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Weekly Guide：2022-2023 Week 35
September 04, 2022
Week 35 Day 1: Full to Empty ⇧ ⇩
Question
What faith did Ruth display?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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During the age when everyone did as they fit, Elimelek fled famine with wife Naomi and two sons for he had little faith. They left Bethlehem in “full” to Moab, a land God despised. God brought suffering to them and Elimelek and his two sons died in Moab. One of the daughter-in-law left Naomi and went back to her home and the Moabite god. The other determined to stay with Naomi and God.
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The famous quote of Ruth, a true display of faith: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth became the ancestor of David, an important member in Jesus’ lineage.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - Elimelek’s weak faith caused him to leave the promised land into the seemingly plenty of Moab because he loved the world more than God’s promise. Naomi was saddened but never complained about her suffering. She displayed great faith with her life right in front of her two Gentile daughters-in-law. Orpah could not uphold what she had started, left God and went back to the world of idols where she had come from. Ruth, envy of Naomi’s God, was determined to follow Naomi and became a great testimony of faith. What do these people remind me of? Where do I stand in the journey of my life right now?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 35 Day 2: Covered with Grace ⇧ ⇩
Question
What life testimony did the Gentile Ruth live out?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Ruth gleaned in the field for mother-in-law Naomi and herself and was protected by the gracious Boaz.
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Ruth was richly rewarded just as Boaz’s blessing for her: “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Ruth, a Gentile woman, her love for Naomi and faith for God became a great testimony to the Israelites. God’s grace covered the Moabite woman Ruth aplenty even though the law dictates that the Moabites are not chosen as His. It is by God’s election that changes our identity. What is my identity before and after I have come to know God? How do I identify myself and my value now?
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Integrity - What Boaz saw in Ruth was not lust but her faith in God. From what can I see Boaz’s tenderness and respect toward Ruth? How should I view those who are in need?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 35 Day 3: A Guardian Redeemer ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did Boaz fulfill his responsibility as a guardian-redeemer?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- When one dies, according to the law, a close relative is obligated to redeem his family, marry his wife, and buy his land to maintain the inheritance. Naomi followed this law to find a home for Ruth. Ruth obeyed Naomi’s will and Boaz obeyed the law to fulfill his obligation.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - God’s grace was realized through Naomi’s love, Ruth’s obedience, and Boaz’s faithfulness. Through me, God’s grace may also come to others. What can I learn from Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz’s integrity in love, obedience, and faith and apply that to my service to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 35 Day 4: Bitter to Sweet ⇧ ⇩
Question
What was Ruth’s role in God’s plan?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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According to Israelite’s law and in the presence of the elders, Boaz and another relative decided on Ruth’s marriage. Boaz married Ruth by faith just as Ruth followed Naomi by faith.
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Naomi gained an heir who eventually became the ancestor of King David of Israel. Her bitterness turned into sweetness.
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God’s promises to His people never change. Even a Moabite woman had become an important part of His salvation plan.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The relative who was closer to Naomi than Boaz was not willing to marry Ruth because “I might endanger my own estate.” This was because Ruth’s future son would not be under his name and yet inherit the land he would redeem. So, he would rather not take on the responsibility of redeeming and gave it to Boaz in order to protect his own interest. Although Ruth’s child became Naomi’s son and named under Elimelek, Boaz’s name was the one recorded in Jesus’ genealogy: “Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth” (Ruth 4:21, Matthew 1:5). Contrasting to the relative who held on to his own estate, Boaz was willing to give up his but was rewarded the greatest blessing. How does Boaz’s selfless and faithful service remind me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 35 Day 5: Awaiting Holy Spirit ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the disciples follow the commands Jesus gave before He was risen into heaven?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
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The disciples selected new apostle to replace Judas.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - As Jesus left the disciples, they prayed and waited for the Holy Spirit. Do I seek for God’s guidance and direction while waiting?
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Integrity - The first thing came to the disciples’ minds, when they realized Jesus’ authority in resurrection, was their own desire for the kingdom of Israel instead of the will of Jesus. This is a great reminder for myself: do not be limited by my own limited mind but seek God’s will!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 35 Day 6: Holy Spirit Filled ⇧ ⇩
Question
- How did the Holy Spirit raise the first church?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Holy Spirit filled the apostles to enable them to speak in tongues of different native languages of the crowds declaring God’s wonders.
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Peter addressed the crowds that Jesus is the Messiah.
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About three thousand heard and accepted his message were baptized and added to their number that day.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Would I feel being cut to the heart and come to God to ask for forgiveness if someone spoke of my past sins, whether intentionally or not? We all need someone who can point out our spiritual weaknesses. More importantly, we need to listen to Holy Spirit’s guidance.
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Fidelity - Peter said: “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” We would not turn a blind eye to the unbelievers if we understand from bottom of our hearts the corruptness. Do I truly understand the corrupt generation I’m in?