The story of Ruth may be the most romantic in the Bible. Ruth was a widow and moved to Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi, also a widow. Ruth did all she could to take care of Naomi. She was selfless. Soon Ruth meets Boaz, a wealthy farmer, and he takes care of her and Naomi.Continue reading “A Biblical Romance.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Romance and Noble Character.
The book of Ruth—a powerful story of the Messiah who is our Kinsman-Redeemer—can also be read as the simple story of the romance between Ruth and Boaz. The love between the two provides a good example of some of the keys to a good relationship. To begin, Ruth was LOYAL to her mother-in-law Naomi. AfterContinue reading “Romance and Noble Character.”
Kinsman-Redeemer.
You sometimes hear it said that Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. But what is that? The phrase comes from the book of Ruth. Naomi and her husband and sons left Israel during a famine and moved to Moab. In Moab Naomi lost her husband and both sons. She eventually returned to Israel accompanied only by herContinue reading “Kinsman-Redeemer.”
The Bible is Filled With Unsavory Characters–Just Like Life.
Serving as a juror for a murder trial proved to me the soft or “delicate” nature of some members of our first-world culture. Then at work I discussed one aspect of last week’s trial and a female engineer covered her ears and hurried away—it was too much for her. The Bible does NOT avoid hardContinue reading “The Bible is Filled With Unsavory Characters–Just Like Life.”
The Monarchy.
The book of Judges might be re-named “the Book of Committees.” Protestant churches love committees, right? Ours even has a Committee on Committees, a committee whose members nominate people to serve on other committees. But without an executive–without a chief at the top–committees can devolve into a league of partisan teams battling over authority (“vision”)Continue reading “The Monarchy.”
Talk About Being Scalped!
Have you ever had a bad haircut? One so bad, you wanted to wear a hat? In first grade, everyone laughed when someone got a haircut. It could be the tiniest, most imperceptible trim, but the class would point and laugh, chanting in their sing-song way: “Brian got a hair-cut! Brian got a hair-cut!” ThatContinue reading “Talk About Being Scalped!”
Samson!
When I was a little boy I had a book about Samson. It had great pictures and told the stories—he captured 300 foxes, tied their tails together in pairs with a torch between them, and set them loose to burn the Philistines’ grain. He killed a thousand men with a donkey’s jawbone, and more. IContinue reading “Samson!”
He’s a ‘Creative.’
It has become fashionable to describe people as “creatives,” converting the adjective to a noun. I’ve heard the trendy, slangy noun used to describe musicians, artists, marketers, even entrepreneurs. The Bible records the biography of an interesting “Creative.” He showed up at a party ready to stump the crowd with a riddle he had written. Continue reading “He’s a ‘Creative.’”
Ask God for Wisdom.
The best answers to parenting questions come from God. You have to realize your deep need for wisdom, and you have to ASK. Jesus says, “You have not because you ask not.” So ASK. Always ask God for answers. When the Angel of the Lord (not a typical angel, but likely a vision of theContinue reading “Ask God for Wisdom.”
Oh Soul, Are You Weary and Troubled?
All of us know weariness. All of us have been tired, exhausted, depressed, and worn down by grief and struggles. But does God become weary? Do our troubles affect him, or is he impervious? Yes, our problems affect God. When the children of Israel cried out to God about their slavery in Egypt, He saidContinue reading “Oh Soul, Are You Weary and Troubled?”
Household Words: 