Ruth and Christmas

Mo. 12/23/13: Ruth 1:1 – 5                               How do we counter famine?

Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons … Elimelech, Naomi, and Mahlon and Chilion — Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. Then Elimelech died; … her two sons … took wives of the women of Moab … Orpah, and … Ruth. … Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died.

How do we counter famine? We keep faith and turn not from the Lord.

Tu. 12/24/13: Ruth 1:6 – 8, 14 – 17                 What was Ruth’s response?

Then she arose (to) return … for she had heard … that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house.” … Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth … said:

“Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.

Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried.

The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

What was Ruth’s response? Ruth responded in faith, clear and radiant.

We. 12/25/13: Matthew 1:1,  5 – 6, 18                       What was the result?

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham … Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king … David the king begot Solomon … and Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

What was the result? Ruth became part of the Royal lineage of David.

Th. 12/26/13: Ruth 4:9 – 10                                             What did Boaz do?

And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife … you are witnesses this day.”

What did Boaz do? He became Kinsman Redeemer and husband to Ruth.

Fr. 12/27/13: Ruth 4:11              What was the response of the witnesses?

And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

What was the response of the witnesses? It was prophetic of the Messiah!