] of barley. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied.19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

In this Bible Story, Lot's daughters trick their father into sleeping with them in order to carry on the bloodline. These children would eventually become the Moabite and Ammonite nations. This story is inspired by Genesis 19:30-38. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year. Today's Bible verse is Genesis 19:30 from the King James Version. Episode 13: Lot and his daughters have escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by God's grace and kindness, but, as they hid in the cave at Zoar, wickedness was not far behind. Lot's daughter's longing for children, stuck in a cave, decided to get their father drunk enough that they could each take turns sleeping with him. Their plan worked, but the sons they bore became enemies of Abraham's descendants for generations to come. Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham. Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living. Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max Bard Producer: Ben Gammon Hosted by: Pastor Jack Graham Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith Bible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.