Tanakh (Old Testament) Reading
Ruth 1 – 2
Ruth 3 – 4; Psalm 37
1 Samuel 1 – 2; Psalm 120
1 Samuel 3 – 5; Psalm 23
1 Samuel 6 – 8
B’rit Hadashah (New Covenant, or New Testament) Reading
Acts 3
Acts 4
Acts 5
Acts 6
Acts 7
Thoughts about Ruth 1 through 4
We’re in my favorite part of the Tanakh! I love the life of David, so reading Ruth is a great prelude; she’s his great-grandmother.
Do you have any thoughts about Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, Chilion, Orpah, Ruth, and Boaz? I was reading this book while waiting to see a doctor, and decided to quit. I was a little embarrassed by the tears in my eyes. It’s a wonderful story.
Thoughts about Psalms 37, 120, and 23
Psalm 37 is famous for verses four and five, “Commit your way …”
Psalm 120 is a “song of ascents.” It sounds like David to me.
When is the right time to read the twenty-third psalm? Any time!
Do you have any comments about these beautiful psalms?
Thoughts about 1 Samuel 1 through 8
Did I mention that we’re in my favorite part of the Tanakh? We meet Elkanah, Peninnah, Hannah, and Samuel. We meet Eli and his despicable sons. We see God warning Eli and his sons—once through an unnamed man of God and once through directly to young Samuel—with no repentance. We see Samuel grow up and become a godly man. We see the loss of the Ark of the Covenant in warfare against the Philistines, along with the death of 30,000 soldiers of Israel. Hophni and Phinehas die in that battle, then Eli dies when he hears the news. It’s very sad.
We can assume that the Israelites were horrified about the loss of the Ark—what will happen to us now? … are we still God’s people?—but God was at no disadvantage. We enjoy reading of the terror and destruction Adonai brought to the enemies of his people. We see mama cows leaving behind their calves as they pull the cart carrying the ark to the Land where it belongs. There is great rejoicing! The Ark came back to Beth-shemesh! Then there is great sorrow when Adonai put to death people who looked into the Ark. Finally, the Ark is moved to Kiriath-jearim, where it stays for a long time.
We see Samuel leading a revival. We see him asking for God’s help in further warfare against the Philistines, and God’s miraculous intervention. We see Samuel as leader/judge of the nation, for the rest of his life. Finally, we see him as an old man who failed to raise godly sons; when he set them up as judges, they proved themselves to be corrupt. Because of this, the people ask for—demand!—a king, not because they read about it in the Torah, but so that they could be like the other nations. There’s a lot packed into this week’s reading. Any thoughts?
Thoughts about Acts 3 through 7
Our pastors are currently teaching through the Books of Acts, so we have a lot to ponder as we read these chapters. They are packed with action and God’s intervention. This section ends with the martyrdom of Stephen. Sad, but glorious. What do you think?
5 replies on “2021 Week Sixteen — April 25 through May 1”
I always liked the book of Ruth. Classic human drama. Maybe not drama; simply life in those days. 3300 years and the human condition has not changed.
A very moving story, and told in a very straightforward manner. There’s a lot of cultural information here-one feels much more informed about the customs of the day than we can get from archeology.
Ruth and Boaz
Did they or didn’t they?
Regardless, the intent was premarital.
I think the interesting thing, to me, is whether premarital relations was against social etiquette.
In the context of the Bible, the requirement for sexual restraint before marriage, and the requirement for fidelity within marriage, should have been well known. However, this took place during the time of the judges, when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” They had the Torah, but most didn’t obey it.
Ruth’s statement “… 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…” is the formula still used today when gentiles convert to Judaism. She was from a very different culture, so her training regarding sexual matters was probably NOT in accordance with the Torah.
Ruth did what Naomi told her to do, which was to ask Boaz to cover her: “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” That is, she let him know that she was available for marriage, and willing to marry him.
Boaz is portrayed as a godly man:
“The LORD be with you!” (2:4)
But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (2:11,12)
My understanding is that he didn’t take advantage of Ruth. He was honorable, and went to work the next day, doing what it took to marry her.
So to answer the question: yes, they did; after the wedding. They had a baby named Obed; a grandson named Jesse, and a great-grandson named David. It’s a wonderful story.
Psalm 37 is a comfort knowing God will take a hand in stopping evil. And He will be the best judge of what to do about it since He knows every aspect and even the thoughts of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, we can be confident He is watching over us for our good. Pity those who don’t trust in God but find themselves in the hands of evil people.