Monday, October 21, 2013

T2W Fall Online Bible Study



Week Seven –  Your Inheritance from God
Women of the Bible – Ruth & Naomi

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6

Ruth tragically lost her husband to war.  She had none of her own family around her to comfort her and care for her.  She had followed her husband to a foreign land to live with him, his mother Naomi, and his family. 

At the beginning of their marriage Ruth was full of high hopes for children and a loving spouse.  However, one day her dreams tragically came to an end.


Ruth could have chosen to return to her own family but instead she made a profession of faith to her mother-in-law, “For wherever you go I will go, and where you live I will live, your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16  Ruth saw God through Naomi and she wanted Him.  She was drawn to God through the witness lived out daily by Naomi.

Both Ruth and Naomi could have allowed this heartbreak to bring them down into a dark depression.  This is the kind of life circumstance that can immobilize us.  The death of a spouse, the death of a child, or a family member or possibly a separation or divorce.  Perhaps it is a life-threatening illness or the loss of a job.  There are so many things that can beat us down in this life.

When tragedy strikes we might feel as if we have been overlooked or abandoned by God.  The unfairness of this sinful world is astounding.  At times like this we need to choose to run to Jesus rather than away from Him.  He is calling us to bring our burdens to His cross of grace, mercy, guidance and support.

Psalm 121:1-2 reassures us, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains.  Where will my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We can be encouraged in the fact that God loves us and has a plan for our life and that no matter what we are called to endure He will make sure that we can use each and every experience that we have on this earth to set the boundaries of our lifesong.

Most people receive their inheritance when a family member passes away.  We, as Christians, receive our inheritance immediately as Jesus Christ is our very awesome inheritance.  This is God’s most valuable treasure that He extends to us.  Yes sisters, “(we) have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6.

Challenge:  Run to Jesus first and pour out your heart to Him.  Allow Him to comfort and guide you through every hardship.  Recognize the many blessings that God gives you and cherish your very beautiful inheritance.


Digging Deeper:

If you have read the story you know that Ruth and Naomi are blessed by God for their obedience.  Ruth is actually doubly blessed as she receives a second husband, and through bearing him a child is given the amazing privilege of taking her place in the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because He has visited
and provided redemption for His people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of His servant David,
70 just as He spoke by the mouth
of His holy prophets in ancient times;” Luke 1:68-70

Boaz and Ruth had a son and named him Obed.  Obed was King David’s grandfather as it states in Ruth 4:16-17, 16 Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. 17 The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

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