Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February.

Today we will look at Chapters 1-3. The fall of Vashti, the rise of Esther, and the promotion and wicked plan of Haman. Please read these chapters for the full story.

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12)

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹ And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21)

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17)

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2)

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6)

These three chapters give us the, who, what, when, where, and why for the Book of Esther.

So far we know that the king is easily swayed by his advisors, that his new queen is a Jew, that Mordecai will not bow down or worship anything but the one true God, and Haman hates Jews.

The rest of the book tells us what happens to the Jews, Haman, and Esther.

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens next.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February. Today we will look at the key players in the Book of Esther.

The Book of Esther

The Festival of Purim

Key players:

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen.

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She saved her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai.

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org)

The Book of Esther tells the tale of the rich and powerful, the weak and powerless, and the sovereignty of God. It gives us a clear picture of an anti-Semite, Haman, bent on destroying the Jews. It shows the courage of a young Jewish girl, Esther, who gave up everything to save her people the Jews. It shines a light on the wise Counsel of Mordecai.

What a great story. Although God is not named in the text, God is in every event. God allows all the plot lines to fit His will and purposes. We serve a great God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Chapter 4 is the conclusion of this great book. Boaz becomes the kinsman redeemer, marries Ruth, and has a son named Obed.

Chapter 4 Ruth’s Reward v13

Boaz redeems the inheritance of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. Verses 1-12

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.² And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.³ And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:⁴ And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.⁵ Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.⁶ And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.⁷ Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.⁸ Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.⁹ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.¹⁰ Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.¹¹ And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:¹² And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.

 Boaz marries Ruth Verses 13-15

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.¹⁵ And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Ruth’s son Obed is David’s grandfather. Verses 16-22

• Naomi nurses the child named Obed v16-17

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.¹⁷ And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

• Genealogy of Pharez v18-22

¹⁸ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,¹⁹ And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,²⁰ And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,²¹ And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,²² And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Ruth goes from being a hated Moabite to the ancestral line of Christ. God can save, redeem, whoever He chooses. We should not be too quick to condemn others. They might be someone God is going to greatly use for His glory and honor.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Chapter 3 of Ruth reveals the role of the kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Naomi gives Ruth detailed instructions on what she must do. Ruth claims Boaz as the kinsman redeemer. Read how the story turns out.

Please read Chapter 3 of Ruth.

Chapter 3 Ruth’s Rest v1 and 18

Naomi arranges Ruth’s wedding Verses 1-7

• Then Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? V1
• Naomi’s instructions to Ruth v2-7

And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor.³ Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.⁴ And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.⁵ And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.⁶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

• Ruth claims Boaz as Kinsman v8-15

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.⁹ And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.¹⁰ And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.¹¹ And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.¹² And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.¹³ Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.¹⁴ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.¹⁵ Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

What Ruth did in going to Boaz was not immodest nor was it wicked. A kinsman was expected to marry the young widow and raise up children for the dead husband’s line. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) Ruth simply reminded Boaz of his duty and privilege as a kinsman.

The role of the Kinsman Redeemer

A major theme of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, acted upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances (Lev. 25:47-49). This scenario is repeated by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen.

Ruth sits still/Boaz will not rest Verses 16-18

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Now Ruth waits on her kinsman redeemer. Our kinsman redeemer is Jesus Christ. Have you placed your faith and trust in Him? He went to the cross for you, paid the penalty for your sin, and gives you new life. Accept Him today. Need more information, call or email me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at the book of Ruth. This is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  Then there is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

RUTH

And Ruth said, 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: (Ruth 1:16)

Introduction: The book of Ruth is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  There is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

Chapter 1 Ruth’s Decision v16-17

Verses 1-5 Setting the scene

• Famine in Bethlehem and sojourn into Moab v1
• Family: Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion v2
• Elimelech dies v3
• Marriage of Mahlon to Ruth and Chilion to Orpah v4
• Dwelt in the land for 10 years v4
• Mahlon and Chilion die v5

Verses 6-15 Naomi’s counsel to her daughters to return to their homes

• Naomi’s argument v6-13
• Orpah chooses to return v14
• Naomi encourages Ruth to go v15

Verses 16-17 Ruth’s Decision

And Ruth said, 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.

Verses 18-20 Return to Bethlehem

Chapter 2 Ruth’s Service v2

Verses 1-3 Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. ² And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. ³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Verses 4-23 Ruth meets Boaz

• Boaz inquires about Ruth v4-7
• Boaz encourages Ruth to abide in his field and glean v8-9
• Ruth’s humble response v10
• Ruth reward for faithfulness to Naomi v11-12
• Ruth’s humble response v13
• Boaz’s instructions to Ruth and to his young men v14-16
• Ruth gleans the field, goes home, and rehearses all that went on that day v17-23

Chapter 3 Ruth’s Rest v1 and 18

Verses 1-7 Naomi arranges Ruth’s wedding

• Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? V1
• Naomi’s instructions to Ruth v2-7
• Ruth claims Boaz as Kinsman v8-15
• What Ruth did in going to Boaz was not immodest nor was it wicked. A kinsman was expected to marry the young widow and raise up children for the dead husbands line. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) Ruth simply reminded Boaz of his duty and privilege as a kinsman.

The role of the Kinsman Redeemer

A major theme of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, acted upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances (Lev. 25:47-49). This scenario is repeated by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen.

Verses 16-18 Ruth sit still Boaz will not rest

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. V18

Chapter 4 Ruth’s Reward v13

Verses 1-12 Boaz redeems the inheritance of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.

Verses 13-15 Boaz marries Ruth

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. V13

Verses 16-22 Ruth’s son Obed is David’s grandfather.

• Naomi nurses the child named Obed v17-18
• Genealogy of Pharez v19-22

CONCLUSION

The gentile woman Ruth, like Rahab the harlot, trusted in God and was taken into the ancestral line of Christ; Boaz was of the son of Salmon and Rahab. Obed, son of Boaz and Ruth, would become father to Jesse, who was the father of King David. Their home was Bethlehem where Micah prophesied Jesus would be born. (Micah 5:2)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Chapter 2 of the book of Ruth identifies Ruth as one who serves. She goes to the field to glean ears of corn for Naomi and herself. When she meets Boaz she shows a humble attitude. She is thankful to Boaz for the privilege to glean in his field. She is also obedient to the instructions of Boaz and Naomi.

Chapter 2 Ruth’s Service v2

Verses 1-3 Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. ² And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. ³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Verses 4-23 Ruth meets Boaz

• Boaz inquiries about Ruth v4-7

And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.⁵ Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?⁶ And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:⁷ And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

• Boaz encourages Ruth to abide in his field and glean v8-9

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: ⁹ Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

• Ruth’s humble response v10

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

• Ruth reward for faithfulness to Naomi v11-12
• And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. ¹² The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

• Ruth’s humble response v13

Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

• Boaz’s instructions to Ruth and to his young men v14-16

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.¹⁵ And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: ¹⁶ And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

• Ruth gleans the field, goes home, and rehearses all that went on that day v17-23

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.¹⁸ And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.¹⁹ And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought today is Boaz.   ²⁰ And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.²¹ And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.²² And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.²³ So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

When Ruth left Moab to be with Naomi, I doubt she ever considered how her kindness would be rewarded. Boaz understood the significance of what Ruth was doing. He asked God to bless her for being kind to Naomi.

Do we take the opportunities to be kind to one another? When people are hurting and need help, are we the ones who help? Ruth did.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at the book of Ruth. This is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  Then there is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

***Please read Chapter one***

Chapter one tells us of a:

Famine in Bethlehem v1

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.

Sojourn in Moab        v1

And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Family                        V2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Death                         v3

And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Two marriages          v4

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

Two deaths                v5

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Grieving mother telling her daughters to go back to their family’s v6-14

One leaves                 v14

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

One does not             v15-17

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.¹⁶ And Ruth said, 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.

Return to Bethlehem v18-22

The key to chapter one is found in verses 16 and 17. “And Ruth said, Entreat 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 made a decision to go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Her love for Naomi was stronger than her desire to return to her family. She had lived for ten years being influenced by Naomi and her Jewish roots. She made a choice to follow the God of the Bible, rather than to go back to Moabite paganism.

Who or what are you following today? Ruth gave up all she knew to follow Naomi and her God. Have you given up everything to follow the God of the Bible?

As we will see it was a very good decision for Ruth.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

The reason for our love to Jesus (4:19)

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

Think back with me to the time prior to our salvation. Remember the type of people we were. Then God stepped in and showed us His love and changed our lives. We should be eternally grateful that God loved us. We should love Him, because He first loved us!

 The commandment to love (4:20-21)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

If we have learned nothing else about love, we should love our brothers. Not only because it is commanded, but because of the love God showed to us. Remember, we would not be here today were it not for the love of God!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Who is the source of love? Why?

How did God model His love for us?

What does He command us to do?

How does the unity of the Trinity work?

What should I response be to God’s love?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)

¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

God has given us His love, Son, salvation, and then the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit lives within us to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit helps us to memorize God’s word. Then brings it to remembrance when we need it to witness, counsel, or comfort. But we can quench the Holy Spirit through sin. If we rebel against the Spirit of God, we will not be able to hear God’s still small voice.

The Christian’s response to God and His love (4:16)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Are we Christians? Do we know and believe God’s love towards us? It is God’s requirement that we dwell in love. It is an indication we are saved.

The perfecting of love, both now and in eternity (4:17-18)

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Perfect love casts out fear. What a promise. Do we really believe this and apply it in our daily walk with the Lord? There is a tremendous amount of fear in our world today. There is much need for God’s love to be displayed. That perfect love needs to be seen in us. What are we trusting in? The world, the flesh, and the devil, or in the love of God?

We are learning this week that love is a powerful tool in God’s toolbox.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

GOD IS LOVE

1) God is Love (I John 4:8)

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

2) God demonstrates His love (Romans 5:8)

But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

3) God loves the world (John 3:16)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

4) How do we respond to God’s love?

Keep His commandments

If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (John 14:15)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (I John 5:3)

Love Him (I John 4:19)

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:7-21

God is love (4:7-21)

God is the source of all love (4:7-8)

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God models what genuine love is (4:9-10)

⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God commands us to love one another (4:11-12)

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)

¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

The Christian’s response to God and His love (4:16)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

The perfecting of love, both now and in eternity (4:17-18)

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The reason for our love to Jesus (4:19)

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

 The commandment to love (4:20-21)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Who is the source of love? Why?

How did God model His love for us?

What does He command us to do?

How does the unity of the Trinity work?

What should I response be to God’s love?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com