Noble Bereans

Are you at war with God? In this session we are talking about a tough topic: are you living a life led by the flesh, or are you living a life led by the Spirit?

As we wrap up the book of Ruth, you might think there isn't much to discuss, but even in the genealogy of Perez through Obed to David we can learn a few things.

Today we reach the point we've all been waiting for: Ruth and Boaz marry! This isn't without some oddities though and a powerful blessing!

Boaz has staked his claim on Naomi's land and has shared his intention to marry Ruth, now he solidifies this by obtaining the elders' consensus as witnesses and their blessing.

Boaz has obtained the right to redeem Naomi's property and to take Ruth as a wife, formally sealing the deal with an interesting sign and in front of the elders of the city.

Boaz approached a closer relative about being a redeemer and he accepted, but he didn't know what all that entailed! Today we see Boaz tactfully handle this as he solidifies his future with Ruth.

In this episode we see Boaz beginning to fulfill the commitment he made to Ruth, but before the exchange is over, he runs into a bit of a challenge.

Ruth's proposal to Boaz seemed promising, but in today's episode we find her back at Naomi's place with a heavy haul of barley, another gift from Boaz, as the waiting begins.

Today I'm just taking a moment to share a reading of the story of Jesus' birth from Luke chapter 2.

In this episode of Noble Bereans Ruth's big ask of Boaz is addressed head on as he commits to do all she asks with a caveat.

Ruth carries out Naomi's request and finds herself laying at the feet of a sleeping Boaz on the threshing floor. When he awakes, he's startled, but when he realizes who the woman is at his feet, he douses Ruth in compliments and begins to proceed with the actions needed to marry her.

In today's episode we get a bit of a jolt to the "love story" of Ruth and Boaz, and Naomi suggests something that might startle us. Ruth's actions might be viewed with some skepticism too. WARNING: While I think most will be fine listening to this episode with their children, you may wish to preview this one first.

While we were given some insight into Boaz's identity at the beginning of chapter 2, it is only now that Ruth finds out who he is, as Naomi exposes him.

Boaz continues to show incredible kindness to Ruth, even inviting her to join him and his servants for dinner, but that wasn't all - he gave her food in abundance.

Ruth humbly wonders why Boaz is so kind to her, and he explains that he is aware of her actions toward Naomi and all she sacrificed to be with her. He then blesses and encourages her, which is just the beginning of his provision for her.

In this episode of Noble Bereans, we get our first glimpse of Boaz in action as he begins to put Ruth under his covering of protection and provision, even before he really knows her.

Ruth continues in the same respectful way as we've seen thus far, and she takes it upon herself to go into the fields to harvest some of the leftover Barley. This is where she meets Boaz for the first time.

In this episode we look at Naomi's and Ruth's arrival into Bethlehem, joy in the eyes of some, but bitterness in the eyes of Naomi, who even asks to be called by a different name!

In this episode we explore a difference in Orpah and Ruth, learning a key point that may have inspired Ruth to accompany Naomi at all costs.

In this episode we continue our study in the fascinating book of Ruth, learning a bit more of the back story and some of the motivation of why Orpah and Ruth might have wanted to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem.