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Fruitful Day 13 The Gentleness Of Jesus

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Mark 5:25-43
Matthew 11:28-30
John 13:12-17
Galatians 5:22-23

Fruitful, Day 13

The crowds were gathering, pressing relentlessly on all sides.
With His power to heal illness and drive away demons, word was spreading quickly. People from all walks of life, with all manner of brokenness, flocked in masses in pursuit of Jesus, the Christ.

In the midst of this particular crowd was a well-respected Jewish man, high-ranking with authority and political clout as a synagogue official, for he too was desperate. Jairus was familiar with Jesus’ growing fame and His divine ability, as he had likely witnessed Jesus healing a man’s hand in the synagogue in the weeks prior. (Luke 6:6-11) None could do what Jesus did. While Jairus was surely intrigued, he entered the crushing crowd that day out of pure desperation.

His daughter’s life hung in the balance.

It’s easy to step back and critically analyze. One can afford to be curious at a distance, but when it’s your desperation, nothing matters but the pursuit of wholeness.

Jesus immediately responded to Jairus’ urgent pleas to come to his house and slowly they moved in that direction.

Again, the crowds followed.

Can you imagine being Jairus? Desperation met reality as faces swam in front of both men. The mob was filled with shoving and jostling, loud noises, body odor, and incessant pressing of desperate bodies running rickshaw over one another as one little girl’s life hovered between life and death.

I’m not really comfortable with crowds like that, but if I wanted to be near Jesus, I am certain I would have set aside my discomfort to join the throng in pursuit of Christ that day.

Which is exactly what one woman did. Like Jairus, her desperation drove her into the tangled mass of people. She’d endured twelve long years of uterine bleeding, living as a shamed outcast from her community (Leviticus 15:25-27), taken advantage of by doctors who promised cures but worsened her condition. (Mark 5:26) Ironically, she, who had lived over a decade in isolation, was now driven by desperation into a crowd of hundreds with one goal in mind. Wholeness.

Twenty-nine years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Like this suffering woman, I’ve experienced isolation from friends and even family because of disease. People are uncomfortable with such ravaging illness and don’t know what to say, so they stay away. They fear “catching” cancer themselves, and in their attempt to self-protect, they left me alone. I imagine this woman and I had many common experiences. Fear. Shame. Abandonment. Loss. Grief. Add to those woes the fact that her condition was neither diagnosable nor curable, despite the costly search for answers, and her desperation becomes nearly palpable.

Unrelated to cancer, five years ago I experienced intestinal disorders that no test or exam could identify. I too was neither diagnosable nor curable, and after six months of constant appointments, pokes, and prods, I was exhausted. I can only imagine twelve years of such! I can hear her heart’s cry, “What could it hurt to find Jesus? I’ve tried everything else. I have nothing more to lose.”

Jairus, desperate for his little daughter’s life.
This woman, desperate for her own.

Both were met with a radical gift surpassing their expectations.
Gentleness.

I’m sure the woman planned to press through the crowds, likely on her knees, to touch just the hem of His garment and then slip away unnoticed. But at her touch, despite many hands pressed against Him, Jesus’ voice of authority pierced the cacophony, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30)

My reaction would have been the same as the disciples’. “You see this crowd pressing in on you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” (Mark 5:31) Jesus knew the difference between the touch of physical nearness and the hope of desperate faith.

In His divinity, Jesus knew who had touched Him.
In His gentleness, He asked His question of invitation.

Tightness grips my chest as I think of her “being caught,” and then I relax, remembering Jesus’ gentleness has invited this woman to step out. I can envision His calm eyes searching the crowd for the woman’s face, fixing His gaze of compassionate love upon her. Scripture records the woman coming with “fear and trembling.” Aware of her healing, she came to Jesus, fell down before Him, and told the whole truth. (Mark 5:33)

Christ’s gentleness drew her to Himself, invited her to unpack the entirety of her brokenness, then responded by publicly calling her His own, “Daughter.” He made her whole.

Not just her body, but her soul.
“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Mark 5:34)

Amid a stunned crowd, a messenger for Jairus arrives with the tragic news his daughter has died. In the span of time it took Jesus to call one woman out of brokenness and into wholeness, another’s life passed away.

Yet, the gentle Jesus turns unhurried, peace-filled eyes to meet Jairus’ red-rimmed ones, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”  (Mark 5:36)

The nameless woman fades away into the crowd, no longer hiding nor walking with head bowed low. She dances in grace, for the gentleness of Jesus has called her His own, healing her body, heart, and soul.

As for Jairus’ daughter, the Gentle Christ takes her slim, cold hand in His as His divine voice awakens her from death to life. (Mark 5:41-42)

Our desperation, no matter how dire, is no match for the Gentle Christ.
So bring your exhaustion, your desperation, and your faith, and find wholeness in the gentle touch of our Savior.

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Fruitful Day 12 Cultivating Faithfulness: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Cultivating Faithfulness!

The Questions

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)

Numbers 14:1-10

Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

Original Intent

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
The Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt into the freedom of the Promised Land highlights God‘s faithfulness at every turn. The Lord empowered Moses to demand Pharaoh’s release of Israel (Exodus 5:1), God parted the Red Sea so they could cross over safely when the Egyptians pursued them (Exodus 14:21), He sent food from heaven in the desert (Exodus 16), and ensured their shoes didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). God provided in many miraculous ways; He faithfully kept His covenant with Israel to protect and treasure them if they obeyed Him. (Exodus 19:5) Even with such a rich history of provision and protection by God, the Israelites despaired when they heard the intimidating report of Canaan. They preferred to return to a life of bondage rather than trust God to defeat their enemies in the Promised Land. According to author David Guzik, “This was pure rebellion. They said they didn’t want God’s plan, God’s leaders, or God’s land. They believed they knew better than God.” The pride and rebellion of the Israelites caused them to see God’s blessing as a curse and despise the gift God promised them. To modern readers, their lack of faith and gratitude seem outrageous, but may we also be guilty of the same? Any time we refuse to embrace what God has for us because it seems too difficult or too painful, we are committing the same sin of rebellion as the Israelites when they refused the Promised Land. We can be thankful God is merciful and forgiving, and we can ask Him for grace to follow His plans, trusting in His steadfast love and unwavering faithfulness to help us obey Him.

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In Numbers 14:1-10, the Israelites are bemoaning their fate because the long-awaited Promised Land of Canaan is filled with formidable foes they are afraid to face. Only Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb want to enter and claim the land as God commanded. Joshua and Caleb had spied out the land and were eager to lay claim to God’s promise. They had faith in God, believing that He would give the Israelites the land He had promised them. If God promised it, then it would happen, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the promise. Author G. Campbell Morgan notes that Joshua and Caleb “had clear apprehension of the goodness of the land; they were by no means blind to the formidable nature of the difficulties that stood between them and possession. But they saw God. They started with that vision, and saw everything else in its light.” Where the other spies saw the strength and number of the land’s inhabitants, Joshua and Caleb saw the land flowing with milk and honey, just as God promised. If the promise of an excellent land had proved true, so would His promise to give them the land also be true and trustworthy. Joshua and Caleb’s belief in God’s faithfulness was stronger than any fear caused by the strength and number of their adversaries. May we also see God first and view everything else through that lens, just as Joshua and Caleb did.

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
When the Israelites reached the Promised Land they were dismayed to find its inhabitants were numerous and strong. They began blaming God for their miserable circumstances, even declaring that returning to slavery would be better than dying in battle. After hearing their incessant complaints, God had heard enough from the rebellious Israelites and decided to act. Numbers 14:10 tells us, “The glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.” The glory of the Lord had appeared to the congregation before as a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to guide them through the wilderness. (Exodus 13:21) It was a visible reminder of God’s presence and activity. At this particular display of glory, God intended to dispel their whining and rebellion and reward those who believed in His Word and in His power. He stepped in just as the Israelites prepared to kill Joshua and Caleb. Author Joseph Benson points out, “When they reflected upon God, His glory appeared, not to silence their blasphemies: but when they threatened Caleb and Joshua, they touched the apple of His eye, and His glory appeared immediately. Those who faithfully expose themselves for God are sure of His special protection.” Israel’s rebellion ran so deep, God knew they wouldn’t choose faith over their fears. (Numbers 14:11) Moses interceded for Israel, God honored his prayers and decreed that from the nation, only Caleb and Joshua would be permitted to enter the Promised Land one day. (Numbers 14:30) God’s glory came down so His faithful servants would be spared and rewarded for their trust in Him, while also bringing consequence on Israel’s rebellion.

Everyday Application

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
Have you ever seen a little kid so excited to go swimming but also too frightened to jump in the water? She knows Dad is right there to catch her. She knows all the other kids are splashing around in the water with no problems. Everything indicates it’s safe and enjoyable, but she just can’t overcome her fears and take the plunge. The Israelites in the Bible were a bit like this. They had longed to enter the Promised Land of Canaan for many years, but when they finally got there, after years of captivity in a foreign land, they were too scared of the inhabitants to lay claim to the land God promised them. When it came to choosing between fearing what they saw with their eyes or trusting the Unseen God, they chose their fears. The Lord promised to be with them and give them the land, but they chose to believe the fearful tales and not the covenant of their faithful God. Sometimes staying inside the pain we know is more comfortable than the unknown pain we are sure to endure on the way to our own Promised Land. This debilitating fear is why we stay in jobs and situations we don’t like, or sometimes even in relationships that are damaging. We fear the enormity of changes we would need to make, the unknowns of potential outcomes, and the pain we may encounter along the way. But God wants us to focus on His faithfulness and not our fears in every situation. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) He wants us to trust Him, even when our circumstances inspire fear. (Philippians 4:4-7) Isaiah 12:2 tells us, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” God promises to be our salvation and our strength in our tough times. The path will sometimes be frightening and difficult, but He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) When we choose to surrender our lives to God, trusting Him for our rescue from sin, He promises to never leave or forsake us; we will never be alone!

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In elementary school, my class learned a dance routine to a rock song for P.E. class, but my parents disapproved of the lyrics. So, I sat in the nurse’s office during P.E. for a month while my classmates rocked out in the gym. Missing my favorite class was bad enough, but dealing with my classmates’ teasing was awful. I didn’t make things worse by trying to explain my parents’ position. Instead, I played the martyr and became the poor kid with the kooky parents who hated rock n’ roll. I couldn’t imagine trying to defend my family’s moral objections to the song lyrics. Knowing how hard it is to go against the crowd helps my perspective on Joshua and Caleb’s plight. In verses 6-9, the two men stand firmly against the entire nation of Israel who didn’t want to enter Canaan. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes, indicating their intense distress at the peoples’ distrust in God and disbelief in His promises. This wasn’t about their feelings of being “outcasts”, but about Israel’s heart-rejection of the God who had proven Himself faithful. They pleadingly reminded the people of God’s constant presence and ability to protect them and defeat their enemies if they trusted Him. Joshua and Caleb were full of faith in God’s faithfulness. The people, however, were not inspired by the exhortation from Joshua and Caleb. In fact, they were so angry with their unpopular message they picked up rocks to stone them! Only God’s intervention kept the two men safe. Forty years later, after most of the crowd got their wish and died before entering the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb were found faithful and allowed to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:30) and enjoy God’s gift. May the Lord help us all to be as faithful and trusting as Joshua and Caleb!

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
There are many references to glory in church literature and Scripture. Sometimes glory means God’s presence (Exodus 24:16), a reference to Heaven (Psalm 73:24), or any place where God resides (1 Peter 5:10). It can also be used to mean radiant, divine beauty (Isaiah 6:3), or sometimes praise and adoration to God (Revelation 14:7). When God’s glory appeared to the Israelites in verse 10, glory references God’s presence. Here the glory of the Lord “refers to the reality of the LORD’s presence in a manifestation of his power and splendor. It showed to all that God was a living God. The appearance of the glory indicated blessing for the obedient, but disaster for the disobedient” (Preceptaustin.org) When God’s glory came to the Israelites, not only did God save Joshua and Caleb, but He allowed Moses to act on behalf of the shameful Israelites by interceding for them through prayer. Because of Moses’ prayer, God saved Israel from sudden destruction. They still received the punishment of never entering the Promised Land, but they experienced the power and mercy of being visited by God’s glory. It is awe-inspiring to think the Holy Perfect God would visit His people with His glory, yet the Scriptures are filled with such visits from the Lord. When God revealed Himself just in time to save Joshua and Caleb from being stoned to death by the angry mob of Israelites, He showed Himself to be Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Merciful. When God’s glory arrives, nothing remains the same. Nahum 1:5 tells us, “The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all who live in it.” We want to invite God’s presence to shake and shape our lives as we glorify His Name and seek to obey His commands through whole-life surrender.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Cultivating Faithfulness!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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If Day 14 Un-Risen: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Un-Risen!

The Questions

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)

Matthew 28:1-7

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

Original Intent

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)
The gospels only record a few words about Mary Magdalene. From her name, we know she came from the town of Magdala. Luke tells us she was healed from seven demons. (Luke 8:2) We don’t know if Mary was truly “possessed” like the man from the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-17), as ancient culture had no distinction between demonic possession, mental illness, or even trauma. All of these were associated with “abnormal” behavior likened to “demon possession”. Because Luke concludes his list of women who followed Jesus by stating how they “support(ed) them from their possessions”, scholars suggest Mary was independently wealthy from the sale of her land or home. (Luke 8:3) Whatever the case, after being healed, Mary began following Jesus. Culturally, this was unheard of as following a Rabbi was reserved only for men. Not so with Jesus! Mary Magdalene was one of several women who traveled with Jesus along with His twelve disciples. Mary likely served Jesus and the Twelve by preparing meals with the other women and financially providing essentials like food and lodging. John’s gospel account reveals that she followed Jesus all the way to the cross and was the first to see Him after His resurrection. (John 19:25, John 20:11-18) The ‘other Mary’ is considered the mother of Jesus. She knew the prophecies concerning the promised Messiah as God in the flesh were being fulfilled in her Son. She had sung of God’s faithful goodness when the angel announced she would be His mother. (Luke 1:46-55) She also knew Jesus would suffer a cruel death according to prophecy. It doesn’t appear she actively followed Jesus during His ministry as she had other children to tend to, but she was present for His first miracle, at minimum, and attempted to visit Him. (Mark 3:31, John 2:1-11) His mother was also present at Calvary when Jesus died. Though Mary knew Jesus was the Messiah, she may not have fully understood Christ as her personal Savior until the gathering in the Upper Room. (Acts 1:12-14) In the final hours of Jesus’ life, as Mary watched her precious son die in agony, the prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled as a “sword would pierce (her) own soul”; surely her heart was breaking! (Luke 2:35)

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?
In ancient culture, the task of preparing a body for burial generally fell to women. Jesus was crucified at sundown on Good Friday, which meant Sabbath had begun and no work could be done according to Old Testament law. (Leviticus 23:3) Tending to a dead body, even a family member, would be considered work. Additionally, Jewish law outlined consequences for touching unclean things, which definitely included a corpse. (Numbers 19:11-13) In effort to hasten Jesus’ burial before sundown, they simply wrapped His body and laid it in the tomb. Unlike the Egyptians, Jews didn’t embalm bodies as mummies, but they still prepared it in a fashion similar to current, and previous, Western cultural practices. This preparation included various oils, herbs, and spices, which is why the women were present at the tomb the morning after the Sabbath. Of course, Jesus’ mother, Mary, would have been there, as any mother would. She, who had tended Him from birth, would surely now tend Him in death. Mary Magdalene, and other women who had faithfully followed Jesus, would join her for both emotional and physical support.

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)
God’s heart character is love and active humility. He demonstrates this repeatedly through Scripture, and in the Church today, by drawing others to do His work and be intimately involved in His mission. God didn’t send an angel to die for the sins of the world, only He could do that, and so He did. God’s master plan for telling the world the good news about His sacrifice on our behalf, however, is a joyous work that He freely shares and invites us to participate in with Him. Of course, Jesus could have sat atop the rolled away stone to declare His own resurrection, but this doesn’t fit with His heart character of humble love. His ministry on earth was never about elevating Himself. God chose an angel to declare the Good News of Christ’s victory over death to set an example for us to go and do likewise as His ambassadors to the world. Scripture describes angels as messengers from God and provides many examples of them communicating His divine plan to humans. Each instance in the Bible may look different, but there was generally no mistaking that these were Heavenly beings sent by God to either make known His willful purposes or protect His people. Angels came to Lot’s door warning him to leave Sodom before its destruction. (Genesis 19:15-17) Angels appeared to Daniel (Daniel 10:5-6), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 10), Joshua (Joshua 5:13-14), Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and many others. The shepherds heard of the Messiah’s birth from a group of angels (Luke 2:8-14), and many angels are found in the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:1-2). Angels are God’s appointed Heavenly Messengers, and as Christ’s resurrection was the most important message ever, it was first heralded by an angel with God’s own stamp of divine approval, wrapped in His humble love for mankind.

Everyday Application

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus had different backgrounds, life experiences, and likely even ages, but they shared one constant, Jesus as their Savior. It would be easy to write off these women from an ancient culture, thinking we have nothing in common with them. Yet, just as we all come from various backgrounds, we all need a Savior.  Jesus wants us to know Him as a Healer, Jehovah Rapha, as a Provider, Jehovah Jirah, as Friend (James 2:23), and as the perfect Fullness of God Himself (Colossians 1:19). We may wrestle with feelings of worthlessness or shame because of our past, sins we are stuck in, or the judgement of others. Or maybe we feel like we are in a very good place, so good, in fact, we don’t seem to need a Savior. But even Jesus’ mother needed a Savior! Giving birth to the Messiah, holding Him in her heart and raising Him in her home was not a free pass to Heaven. Just as Jesus died to give life and unshakeable hope to Mary Magdalene and His mother, He is available for us today. Let’s acknowledge our lack, our loss, our sense of emptiness, our shame, and guilt to the God who gave Himself for us to heal us and make us His own! (Titus 2:14) Jesus loved His disciples and the women who followed Him; Jesus loved everyone He encountered. He loves you.

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?
Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother were not the first women to faithfully love and serve God. Throughout Scripture, God honors women and purposes them for His glory, starting with His promise to the first woman, Eve. Even amid punishment for her sin, He held out a promise that one day a Redeemer would come to crush Satan’s head. (Genesis 3:15) Many stories of women esteemed by God, and used for His purposes, are recorded in the Old and New Testaments. The midwives who hid Moses from Pharaoh (Exodus 1:15-21), Deborah, the wise judge (Judges 4:1-14), and Jael, the brave woman who acted with swift justice (Judges 4:17-22).  Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, served Yahweh as the mother of John the Baptist. She surrendered her body and her life to the Lord’s work at an age when she was far past childbearing years. (Luke 1:5-19) The widow, Anna, faithfully prayed every day in the temple as she waited for the coming Messiah. She realized her prayers were fulfilled when Joseph and Mary appeared at the temple to present their infant Jesus to the priests as required by law. When she saw the tiny baby, she knew she beheld the Messiah. God used many women, from vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles to fulfill His eternal plan. Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), and Mary (Luke 1-2) are even included in the lineage of Jesus! (Matthew 1:1-16)

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)
Angels are messengers and protectors even in the 21st century. That time you are running late could be God’s hand of protection over you as you encounter a traffic accident happening moments before. If you have encountered someone intent on evil against you, then suddenly you are guarded, this is God’s ordained protection for you; He may well have used angels to accomplish this work. Angels are not present everywhere in every place like God and His presence; they exist to do God’s bidding and worship Him as created Heavenly beings. (Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 34:7) Though God created angels as powerful beings, they are not worthy of worship and are not all-knowing like God. All things are under God’s authority and purposes. Christ died to save humanity and bring us redemption, but He did not do this for angels, neither do we “become” angels when we die. Just as God ordained angels as the first messengers to announce both Christ’s birth and His resurrection, so are we commissioned with the same gloriously divine message. When we read of an angel’s proclamation from God, let’s be encouraged to actively proclaim the good news of Jesus that He offers freedom from sin and shame through His sacrifice on our behalf!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Un-Risen!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Word Day 9 It Is I Am: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out It Is I Am!

The Questions

1) Who is Jesus referring to when He says, “My sheep”? (verse 27)

2) How do these sheep hear His voice and follow? (verse 27)

3) What does Jesus mean by saying, “No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand”? (verse 29)

John 10:27-30

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Original Intent

1) Who is Jesus referring to when He says, “My sheep”? (verse 27)
Jesus often refers to His followers as sheep. Sheep and shepherds were plentiful and a normal part of everyday living at this point in history. Understanding the role of shepherds as they cared for their flocks will help us better understand Jesus’ words in this passage. The job of shepherd most frequently fell to the youngest boy in the family, which is demonstrated in 1 Samuel 16 when the prophet Samuel is sent to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king. Samuel visits all the older sons before asking if there are any others. We read in verse 11, “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” This youngest shepherd boy was David and Israel’s future king. Shepherds spent a lot of time with their flocks, in fact pretty much all of their time, both day and night. A shepherd’s job was twofold, first was providing for needs, which meant planning for food and water each day. This dictated where the shepherd would lead his flock. The second aspect was protection. Shepherds carried slings (you might remember this from David’s battle with Goliath), rods, and staffs, which were all used to protect and defend the sheep under their care. A shepherd’s protection ensured none of the flock wandered away or was lost. Shepherds developed a close relationship with the sheep and their flocks, knowing them as unique animals, and able to identify them easily. Even with this broad overview, it’s easy to see why Jesus would use this analogy to demonstrate how He is our Shepherd, Provider, and Protector and we are His sheep.

2) How do these sheep hear His voice and follow? (verse 27)
As we just learned, sheep and shepherds spend basically all of their time together. Sheep learn to listen for the familiar voice of their personal shepherd and follow him when he calls. The kind of intimacy required for sheep to easily pick out their shepherd’s voice, recognize it, and follow is built on the amount of time spent together. In this passage, Jesus is teaching these new believers to think of themselves as sheep who are learning the voice and rhythm of their shepherd. His words are not meant to be demeaning, but simply to teach them to depend on Him and grow close to Him. He is saying, “I’m going to take on the role of shepherd and all the responsibilities that go with this role. You will be the sheep. Spend time with Me, become familiar with when and how I speak, then follow Me, knowing I’ve got your back”.

3) What does Jesus mean by saying, “No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand”? (verse 29)
Jesus is referring to eternal security with these words, meaning He has the power and ability to protect a soul entrusted to Him for all of eternity. Many people in Jesus’ audience were quite familiar with the numerous times God’s chosen people were seemingly “snatched” away from God’s protection. They were taken from their homes, land, safety, and sometimes even families by foreign nations and forced into slavery. Even though Israel was God’s chosen people, their lives weren’t always safe, mostly because they continued to rebel against Him. Jesus’ statement, “no one can snatch them away”, comes on the heels of a question posed in John 10:24. “The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” The people were still looking for an earthly king, not an eternal one. They wanted a king who would provide the protection and earthly security they longed for. But they still didn’t see the big picture. Jesus hadn’t come to be a temporary earthly king and make Israel more comfortable. He came to conquer Sin and Death for all time by offering Himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty we all owe. This was a radical shift in thinking for the Jews, and because Jesus hadn’t yet been crucified or resurrected, they just didn’t understand His full meaning. However, the truth behind Jesus’ statement remains true, once you choose to accept and follow Jesus, eternal security is yours!

Everyday Application

1) Who is Jesus referring to when He says, “My sheep”? (verse 27)
All who trust Jesus as their great Rescuer from the debt we owe God because of our sin are the sheep. Jesus is the Shepherd. Think of it as each of us having “roles to play”. Jesus, as our Shepherd, takes full responsibility for us, His well-cared for and beloved sheep. Our role is much simpler, because well, we’re sheep! We listen intently for His voice, are ready to watch for His movement, and are quick to follow Him because we trust Him. When we relate a shepherd’s responsibilities to how Jesus leads, protects, nourishes, rescues, knows, and loves His followers, it’s easy to allow Jesus to rightfully take the role of Shepherd in our lives once we surrender to Him and become His sheep. I encourage you to stop reading this for a few minutes, grab your Bible and read all of John 10 because you will learn much more from Jesus’ words as He describes His role as our Good Shepherd over mine! The deep love and care Jesus, as our Shepherd, has for His sheep is pretty indescribable!

2) How do these sheep hear His voice and follow? (verse 27)
“But I don’t hear God speak to me!” Let’s be honest, we’ve all heard those words and we’ve likely even said them ourselves. We make excuses like, “It’s not the same! Jesus’ first followers could physically hear and see Him”, or “I’ve never actually heard Jesus speak, so how am I supposed to recognize His voice?”. Not to be overly harsh, but we make these excuses because it’s easier. It takes time, energy, and consistency on our part to develop the intimate relationship with Jesus required for us to shut out all other voices in our heads. It’s easier because, if we say we can’t hear Jesus, we think it means we can just do what we want and decide for ourselves which way to go. You know how we can recognize and pick out the voice of a loved from across a busy room? We’ve heard their voice so frequently because of the proximity of our relationship with them, it’s easy to identify their voice above all others. The same is true when we listen to Jesus. Learning to actively listen to His whispers generally doesn’t “just happen”; it takes time as we practice sitting quietly in stillness and reading His Word. Intimacy comes with time and consistency.

3) What does Jesus mean by saying, “No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand”? (verse 29)
The feeling of safety and security is something we all want; just consider how many times we pray for health and safekeeping for our loved ones! For most of us, attempting to manufacture this security means we spend quite a bit of time planning, preparing, and worrying about the “what ifs” of life. We work hard, save for the future and the unexpected, and set up rules or boundaries intended to protect those we love. While those things are important to some extent, they can distract us from trusting God in ALL things. Ultimately, our eternities are secure once we have accepted Jesus’ work on the cross for us and surrendered our lives to Him. The truth is, there is no thing and no one who can change this reality! As fickle humans, consumed and distracted by this world, it’s easy for us to lose sight of the eternal promises of Jesus. The honest truth is there is no way we can plan for and protect ourselves and loved ones from the unexpected entirely. People get sick, accidents happen, children rebel, and loved ones die. It takes a conscious and daily, sometimes even hourly, choice to leave our lives in the more than able, more than capable hands of Jesus the trustworthy Shepherd. We can rest assured that even when bad things come our way, Jesus has us safely in His grasp; He will never let us go.

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Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with It Is I Am!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Pray Together!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sketched VIII Day 13 Tamar And Absalom

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Samuel 13 
1 Corinthians 13
2 Samuel 11
Colossians 3:18-25
Psalm 91

Sketched VIII, Day 13

Tamar
What a mess I am in. According to our law, he is supposed to make me his wife. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29) But the law also says he cannot, because what happened between us is a disgrace and we’ll both bear the sin. (Leviticus 18:11, 20:17) However, I know my suffering and shame will be greater than his . . . though he was the initiator and violator.

My name, Tamar, is now soiled because of my half brother, Amnon. How could he deceive me into thinking I was coming to help him in his sickness, when he only wanted to rape me? (2 Samuel 13:6-14) How could he profess his love for me and
commit this great iniquity?
Love isn’t rude like he was.
Love does not do unrighteous acts.
Love is not selfish. (1 Corinthians 13: 5-6)

Amnon never loved me. He loved what he could take from me. And he has taken everything.
My virginity, my trust in men, my hope of a future, my peace.
All of it, stolen, never to be returned.

Who will vindicate me? Will my father, David? I am not sure. Whispers in the court claim he took Bathsheba as his wife in a similar way. Is it true my father also violated Bathsheba while her husband Uriah was fighting a war, as my father should have been? (2 Samuel 11:1-4) Are the rumors true that the child she mourned was also my father’s, a product of their encounter? (2 Samuel 12:16-18)

But she became his wife, so I cannot turn to her with my pain. She will not understand my position because my father did not despise her afterwards as Amnon hates me. O, woe is me! Who can help me in my time of great distress and need?

Surely not my father. No, Amnon is David’s son; David has taught Amnon by word and by deed. How can David chastise his son for something he also did? I will seek out my brother, Absalom. Perhaps he will not fail me.

Absalom
The scoundrel Amnon! He deceived our father and committed a great sin against my sister, Tamar. She came to me hopeless, weeping, covered in ashes of mourning. I took her into my home, asking her to keep quiet so I could make a plan before word of her disgrace spread. (2 Samuel 13:20)

I tried asking my father for help, but was denied. He showed anger, yes. But he did nothing for Tamar (2 Samuel 13:21); he chose his firstborn over us. Therefore, my own anger burned for two years because of his inaction. (Colossians 3:21)

Finally, I vindicated Tamar and made right what King David left in disgrace. Amnon is dead at the hands of the men under my command. Now my father grieves for Amnon while I must flee for my life. (2 Samuel 13:23-37)

Tamar
Amnon is dead. Absalom fled after he ordered Amnon’s killing.
I know Amnon thinks he has vindicated me.
I suppose, if nothing else, he has avenged me.

But I still live with shame. When Absalom ran, he left the household that had been my shelter. I must now return to my mother, Maacah, who is part of David’s royal harem. (2 Samuel 3:3) How humiliating to be the only one who is not a virgin, yet unmarried. No hope of marriage or family is forthcoming for me.

Though he tried, Absalom has also failed me. Blinded by anger and vengeance, he left me here alone.  And now my father mourns for Amnon, but who mourns for me? There is no man in whom I can hope or trust with my life, my well being.

I hurl my broken cries into the void surrounding me, expecting no answer but silence.
Yet here, in my deepest darkness and depression and pain, Someone whispers my name.
Not with derision or scorn, but tenderness and love.

YAHWEH
He alone will be my hope.
He will be my refuge and strength.
He will help me when I am in trouble.
He will provide.

If He is with me, I will not need to be afraid. When men continue to fail me, I will trust in Him. (Psalm 91:1-4) I cling to His promises to protect me and give me peace. (Psalm 91:14-16)

At the hands of men, I have been deceived, abused, violated, ignored, and abandoned.
In the arms of YAHWEH, I have found safety, acceptance, vindication, and redemption.
YAHWEH’s faithfulness, unlike men’s, is everlasting.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched VIII Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VIII!

Sketched VIII Day 9 Naaman: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Naaman!

The Questions

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?

2 Kings 5:1-27

Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly regarded because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin disease. 2 Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.” 4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go, and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.” So he went and took with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read:

When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease.

7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Recognize that he is only picking a fight with me.” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your skin will be restored and you will be clean.” 11 But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and left in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean. 15 Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand, I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused. 17 Naaman responded, “If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the Lord. 18 However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to bow in worship while he is leaning on my arm, and I have to bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 So he said to him, “Go in peace.” After Naaman had traveled a short distance from Elisha, 20 Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” 22 Gehazi said, “It’s all right. My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them seventy-five pounds of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ” 23 But Naaman insisted, “Please, accept one hundred fifty pounds.” He urged Gehazi and then packed one hundred fifty pounds of silver in two bags with two sets of clothing. Naaman gave them to two of his attendants who carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from them and deposited them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they left. 25 Gehazi came and stood by his master. “Where did you go, Gehazi?” Elisha asked him. He replied, “Your servant didn’t go anywhere.” 26 “And my heart didn’t go when the man got down from his chariot to meet you,” Elisha said. “Is this a time to accept silver and clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, flocks and herds, and male and female slaves? 27 Therefore, Naaman’s skin disease will cling to you and your descendants forever.” So Gehazi went out from his presence diseased, resembling snow.

Original Intent

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)
Naaman’s anger is fueled by his pride. He expected, and wanted, more than to be told to go and wash himself in the Jordan River. The fact that Elisha wasn’t even the one delivering the message made the insult to his price much worse. Naaman was humiliated not only because he needed to ask for help, but also because he had traveled quite a distance and brought many expensive gifts as payment. Naaman was a great man in his country. Verse 1 notes how he was the commander of the Arminian army and was “highly regarded” by the King of Aram. Quite frankly, he was familiar with receiving the best and, therefore, expected to be treated in a similar fashion by everyone he met. Naaman was looking for a great story to tell upon his return to Aram, not simply that he bathed himself in the filthy Jordan River. He felt foolish, mocked, and demeaned by the order to wash in the river. He was a great man, after all. Surely, if it were that simple to be cured of this disease, he could have washed in one of his country’s rivers, which clearly were superior to the Jordan, which was known for being dirty.

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)
No. It’s a simple answer, but it is the truth. Elisha knew it was not him providing this cure, but God. The cure was God’s and the means by which God chose to heal was His alone. By choosing to send a messenger, there would be no mistake the healing was in fact God and not a man who had cured Naaman.

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?
We know from Scripture it was Naaman’s servants who confronted him about not even attempting to wash in the Jordan, and we already know he was expecting better treatment. I would even venture to guess he went back to the Jordan begrudgingly, expecting nothing.  So, yes he was undoubtedly surprised when he came up clean and healed. This is where we can see Naaman’s eyes truly being opened; his heart is humbled before the all-powerful God as his skin was made whole. Naaman was not only cured from leprosy, but also from his pride, which is worse by far.

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?
This is a tough question to answer. Honestly, I almost changed the question because I’m not at all sure I can accurately and fairly answer. But that would have been taking the easy way out. If we want to really learn, sometimes we have to dig deep and try hard. So, I will share what I learned from my research and you can draw your own conclusions. It appears that Naaman is convicted in his own heart and mind that it would be wrong to bow to Rimmon now, something he knows he will be asked to do in his occupation with his king. The Pulpit Commentary says it best, “Naaman knows refusing to bow may cost him his life; it will certainly cost him his court favor. For such a sacrifice he is not prepared. Yet his conscience tells him that he will be acting wrongly. He therefore expresses a hope, or a prayer, that his fault, for a fault he feels that it will be, may be forgiven him.” It is safe to say God is the One doing that convicting in Naaman! Secondly, Elisha doesn’t really answer the question, instead he simply says by God’s Spirit, “go in peace”. Elisha is a prophet, he knows and understands how God works, and is trusting Him to continue the work he has started in Naaman. We don’t know from this specific Scripture what becomes of Naaman when he returns to Aram. We, like Elisha, have only to trust that God did the work He began.

Everyday Application

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)
So many people avoid reading and studying the Old Testament because it can be difficult to understand at times. While that is true, it is also rich and full in lessons and modern day applications. In this case, it all comes down to pride. We, much like our friend Naaman, often expect God, and others, to do certain things for us simply because of who we are, the position we hold, or the things we have done. It is so easy for us to become angry when things don’t go exactly as we expect. Five years ago, my husband was laid off from his employer of 28 years. This was a devastating blow that drastically changed our lives, much like the disease of leprosy had affected Naaman. We prayed and assumed God would provide another job quickly and easily. A job much like the one he had, comfortable pay, good benefits, etc.. Boy howdy were we wrong! What happened instead? Little by little, God broke down, and destroyed, our pride. He showed us time after time that we were to depend on Him and Him alone. While we continue to pray and wait for restoration, God continues to show us He is working, and He is always faithful. God has not, nor will He ever, work in the way we expect. He is God and we are not. We deserve nothing, yet He has given us everything! Like Naaman, there will be times when life deals us a devastating blow and we will be faced with a choice. Do we lay down our pride and ask for help, taking a risk to follow God’s instructions, which may seem foolish? Or, do we remain stuck in our pride, acting as our own god?

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)
The everyday application answer to this question depends on which person you identify with most in this story. Are you “Naaman”, in need of help and healing or “Elisha”, a man or woman of God, trying their best to live a life for God, or are you simply the “messenger” tasked with delivering instruction. I want to start with those of us who might identify most with Elisha. We are women trying our best to follow God and live our lives in a way that points to Him. We must not be afraid to help those who come to us for help. While we may not fear physically touching another person, we may fear getting involved, or not having the right answers, or not being smart enough, strong enough, whatever enough. We cannot let fear stop us from doing what God directs! The reality is, our world and community are full of “Naamans” trying to get up enough courage to ask for help. We must be ready when they come. To my “Naaman” friends, please come and ask an “Elisha” for help. Believers are ready and willing to take you to our Savior who is more than enough for whatever you bring. Lastly, to those of us who may feel like we are simply “messengers” in a story, don’t undersell your worth or your role. Just like the story in 2 Kings, there would be no healing without the message of instruction being delivered. So, go ahead and deliver the message, follow the Lord’s leading through His Spirit, trust your relationship with Him, and point the way to someone who can help. Who knows, it might be as simple as introducing someone new to this website or inviting them to church. You may very well be the messenger who brings someone to the feet of Jesus!

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?
Sometimes we ignore or rush past simple solutions because, like Naaman, we are looking for the “great God story” to share with our friends and family. What we truly need is to have the childlike faith Jesus speaks of in Matthew 18:3. ““Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.””
We need to look past what we want or expect, and simply do what God is asking. Let me take you back to the story I shared about my husband’s job. Five year later, we are still surviving on less income than we ever thought imaginable. God continues to provide for every single one of our needs and we continue to pray and wait on His timing and His restoration. So, yes, I can honestly say from very personal experience I am surprised how God really works in the ways He does.

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?
Let’s be honest here, don’t we all do this?! It’s a bit different for us today, since Jesus did come and die to pay for our sins. But the truth is, we are no better when we make the choice to knowingly sin, because we know we are already forgiven. Some of you may be thinking, “Ok, but I’m not bowing down to another god, so is it really that bad?” Yes!  All sin is equally sinful to God as it goes against His holiness. I would contend that we all bow down to “other gods” more often than we’d like to admit. The gods we bow down today may look different, the god of money, sports, success, appearance, etc., but they are gods nonetheless. Just as in Naaman’s case, the conviction that comes from the Lord is the first step towards real and lasting change. Every single one of us is on a journey. God will lead us and convict us in different ways and different times. We may even ask a fellow believer if they think it’s ok, or if we will be forgiven. When it comes down to it, no one but God can convict or forgive. I’m not saying we shouldn’t ask our brothers and sisters for help or guidance. They can be a huge help by praying for us, and with us, leading us to God, the only One who can truly forgive our sins. Our responsibility is to trust and follow as God leads, stepping out in faith and obedience.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Naaman!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Ten Day 7 Family On Purpose: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Family On Purpose

The Questions

1) Why are there so many “do nots”?

2) How does this passage demonstrate honor?

3) Why did God continually say, “I am the LORD” throughout these commands?

Leviticus 19:9-37

9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the resident alien; I am the Lord your God.

11 “Do not steal. Do not act deceptively or lie to one another. 12 Do not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God; I am the Lord.

13 “Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired worker must not remain with you until morning. 14 Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you are to fear your God; I am the Lord.

15 “Do not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly. 16 Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the Lord.

17 “Do not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. 18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

19 “You are to keep my statutes. Do not crossbreed two different kinds of your livestock, sow your fields with two kinds of seed, or put on a garment made of two kinds of material.

20 “If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman who is a slave designated for another man, but she has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be punishment. They are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. 21 However, he must bring a ram as his guilt offering to the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 22 The priest will make atonement on his behalf before the Lord with the ram of the guilt offering for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven for the sin he committed.

23 “When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, you are to consider the fruit forbidden. It will be forbidden to you for three years; it is not to be eaten. 24 In the fourth year all its fruit is to be consecrated as a praise offering to the Lord. 25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way, its yield will increase for you; I am the Lord your God.

26 “You are not to eat anything with blood in it. You are not to practice divination or witchcraft. 27 You are not to cut off the hair at the sides of your head or mar the edge of your beard. 28 You are not to make gashes on your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord.

29 “Do not debase your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. 30 Keep my Sabbaths and revere my sanctuary; I am the Lord.

31 “Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God.

32 “You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old. Fear your God; I am the Lord.

33 “When an alien resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. 34 You will regard the alien who resides with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

35 “Do not be unfair in measurements of length, weight, or volume. 36 You are to have honest balances, honest weights, an honest dry measure, and an honest liquid measure; I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 Keep all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them; I am the Lord.”

Original Intent

1) Why are there so many “do nots”?
It is important to remember that God creates order and purpose. His purposes always flow from a heart of deep love because He is love. (1 John 4:16) He does not operate from the stance of “controlling dictator”, so we must drop this supposition when we study His words. His purposes for Israel were for them to multiply and live a long life of honor and worship towards Him so other nations would see that Yahweh was the true God. The rules He laid down here in Leviticus were God’s Code of Conduct. In reading Leviticus 19:9-37 it seems as if God thought of everything imaginable His people could, or would, ever consider doing. He created humans, He created the world, He knew the human heart and just what we are capable of. He established His law as a standard to clearly remind Israel to turn aside from the things of the world and “be holy as I (God) am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) God’s Law drew a clear line of distinction between the practices of surrounding pagan cultures and how Israel was to live. Sin had ruled them, keeping them in slavery since the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden and their choice to sin against God. (Genesis 3) The standard of God’s holy law reinforced their need for redemption and forgiveness from a kind God who could, and would, make all things good and ‘clean’ again. When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, they witnessed a culture that reflected the pagan gods Egyptians worshiped. When the Israelites wandered in the Wilderness, they were witness to many people groups whose cultures also reflected pagan worship. God established His Law so the Israelites would show themselves as set apart while they reflected they were indeed God’s chosen people.

2) How does this passage demonstrate honor?
Living our lives after the pattern of God’s wisdom and loving boundaries is the very best way to live life! Because God is the author of life and is Himself love, we can trust His ways to be the wisest above our own. This Levitical law of honoring is still something to heed today. Although the word “honor” is technically only tied to the command “Honor your mother and father” (Leviticus 19:3), the idea of honoring God and others is woven throughout every command listed in this passage. Honoring neighbors. (Leviticus 19:15-18) Honoring elderly. (Leviticus 19:32) Honoring our children. (Leviticus 18:21, 19:29) Honoring our bodies. (Leviticus 19:27-28) Honoring foreigners. (Leviticus 19:34) All of these actions honor God! Honoring your children means you won’t give them up, by selling them into a lifestyle that will harm them. Honoring your neighbor, and your community, means you will seek their good, and give generously as you care for the poor and the needy. Honor the elders who have come before you. Respect and care for them. As we honor others, we will bring honor to the Lord God as we reflect His heart of love.

3) Why did God continually say, “I am the LORD” throughout these commands?
When you see “Lord” in all capital letters, it signifies the personal name God, Yahweh. It was deeply intimate, and regarded as so holy that Hebrews would not even write all the letters, instead abbreviating it as “YHWH”. Using the phrase “I am the LORD” throughout this passage in Leviticus is God’s way of grounding the Israelites and continuously reminding them of God’s personal love and His mighty character. As they lived out this lifestyle of love and honor, they were representing the very name and character of the God who passionately loved them, Yahweh. He alone brought them out of slavery in Egypt. It was Yahweh who sustained, provided, and led them as they wandered in the wilderness. God did not create these laws to be a dictator and make life difficult, He created them as a pattern for the best way to reflect His heart of love. God wanted His people to always be aware of Him.

Everyday Application

1) Why are there so many “do nots”?
Sinfulness was not an ancient Israel problem, but runs just as rampant in our own hearts and cultures today. Jesus knew we could never attain to the perfect standard of righteousness set out by the Old Testament Law. Our nature is to sin. Our DNA is to choose self over a Savior. One only needs to begin comparing ourselves to even a handful of commandments to see our sinful bent. Have we ever lied? Have we ever lusted (Jesus’ equivalent to committing adultery in Matthew 5:27-28)? Have we ever been angry (Jesus’ equivalent to murder in Matthew 5:21-22) One slight step away from the commands, is our own condemnation, resulting in eternal separation from the Holy God because we are not blameless before Him. When you read of God’s “do nots” let them remind you of His holiness, our own nature to sin, and our desperate need for a Savior, which God graciously and lovingly provides in Jesus Christ. The Lord’s list of “do nots” are also meant to safeguard our lives by creating wise boundaries. Our welfare, our physical health, our mental and emotional state require adherence to most of these “do nots” even today. God’s wise pattern for living is intended to show those around us that we are set apart (1 Peter 2:9-11) as followers of Christ just as Israel was set apart as God’s chosen people. Though we still have this Code of Conduct for righteous living, our only hope in attaining righteousness is found in Jesus Christ who came and perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the Law for us! He became our righteousness!

2) How does this passage demonstrate honor?
Honoring God and others isn’t solely an Old Testament concept; even Jesus talked about esteeming others above yourselves and giving to the poor. He elevated the idea of honoring others when He said loving your neighbor as yourself was the 2nd greatest commandment, second only to loving the Lord Himself. (Mark 12:31) We often think of Leviticus as different than the Ten Commandments, and wonder how those laws all relate to Jesus Christ and His life, or the times we are living in now. All the laws can feel overwhelming or obsolete. In Jesus’ day, Jews observed all regulations of the Old Testament, but Jesus brought the focus on two laws that encompassed every other one. Keeping God first and loving your neighbor as yourself. To love and honor are similar concepts. If you love someone (even yourself), you will honor and respect them. Paul reiterated the Levitical command when he wrote in Ephesians that by honoring parents, a long life was given. (Ephesians 6:2-3) To some of us, honoring our parents feels difficult and complicated as relationships often are. Perhaps we were mistreated or conflict constantly raises its voice in the relationship dynamics. However, if we are born again and have come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit will give us the power to forgive and supernaturally love those who have mistreated us or are difficult to communicate with. When we seek to love the Lord first, He will empower us to love others.

3) Why did God continually say, “I am the LORD” throughout these commands?
While God’s name carried more heavy significance in the Old Testament culture, we can begin cultivating the same awe and respect for His name. Read through today’s passage and speak out loud the four words, “I am the LORD.” Or maybe say, “I am Yahweh”, and remember this name that carried such significant intimacy for ancient Israelites is the exact same for us! All who come to Christ and trust His work on the cross for our salvation are still God’s chosen people just like Israel! In similar fashion, we become set apart to reflect His name, His character, and His love to the world around us. Peter applied the Old Testament command to New Testament believers like us, “Be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) We can only be made holy and new in deeper ways by coming to Him in repentance and seeking Him daily.  He deserves to be honored and prioritized first in whatever we do whether it’s in our long-term goals and dreams or our day to day moments. The more we submit to His Holy Spirit to reshape our hearts, the easier it becomes to live in such a way that we more clearly reflect the depth and intimacy of our relationship with Yahweh!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Family On Purpose!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ten Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Redeemed Day 13 Paid In Full

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ruth 4
Deuteronomy 25:5-6
Leviticus 25:23-28
2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Redeemed, Day 13

High up on a mountain, where two rivers meet and men fought for the freedom of slaves, my then-fiance asked for my hand in marriage.

Harper’s Ferry, October 27, 2001.

There are plenty more details to my engagement story, and don’t you want to hear them all? Who doesn’t love a romantic proposal?

Did you know Ruth 3 is a proposal story? But as we read on to Ruth 4, we see it’s not a romance novel, but a legal thriller!

When we read Scripture, it’s important to first grasp the cultural context. So to begin this study, let’s learn why land, and therefore redeemers, were pivotal to Ruth’s story.

As we’ve discussed previously, Elimelech and his family left their home of origin, Bethlehem, because of famine. Notably, when Elimelech left Bethlehem, he most likely sold his land; this is a safe assumption based on what happens later in the book, and also a significant detail.

For the Israelites, land was vital. While land was ultimately owned by God, parcels of land were assigned to specific tribes, clans, and families from which an Israelite knew his identity and experienced the provision and kindness of God.

When her husband and sons died in Moab, Naomi was in a desperate situation. She was in a foreign land without a provider. According to Torah law, she couldn’t buy back her family’s land in Bethlehem because she was a woman and a widow. She needed a kinsman redeemer.

Naomi knew Boaz could fill the redeemer role, but it was entirely his choice, and a huge responsibility. It’s important to understand Boaz had much to lose in stepping forward as redeemer. Boaz would have to purchase the land from his own wealth, and his first son from marriage to Ruth would be considered Elimelech and Naomi’s heir:

“The women said to Naomi:
Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer today [ . . . ]
Indeed, your daughter-in-law [ . . . ] has given birth to him.
Then Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nanny.
The neighbor women said, ‘A son has been born to Naomi!’” (Ruth 4:14-17, emphasis mine)

NAOMI is recognized as this child’s mother, not Ruth! And this hours-old baby is recognized as the kinsman redeemer, NOT Boaz.

As a mother of three children whom I carried for nine months, labored with for hours upon hours, and delivered under great distress, this stood out to me greatly. I wanted to scream, “That’s not fair!”

But understanding what was required of Boaz as kinsman redeemer in Jewish culture allows us to see the goodness of God in sending His Son, Jesus, as our kinsman redeemer, in a clearer, more beautiful light.

Just as Boaz had everything to lose and only relationship with the woman he loved to gain, Jesus had everything to lose and only relationship with us to gain in becoming our kinsman redeemer.

Jesus not only gave up His life; He gave up perfect communion with His Father in Heaven.
He gave up sole claim on His inheritance to share it with us.
He gave up His righteousness to take on our sin.
He gave up His divinity to take on human flesh.
And then, He gave up that flesh to a shameful death through cruel crucifixion.
All He had to gain was us, who, like Naomi, brought nothing but our desperate need.

Ruth is a book screaming of the upside-down nature of God’s ways. Truly, it’s not actually about Ruth; Naomi is more prominent than Ruth. We could even make a case for Boaz being a more central character than Ruth!

Yet, the book is named “Ruth,” and the genealogy of Jesus outlined in Matthew includes Ruth intentionally.

I surmise this is a signpost, reminding us of the inclusive nature of our God. He not only longs for all to know Him; He wants all to play a part in His redemptive story!

Don’t miss the prophetic nature of Ruth, either. Dire circumstances bring Naomi and Ruth back to Bethlehem, the same town where Mary and Joseph would one day travel under dire circumstances, and the same town where it was prophesied the Messiah would be born.

At the time of loss, Naomi and Ruth didn’t comprehend their place in God’s amazing redemption story; all they knew was their need.

At the time of their journey, Joseph and Mary could not have grasped the full scope of their roles in His redemptive story. All they knew was their need to get to Bethlehem and possibly deliver an illegitimate child along the way.

Could it be all we know right now is our need and yet, within that need, God is working out His master plan, amazing and redemptive and full of His glory?

The story of Ruth shows us how God preserved an entire family line
and how God preserved and provided for ONE person—one woman—within that lineage, Ruth.

God does not forsake the individual for the good of the group, nor does He sacrifice His ultimate redemptive plan to care for the needs of one. He, unlike us, accomplishes it all simultaneously, making a way where there appears to be none.

In God’s desire and plan to redeem people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, He does not gloss over each person within those people groups. He sees one and He sees all. He loves just one, and He loves all.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Redeemed Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Redeemed!

Redeemed Day 12 The Waiting Game: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Waiting Game!

The Questions

1) Why does it matter that Boaz is a relative?

2) Why would Ruth uncover his feet and lie down?

3) Why does Ruth agree in verse 5?

Ruth 3:1-5

3 Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I find rest for you, so that you will be taken care of? 2 Now isn’t Boaz our relative? Haven’t you been working with his female servants? This evening he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, notice the place where he’s lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do.”
5 So Ruth said to her, “I will do everything you say.”

Original Intent

1) Why does it matter that Boaz is a relative?
Ruth and Naomi are both widows.  Being a widow during Old Testament days meant a life of poverty. Expositor’s Bible Commentary describes their life this way, “lonely, with no prospect before them but hard toil that would by and by fail, unable to undertake anything on their own account, and still regarded with indifference, if not suspicion, by the people of Bethlehem.” Their life would have little to no hope unless someone stepped in to provide. God, in His wisdom, had provided for this reality within Israelite culture by means of a relative. Ruth and Naomi needed a “kinsman redeemer”, who was typically the closest male relative, in order to have assurance of provision for their future. While Boaz was not the closest relative, he was the closest relative willing to take on this responsibility. As long as the closest relative agreed, the next in lineage, would have the opportunity to step in as “kinsman redeemer”.

2)Why would Ruth uncover his feet and lie down?
When we read Naomi’s instructions to Ruth they seem inappropriate, at best, within our modern context. However, Expositor’s Bible Commentary helps us understand what Ruth is truly doing. “Ruth is to go to the threshing floor on the night of the harvest festival, wait until Boaz lies down to sleep beside the mass of winnowed grain, and place herself at his feet, so reminding him that, if no other will, it is his duty to be a husband to her for the sake of Elimelech and his sons.” (Expositors) Ruth is presenting herself to Boaz in hopes of redemption. This was not a scandalous action, rather, it was common for a servant to lay at the feet of their master.  Naomi is encouraging Ruth to present herself in hopes that Boaz will marry her, or find another relative to do so, therefore redeeming her (and Naomi). Matthew Henry says, “Naomi herself designed nothing but what was honest and honourable, and her charity (which believeth all things and hopeth all things) banished and forbade all suspicion that either Boaz or Ruth would attempt anything but what was likewise honest and honourable. If Naomi’s instructions were as indecent and immodest (according to the usage of the country) as they seem to us now, we cannot think that if Naomi had had so little virtue (which yet we have no reason to suspect) she would also have had so little wisdom as to put her daughter upon it, since that alone might have marred the match, and have alienated the affections of so grave and good a man as Boaz from her. We must therefore think that the thing did not look so ill then as it does now.”

3) Why does Ruth agree in verse 5?
If Naomi’s instructions seem strange to us, then what must we think of Ruth’s agreement! Surely, it speaks to Ruth’s character. Matthew 1:5 includes Ruth in the genealogy of Jesus which speaks greatly of her faith and character. By no means was she perfect, but she was chosen much like Abraham, Noah, Moses, and so many others because God knew their heart and chose to work through them, despite their weaknesses. Matthew Henry says, “We may be sure, if Ruth had apprehended any evil in that which her mother advised her to, she was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to promise as she did (verse 5), “All that thou sayest unto me I will do.” Thus, must the younger submit to the elder, and to their grave and prudent counsels, when they have nothing worth speaking of to object against it.” Ruth found no objection in Naomi’s instruction and therefore agreed to follow it.

Everyday Application

1) Why does it matter that Boaz is a relative?
While we do not live in Old Testament days, we are still in need of a redeemer. In our flesh and humanity, we are just as Ruth and Naomi, lost and hopeless in our sin, “unable to undertake anything on their own account” (Expositors). We are all born with a sin nature and not one of us has lived without sin, except for Jesus.  Matthew Henry says, “that he is our near kinsman; having taken our nature upon him, he is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh.” It is through His sacrifice that we are redeemed. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, provision was made possible for the eternal future of every single person who believes on Him with full trust and faith. A future that includes a restored relationship with God and an eternity spent delighting in His love for us and then reflecting that love back to Him in worship.

2) Why would Ruth uncover his feet and lie down?
This action seems completely immoral in our sight. However, we cannot assume that to be the intention Naomi (or Ruth in her agreement) had as they made this decision. Ruth presented herself to her redeemer and awaited further instruction from him. She did not make advances, but sought redemption. We must do likewise with our redeemer, Christ Jesus. Matthew Henry says, “Thus must we lay ourselves at the feet of our Redeemer, to receive from him our doom. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” We should lay ourselves at His feet seeking His direction and guidance. His plans and ways are always best, we simply need to ask, listen, and then obey. We come with humility and total trust and acceptance of His response, which, according to Scripture, we already know is glad welcome and the gift of eternity with Him! As we lay ourselves down in surrender, the Lord Jesus redeems us, raising us to walk in newness of life!

3) Why does Ruth agree in verse 5?
Ruth is a foreigner in Israel. She listens to the guidance of her Israelite mother-in-law trusting she knew best. Her obedience is not blind, rather a result of trust built in a relationship. She knew Naomi and trusted she would not guide her into destruction, but a better life. In our lives, we face situations and decisions where we need to seek the wisdom of others. We need to surround ourselves with believers who are wiser than us and whose guidance we can seek. However, we must also be willing to listen, like Ruth did, to the guidance given. Ruth would have lived a much different life had she not heeded the council of Naomi. God places people in our lives who, along with the direction of the Holy Spirit, guide us into a much different life than we can lead on our own. We are not meant to walk this journey of life alone, but with others who can help support, guide, and direct us into the best of what God has for us. However, just like Ruth, we must know the guidance being given is done in wisdom from the Lord. We determine this through an established relationship with the person and by spending time seeking the Lord through prayer and study of His Word. If we are given sound, biblical wisdom, it will always line up with what the Lord says in His word.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Waiting Game!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Redeemed Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.