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Ruth and Naomi

RUTH AND NAOMI

Naomi was the wife of a Jew named Elimelech, who left his own city of Bethlehem to go into the land of Moab, because there was a famine in Canaan. Some time afterwards he died, leaving Naomi a widow with two sons, all dwellers in a strange land. Her sons married two young women belonging to Moab, whose names were Orpah and Ruth. After living there about ten years Naomi’s sons died also, leaving Orpah and Ruth widows, along with their widowed mother-in-law. Then Naomi determined to return to her own land. Orpah and Ruth accompanied Naomi some distance on her journey; then she bade them to leave her, telling each to go back to her mother’s house in Moab, while she would pursue her way alone to the land of Judah. They were unwilling to do so, saying they would go with her to her land and people; but she urged them to depart, assuring them that they would gain nothing by leaving their own country to accompany her, and that they had better return to their own homes. Then the story informs us—you will find it in the Bible, in the Book of Ruth—that Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and departed; but Ruth clave unto her, saying, “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; 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.”

So, Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law, and journeyed with her until they reached Canaan. Then they both dwelt in the city of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, where we shall meet with them again.

RUTH AND NAOMI
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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Understanding Amos: Judgment and Restoration

Amos 5:24 But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.


Author

  • Amos
  • Amos means “Burden Bearer”


Date

  • 760-750 B.C.
  • During the reign of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel.


Theme

  • The judgment of God coming to the northern kingdom of Israel.


Purpose

  • Amos was taken from shepherding the herds and tending the crops to be a voice of warning to the northern kingdom of Israel. It was a time of great prosperity for both Judah and Israel. Idolatry was rampant the rich were living in luxury, the poor were being oppressed, and the judicial system was corrupt.
  • Amos prophesied that unless there was a change in heart God’s hand of judgment would
    come upon them. The people of Israel mistook their prosperity for a sign of God’s approval and blessing.


Content

  • Judgment of Israel’s neighbors: Amos 1:1-2:5
    • Amos 1:3 Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
      • The neighboring countries are Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom Ammon, Moab, Judah
  • Judgment on Israel: Amos 2:6-16
    • Amos 2:6,7(NKJV) Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, To defile My holy name.
  • Israel’s guilt 3:1-6:14
    • Amos 3:1-3(NKJV) Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
  • Five visions: Amos 7:1-9:10
    • Vision of Locust
    • Vision of Fire
    • Vision of the Plumb Line
    • Summer Fruit
    • Destruction of Israel
  • Restoration: Amos 9:11-15
    • Amos 9:11-15(NKJV) On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the LORD who does this thing. Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it. I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the LORD your God.

Christ in the Book of Amos

  • In the Book of Amos, there are several connections to Jesus:
    • Similar Backgrounds: Both Amos and Jesus came from humble beginnings and were seen as outsiders with important messages for the people.
      • Shepherd
        • John 10:4,5(NKJV) And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
    • Servant Leadership: Amos lived a life devoted to service, paralleling Jesus’ teachings and lifestyle.
    • Burden Bearers: Amos expressed deep concern for the sins of the people, similar to how Jesus bore the burdens of humanity.
    • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The messages in Amos point towards the coming of Jesus, who fulfills the intentions of God for humanity.
  • These connections illustrate how the themes in Amos resonate with the life and mission of Jesus.
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Understanding Joel’s Prophecy: Judgment and Grace

Joel 2:12,13(NKJV) Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So, rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.


Author

  • Joel
  • Joel means “Yahweh or the Lord is God”


Date

  • Probably 835-805 B.C.


Theme

  • The Judgment of God (the coming of the day of the Lord)
  • The Grace of God


Purpose

  • Joel prophesied about the judgment of God at a time of great of devastation.
    • A plague of locust has stripped the countryside of vegetation and livestock.
    • Joel describes the present destruction as nothing compared to the coming judgment of
      God.


Content

  • The invasion of locusts: Joel1:1-12
    • Joel 1:4(NKJV) What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming
      locust has eaten.
  • Judgment Through:
    • Locust: Joel1:4-7
    • Drought and Famine Joel 1:9-12
    • Fire: Joel 1:19-20
  • A call to repentance: Joel 1:13-20
    • Joel 1:13,14 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
  • Warnings and God’s promise: Joel 2:1-32
    • Joel 2:1(NKJV) Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand:
    • Joel 2:25-29 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also, upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
  • God’s final judgment and rule: Joel 3:1-21
    • Joel 3:16(NKJV) The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.

Christ in the Book of Joel

  • Christ is the Righteous Judge
    • In the book of Joel, it talks about God’s final judgement and rule. Jesus is the one who will be ruling and judging.
      • Revelation 19:11-16(NKJV) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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The Death of Samson

THE DEATH OF SAMSON

Samson’s birth was foretold by an angel. He was to grow up a Nazarite, forbidden to drink strong drink, neither was his head to be shaved. His strength was very great; but his marriage was sinful, and his doings with the idolatrous Philistines terrible. Though an Israelite and a judge, I fear much he sinned greatly against God. On one occasion he went to Gaza, a city of the Philistines. The inhabitants tried to take him, but he arose at midnight and carried away the gates of their city. In our picture though he looks so strong, yet we see chains on his legs, and he is blind! How came he to lose his sight and be made a prisoner? I think it was owing to his sin and folly.

He became acquainted with a wicked woman, who enticed him to tell her in what his great strength lay. Three times he told her falsely, but at last he said that if the flowing locks of his hair were removed his strength would depart. While he slept these locks were cut off, then the Philistines burst in upon him, and when he arose to resist them, he found that his strength was gone. Then his eyes were cruelly put out, and he was bound with fetters of brass.

Our artist shows him blind, brought out to make sport at the Philistines’ feast. He is very sorrowful, and, I think, angry. He asks the lad beside him to place his hands upon the pillars supporting the house; then, his great strength returning, he bows himself with all his might; the pillars break, the house falls, and Samson, with very many of the Philistines, is crushed amid the ruins. Was not this a terrible end to what might have been a noble life?

SAMSON MAKING SPORT FOR THE PHILISTINES
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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The Defeat of the Midianites

THE DEFEAT OF THE MIDIANITES

Large numbers of the Israelites gathered around Gideon, prepared to fight against the Midianites, who were encamped in a valley, “like grasshoppers for multitude.” How Gideon’s host was reduced till only three hundred men remained, and the wonderful dream he heard related, when he and his servant went down as spies into the enemy’s camp, are recorded in the seventh chapter of Judges. It was not by their own bravery or power that the Israelites were to overcome their enemies. God was to give them the victory: and He chose Gideon and three hundred men to overcome the great and mighty host of the Midianites.

Gideon divided his three hundred men into three companies, and put a trumpet in every man’s hand, and gave to each a pitcher with a lamp inside. Then he said, “Look on me, and do likewise: when I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of the camp, and say, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.'” Gideon and the hundred men of his company approached the enemy’s camp by night, and the other two companies drew nigh also, so that the Midianites where surrounded. Then all blew their trumpets, broke their pitchers, held up their lamps (torches), and cried out as they had been commanded.

The Midianites heard the trumpets’ blast and the cry, and saw the lights. They were thrown into confusion, and one fought against another; then they fled, and were pursued by the Israelites, great numbers of whom gathered together and followed after their flying enemies. Thus the Midianites were overcome, and Israel had peace during the lifetime of Gideon.

THE SWORD OF THE LORD, AND OF GIDEON
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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Gideon and the Fleece

GIDEON AND THE FLEECE

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites turned away from God, and served idols. Therefore the evils came upon them of which they had been warned by Moses and Joshua. But at different times God, seeing their distress, raised up “judges” to deliver them from their enemies, and to judge over them. The first of these judges was named Othniel. He was Caleb’s nephew. The last was Samuel. One that lived about one hundred years before Samuel was named Gideon.

The Israelites were at this time in great trouble. They were hiding in dens and caves because of the Midianites, who had conquered them and overrun their country. When their corn was ripe these enemies came and destroyed it, so altogether they were in sad plight. One day Gideon was threshing wheat in a secluded place, so as to escape the notice of the Midianites, when an angel from God appeared to him, bidding him to go and save the Israelites from their foes. Gideon obeyed the command: but before commencing the battle he much desired a sign from God showing that He would give the Israelites the victory. The sign Gideon asked for was, that when he laid a fleece of wool on the ground, if the victory were to be his, then the fleece should be wet and the ground dry. He placed the wool on the ground, and taking it up the next morning found it wet, although the ground was dry. So he knew God had answered him as he desired. But he was not quite satisfied. He begged God for a second sign. This time the ground was to be wet and the fleece of wool dry. God gave him this sign also: and then Gideon felt sure that the Israelites would be victorious over the Midianites.

EXAMINING THE FLEECE.
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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Understand the book of Ezekial

Ezekiel 36:24-26(NKJV) For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.


Author

  • Ezekiel
  • Ezekiel means either “God Strengthens” or “God is Strong”
  • He was married. It is believed that his wife died during captivity.
  • Ministered at the same time as Daniel
  • Highly educated, from a priestly family
  • He was 25 years old when taken into captivity


Date

  • 593-573 B.C.
  • During the Babylonian captivity, Judah was taken captive in three stages:
    • Daniel and companions taken in first invasion
    • 9 years later Ezekiel was taken during the second invasion
    • 11 years after the second invasion Jerusalem fell and those remaining (except for the very poor) were taken into captivity
    • The journey to Babylon took 3-4 months, approximately 1500 miles (many died along the way)


Theme

  • Destruction of Jerusalem because of disobedience and the future restoration because of the covenant promises of God

Purpose

  • Ezekiel addressed the personal responsibility for morality. We find two major doctrines within the book.
    • The Doctrine of Man
      • Ezekiel 18:4(NKJV) “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
    • The Doctrine of Grace, Rebirth, and the Work of the Holy Spirit
      • Ezekiel 37:1-14
        • The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
        • 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
        • 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.
        • 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
        • 5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
        • 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
        • 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
        • 8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
        • 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
        • 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
        • 11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
        • 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
        • 13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
        • 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.


Content

  • Ezekiel’s call Chapters 1-3
    • Ezekiel 2:3-8 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
    • 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.
    • 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
    • 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
    • 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
    • 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
    • Ezekiel 3:17(NKJV) “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
  • Judah’s judgment Chapters 4-24
    • Ezekiel 6:2-8 on of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
    • 3 And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
    • 4 And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.
    • 5 And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.
    • 6 In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
    • 7 And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
    • 8 Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
  • Prophecy concerning heathen nations Chapters 25-32
    • Ammon
    • Moab
    • Edom
    • Philistia
    • Tyre (Ezekiel 28 & Isaiah 28 – The Fallen Star (Satan))
    • Egypt
  • Future blessings and restoration Chapters 33-48
    • Ezekiel 36:22-30 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
    • 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
    • 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
    • 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
    • 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
    • 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
    • 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
    • 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
    • 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
  • Restoration of the Temple Chapters 40-46


Christ in the Book of Ezekiel

  • Ezekiel as a type of Christ
    • “Son of Man” (90 times within the book)
  • Jesus as the Chief Shepherd
    • Ezekiel 34:23,24(NKJV) I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them-My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.
  • Jesus as the river of life flowing from the temple
    • Ezekiel 47:1-12 Then he [my guide] brought me back to the door of the house [the temple of the Lord]; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house (temple) toward the east, for the front of the temple was facing east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by the way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was spurting out from the south side [of the gate]. When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water that was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water that was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water reaching the hips. Again he measured a thousand [cubits]; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed [by wading]. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah (the Jordan Valley); then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the Dead Sea shall be healed and become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be a very great number of fish, because these waters go there so that the waters of the sea are healed and become fresh; so everything will live wherever the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it [at the banks of the Dead Sea]; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be dry places to spread nets. Their fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great [Mediterranean] Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh [and wholesome for animal life]; they will [as the river subsides] be left encrusted with salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They shall bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
    • Revelation 22:1-4 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Christ), in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer exist anything that is cursed [because sin and illness and death are gone]; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion];  they will [be privileged to] see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
      • The marks on the foreheads are important because they declare who you belong to. This is a spiritual mark.
        • Ezekiel 9:3-6 Then the [[Shekinah] glory and brilliance of the God of Israel (the cloud) went up from the cherubim on which it had rested, to [stand above] the threshold of the [Lord’s] temple. And the Lord called to the man clothed with linen, who had the scribe’s writing case at his side. The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, throughout all of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh [in distress] and grieve over all the repulsive acts which are being committed in it.” But to the others I heard Him say, “Follow him [the man with the scribe’s writing case] throughout the city and strike; do not let your eyes have pity and do not spare [anyone]. Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women; but do not touch or go near anyone on whom is the mark. Begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple [who did not have the Lord’s mark on their foreheads].

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Understanding Lamentations: Sorrow and Hope in Jerusalem’s Fall

Lamentations 2:11(NKJV) My eyes fail with tears, My heart is troubled; My bile is poured on the ground Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the children and the infants Faint in the streets of the city.


Author

  • Jeremiah the weeping prophet


Date

  • 587 B.C.


Theme

  • The sorrow and suffering as a result of the consequences of sin.


Purpose

  • A poetic expression of the sorrow and suffering that occurs as a result of disobedience and the promise of God’s salvation and deliverance.
  • Lamentations 3:22-26(NKJV)
    22 Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail no
    23 They are new every morning Great is Your faithfulness.
    24 The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
    25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
    26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.


Content

  • 5 poems
  • Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5 each contain 22 verses, each verse corresponds with the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet
  • Jerusalem’s destruction Lamentations 1:1-22
    • Lamentations 1:1(NKJV) How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave!
  • God’s anger and search for comfort Lamentations 2:1-22
    • Lamentations 2:1(NKJV) How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion With a cloud in His anger! He cast down from heaven to the earth The beauty of Israel, And did not remember His footstool In the day of His anger.
  • Suffering and hope in God Lamentations 3:1-66
  • Lamentations 3:19-23(NKJV) Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers And sinks within me. This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
  • The old glory of Jerusalem Lamentations 4:1-22
  • Lamentations 4:1(NKJV) How the gold has become dim! How changed the fine gold! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street.
  • God’s mercy Lamentations 5:1-22
    • Lamentations 5:1(NKJV) Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach!


Christ in the Book of Lamentations

  • Lamentations 3:58(NKJV) O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life.
  • Christ redeems us from the curse of the law

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Old Testament Survey, Scriptural Articles

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Joshua’s Exhortation

JOSHUA’S EXHORTATION

Exhortation seems a hard word, but it simply means to strongly urge to good deeds, and this is what our artist shows Joshua to be doing.

Joshua is now an old man, and the Israelites are settled peaceably in Canaan. He has called them before him, with their elders, and heads, and judges, and officers. He tells them that he is old and about to die, and reminds them of the land that has already been conquered and divided among them, and of that which still remains to be conquered; urging them to be “very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that they turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.” He bids them take good heed therefore unto themselves, that they love the Lord their God; and warns them that if they go back and do wickedly, the anger of the Lord will be kindled against them, and they will perish quickly from off the good land which God has given them.

In his address, Joshua said, “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one good thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” How faithful is God! He never fails in His promises: and we are told He is unchangeable, so that whatever He promises now He will fulfil, and whatever warnings He gives will surely come to pass. How good is it to have this holy and wise God for our Father, and to know that He promises abundantly to bless all those that trust in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. But let us take heed of the warnings against sin given in God’s Holy Word.

JOSHUA EXHORTING THE PEOPLE
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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bible, bible, Bible Study, books, From the Old Testament, People of the Bible

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The Cities of Refuge

THE CITIES OF REFUGE

Revenge is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him,” says the Saviour; but among the Israelites and other eastern nations a different practice prevailed. If one slew another, the kinsman of him that was slain felt bound to avenge his relative, and to slay him that had done the deed. Sometimes people were killed by accident, when it was clearly unjust that he who had unwittingly killed another should be slain. To guard against the innocent thus suffering, God commanded that “cities of refuge” should be appointed, to which the slayer might flee, “which killeth any person at unawares.”

These cities were six in number: Kedesh, Shechem, and Kirjath-arba, on the west of Jordan; and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east of that river. They were so arranged that a few hours’ rapid flight would bring the slayer from any part of the land to one of the cities of refuge. Jewish writers say that the roads leading to these cities were always kept in good repair, and that guide-posts were placed at every cross road with “Refuge! Refuge!” written upon them. But the man that wilfully killed another was not sheltered. He was given up to the avenger to be slain.

In our picture we see the slayer running to the city gate; the avenger close behind, shooting arrows at him. He has thus far escaped, and two or three more steps will place him in safety. But, once within the city, he must not quit its refuge until the death of the high priest. If he do so and the avenger find him he may be slain. But upon the death of the high priest he will be allowed to return home, to dwell in peace again.

FLEEING TO THE CITY OF REFUGE
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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bible, books, From the Old Testament

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