Lesson Notes. Ruth Chapter 1-2 Providential Hope for the Hurting. August 26, 2012 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

Transcription

1 Lesson Notes Ruth Chapter 1-2 Providential Hope for the Hurting August 26, 2012 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

2 A Study of the Book of Ruth (Providential Hope for the Hurting) Intro.: It has become apparent that there are many Christians who are going through very difficult times. The extent of suffering that many are experiencing is over whelming. The book of Ruth is one of the best illustrations of God s providential care of His children and the commitment to His covenant with Israel. Read: Ruth 1:1-13 Providence: pro means before; videos - means to see. Defined- the foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth; especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence. Summary: it means that God sees things before they happen and orchestrates His kingdom accordingly Sovereignty seems to be the position of God; whereas providence seems to be the process by which God exercises His sovereignty. God providence does not contradict our free-will. o Free will should be understood as libertarian free will - Libertarian free will means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God. Libertarian freedom is, therefore, the freedom to act contrary to one's nature, predisposition and greatest desires. Responsibility, in this view, always means that one could have done otherwise. Free means uncaused. Man has free will, and his decisions are influenced, but not caused. God limits the actions of men, but not their mind or will. Consider the account of Joseph and his brothers: They put him in a well/hole; a Ishmaelite caravan just happens to come by; Joseph ends up in Egypt Author and theologian Ron Highfield puts it best when he states, God s providential and saving actions even when they overrule and defeat our misguided and sinful intentions are designed to liberate us from sin and death. Even if we cannot explain how God works in providence to accomplish His will perfectly, we can now see that the objection that such a view of providence contradicts human freedom and responsibility...possesses no biblical warrant. God s providential hand of direction and protection is often not seen physically, but is seen circumstantially as events unfold.

3 Consider the book of Esther; God s name is never mentioned, yet His finger prints are on every page of the story. From Esther being chosen to Haman being hanged. Background: Author of the book is not known; some believe it to be Samuel The story of Ruth takes place towards the end of the time of the judges. It was a time of rampant immorality. Because of this immorality, God sent a famine. It is a story about God s hesed which is Hebrew for loving-kindness, and mercy It is a story about a faithful remnant in the mist of apostasy It is a story about the providential work of God on behalf of his children and for His divine purposes. God makes no personal appearances in this book; there are no prophets and divine messages yet God s hand is all over the book. Vs. 1:1 -Famines were usually the result of God s judgment for disobedience When God wants to get the attention of a nation, He will touch its livelihood. Usually, His judgment touches His children in that land. This particular family sought to deliver themselves from God s judgment The Israelites were commanded to stay in the land. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (from his older daughter; Gen 19:30-37) You cannot run from God s judgment! You ll find yourself out of the frying pan and into the fire! Vs. 1:2 Meaning of names: Elimelech name means: God is King; Naomi means: Pleasant, lovely; Mahlon means: Sickly; Chilion: Failing Perhaps God judged Elimelech for leaving the land. Maybe Elimelech was industrious & ambitious, but He obviously didn t trust God. If your confidence is in your ability to provide for yourself God will usually take your material possessions away. Vs. 1:6-13 God provides for Israel and Naomi. God is merciful and He has said I will not remain angry with my children forever. Naomi says that, the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me. Psalms 109:21 God used the women to care for and to comfort Naomi in the loss of her husband and sons. Vs. 1:14-18 Ruth s conversion Naomi s family s faith led to Ruth s conversion.

4 Moabites worshiped Chemosh Ruth s statement is a confirmation of her faith in Yahweh God in turn, used Ruth to provide for Naomi. God is ALWAYS at work! Vs. 1: Bitterness is the wrong response to God s judgment (see verses 19-22) Naomi blamed God for her situation She did not accept responsibility for what her family had done. She felt that God was dealing with her unfairly Naomi is developing a spirit of bitterness There is no indication that Naomi prayed and asked God for help. The name change was her way of disassociating with God. Mara means bitter Bitterness towards God is the path of self-destruction: physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, etc. The remedy for bitterness towards God: (Dr. Stanley s series entitled Waiting On God ) Confession of disrespectful statements (Psalm 51) Pray for courage to wait on God Pray for trust to wait on God Meditate on scripture: Lamentations 3:21-33, Psalm 25, Psalm 37, Isaiah 41:21 Chapter 2 We see the sovereign hand of God more clearly ( see chapter 2:1-3) God was directing Ruth behind the scene. In chapter 2 we see the sovereign providential hand of God providing (see verses 1-13) God guided Ruth the privilege to Boaz s field Boaz was the son of Rahab the harlot! God gave Ruth favor with Boaz. God gave Ruth a good name vs 11 Take aways: God is always at work in your life even when you don t realize it (Daniel and the angel) God could always judge us more harshly but He chooses to show grace and mercy Bitterness towards God is the path of destruction- physically, emotionally, psychologically, etc. Jesus said, I will never forsake you Conclusion: Look for God in your daily trials!!!

5 Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, a former part-time volunteer for D.C. s LGBT community center, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday to three charges related to last week s shooting at the downtown D.C. headquarters of the Family Research Council, one of the nation s leading anti-gay groups. D.C. police and FBI agents apprehended Corkins minutes after he allegedly walked into the lobby of the FRC building and told FRC security officer Leo Johnson I don t like your politics before firing a handgun and hitting Johnson in the arm, according to an arrest affidavit filed in court. Johnson and other security officials wrestled the gun away from him and subdued him, the affidavit says. Johnson is expected to fully recover from his injury related to the shooting. D.C. police and FBI officials said the discovery of 50 rounds of ammunition and 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches in a backpack Corkins brought to the FRC building led them to believe he may have planned a mass killing if Johnson had not prevented him from gaining access to the FRC offices. Were these FRC employees luck or blessed? Ideally, they were recipients of God s providential care.

6 Notes (What is the Lord saying to me, and how do I apply it to my life?)

7 Author Bio An energetic, talented, and Spirit-controlled teacher, Darryl J. Dawson, Sr. - a 2011 seminary graduate and former youth pastor - keeps it real. Honest, open and transparent, he makes it easy to open up and have a lively discussion by sharing his own struggles, shortcomings, and successes. Biblically-sound and true to God's Word, Darryl always positions us and challenges us to leave class and go apply God's principles to our lives. Darryl and his wife Shari have three sons, and make their home in Stockbridge, Georgia. They are members of First Baptist Atlanta. Darryl is active in youth sports, coaching championship teams in football, baseball, and basketball. You can listen to the audio that accompanies these notes at