Through the Bible in 66 Days - Ruth

 

The book of Ruth is a delightful story that starts with tragedy and ends with romance. Jewish people love this book as the story is significant because Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of King David, connecting the story to the royal line and the messianic plan.

It is also an account of how goods things can come out of bad. The storyline starts with the spotlight on a family who made some bad choices, experienced heartbreaking trauma and discovered that material prosperity is not the most important thing in life. It looks as if Elimilech (the husband of Naomi) moved to Moab originally on a temporary basis while there was a famine back in Bethlehem. Some would feel this was a prudent move as he relocated to provide for his family but he was leaving behind the place that God had promised to bless His people if they would trust and obey Him.

The next stage of the story is a lesson in loyalty, love and hard work. Ruth the widowed daughter in law of Naomi (who is also a widow) moves back to the land of Naomi’s nativity. She is kind to her mother in law and discovers and experiences kindness in the fields of Bethlehem. Interestingly this stage of the story is based in Bethlehem and Ruth becomes one of the ancestors of the Lord Jesus who would be born in Bethlehem.

As the story reaches its climax we are introduced to Boaz. He is a wealthy and influential land owner and farmer. It looks as if he is a mature man who until this stage has been single. The romance unfolds as he is wooed and won by Ruth, and as a near kinsman (close relative) agrees to purchase everything that belongs to Ruth’s deceased husband. In keeping with the Jewish tradition of the time that included marrying Ruth and dedicating their first child her first husband.

The devotion and willingness of Boaz to love a women who is not an Israelite and an an outsider is a lovely picture of what the Lord Jesus would do for those who come to love Him and trust Him. This offer of His love and grace is made to every human as we are described in scripture as the enemies of God, Romans 5. 10. He by His death on the cross declared in graphic terms His love and made a payment to cancel our sin. He brings those who repent and believe into an eternal relationship of love and grace.

Main scripture to refer to

Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

50 days until Christmas

Did you know that on the 5th of November, there will be 50 days to Christmas? November 5th is a noisy, colourful time of the year and heralds the end of the Autumn season. For me, it can be an evening to drive around certain areas of Swansea whilst pulling over to enjoy a hot dog…or two or, quite simply, sharing a bag of chips with a flask of tea and the windows slightly down. The sights and smells have been so familiar since my childhood days and are a real highlight and something to look forward to.

Halloween would have been and gone and Harvest would have also been celebrated in the midst of the colourful carpet of leaves that continue to fall from trees. Harvest is that time of year to reflect on how food is produced and its journey from farm gate to kitchen plate.

Do you have an anchor in your life?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

Do you have an anchor in your life? 

Today, we are familiar with logos, icons, and symbols. They are a simple way of conveying a message. For example, most of us know what the symbol for Wi-Fi is, and when we see a red cross, we know that there is help available for an emergency. One of the early symbols of Christianity was an anchor. For Christians, Christ is the unfailing hope of all who believe in him. Pictured on the epitaphs of first-, second-, and third-century believers, it symbolized the hope they had for this life and the next, and so the symbol of the anchor was adopted as the symbol of hope. The anchor was also regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety. In the Bible, the gospel message teaches us how we can be ‘safe’ or ‘saved’. 

The El Niño weather pattern

 

We live in days when so much information is available to us and even then we know so little about the total knowledge available.  In July 2023 it was announced by the World Meteorological Organisation that El Niño was confirmed which is a weather pattern that has worldwide effects.  Such an occurrence is not new and has been known for many generations. It was given its name in the 1600s when Peruvian fishermen noticed that the water was warmer around Christmas time and this affected the weather and reduced their catch of fish.  They gave the phenomenon the name of ‘El Niño de Navidad’ which simply means ‘the Christmas Boy’. 

An El Niño is usually announced when surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean near the equator increase by half a degree centigrade over a three month period.  Such occurrences happen every two to seven years and can last from nine to twelve months.  Usually in the Pacific the trade winds move from east to west and so move warm water towards Australia and S.E. Asia.  The warm water is replaced by cold water from the depths of the ocean which is nutrient-rich and the process is known as ‘upwelling’.  During an El Niño for reasons which are not fully known the process is reversed and great masses of warm water flow to the east and reach the Americas.  The result is that normally dry areas of Peru, Chile, Mexico and as far north as SW USA are deluged with rain.  This can produce landslides and leave many people homeless.