READING FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2025: RUTH 4, MATTHEW 18, PSALM 13                                  RUTH 4 In the last verse of chapter three, Naomi predicted to Ruth that Boaz would follow up on all the legal loose ends of the situation that very day.  Sure enough, in the first verse of chapter four we read the words, “Now Boaz went.”  He tracked down Naomi’s deceased husband’s closest relative to offer him the opportunity to both redeem the land belonging to this husband and marry Ruth in a levirate marriage. Of course, everyone was hoping he would decline, but Boaz was determined to do everything by the book (i.e., the Bible). The relative was willing to redeem the land but not marry Ruth. The nature of such a marriage meant he would need to raise a son to carry on the dead husband’s name and inheritance (see Deut. 25). This would have complicated his plans for his own inheritance.  

This refusal normally carries with it a degree of public disgrace: “Then his brother’s widow shall come up to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face” (Deut. 25:9).Since Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz didn’t want this relative to accept Ruth, they skipped the spitting part and just had a friendly sandal removal. Boaz then publicly announced his intention to marry Ruth in order to carry on the name of the dead husband. All the witnesses seemed to understand what a great result this was and spontaneously blessed this union. 

“The Lord enabled” Ruth to give birth to a son named Obed. The women of Bethlehem blessed the formerly “bitter” Naomi saying Ruth was better to her than seven sons. Obed then had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David. Finally, Jesus, the Savor of the world, was to become known as the Son of David. This string of events started with Naomi’s decision to re- turn to Judea, the land God promised long ago to Abraham. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). 

MATTHEW 18 The disciples asked who is the greatest in kingdom of heaven. Jesus, never one to give the “expected” answer, responded by saying 1) those who are not convertedcannot enter the kingdom and 2) those converted who humble themselves like a child are the greatest in the kingdom. In Matthew 5 He used these same categories but with a slightly different focus. He said 1) the scribes and Pharisees won’t be in the Kingdom because they did not convert; they rejected Jesus. He said 2) those who did not accept, or humble themselves to, the entire Bible will be least in the kingdom. Finally, 3) those humble enough to submit to the entire Bible will be greatest in the kingdom. No contradiction here. 

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2025 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 18, PSALM 13                          Jesus expresses the highest value for children. Foreshadowing Matthew 25, we can imagine receiving Jesus Himself whenever we receive a child in His name—because He said so! Jesus says it would be better to be dead than cause a believing child to stumble (meaning to lose faith—Matt. 18:6). What are ways adults, such as a parent, might cause a child to stumble:

• Not giving the child the freedom to ask tough questions about the Christian faith.
• Setting a bad example by not attending church, reading Bible, tithing, etc. 
• Not living out the fruit of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22-23 (i.e., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control).
• Not instructing a child in spiritual truth: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
• Not disciplining a child appropriately: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it” (Prov. 22:6).                                                                                                         

Jesus says we must avoid becoming a stumbling block to believers, either to ourselves or others—as Eliphaz was a stumbling block to Job. Why? The fate of the stumbler is eternal fire (Matt 18:8). It might even be good things that cause stumbling: such as eyes, hands, or feet. Are there any good things in our lives that might cause us or others to stumble?  St. Augustine said, “The essence of sin is disordered love.” This means loving less important things: such as vacations, cultural approval, job, and even family; more than ultimate things: such as God. (Remember how few United Methodists listed God as the most important part of their lives.) Final Observations:

• Children have their own dedicated angels in heaven who are always in contact with the Father.
• Jesus again stressed His main reason for coming to earth: SAVE THE LOST.
• The Father doesn’t want any child to perish. Are our children and grandchildren saved?
• We must discipline fellow Christians who sin, but we must follow the Matt. 18:15-17 plan.
• We must forgive from the heart. Seeking forgiveness but not extending it risks eternal consequences. 

PSALM 13: Let’s not just read this psalm. Let’s do this psalm.

1. Verses 1-2 Four How-Long Questions: Do you feel you have been carrying some burdens for a long time? Too long? Do they relate to areas of health, depression, finances, purpose, relationships, the future, and even closeness to God? As David asked God a series of four how-long questions, let’s write down our own how-long questions and insert the specific burdens we have been carrying for too long.
2. Verses 3-4 Reasons for God to Respond: David was kind enough to give God reasons He should respond: such as David not dying and not giving evil forces reasons to gloat. Why don’t we do the same? Remember the Canaanite woman gave Jesus a good reason to heal her daughter. Jesus was pleased and was moved to heal her daughter. 
3. Verses 5-6 Articulating Praise and Thanksgiving: In the midst of David’s questioning, he found plenty of reasons to praise and thank God. Let’s review our lives and consider all that the Lord has done for us. (Don’t forget the cross.) Write down those that come readily to mind. God loves to receive this sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15-16).