The book of Ruth is a short one--only four chapters--yet it is not without its merit. We will explore the first two chapters here.
There was a woman in Bethleman named Naomi. She had two sons, who had married two girls from Moab. The girls were Orpah and Ruth.
Naomi's husband passed away when her sons were younger and she raised them to be Godly men. But when her two sons also pass away, she ordered her two daughters-in-law to go back to their homes, for they will be unsuitable to find another husband amongst Naomi's relatives.
Oprah and Ruth were sad, and Oprah left. Ruth stayed, vowing to stick with Naomi until the day she dies. Naomi said no more. She agreed to let Ruth stay with her.
Naomi and Ruth work in the field, helping a relative of Naomi by the name of Boaz with his grain harvest. When Boaz found out about his new workers, he ordered no one to molest Ruth and also told Ruth to only work in his fields.
Boaz then blessed her in the name of the Lord.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The great battle against the Benjaminites
The final three chapters in the book of Judges--chapters 19 through 21--involved a great battle with one of the tribes of Israel who betrayed the rest: the tribe of Benjamin.
It all started with the malicous rape of a Levite's concubine.
In chapter 19, a Levite took a concubine back to his home. His wife was furious. She left for her father's house, and the husband, with concubine in tow, followed. The father was not furious. Oddly enough, he made the husband and concubine stay again and again, for several days. They were to stay one final night, but the Levite was ready to leave. He found shelter in Gibeah, from a kind old man.
That night, a group of sexual deviants (from the tribe of Benjamin) surrounded his home, demanding the Levite. His concubine was sent out instead and they raped her all night long. She was on the brink of death the next morning.
The Levite went to the Israelites and demanded justice. A great battle ensued, slaughtering many brave men on both sides of the battle.
It all started with the malicous rape of a Levite's concubine.
In chapter 19, a Levite took a concubine back to his home. His wife was furious. She left for her father's house, and the husband, with concubine in tow, followed. The father was not furious. Oddly enough, he made the husband and concubine stay again and again, for several days. They were to stay one final night, but the Levite was ready to leave. He found shelter in Gibeah, from a kind old man.
That night, a group of sexual deviants (from the tribe of Benjamin) surrounded his home, demanding the Levite. His concubine was sent out instead and they raped her all night long. She was on the brink of death the next morning.
The Levite went to the Israelites and demanded justice. A great battle ensued, slaughtering many brave men on both sides of the battle.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Micah's Lost Idol
In the book of Judges, chapters 17 and 18 deals with a man named Micah.
Micah's tale starts with his confession to his mother that he stole 1100 silver pieces from her. She was rejoiced and used some of the silver to make an idol for God. A young Levite, one day, came by his house and Micah gave him a job as his priest along with a place to stay.
It is noted at this time Israel had no king. People did as they pleased.
The people of Dan were looking for some land of their own--since they were given none when all of the other tribes were given theirs. They sent five out to explore the land. They came by Micah's house and spoke with the Levite priest.
The Levite blessed them and said God would make their trip successful. When they returned with their army of 600, the Levite went with them. He also took the idol Micah made from the silver he stole from his mother.
I have to be honest, these chapters made me stratch my head a few times. I read these chapters several times. Maybe there are answers in the subsequent chapters.
We shall see . . .
Micah's tale starts with his confession to his mother that he stole 1100 silver pieces from her. She was rejoiced and used some of the silver to make an idol for God. A young Levite, one day, came by his house and Micah gave him a job as his priest along with a place to stay.
It is noted at this time Israel had no king. People did as they pleased.
The people of Dan were looking for some land of their own--since they were given none when all of the other tribes were given theirs. They sent five out to explore the land. They came by Micah's house and spoke with the Levite priest.
The Levite blessed them and said God would make their trip successful. When they returned with their army of 600, the Levite went with them. He also took the idol Micah made from the silver he stole from his mother.
I have to be honest, these chapters made me stratch my head a few times. I read these chapters several times. Maybe there are answers in the subsequent chapters.
We shall see . . .
Sunday, February 2, 2014
My Kindle ebook "Gabriel's Hope" - how the little things make a big difference
Roughly a year ago, I sat in church and had an epiphany.
Well, not necessary an epiphany. I had a vision. It was during the pastor's sermon, and although it had nothing to do with death, death is what I imagined. To be more specific, I imagined a funeral. A funeral of someone I love very dearly.
My wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in April 2011. Although she is still in remission, her eyes have been causing her a great deal of trouble and I still live with the fear that I may lose her. Then, a thought occured to me: what is someone, who was dying, prayed to God. Not prayed to heal them. No. This someone prayed to God as an apology for living such a dull life and never accomplishing what they should have. Then, as this person laid down to sleep, they were met with an angel who showed them that they in fact accomplished more by doing little things.
In other words: it's the little things that make a big difference.
Enter Gabriel's Hope. It's a novella about a guy named Larry Wahl, who is struck with terminal cancer and meets up with a child angel--this child is actually his unborn child as his wife had a miscarriage several years before.
The child angel's name is Gabriel. And Gabriel shows Larry seven people whom he helped by performing small tasks.
Gabriel's Hope is only $.99 on the Amazon Kindle. Be sure to pick up this little book.
Some who've read it has compared it to Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I'm flattered to be set next to such a legendary author.
Please let me know what you think. Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle store for Gabriel's Hope.
Well, not necessary an epiphany. I had a vision. It was during the pastor's sermon, and although it had nothing to do with death, death is what I imagined. To be more specific, I imagined a funeral. A funeral of someone I love very dearly.
My wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in April 2011. Although she is still in remission, her eyes have been causing her a great deal of trouble and I still live with the fear that I may lose her. Then, a thought occured to me: what is someone, who was dying, prayed to God. Not prayed to heal them. No. This someone prayed to God as an apology for living such a dull life and never accomplishing what they should have. Then, as this person laid down to sleep, they were met with an angel who showed them that they in fact accomplished more by doing little things.
In other words: it's the little things that make a big difference.
Enter Gabriel's Hope. It's a novella about a guy named Larry Wahl, who is struck with terminal cancer and meets up with a child angel--this child is actually his unborn child as his wife had a miscarriage several years before.
The child angel's name is Gabriel. And Gabriel shows Larry seven people whom he helped by performing small tasks.
Gabriel's Hope is only $.99 on the Amazon Kindle. Be sure to pick up this little book.
Some who've read it has compared it to Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I'm flattered to be set next to such a legendary author.
Please let me know what you think. Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle store for Gabriel's Hope.
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