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Reading 1 - Ruth 3 & 4
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3
v.11 - The phrase 'virtuous
woman' is only found here outside Proverbs, linking it quite clearly
with the words of Solomon in Prov.31. Peter Cresswell |
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4
v.13 - Let us remember that children are from the Lord. Peter Cresswell |
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3
v.15
The use of the vail in Scripture is interesting. These are all of the
occasions where a vail is used as a covering. Notice the first relates
to meeting a man and the second two relate to a widow. [Genesis
24:65 38:14 19] Of course the word for vail occurs may more times
but typically with reference to the tabernacle or Solomon's temple whilst
the New Testament uses typically relate to Moses' face shining. 4
v. 3-6 Whilst
the near kinsman seemed willing to have the inheritance of Naomi he was
unwilling to take Ruth and raise up seed. Maybe he was concerned because
she was a Moabitess, or maybe he saw his own family needs as taking precedence
over the law. |
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3:11 That Ruth was a 'virtuous woman' echoed in Proverbs 31:10 shows us that this description in Proverbs is not speaking of a particular woman - but that the virtuous woman is in fact the ecclesia. The characteristics of Ruth - and the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 should be seen in the ecclesia. 4:18-22 The 'family tree' here given is matched exactly in Matthew 1
Further
reinforcing the point that the life of Ruth typifies the call of the gentiles
as the bridge of Christ. |
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3:2-5 The way that Naomi spoke to Ruth about Boaz being a 'near kinsman' indicates that Ruth knew what the law of Moses said about raising up seed to the dead brother. Her behaviour in the latter verses of this chapter should be read in that light, especially as Boaz speaks to Ruth in a similar way (:12-13) ch 4
- The 'near kinsman' here is behaving rather like Onan - another of the
tribe of Judah (Genesis
38:4). One might have thought this 'near kinsman' might have learnt
from the example of Onan. |
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Reading 2 - Isaiah 45
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v.
7 - We have a reference here back to creation. Notice that having created
light and darkness, he then separates the two. Gen1:4.
This moves us on to the light that we can experience in the face of Jesus
Christ - 2Cor.4:6. Peter Cresswell |
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v.4
- Again we see God calling Israel by name, and sadly they don't know it.
God calls all of us who turn to Him by name. He knows us personally - amazing
as this seems to us, having only the ability to know a handful of folk so
well - and He sees to our every need. This degree of love, which spreads
even to giving us eternal life, starts by knowing our name. We have to respond,
as Israel did not. We have to recognise His saving grace and worship at
His footstool. Peter Cresswell |
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v.1
- The mention of Cyrus by name troubles those who deny the existence
of God - they suggest that this part of Isaiah was written after the end
of the Babylonian domination. However we know that our God is capable of
[Isaiah
46:10] Declaring
the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not
yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure Peter Forbes |
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:22-25
So Israel - and the gentiles for that matter - are invited to look to God
because the idols are vanity. God has provided salvation in the person of
His son 'that at the knee
swear' Romans
14:11 Philippians 2:10 Peter Forbes |
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CHOSEN
BY GOD - Imagine the surprise, astonishment and awe that Cyrus must
have felt when he was shown this prophecy. It was written by Isaiah long
before Cyrus was named - or even born! It described Cyrus's life's work
in such detail that Cyrus had no alternative but to sit up and take note
of what God had to say to him about returning the Jews back into their land.
He learnt that he was a chosen vessel in God's plan. We too have been chosen before we were even born. Most of us have not been named in the Word as far as we can see, but we have certainly been chosen and predestinated in the same way as Cyrus was. Paul tells us this in Ephesians, "God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestinated us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ." (Eph 1 v 3 - 5) And in Romans 8 v 28, we read that "for those God foreknew he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son." And Peter also says in the introduction to his first letter, To God's elect ... who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God ... for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood." (1 Peter 1 v 1 - 2) God chose Cyrus, and Cyrus completed the task God had set him. God has also chosen us to become like Jesus, to be holy and blameless and to obey. Let us make sure we complete the task God has given us. Robert Prins |
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Reading 3 - Revelation 1 & 2
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1
v. 3 - We have here an instruction to be sure to read this prophecy,
and it can be extended, surely, to refer to the whole of scripture. The
point here is that we should not just read, but hear, and keep. The word
keep 5083
carries the idea of looking after something that is very precious (like
a jewel) very carefully so that it shouldn't get lost. Peter Cresswell |
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Overview. Many view the Revelation as a book of symbols and very difficult to understand. The focus of my comments as we look at the Revelation is to highlight elements of exhortation which flow from the book and which are timeless in their application. 1
v.3 - 'keep
those words ...' indicates that the book contains instruction which
can be practised in life. The lessons which flow from the book can be
viewed as aspects of 'living the truth'. 2
v.10 - In speaking
of tribulation for 'ten
days' Jesus is reminding his readers that Daniel and his friends,
who ate pulse for ten days because of their faith in God were delivered.
[Daniel
1:12,14,15] |
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ch 1
ch 2
These
three quotations from Arts 15 demonstrate that the Judaising influence
of the early first century was a real problem in two of the gentile ecclesias
in Asia. |
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1:9 If, as tradition has it, John was on Patmos as a prisoner he speaks lightly of his situation - likening his situation to that of those who are free to whom he wrote. ch 2
- Jesus wrote to seven ecclesias in Asia. Why ecclesias in Asia? Maybe
an indication is that 'all Asia' had forsaken Paul. (2
Timothy 1:15) |
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YOUR
FIRST LOVE At a recent weekend family camp one of the topics of discussion was to compare courting days with our current marriage. During courtship we gave gifts, opened doors for our future partner, talked to each other, held hands and all the other things courting couples always do. The question was: Do we still do the nice things we did while we were courting now that we are married?. Why not? What has changed? In the same way that many marriages change and have less spark as they grow older, so it can happen to our love for God. The same question applies. When we first gave ourselves to him we were enthusiastic, we read the Bible all the time, we were joyful for our salvation and had the peace of forgiveness. What has happened? Do we still do the things we did then? Why not? What has changed? The church in Ephesus was troubled with loosing their first love and they didn't even realise it. The warning Jesus gave them is a warning for us as well"You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Robert Prins |
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