Boaz welcomes Ruth to his fields

Ruth 2:5-13

Have you ever heard the phrase, favor isn’t fair? If you haven’t, I heard it for you…many times. Some people believe in luck, and that in life you either have it represented in a good way, or a bad one. Luck is usually accompanied by coincidence, and many live by these two beliefs, but in my most honest opinion, I shun luck and coincidence, and have more of an affinity to favor and consequence. Nothing happens by chance, but all things are the direct result of the decisions we choose to make, or not make in our daily living.

An example of the latter of the two beliefs I mentioned takes place in our lesson’s text. After returning to her hometown of Bethlehem from Moab, Naomi remembered she had a relative who was a mighty man of wealth. Her arrival came around the time of the beginning of the barley harvest. This was perfect timing, as she and Ruth had an opportunity to glean from the fields, before the harvest was depleted. Naomi had returned home, claiming that the Lord had afflicted her, causing her to be empty, so she needed a means to gain access to food and other provisions. Usually, her husband and sons would make sure their women were properly cared for (that’s rare these days, as men have become soft and lazy), but they were forced to fend for themselves for survival.

Surprisingly, Ruth devised a plan to glean in the fields that belonged to Naomi’s wealthy relative, Boaz, in hopes that he would notice her, and find favor with her. Long story short, her plan worked! While gleaning in the fields, Boaz noticed Ruth, and took a liking to her, so he inquired of the reapers who she was. After hearing the whole story of her time with Naomi, Boaz extended unprecedented favor toward Ruth, and made it known to her that his actions toward her were the result of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to Naomi, even after losing her husband and abandoning her faith for theirs. Boaz would continue to bestow blessings upon Ruth, so much until the two would eventually become an item. Ruth’s temporary suffering turned into a lifetime of favor and blessings.

I know first-hand the struggle is real, and life can throw some pitches that are extremely tough to hit, but if we remain committed to God through the storms and the rain, He’ll provide a rainbow of blessings after those storms pass that will change our lives from bitter, to better. Favor is fair, but only if you follow the right path to attain it.

Walk in love,

Ell

Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:19-22

Have you ever been in a committed relationship? At first thought, did you assume my question was only in relation to marriage, or courting? Well, commitment should be at the helm of all relationships, whether it be between those who are interested in each other, family ties, or solid friendships. Finding someone you can put all your trust in these days is rare, and if by chance you meet someone who seems to be trustworthy, it always comes with a bit of hesitation. Trust is earned, and is established based on faithfulness and consistent acts of love.

In our lesson, we continue where Naomi was still mourning the loss of her husband and two sons. While grieving, she heard that the Lord had lifted the famine from the land she and her family had left, and provided crops again, so she took her daughters-in-law, gathered her belongings, and set off to return home. As they began the journey back to Bethlehem, Naomi gave opportunity for her daughters-in-law to return to their former pagan lives. While Orpah wept and returned to her own family, Ruth was committed to her mother-in-law, and chose to stay with her. I often hear people say that words mean little without actions, but the words Ruth used to solidify the covenant she had with Naomi should be mentioned in the vows of everyone who has plans to be married, or those who are filling out friendship applications. Ruth’s exact words to Naomi were, “…Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (vs. 16-17). Imagine if your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a potential friend approached you in this way. Those are some heavy and intense words to follow up with actions, but if you know the whole story, you also know that Ruth stayed true to her words, and God blessed her beyond measure.

In a world full of evil, deception, and wickedness, it’s really hard to commit to people who say all the right things initially, because they later reveal who they really are when the heat intensifies. In your prayers, ask God to connect you to people who are first wise in His eyes, so that they can cover you from evil you can’t see, keep you on the path that leads to life, and connect you to others who can change your life in ways you never imagined!

Walk in love,

Ell

Naomi loses her husband and sons

Ruth 1:1-5

Throughout life, there will always be certain things that are beyond our control. The serenity prayer helps us understand this truth also, as it’s words mention, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right, if I surrender to His Will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next. Amen.” When life feels out of control, it’s easy to try to control everything and everyone around us, but some of us do the opposite, and just throw our hands up while giving up on the situation altogether. Accepting and submitting to God’s plan for your life is the only sure way to find peace in situations you’re unable to change or control. We may not always understand God’s plan, but we can let go of trying to manipulate events and people, and let God work through us.

In our lesson text, Naomi was faced with a situation that could either cause her to break down and give up, or push her to be better. During a famine that was taking place in their land, Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) took his wife and two sons on a journey to look for more sustainable lands in the country of Moab. For reasons not mentioned in Scripture, Elimelech died. This was very significant, as the husband was the sole provider of the family during these days, and losing a husband could cause major problems for a widow trying to provide for two sons on her own. To make matters worse on the heartbroken widow, during their time in Moab, Naomi’s two sons died as well. Some speculate that their deaths were the result of transgressing the law in marrying foreign women, but this is unlikely, unless they were convinced to follow idolatry with the Moabites as well. In any case, within the span of ten years, this faithful woman lost all her means of support, including her husband and two sons.

Let’s further examine this situation, because as you read a bit deeper into the text, we find where Naomi, like many today, thought God was punishing her for something she probably had done, but if you look at the bigger picture, famines, wars, and the like are not personal curses, or they would only affect the person involved. These types of judgments show no respect of persons at all, affecting the wicked, as well as the righteous. When God finds it necessary to punish the wicked, sometimes the righteous suffer along with them as well. We live in a time where judgment is coming down on the wicked, yet the good hearted and kind people are struggling as well. It almost seems unfair that the good must suffer at the expense of evil men’s deeds, but we were graced to have faith and power through God’s Spirit to help us endure, until our change comes.

Naomi seemingly lost everything, but her faith in God kept her standing, and provided the opportunity for her to be blessed abundantly in the end. The end of a matter with God is ALWAYS good, and if it’s not good, then it’s not the end of the matter. Keep living, and watch God work! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Walk in love,

Ell

Ruth, mother of David and Jesus

Matthew 1:2-6, 16

I’ve never really been keen on history, nor am I fully aware of my own family’s history, so for the sake of not screwing up Biblical history in reference to genealogy, I’ll use the time for this lesson to expound upon the importance of family.

The original family was instituted by God Himself, when He brought together Adam and Eve, then instructed them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. Some believe that there were people who existed before Adam, based on the term “replenish”, and were wiped out prior to his creation, but Genesis 3:20 reads, “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” If Eve is the mother of all living humans, then how could anyone exist before she was pulled from Adam’s rib, and delicately crafted into the world’s first top model? That’s a topic for another discussion.

The family structure consists of a father, mother, and children who all reside in a house, of which mom makes into a home. While fathers have a role to be the provider, protector, instructor, and disciplinarian in the home, mothers add the extra flavor that keeps the family together. Our text reveals one particular mother, who was responsible for the birthing of two of the most prominent men who ever existed. Down the family line of Ruth, came forth king David, and the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Isn’t it amazing how God created one man and woman, then from their union came all of us, with different purposes, personalities, and character traits? Imagine if Ruth had aborted her children, or chose to never get pregnant. King David, and all his great accomplishments, including the book of Psalms, would be nonexistent. Christ would have still been sent to the earth, but the family line He came through couldn’t have been put together any better than it had been.

Ruth was a pure woman, with a generous heart, and was included in the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ. In total, Jesus came through 42 generations of great and mighty men and women, whom God used to establish His name, until His Son was born to reveal the true power in that same name. This lesson provided another plate of food for thought. Stay blessed!

Walk in love,

Ell

Continuing the family line

Deuteronomy 25:5-10

The children of Israel were required to follow some very interesting laws and ordinances back in Bible days. The obvious laws that kept men in right standing with God were the ten commandments, and those that separated the evil from the good, but some laws that applied to them back then would be shunned upon in 2019. Our text presents one such law concerning remarriage, and succeeding a man’s family name. In Christian culture today, marriage is to be between one man, and one woman, then the two are joined as one, and are to be fruitful and multiply. If the husband dies, this releases the wife from her bond of matrimony, and she’s free to remarry at her will. The next potential candidate she chooses is expected to be of no relation to her, nor her husband, and the name of the deceased husband would soon die, if they didn’t bare a male child.

In our lesson text, if the husband of the wife passes, and he has a brother, then she has the option of marrying him, in order to keep her husband’s name relevant. I’m certain I would roll over ten times in my grave if my wife married my brother, but hey, that’s how it was back then. To add more drama to this issue, if the brother refuses to take the widow as his wife, then she’s to report him to the elders of his city, where they’ll give him a chance to explain his reasoning. If he stands true to his refusal, then he’s to be publicly humiliated, as wife is to loose his shoe from his foot, and spit in his face. To be barefoot was a sign of distress and humiliation. Doing this to the man signified that he had sold everything and was bankrupt. In other words, the man in Israel who refused to preserve the name of his brother was considered worthless, and without value. This lesson was just a little food for thought. Stay blessed!

Walk in love,

Ell

Protecting widows

Deuteronomy 24:17-22

Society today is full of people who think more of themselves, than they do others. The rich continue to get richer, while neglecting to extend the wealth they can’t take beyond this earth realm with those who are less fortunate, and can barely provide for themselves. It’s ironic to witness those who are homeless strive to care for each other, while the men and women with more than enough, pass by them as if they are invisible. Even widows are often forgotten and neglected by those who can offer support, without being negatively affected by doing so. Those women who once depended solely on the support of their husbands, found life to be extremely more difficult after their passing, and would benefit greatly if people followed the command given by God, to the children of Israel in this lesson’s text.

The Hebrew word for “glean” is laqat, and it means “to collect, gather up, pick up.” Gleaning is the gathering of grain or other harvested material left behind by reapers. In our text, the Israelites were commanded to allow strangers, the fatherless, and widows to follow behind reapers and pick up leftover spears of grain, olives, and fallen grapes. Doing this, in accordance with the Law of Moses, provided food for the poor, orphans, widows, and resident aliens. The law specified that land owners must leave some of the harvest for gleaners, remembering how they were once in need of help, then God delivered them from bondage. The reason some people are selfish is, they’ve become comfortable in their prosperity, until they forget the times when they were broke and busted, and needed someone to provide for them.

God provides more than enough for His people, and He intends that they share their increase with those who have little to nothing to live on. Life is getting tough as the days go by, and it gets harder for those single mothers, and widows who strive hard to provide for themselves, and their children. If you proclaim that the love of God rests and resides in your heart, then consider those who need help, when God blesses you with increase. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

Walk in love,

Ell

Covenant between friends

1 Samuel 18:1-5, 19:1-7

Times have changed dramatically from when David began his journey to become king, until now. Even his friendship with Jonathan seemed to only be fitting back then, because if their relationship was carried over into this era, it would be looked upon with eyes of skepticism. I say that because the Bible reads that after Jonathan heard of David’s victory over Goliath, and the conversation between him and his father, his very soul became knit with the soul of David, and he loved him as his own soul. Saying things like that these days makes it seem like bruh was a bit sweet, but there was nothing “funny” about the joining together of David and Jonathan. It takes a real man to express love to another man, because love is of God, and when expressed or demonstrated based on His definition, then it will always be genuine, true, and according to His Word.

After Saul made an agreement with David’s father to keep him as a servant, he and Jonathan made a covenant that solidified their friendship forever. Jonathan went so far as to give David the robe from his back, his garments, sword, bow, and girdle. Giving is the greatest sign of true commitment (God set this example when He gave the world His Son), and Jonathan proved that he was true to David by giving his best to his friend.

Covenants are like the cement that’s poured to fill the foundation of a building or structure, that hardens over time, and is tested by measures of extreme force. Well, the foundation of friendship established between David and Jonathan was put to the test on multiple occasions. Following fifteen failed attempts to kill David, Jonathan remained committed to keeping his friend safe from his father. Risking his own life, the son of the wicked king refused to commit to an evil plot to destroy an innocent man, and proved that his loyalty to David couldn’t be severed, even if it took disobeying the will of his own father.

How faithful are you in keeping commitments to friends? Do your words match your actions, or do you break away from your covenants when the heat gets too hot? Committing to God provides a guaranteed way to stay true to who and what you commit to. Strive hard to be a man, or woman of your word, and don’t allow negative people to change the way you feel about your friends. Good friends are hard to come by these days, so thank God for those you can trust to fight with you through anything.

Walk in love,

Ell

David and Jonathan separate in peace

1 Samuel 20:35-42

After doing all he could to protect his friend from being discovered by the raging king, Jonathan could no longer allow David to remain in the vicinity of the king’s palace. Saul’s mind was undeniably fixed on removing the son of Jesse from off the face of the earth, and he wouldn’t allow anyone, or anything to stop him from accomplishing this.

Following his last near-death experience by the hand of Saul and his javelin, David ran off and hid himself in a field, near the stone of Ezel, which means departure. How fitting the name of this rock, as David would soon be departing from the presence of his dear friend, and crazy father-in-law. All this was taking place during the days prior to the new moon. Hebrews offered sacrifices and held feasts on days of new moons. At such feasts, certain seats were reserved for special people, and David held a seat in the king’s court. Saul no doubt expected David to be at the feast, and his presence there would offer more opportunity for the king to try and take his life. But David was no fool, and remained in his hiding spot, until Jonathan came to him to deliver the news of his father’s intentions, and whether it would be safe for him to remain there, or if he was to leave the premises (this was according to the plan they had previously established in verses 18-23).

While the feast convened, Saul noticed that David hadn’t shown up for two days, then inquired of Jonathan what was going on. After explaining to his father how he had given David permission to spend time with his family during the new moon (not only did the king hold a feast, but families also offered sacrifices and feasted together during this time, even though David didn’t return to his family), Saul’s anger grow completely out of control, as he turned against his own son, and attempted to take his life by throwing the same javelin toward him, that he used against David. The wicked king’s heart was set on keeping the royal mantle in his family line, and believed that as long as David lived, he would be a threat to Jonathan’s future reign. Just because a father’s rule is tied to wickedness and corruption, doesn’t mean his son has to follow in his footsteps. Jonathan had a mind of his own, and was fully aware, and respectful of the purpose God had for His servant David, so he stood firmly against the ill will of his earthly father, in place of the divine will of his heavenly Father.

As David slowly emerged from his hiding spot, knowing that it was purposed for him to flee, he and Jonathan embraced each other, and wept sincere tears, as this would be the time of their separation. Evil people always make life harder on those with intentions only to do good. Because of Saul’s godless heart, the friendship between two of God’s most faithful, loyal, and bold soldiers had no choice but to separate themselves from each other, to avoid the bloodshed of an innocent man. Although this was only the beginning of David’s season of running, ducking, and hiding, the help Jonathan willingly offered David was of great importance, and help set David on his path to greatness!

Walk in love,

Ell

Jonathan and David plan rendezvous

1 Samuel 20:18-23

When going through trouble and hard times, it’s important that prayer, meditation on God’s Word, and fasting, be at the forefront of a person’s thought process. When we’re overwhelmed with the pressures of life, we can literally lose ourselves in stress and worry, if we’re not rooted and grounded in God. Connecting with others who are strong in faith, and sensitive to your situation can also help alleviate the strain of bearing your burdens alone. David was favored by God to gain the trust and respect of Jonathan, who made sure to keep his friend safe from his father’s multiple attempts to kill him. When God has a plan for your life, He’ll assign certain people to help you bring that plan into fruition.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:12-19).

Walk in love,

Ell

David and Jonathan enter covenant

1 Samuel 20:12-17

When there is but a step between life and death, every decision you make is of great importance. Whether it be a battle with health, men at war, or in David’s case, running for your life, one thing that adds a bit of comfort to your crucial circumstance is, having someone by your side to fight with you.

David was being hunted and pursued, simply for being favored by God. Proverbs 10:22 reads, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”, but men who are unable to appreciate your favor can easily be persuaded by the enemy to entertain jealousy, envy, and strife. Such was the case with Saul, as he developed intense hatred toward David, but for reasons unsupported by logic. Saul’s intense hate was less about David, and more about his failure to take full advantage of the benefits that came with being favored by God. While David struggled to understand the king’s motive behind seeing him dead, he found favor in the sight of Saul’s son, Jonathan. The bond between the two young men had become so strong, until Jonathan even stood up for David in the presence of the king, and spoke good of his friend. He explained to his father how David did nothing wrong against him, nor did he sin, his works were always very good toward the king, and the king himself rejoiced at the great victory against the Philistines the Lord orchestrated through David. This was one of the most appealing pleas for righteousness from a son to a father. It cleared David’s name of any falsehoods, and revealed the extreme selfishness and jealousy of king Saul.

Jonathan really stepped up for David, and proved himself to be a man of God, who also risked his life for a friend. The two would soon enter a covenant agreement where Jonathan would ask David to promise to keep him and his family safe, during the time when he becomes king, in return for sparing his life from Saul. This agreement was eventually fulfilled when David had become king.

Cling tightly to those God places in your life to help you get through rough seasons. Trials and tribulations really do reveal who your real friends are, while exposing the imposters. Thank God daily for the people in your life who you know you can count on to support you during the good times, as well as the bad. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

Walk in love,

Ell