What this blog is about and what I hope it does...

I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?

So, my intent is for this blog to be a tool that helps us in our faith. A forum for better understanding. An honest place of sharing that nurtures us as we follow Jesus together.

(There are a few resources I have included under "PAGES" that may be a helpful start, especially to those newer to reading the Bible. It's located just below this and to the right. Also included is a READING OUTLINE. If you miss a day, go on to the next rather than trying to catch up.)

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4.11.2010

FOR MONDAY Reading #3 (Ruth 1:6-18)

For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1%3A6-18&version=NIV

How would you contrast the Ruth and Orpah?
How would you describe how Naomi understands God based on what she says and does in this passage?
What could you say about Naomi based on how she deals with and talks with her two daughters-in-law?
What do you make of Ruth's theology?

Other observations, questions, possible applications.
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3 comments:

  1. DocApril 12, 2010 at 6:57 AM

    Naomi believes that all that happens is a result of God's blessing or withholding of favor .
    Is that determinism ?

    I think Orpah is like most of us . I might well have gone back to my family and familiar gods.

    You gotta hand it to Ruth . Abandoning her old gods and choosing to follow God. I think we need to choose to follow God on a daily basis .She is a great example for all of us.

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  2. MattApril 12, 2010 at 8:55 PM

    Good question, Doc. Fine line between determinism, and sovereignty...biblical sovereignty seems to allow for personal freedom in most circumstances, but never in a way that thwarts the will of God. Hard determinism (a philosophical position) does not allow for any personal freedom. Seems to me the book of Ruth implies that there is at least some measure of personal freedom, though all within God's activity (famine, birth, etc.) But this passage for me pushes me to think beyond what is reasonable (Orpah) and to lean toward radical faithfulness (Ruth); a kind of faithfulness that is not so easy to defend or explain, but it reflects how God is toward us...not bailing on us just because we are off base, sin, focused on self, etc.

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  3. MattApril 12, 2010 at 9:00 PM

    Verses 11-13 especially seem to reflect how most of us think. Very reasonable. Very sensible. But when set next to Ruth's response in verses 16-17, I recognize how self-focused our reasonable and sensible logic is. Yet it's not condemned in this book, or berated...after all, it is incredible understandable. But Ruth like our God who sometimes does the irrational thing by being faithful toward those who have not been faithful to Him...grace!

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