READING FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2025: RUTH 2, MATTHEW 16, PSALM 11 RUTH 2 The last verse of chapter one may seem like an insignificant statement of fact, but it sets the stage for the entire book: “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.” Aware of that fact and certainly aware of their need, Ruth did not require any great revelation from heaven to realize what she should do. She got busy and set out to glean (harvest unpicked grain) from anyone who would permit her to do so. God actually commanded farmers to leave grain unpicked for this purpose so that the poor would have the opportunity to acquire food, but without merely receiving a handout: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:9-10).
In God’s masterful orchestrating of events, the field Ruth chose belonged to Boaz. He was a close relative of Naomi’s deceased husband and significant figure in their extended family or clan (vs. 1). He also had great rapport with his employees based upon their common faith (vs.4). We also know from the genealogy of Matthew 1 that Boaz’s mother was Rahab the prostitute from Jericho. Thus, he likely had special appreciation for those foreigners who came in faith to the God of Israel, seeing how powerfully his mother was used by God: “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (vs. 12).
Even though Ruth was a newcomer to town, her life story was quickly known by others: “The overseer replied, ‘She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi’” (vs. 6). Bethlehem was a small town where news traveled quickly, like Yorktown. Ruth’s work ethic also was undeniable. She started picking in the morning (vs. 7) and continued until evening; after that she threshed the grain before going home (vs. 17). Ruth’s consideration for Naomi was evident in that she brought her some leftovers from her lunch (vs. 18). So, which is it? Do these positive developments happen because of good choices of the people or because of God’s grace? Maybe the answer is simply yes: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13).
MATTHEW 16 This chapter affirms two truths that, if believed, will lead to purpose in life and right relationship with God now and forever: 1) The resurrection and 2) the nature of Jesus. THE RESURRECTION: The scribes and the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign before believing in Him. He responded that no sign would be given except for the sign of Jonah. That’s Jesus's code for the resurrection (Matt. 12:40). The late pastor Tim Keller pointed out the central importance of this event. When people told him they can’t accept Christianity because they do not like some of the lifestyle restrictions in the Bible; Keller’s response was, “Does that prove
READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2025 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 16, PSALM 11 the resurrection did not happen?” When they said they couldn’t accept Jesus because the exclusivity of Christian truth claims seemed bigoted; Keller asked, "Does that prove the resurrection did not happen? When people reject Jesus because they think Christians are either hypocrites or boring or both; Keller replies, “Does that prove the resurrection did not happen?” The one vital question for all of us and all skeptics to answer must be did Jesus rise from the grave? if He did, then we must accept all of Jesus by embracing His church, His commands, and His moral values. There is plenty of super strong evidence for the resurrection, but that requires a separate investigation. THE NATURE OF JESUS: Jesus asked who people thought he was. Several wrong answers were given: John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Then Jesus asked who the disciples thought he was. Peter's answer was spot on: Jesus is the Christ (Messiah in Hebrew or anointed one in English) and the Son of God. This combination was not expected by the Jews. Yes, they were looking for a Messiah who would be a military/political leader (see Micah 5), hence Herod sought to eliminate the competition. They were not expecting a Messiah who also claimed to be equal with God. This became their stated reason for seeking to execute Jesus (Luke 22:70-71).
THE TEST FOR TRUTH:1 John 2:22-24 tells us those who deny that Jesus is both the Son of God and the Christ are liars and even the antichrist. Jude 1:4 warns about those who “deny our only master, Jesus Christ.” Study carefully how Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses view Jesus. In the case of the last two, look at how they have translated and interpreted John 1:1-3. What about Progressive Christianity? “Jesus was the perfect human who was also the perfect window to God. It’s not as though there was a divine nature in him, but rather that his fully human nature was transparent to the God who inheres all reality” (PROGRESSIVECHRISTIANITY.ORG).Does this agree with Peter’s confession? What do teachers and groups say about Jesus?
Final points:
- Jesus said to stay mum about His being the Christ because anything that might thwart His going to the cross is of Satan. Again, there is a direct connection between His mission and being quiet.
- Jesus expects us to re-enact the sacrificial obedience He demonstrated at the cross.
PSALM 11 David has another one of his authentic heart-to-heart (or more accurately soul-to-soul) chats with God. He feels like evil has a bent bow poised to shoot an arrow through his heart. He feels powerless to be righteous because the foundations are giving way. Sounds like some of us today. We are either going through poor health, mourning the loss or suffering of our loved ones, or are stressed out by watching all the sadness and violence on the news. Fortunately for us, David not only states the problem, but he also gives a solution: THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE. He seems to be saying, whatever your problem, just remember God is still in charge. Let’s try a technique that David might employ. Name the problem(s) you face and then speak aloud the bigger reality: The Lord is in His Holy Temple. Not only does David remind himself and us about this, but he adds the incredible concept that this Lord who is totally in charge totally loves us. David’s positive understanding of reality has much in common with Ruth’s and Peter’s. How about ours?
