In Line for Jesus
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Ruth Day 5 Wait Upon the Lord Ruth 3:18 She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today." In the previous lesson, Naomi advised Ruth to do something very risky. But because of Ruth's faith in Naomi, she did it. It must have been terrifying. She gave herself in total surrender to Boaz with complete trust that he wouldn't hurt her. And his response to that was to offer her to another man! But that was the right thing to do. Boaz was not the next in line legally to claim Ruth as his wife. There is another relative who would have to marry her first. Look up Ruth 3:11-13. What does Boaz tell Ruth not to do? What is his plan? Boaz told Ruth not to fear, but of course she must have been afraid. Boaz was going to ask another man if he wanted to marry Ruth. Ruth is expected to wait to learn who will marry her. Waiting is so hard. It takes complete trust and submission. But God seeks those who wait with trust in Him. Copy Hebrews 11:6 and pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for his rewards. Waiting upon the Lord is important, and God's word promises blessings for those who do it. What does each verse tell us about waiting on the Lord? Isaiah 40:31 Psalm 27:14 Lamentations 3:25 Psalm 62:5 Psalm 46:10 Genesis 49:18 Psalm 130:5 Psalm 37:7 The last verse above acknowledges that there are evil men. Ruth could have fallen into the hands of one. Perhaps that's why Boaz was so careful in the way he approached this matter. Not only was Boaz a good guy, but he demonstrated business savvy in the way he went about advocating for Ruth. He prepared an audience; he presented a business deal and he made sure there was a clear legal transaction at the town gate. What every princess of the Lord would do for a Boaz in her life! But we have something better. We have Jesus. Not only do Ruth and Naomi get their happily ever after, but the book ends with important genealogy. Look at Ruth 4:18-22. Don't miss that Tamar's son, Perez is mentioned along with Boaz, Obed and David. Each of these men in the genealogy of Jesus has a woman behind them and we are here to learn their stories. What About You? Today we learned about waiting on the Lord and that is so hard. Write a prayer below about something that you are waiting on and ask God for encouragement to rest in Him. Keynote Learn about the six women who are named in the lineage of Jesus and how God used their brokenness for beauty. He wants to do that for you too. Keywords Women’s Bible Study; Women of the Bible; Old Testament Women; Biblical Submission; Cover Layout This is a Bible study of the 5 women named in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1. With the exception of Mary, each woman came to the Lord with brokenness and pain that God used for His glory as He included these women in his beauty. The intended audience is a lost and hurting world full of women who need to see that they too are still capable of experiencing love and reflecting God's beauty.
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About the Book
This book began as a study of Ruth. I wanted women to know that God can use an outsider like Ruth with a willing heart in powerful ways. But like all good stories, Ruth’s had a backstory. Trying to learn Ruth’s story led to the stories of the women before and after her. They all work together to create a path that leads us to Jesus. All stories begin and end with God. He is the Alpha and the Omega. So where to begin this particular study? Let’s begin with Jesus. Matthew 1 tells us about 5 women in the line of Jesus: Mary, Ruth, Rahab, Bathsheba and Tamar. Each of those women has a unique story. They come to God with brokenness, fear, anxiety and even sin. God uses them in the pages of His story for us, so that we can see that being broken and hurt and even sinful doesn’t have to be the end. God uses each of these women powerfully, despite their shortcomings and even despite their sins. God can use you too. Do you have a story? It’s far from over.
About the Author
THEA THOMAS has been active in women’s Bible studies for over 20 years. She began searching God’s word when she became a mom and understood the power of a parent’s love. When she realized that God felt that love for her, she needed to know more!