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June 21

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
4 v.13 - Let us remember that children are from the Lord.
Peter Cresswell

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.
3 v.18 The concept of sitting or standing still is seen in the following passages as indicating a willingness to wait for the Lord to act in His own good time. [Exodus 14:13 Numbers 9:8 1 Samuel 9:27 2 Chronicles 20:17 Psalm 37:3 - 5 Isaiah 28:16]

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.
4 v.4 The method of dealing with the inheritance is seen to match that of Abraham buying the cave of for the burial of Sarah. [Genesis 23:18] And also the way in which Jeremiah redeemed the field in Anathoth. [Jeremiah 32:7 - 9 10 - 12 25] The details of the law regarding redeeming a parcel of ground is found in. [Leviticus 25:25 - 29]
Peter Forbes

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

Pharez
|
Hezron
|
Ram
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Aminadab
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Nahshon
|
Salmon
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Boaz
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Obed
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Jesse
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David
Phares
|
Esron
|
Aram
|
Aminadab
|
Naason
|
Salmon
|
Booz
|
Obed
|
Jesse
|
David

Further reinforcing the point that the life of Ruth typifies the call of the gentiles as the bridge of Christ.
Peter Forbes

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.
Peter Forbes

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
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
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
: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
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

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

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'.
1 v.7 - 'seven churches of Asia' It was 'all they which are in Asia' which had turned away from Paul. [2 Timothy 1:15]. That Jesus wrote specifically to them indicates that he is always seeking repentance.

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]
Peter Forbes

ch 1

the faithful witness
Psa 89:37
the Firstbegotten
Psa 89:27
the prince of the kings of the earth
Psa 89:27


Notice the three quotations from Psalm 89. This Psalm is an exposition of the promises to David. Therefore the use in Revelation 1 highlights the fact that Jesus is a fulfilment of the promises to David

ch 2

eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication
Acts 15:29
eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication
Acts 15:29
I will put upon you none other burden
Acts 15:28

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.
Peter Forbes

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)
Peter Forbes

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