Our troubled world

The Bible promises Jesus will establish peace and prosperity.

³ ​​​​ Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the​​ land, and verily thou shalt be fed.​​ ⁴ ​​​​ Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.​​ ⁵ ​​​​ Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.​​ ⁶ ​​​​ And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as​​ the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Psalm 37

He promises the wicked and all evil shall be removed from the earth.​​ 

⁹​​  For​​ evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the​​ LORD, they shall inherit the earth.​​ ¹⁰​​  For yet a little while, and​​ the wicked​​ shall​​ not​​ be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it​​ shall​​ not​​ be.​​ ¹¹​​  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.​​   Psalm 37

Beauty and tranquillity​​ of nature will be re-established like the Garden of Eden.​​ 

^1​​  The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and​​ the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.​​ ²​​  It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and​​ singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon,​​ they shall see the glory of the​​ LORD,​​ and​​ the excellency of our God.​​ ³​​  Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.​​ ^4​​  Say to them​​ that are​​ of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come​​ with​​ vengeance,​​ even​​ God​​ with​​ a recompence; he will come and save you.​​ Isaiah 35​​ 

Just one more​​ Biblical insight into the future, before we look at the key question.

⁶​​  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.​​ ⁷​​  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat​​ straw like the ox.​​   Isaiah 11

So, the Bible promises wonderful things for the individual in a world free of evil and wickedness. ​​ A world at peace, full of beauty, comfort, joy and much more. Clearly, we need to know the integrity and reliability of the​​ book before we commit to studying its pages. The best test of the Bible is prophecies made and recorded before the event. For instance, the Jews, who knew the Old Testament scriptures, were expecting the coming of the Messiah – Jesus Christ. ​​ For instance,​​ when John the Baptist was preaching and baptising we read in Luke,

¹⁵​​  And as​​ the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John,​​ whether he were the Christ, or not;​​ ¹⁶​​  John answered, saying unto​​ them​​ all, I indeed baptize you with​​ water; but​​ one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.​​   Luke 3​​ 

Long before that, soon after Jesus was born, we read again, in the same gospel,

²⁵​​  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name​​ was​​ Simeon; and the same man​​ was​​ just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.​​ ^26​​  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that​​ he should not see death, before he​​ had seen the Lord’s Christ.​​ ²⁷​​  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,​​ ²⁸​​  Then​​ took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,​​ ²⁹​​  Lord, now​​ lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.​​   Luke 2​​ 

More significant than that were the wise men that came from the East,​​ 

²​​  Saying,​​ Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  ​​ Matthew 2

This greatly disturbed Herod, the cruel, power-hungry ‘king’ who was puppet ruler under the Roman occupancy of Israel and wanted no rival.​​ 

⁴​​  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together,​​ he demanded of them where Christ should be born.​​ ⁵​​  And they said unto him,​​ In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,​​ ^6​​  And​​ thou Bethlehem,​​ in​​ the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.​​    Matthew 2

The​​ Priests​​ too were expecting their Messiah, and they quoted Herod the Old Testament prophet Micah,

²​​  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,​​ though​​ thou be little among the thousands of Judah,​​ yet​​ out of thee shall he​​ come forth unto me​​ that is​​ to be ruler in Israel;​​ whose goings forth​​ have been​​ from of old, from​​ everlasting.​​   Micah 5

There are many more Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. ​​ The 2nd​​ Psalm is all about him.

²​​  The​​ kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the​​ LORD, and against his anointed,​​ saying,​​ ³​​  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. … …​​ ⁷​​  I will declare the decree:​​ the​​ LORD​​ hath said unto me, Thou​​ art​​ my Son;​​ this day have I begotten thee.​​   Psalm 2

The leaders of the Jews, the​​ High Priest​​ and the Roman authorities between them put Jesus to death, but​​ his Heavenly Father raised him up​​ to life​​ again.

³​​  Then assembled together​​ the chief​​ priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,​​ ⁴​​  And consulted​​ that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill​​ him.​​   Matthew 26

So we come to​​ the key question. Can it be proved that the Old Testament, so full of prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus that​​ have been​​ fulfilled, was written well before his birth? ​​ An amazing sequence of events began in 1947 when a young Arab shepherd was collecting his flock and saw one of his goats up on the rocks.

“Scholarly consensus dates these scrolls from the last three centuries BCE and the first century CE. The texts have great historical,​​ religious, and linguistic significance because they include the second-oldest known surviving manuscripts of works later included in the Hebrew Bible.” (Old Testament). ​​ “The Dead Sea Scrolls contain parts of all, but one, of the books of the Tanakh, of the Hebrew Bible.” ​​ The book of Esther is the one not represented.

Now you will see why we wanted you to know, if you don’t already, about the Dead Sea scrolls. ​​ Scholars and scientists, Christian and non-Christian are agreed that​​ there is overwhelming evidence that the youngest books of the Old Testament were written at least 150 years before Jesus was born, and that there are many manuscripts of earlier books that are older than that. ​​ 

This means that, certainly, there is a God who is in control of this world​​ because no man or woman could have known about the birth and life of Jesus in Old Testament times except by reading God’s Word in the Hebrew Bible. Therefore all the words that God instructed the Hebrew prophets to write about Himself and His​​ purpose are absolute truth.  ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 

5​​  I​​ am​​ the​​ LORD, and​​ there is​​ none else,​​ there is​​ no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:​​ ^6​​  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that​​ there is​​ none beside me. I​​ am​​ the​​ LORD, and​​ there is​​ none else.​​ ⁷​​  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the​​ LORD​​ do all these​​ things. … …​​ ¹¹​​  Thus saith the​​ LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker,​​ Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.​​ ^12​​  I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I,​​ even​​ my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.  Isaiah 45​​ 

He tells us He created the earth for a purpose, which includes​​ it being inhabited, and He has explained what​​ His purpose is in His Word – the Holy Scriptures – the Old and New Testaments.​​ 

¹⁸​​  For thus saith the​​ LORD​​ that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it,​​ he created it not in vain*, he formed it to be inhabited: I​​ am​​ the​​ LORD; and​​ there is​​ none else.​​ ¹⁹​​  I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in *vain:​​ I the​​ LORD​​ speak​​ righteousness, I declare things that are right.  ​​​​  *vain =​​ ‏תֹּהוּ‎​​ -​​ tōhû ​​ (Hebrew) ​​ meaning: ​​ to lie waste; to lie waste; a​​ worthless​​ thing Isaiah 45

God says the only way you could know about life and the future is by reading His Word. He has explained​​ all the mysteries and puzzles in this Word that we need to know to reach the joys we mentioned near the beginning of this article. ​​ 

⁹​​  But as it is written,​​ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God​​ hath prepared​​ for them that love him.  ​​​​ 

God​​ says the only way we​​ can know, His will, and His purpose,​​ is to​​ listen​​ to​​ His Word, or if Paul His Apostle to whom He has told it, shares it with us … …​​ 

¹⁰​​  But​​ God hath revealed​​ them​​ unto us​​ by his Spirit:​​ for the Spirit searcheth all things,​​ yea, the deep things of God.​​   1 Corinthians 2

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Understanding Jesus Christ – part two.

Christ’s​​ ministry​​ lasted only 3 years, but they were years packed with incident and instruction, beginning, as we have said in our previous article, with his baptism by John, at which, coming up out of the water, God’s spirit power was conferred upon him, and a voice from heaven proclaimed :

‘Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’. (Mark 1 v 11)

Almost immediately he was led away into the wilderness, where an Adversary, styled ‘the Devil’ tempted him to use that God given power to his own advantage. We can read of these three temptations in Matthew 4 v 1-11. ​​ It was to test his resolve to obey God rather than give way to his own fleshly desires, and he countered each one by reference to Old Testament Scriptures. ​​ Three important principles come forth in his answers for believers to follow.

• ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’.
• ‘Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God’.
• ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve’.

Christ was to adhere to these commandments throughout his short life, and we are required to do the same if we wish to follow his example.

Much has been written about the life of Christ, but God has determined that the inspired records of the four Gospel writers are all that we really need to​​ understand the way of true Christian living his own life portrays. It has been reckoned that, in three years he performed some 35 extraordinarily miraculous acts, proving that it was God’s immense power that was at work through him.​​ These included miracles​​ as diverse as healing the blind, deaf, deranged, to raising the dead and stilling the power of storm and waves; these acts were witnessed by many so that their actuality could not be denied. ​​ John goes as far as to say.

‘ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name’. (John 20 v 30-31).

His preaching too was to astound his hearers,​​ ‘For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes’. (Matthew 7 v 29);​​ and his words centered upon the Gospel of the Kingdom, and the immense value a true knowledge of that ‘Good News’ (for that is what Gospel mean) can be to mankind.

He showed that the things which men value, gold, silver, possessions, have, by comparison, no value at all, for their value is transient; instead, he said,

​​ ‘ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’.(Matthew​​ 6​​ v​​ 19-21).​​ 

The treasure in heaven, to which he refers, is not a place in heaven, but that which will come from heaven at Christ’s return, even an eternal place in God’s Kingdom on earth to be established by Christ when he comes. But long before that, Christ had a vital role to fulfil in God’s purpose.

His success with the common people, who believed that he had been born to free them from the Roman yoke, was to bring great animosity against him, and this began to grow, essentially from the religious leaders of his day, who, despite the God given miracles he performed, failed to recognize him as God’s Son, and out of jealousy accused him of blasphemy, until at last, they determined to kill him. In this they were aided and abetted by one of his disciples, Judas. This must have been very difficult for Jesus to deal with for Judas had been a close companion along with the other disciples, but from his​​ knowledge of the Scriptures he knew it was to be and with resolution he faced the trial and subsequent crucifixion that would follow.

When you have a quiet moment read the prophetic, heart rending, accounts of the agonizing death that awaited him, contained in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 to be astounded at his fortitude in the face of such hostility and evil. Throughout, Christ stressed his total dependence on his Heavenly Father as John 5 records.​​ 

‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.’ (John 5​​ v 30-36)

He conquered his own natural wish to escape crucifixion to such good effect that it is recorded of him that he did no sin.​​ 

‘ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth who, when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed’. (1 Peter​​ 2​​ v​​ 21-24)

He suffered for us as ‘a sacrificial lamb’ as was earlier said,​​ 

‘Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world’.(John​​ 1​​ v​​ 29).​​ 

Paul, writing to the Galatians said,

‘He gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father’. (Galatians 1 v 4)

In​​ Christ a plan of salvation has been brought into being from which all can benefit, providing we believe in him and desire to follow in his footsteps.

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish​​ (i.e. remain in the dust of the grave),​​ but have everlasting life’.(John​​ 3​​ v​​ 16)

Because of His righteousness and utter obedience God in His mercy raised Christ from the dead through resurrection, and his reappearance among his disciples led to scenes of unrestrained joy for they now knew the truth of all he had taught them.​​ The closing Chapters of all four Gospel records will amply repay study for they along with 1 Corinthian 15 tell of the true Christian hope, which is Resurrection, Christ’s own being the guarantee that we require.

It is the corner stone of the Gospel message – that of eternal life in the Kingdom of God, to be established by Christ at his return. May it be said of us that we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that we too might gain eternal life in his Kingdom. If Christ can give us that hope – this must be the most important birth that ever was!

~      ~      ~      ~      ~       ~      ~       ~

WHAT NEXT?

Time is precious – we need to use it well. Check our Article Index for other articles on many Bible subjects relevant to our day and age.

 

• Why does God allow suffering – No.1 “The way to Salvation”
• Remarkable changes are coming – No.2 “The way to Salvation”
• He is risen. See where he lay – No.3″The way to Salvation”
• The Good Shepherd of his sheep – No.4 “The way to Salvation”
• Following the Good Shepherd – No.5 “The Way to Salvation
• Earth full of knowledge of God’s glory – No.6 “The way to salvation”

The support article for the above advert is now on the CONTEMPLATING SCRIPTURE page

The support article for the above advert is now on the CONTEMPLATING SCRIPTURE page.

The Bible is more than a book, it is a library of 66 books on all manner of subjects, introducing the reader to men and women of great courage who faced up to challenging, often in very risky, circumstances.  There are all kinds of writings – romance, adventure, strategic battles, poetry, spying, letters, conspiracies and much more.  All carrying important lessons for the reader.  So, we have a couple of examples for you. This is a longer session than most so you might want to spread it over two visits.

The first person we have chosen lived over 800 years before Christ.  He was born an Israelite and became a prophet and was told by God, “Go to Nineveh that great city and cry against it for their wickedness has come to me”.

Artist’s impression of ‘The Monuments of Nineveh’ by Sir Austen Henry Layard, 1853

At the time, Wikipedia tells us, it was the largest city in the world, capital of the Assyrian empire and a threat to Israel.  Can you imagine being told to go into the largest city today, say Tokyo or Delhi, and shout in the streets that they were wicked and evil and, as God further instructed ,they had 40 days in which to change or the city would be overthrown.

The prophet’s name was Jonah, and what happened to him is described in a short book of four chapters in the Old Testament.  It would be good if you were to read it now before we go on. It will only take about 10 minutes and it’s quite an exciting read. See the amazing things that happened to Jonah and then we will offer a few comments about the important messages to us hidden away in that book.

As you read the book, look out for the differences in what God told Jonah to do or say and what he actually did.  See if you can pick out some of the lessons that God wished us to understand in the events that took place all those years ago.

If you haven’t got a Bible to hand, click here for the text.
PLEASE READ AT LEAST THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF JONAH 

So, Jonah was a disobedient Prophet, but depending on how often, and how much of the Bible you have read before reading his book, there are  number of different ways you will have reacted to it .  And if you have not recently read Jonah and want to understand what I’m talking about, there is still opportunity to read it now.  But whether you have just read it or not, we will do our best to take you with us on this little journey with Job.  As usual in this series of articles, this one is only able to scratch the surface in an effort to whet your appetite for more Bible reading and study. Whole books have been written about the book and the man.

So let’s get on with it. You may not have been surprised that Jonah run away from the task God gave him?.   Turning to Wikipedia again we read that the city was seven miles long and housed over 100,000, and maybe as many as 150,000, person’s. You may think that being swallowed by a large fish and spat out on the beach to save him drowning is rather fanciful. But those who read and study the Bible carefully will know that it is wholly a book of Truth.

Our God in heaven assures it is.

⁴  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.                    Psalm 33

Jesus, his son believed it is.

⁴⁰  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12

Thus, God always makes sure His purpose is achieved

²⁴  The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: Isaiah 14

So God is in control, no man can stop what He wants from happening.  Jonah was brought back by an amazing series of miracles – a storm to threaten the ship in which he tried to flee and all those in it Bringing Jonah to his senses.  He could not allow the destruction of the ship and the death of all aboard for his folly,

⁹  And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Jonah 1

He told them he was fleeing from his God and persuaded them to throw him into the sea.  The storm stopped, the men believed in God, and a great fish swallowed him.  Jonah had a choice.  Either this was his end – his punishment for disobeying his God, or God was giving him the second chance.  As he said later,

²   I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.          Jonah 2

See how Jonah never lost his Faith in his God and God recognised that and gave him a further opportunity to do the task appointed him which he did. A lesson for all who are willing to receive it. It’s never too late to respond to the call of God

¹⁹  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing <or renewal> shall come from the presence of the Lord;                  Acts 3

So God instructed Jonah again to go and warn Nineveh thank God was going to punish their wickedness.  He obeyed and the effect on this Idol worshipping city was amazing.

⁵  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth … … ¹⁰  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.                                                                      Jonah 2

There are so many more lessons and interesting points to be found in this short book match we only have space for one more. To deal with Jonah’s Reaction. He was angry not understanding what God had done and why.  But we cannot stay to see how God demonstrated his view for Jonah my a “living parable”.  I said one more lesson but there’s two really. At this time the nation of Israel was in a very poor spiritual state.

Amos, a contemporary of Jonah, was sent to Israel God’s chosen people whom He has showered so many blessings, had abandoned the worship of the true God and turned to the idols of the nations around them.  He was told to say,

⁴  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: … … ⁶  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.          Amos 5

But Israel rejected Amos and the call of God to repent and obey His laws and avoid destruction by their enemies.  So God used Nineveh, an Idol worshipping nation, to show Israel what fools they were to persist in there idol worship and bringing terrible destruction upon their people as later happened.  Whereas, when Jonah warned Nineveh, an Idol worshipping city, to change their wicked ways or be overthrown by their enemies, they could see the sense of obeying the call of the God of Israel, changed their evil and wicked ways, and avoided the threatened punishment.

Added to that, God told Jonah, this people are part of His work of creation,

¹¹  … should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

And once again there is a lesson for us as the apostle Peter tells us,

⁹  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.                   2 Peter 3

This is demonstrated by the our second person we want to draw to your attention to.  She is a young woman in one of Israel’s troublesome neighbouring country.

We read in the opening verse of a certain book of the Old Testament,

¹  Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

When God brought Israel into the land of Canaan lead by Joshua the people had many important laws to guide them about the nations already  in the land.  Moab was one of these and Wikipedia describes them as associated with hostility to Israel, sexual perversity, and idolatry.  But there were times when there was an uneasy peace.  However, they were not supposed to socialize for a very good reason.

³  Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. ⁴  For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. Deuteronomy 7

However, the famine in Israel was obviously very hard, and a man called Elimelech decided to take his family into Moab until the famine was over as conditions there were much better there.  But sadly, soon after they arrived Elimelech fell sick and died leaving his wife and two sons alone in a foreign country isolated in a very unsuitable environment for a God-fearing Israelite family. Quite soon the two sons married Moabite girls, but disaster struck again.  The two boys die, leaving Elimelech’s wife with two daughters in law brought up in a decadent, idol worshipping country.  Did she decide to go back to her home in Bethlehem?

Well, her story is an amazing one and, once more, I would like you to read it for yourself.  If you do not already know the story you may find it difficult to put down.  It’s a little longer than Jonah but still only four chapters.  I will tell you that the wife of Elimelech is not the ‘hero’ ‘!

The book is Ruth which contains a beautiful account of faith rewarded that we are sure you will enjoy.  We will offer a few comments to show the important messages for us.  As you read the book of Ruth, see if you can pick out some of the lessons that God wishes us to understand in the events that took place all those years ago.

If you haven’t got a Bible to hand, click here for the text.

PLEASE READ THE BOOK MENTIONED ABOVE, THEN READ ON

Surely, whether that’s the first time, or you’ve read that book many times, you will always find the lives of those involved amazing. Naomi, who remained faithful to her God despite the calamity’s that overcome her.  How she had taught her daughters in law to know and respect the God of Israel, in a land so full of idolatry and pursuits that appeal to the flesh – that is, the nature of man – that normally it is almost impossible to draw people away from it for a religion that forbids so much of what they enjoy.

Naomi knew that life in Israel would not be easy, as they would return virtually penniless, and the land was only just recovering from years of famine  In those circumstances she did all she could to persuade Her two companions to stay in their own land and returned to their family where they would be cared for.  However, during the life she had shared with them, she had shown such confidence In her God and painted such an attractive picture of the benefits of worshipping the one true God, that that Ruth the Moabite pleaded with her mother in law,
¹⁶ 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: ¹⁷  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.                     Ruth 1   

Ruth had learnt of a world at rest from danger, suffering, and woe, free from war, crime and ugliness.  Filled with caring and kind people blessed with eternal life, free from pain and suffering, full of love, goodness and kindness.  The prophets encourage the faithful telling of good times to come.

⁵  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.               Jeremiah 23

³  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.                        Micah 4

⁶  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. ⁷  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.                Isaiah 11                                                                         

⁴  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.    Revelation 21

But Ruth and Naomi’s lives demonstrate that those who live a faithful life now, caring for one another to the best of their ability, as did Ruth for Naomi, and in turn, as did Boaz for Ruth all because God overseas their lives for good.  Also, the women’s lives demonstrated how our lives now are a mixture of troubles and good times for those who trust in and obey God.

David -shepherd, outlaw, and King – found this was so in his life,

⁶  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. ⁷  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. ⁸  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.                                                          Psalm 34

So, we will leave you here, despite there being so much more that can be said that links the lives of the faithful in past ages with our own day. God’s promises have not changed, His care and concern for those who trust in Him remains the same, and the Kingdom of God spoken of by the prophets, Jesus Christ, and the apostles is unchanged.