Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited His people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, “Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.” And Naomi said, “Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;’ would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Ruth 1:6-14
sons
Hear God’s Words
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Jesus was spending time telling the religious leaders of their unbelief. They claimed to love Moses and the Law; also claiming to be children of Abraham. Though they were biological descendants of Abraham Jesus was confronting them concerning their spiritual connection with Abraham. They had none.
The message from Jesus for us today is this. Just because you were born in a Christian household does not make you a Christian. A friend of mine once told me this, “God does not have any grandchildren.” Those who believe in Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus are sons and daughters of God – born again by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The evidence you are a child of God is clearly explained in Jesus’s words above. We hear His word and do them. We believe His word and put them to work in our lives.
How about you? Have you been born again? Do you believe the word of God concerning what He has said about Jesus His only begotten Son? If you do not, then you are not a child of God, but a child of wrath, and doomed eternally.
You can call on the name of Jesus right now, turning from sin and unbelief, to the Lord Jesus Christ believing Him.
Love and Discipline
Every parent has entered parenthood completely inexperienced. O how we can mess things up. We make many mistakes. I am so thankful that God has given us a manual for raising children. It is called the Bible; but it is so much more than a manual for raising children.
The book Proverbs is of a father instructing his son in the way of life and living in wisdom and knowledge. So many times we neglect the teaching of children in the way of God, and give them many instructions, and disciplines for finances, marriage, and making a living. If we teach them discipline in the things of God, then they can better learn to discipline themselves in those other matters.
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: for whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:11-12 (KJV)
I have heard parents say, “I want to be a friend to my child”, and I guess they suppose that being a friend to their child will cause that child to love them more. First you were given a child to be their parent, their teacher, their leader, their commanding officer; you get the point.
Sometimes you need to give an erring child a good warm butt-warming as a loving parent.
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Proverbs 13:24
You are not loving your child by overlooking their rebellion, their bad language, or their rudeness and disobedience to you or any who are in authority. Being a loving parent means you will teach them respect for yourself, and others in places of authority.
We also need to realize as adults that we ourselves are under authority, and must be respectful to the authorities. If we are not we will pay the consequences for it. Disrespect will gain us chastening, some form of discipline such as a speeding ticket, a fine for not wearing a seat belt; or for something more serious maybe time in jail or prison.
As a Christian we should appreciate the chastening of the LORD. It is because He loves us that He chastens us. His discipline shows us, and is proof that He loves us. It shows that He has the best plan for our life, and that He will get us to the place He wants us. Let me remind you of the letter to the Hebrews words…
“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:6-11
Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ believe on Him today and become a regenerated child of God.
The Archers Arrow of Accuracy
“And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.” 1 Chronicles 8:40 (KJV)
The names of this genealogy are of the lineage of Benjamin. This genealogy from chapter one through ten is of the returning remnant from the Babylonian captivity; that they might remember who goes where, and proof of ownership of any land in the land of Promise.
It is noted by the above verse that the “sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers…” What is valor? It can be defined as bravery in the face of seeming defeat; it is courage when it seems that defeat is inevitable. That is what Christians need in the world today.
Christian men, especially need to step up and stand in the face of the enemy; whatever that enemy may be; whoever that enemy may be; and we know the enemy of us all is the devil himself. He hates Christ Jesus, he hates Christians who love Jesus more than life itself. Christian men and women need to stand in this day.
Ulam’s sons must have been excellent archers, being recognized for it in Scriptures. May God Jehovah direct every word to accomplish that which He pleases in the hearts of men and women.
The LORD Has Done that Which He Spoke
“And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king’s sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which He spake by His servant Elijah.” 2 Kings 10:8-10 (KJV)
The purpose of Scripture is to glorify the LORD God. Through Scripture we see God’s working through the people He chooses, and loves, and through those who hate Him too.
Through Jehu the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah the prophet was fulfilled just as the prophet had spoken (1 Kings 21:17-29). God will never leave undone any word that He has ever spoken. He shall bring it to pass.
The self-righteous among us will declare that this judgment is horrible. How can a god like this be a god of love? If God does not judge evil, how could He be a God of love? Would be a more viable question in my thinking.
Some of the self-righteous thinking people may even think, “The god of the Old Testament is different from the god of the New Testament.” Not so. Look how God dealt with sin in the New Testament. He gave His own and only Son to die for our sins; and He is the One who slew Him. “God has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” “Smitten of God and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:5-6). And Jesus Himself as He was dying for our sins cried out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” (Matthew 27:46)
Who are we; finite beings; that we should or could question, or accuse the Infinite GOD?
GOD will fulfill every word. Not one word will fall to the earth, or return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
Safeguard with the King
“And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests. And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.” 1 Samuel 22:20-23 (KJV)
It would be very helpful to your understanding to read at least chapters 21 -22 of this reading.
King Saul had become very jealous of David. He was one of those who desired credit even if he did not do it, because he was the leader; he was the king.
Saul had ordered the death of the LORD’S priest, about 85 of them, because they had aided David with bread and a sword. One of the priests escapes and goes to David. Abiathar, and David provides him safety.
David is basically not running from the king because he fears him. David does not desire to kill king Saul. He is the Lord’s anointed king for the time. God will handle that problem in His own timing.
With David being protected by the Divine power of God, there is no safer place to be than with David and his men.
There is a place of safety for you today. That place is in the hands, and the heart and mind of the Son of David. The soon coming; soon to reign King Jesus.
The Fire and Hammer 