Naomi

Naomi

Scripture References: The Book of Ruth

Her Start:

Read Ruth 1:1-13

“Naomi was fortunate in that her husband’s inheritance lay in the fertile fields of Bethlehem. From early history, the lush valley that sloped from the hilltop city to the north, south, and east had been so exceptionally productive that the city that overlooked the terraced expanse of grain and fruits was called the House of Bread. Now the unexpected happened. There was dire famine in the land! Elimelech’s fertile fields lay stripped and desolate. Poverty and hunger prevailed. Some believed that the famine was occasioned by an invasion of enemies who came like a multitude of locusts to destroy the land (Judges 6:1-6). Elimelech was desparate; he could not keep the wolf of hunger from the door.” -Frances Vander Velde

Naomi and Elimelech moved to Moab where they had plenty to eat.

Elimelech’s names means “God is King”

Naomi had two sons named Mahlon and Chilion.

“During the rule of the Judges, Israel suffered a serious famine which was deemed to be one of the punishments visited upon the people when they had sinned (Leviticus 26:14, 16)...In taking the initiative to go to Moab -a foreign country -from Bethlehem, Naomi’s husband stepped out of the will of God. If famine was a judgement upon the nation, Elimelech should have repented, tried to have helped his countrymen back to God, and prayed for the removal of the scourge (Psalm 34:9, 10, 17).” -Herbert Lockyer

Bethlehem means “House of Bread”

Jesus said “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). And He quotes in Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” That word for “word” there in the Greek is “rhema.” It is the spoken, living word of God.

We will be blessed when we stay in the “House of Bread” which is God’s Word.

Psalm 1:2-3 NIV “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
The grass only appears to be greener on the other side. Remember, grass eventually with wither and fade. It is but for a moment.

“Precious people, I don’t care who you are or how close to God you might be. You can bet your bottom dollar that there will come into your walk seasons of dryness and times of difficulty. The question is not whether times of famine will come. The question is: ‘Where will you go when they do?’” -Jon Courson

In what is known as the “Lord’s Prayer” Jesus teaches His disciples to pray “Give us this day our daily bread...” (Matthew 6:11). When a great need arises in our lives we need to pray and carefully consider our course of action. Physically, Elimelech and Naomi needed to survive, but did they consider the spiritual and moral effects this move would have on their lives? When they returned to Bethlehem people recognized Naomi. Those people had managed to survive. Why didn’t Elimelech and Naomi return to Bethlehem as soon as possible? Why did they stay so long?

When need arises in your life your first course of action should be to pray and ask God.

James 4:2 NASB says, “You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.”

The enemy schemes against us to keep us from praying. When we stop praying, we stop obtaining what the Lord has for our lives. We stop walking in fellowship with the Father and start depending and relying on ourselves, our skills and abilities. We act and even serve God out of our natural selves rather than walking in the spirit.

James 1:5 NASB “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

God will ask us to do something that requires faith. (What God asks us to do always requires faith). We will instead look for something to do or pour ourselves into (even in service to God) that doesn’t require faith. Time spent in prayer and seeking the Lord will prevent us from living like this.

Hebrews 11:6 NASB “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

How do you hear God’s voice? How do you know God’s will? The discernment comes through the day-by-day time spent in prayer and God’s Word. It’s knowing the Author of the Bible that you are studying. It’s praying and talking to God as you are reading and studying His Word. It’s putting in a journal daily those scriptures and words from the Lord. It’s actively waiting on Him. Waiting on God is an actual process of seeking Him.

The Lord took Elimelech and Naomi became a widow.

Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women Ruth and Orpah.

Orpah means “youthful” or “immature”

Ruth means “friendship”

Naomi’s sons, Mahlon and Chilion, both died.

The Lord broke off the ties that kept Naomi in Moab and these trials stirred her to return back to Bethlehem. Day-by-day, seek to stay in the will of God. Again, in the “Lord’s Prayer,” which is a daily prayer guide for us, we see “Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Every day keep your heart sensitive to God’s will, to His kingdom purposes, to His provision. It is not God’s desire that we are the captain of our ship and that we chart our course. We think we know what is good for us but we don’t.

“Keep the main things the main things.”

“Don’t major on the minors.”

Refrain from the temptation to minimize prayer and time spent in God’s presence and maximizing what “needs to get done” and what we “need to do”. We really need to filter all our activity through prayer. We need to learn to let God be the captain of our ship and the charter of our course.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NASB
“‘For I know the plants that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.’”

1. -God’s plans for us are good (for our welfare)
2. -We need to call on God and pray to Him
3. -He will listen to us
4. -If we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him

In other words, if we’re seeking the Lord just to get our way, or to get something from Him that we want to happen...He sees right through that. We are seeking our will to be done. The kind of seeking that allows us to find God involves surrender our will, desires and what we think is best for us.

Her New Name:

After her sons died, Naomi longed to go back to Bethlehem and was determined to go.

“This intrigues me because it was Naomi’s loss that led her to listen. Please keep this in mind: This story is not to show God punishing Naomi for wandering off into Moab. Her loss was not punitive -it was corrective. It’s purpose was to get her back on track -back to Bethlehem, the House of Bread; back to Judah, the Place of Praise.” -Jon Courson

“Certainly this was not how Naomi had expected her life to unfold, but she was learning to trust God more, to trust Him to work in her life through unexpected people, events and circumstances.” -Elizabeth George

Naomi and her daughters-in-law were bonded together by the affliction they had experienced. They now were all widows. Naomi encouraged them to stay and find husbands as she journeyed back to Bethlehem. Orpah stayed but Ruth decided to go with Naomi.

“Because Naomi was true to God in the stress and storm of life, a beautiful thing happened. She won Ruth for God, and no confession of love has ever surpassed that of Ruth, the daugher-in-law to her mother-in-law.” -Frances Vander Velde

Naomi means “my joy,” “my bliss” or “pleasantness of Jehovah”

In God’s grace, Ruth saw enough of God in Naomi’s life to still desire to stay with her and go where she went, and serve the God that she served. God sets it up so He receives the glory.

In verse 8 we see Naomi did not take her pain out on her daughters-in-law. Instead she was loving and spoke blessings over their lives.

Sometimes when we are going through a trial we can misdirect our anger or frustration to people in our lives. Pray to be like Naomi and instead speak blessings to them.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

Proverbs 16:24 NASB “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Read Ruth 1:14-22

Naomi asked them to call her Mara which means “bitter”

“Trials will either make you bitter or better.”

Naomi was honest. She was broken and she was open about it. She wasn’t trying to hide it, cover it, or act as if she had it all together.

Keys to overcoming or avoiding bitterness:

1. Give thanks - Ephesians 5:20 NASB “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father”
2. Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB “pray without ceasing”
3. Reach out to others - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

In verse 13 we see Naomi declare that God’s hand was against her. God never told her this and it was simply not true. God has a good plan, a divine design. God transforms and restores. God is a God of redemption.

Verse 21 describes to us the life of a backslider. When you leave the “House of Bread” of God’s Word...you will always go out full and come back empty!

Read Ruth 2:1-2; 18-22

Naomi directed Ruth and a beautiful God-story unraveled. Naomi guided and instructed Ruth each step of the way. She offered wisdom and Naomi’s family ties in Bethlehem brought blessing and provision by God.

The Law of Kinsman Redeemer
“A kinsman redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or in need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Gen 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9-25; 25:47-55). The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is Boaz.” (Got Questions Ministries)

Naomi opened her mouth in praise in Ruth 2:20 “May he be blessed of the Lord who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead.”

Her Hope:

Read Ruth 4:14-17

The women blessed Naomi in Ruth 4:14-15 NASB “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daugher-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’”

Our God is a God of restoration!

Isaiah 40:31 ESV “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 145:15 NKJV “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.”

v. 16-17 “Naomi became the nurse for Obed. This may have been a formal act of adoption. The women of Bethlehem named the boy Obed which means ‘worshipper.’ Naomi accepted the name. She, the empty one, was now full. The bitter one was now blessed. Naomi had a son (actually a grandson but ‘son’ in Hebrew often means ‘decendant’).” -The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Life Lesson:

“You left full Naomi. You came back empty. And now God is blessing you once again. The women told Naomi that Ruth was better that seven sons, seven being the number of perfection. Their words were prophetic indeed for out of Ruth’s line would come forth not only King David, but the Perfect One -Jesus Christ. Naomi, this prodigal daughter of the Old Testament, came back to Bethlehem, where God rebuilt, rebirthed, restored, and renewed her. And that’s what He’ll do with us -if we’ll just come back to Him.” -Jon Courson


Discussion Questions:

1. Was it right for Naomi to say “the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20)?
2. What trial have you experienced in your life that has made you closer to the Lord? (the better not the bitter)
3. What did you glean most from Naomi’s life?
4. What lesson from Naomi’s life do you not want to miss in your life? (meaning what do you want to avoid)

Deborah

Deborah

Scripture References: Judges 4-5

Her Situation:

The heart of where the Israelites were at:

               “They were hardly steeled in the land when they proved to be greedy, selfish, and forgetful of Him from whom all blessings flowed. They took God’s earthly gifts but rejected His Word. God’s purpose was the destruction of idolatry, but theirs became the enjoyment of their vineyards and the mixing of cultures. In spite of pious promises, the Israelites turned their backs on God and became carnal and increasingly corrupt, becoming friends with the sensual Canaanites and bowing down to their idols (Judges 2; 3:5-7). Then the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel and, wherever they went, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil. God’s promises to His people are sure, but He cannot condone disobedience and evil. His hate of sin is as certain as His marvelous display of grace. God’s people had forsaken Him, and now He would no longer help them to drive out the rest of the Canaanites. Many heathen nations would now remain in the land (which they could have possessed completely), and these people would be like unrelenting thorns in their sides. Their gods would be snares to them. Distressed as Israel became, they had no excuse for their predicament, for Jehovah had warned them repeatedly and had reasoned with them, ‘Why have ye done this?’ With their lips they said, ‘We will serve Jehovah,’ but they bowed in the dust before Baal and gave the strength of their bodies to Ashteroth. How like God’s ancient children we are! We say, ‘Use me for Thy glory,’ and then seek our own. We pray, ‘Help me to live for Thee,’ and then spend all of our strength to satisfy selfish desires. We read that God sold the nations to their enemies, as if to say ‘They are not Mine, they are yours; do with them as you will’ (Josh. 23:13; Judges 4:2). So Israel was exploited and burdened; their crops were eaten by another, their property pillaged. People were turned out of their homes, their women were molested, and their young men were made slaves. Warriors were cowed and leaders dispersed. They were in extreme distress. Independence was gone, and they were oppressed by a strong military power with no sense of justice. This time it was Jabin, the king of Canaan, and ruthless Sisera, who held them in iron clutches. At last there was no way for this stiff-necked people to look but up. They cried out to God, and He heard and provided a deliverer, the strong-minded Deborah. It was in her ear that they poured out their troubles. They knew her to be a courageous, wise, and godly woman, and they cried, ‘Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, awake, utter a song’ (Judges 5:12), hoping that, though they were sore distressed and deeply humbled, they would once again come to sing the glorious praises of the great I AM. ” –Frances Vander Velde

Her Inspiration

Read Judges 4

Deborah was a prophetess. The gift of prophecy is “the ability to discern the mind and purpose of God and declare it to others.” –Herbert Lockyer

She was the wife of Lapidoth. (This is the only genealogy we have of Deborah)

Lapidoth’s names means “torches” or “lightning flashes” which indicates he may have sparked the flame in Deborah’s heart to do what she did.

“To become like Deborah –a woman used powerfully by God, a woman entrusted with leadership responsibility, a woman given a great ground for service to the kingdom –you must first be faithful as a wife.” –Elizabeth George

The role of a wife:

To Help: Genesis 2:18 NLT “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”

To Submit: Ephesians 5:22 KJV “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

To Respect: Ephesians 5:33 ESV “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

To Love: Titus 2:4 NKJV “that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children”

She was called “a mother in Israel,” though we have no record of her children we are not sure if she was just a mother figure to Israel or actually bore physical children. Either way, she was a mother figure in Israel. She portrayed a tender power and was approachable to the men around her.

If you are going to be a powerful woman of God and influence others around you and gain their respect, you must have a motherly sense about you. Others will not respond with this lacking as it will keep them from trusting you.

Deborah was the only woman to serve as a judge of Israel. She was the fifth judge.

She was also a poet.

Deborah’s name means “a bee,” which would leave me to believe that Deborah was a very hard working woman.

“Science confirms the ancient belief that, of all the animal kingdom, the bee ranks among the highest in intelligence,” says Mary Hallet. “So Deborah stands out as among the wisest of all the Old Testament women.”

How did Deborah show wisdom with her position? Through HUMILITY.

●     Judges 2:16 tells us the Lord raised up judges. The Lord Himself had raised her up and given her this position.

●     Deborah called for Barak to lead the people, not seeking to do everything herself.

●     Deborah served Barak when he asked her to come alongside him in the mission.

The way to be great in God’s kingdom is to walk the path of humility.

1 Peter 5:5 NKJV “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

Deborah ruled under a palm tree and this was a land mark because palms were rare at that time in Palestine. (Judges 4:5)

What idols do you personally struggle bowing down to? (A perfect Christian marriage or home, a booming ministry, wealth, beauty, control)

What sins do you need to confess to the Lord and forsake them and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM? (self-worship, self-centeredness, self-dependence, impurity, hypocrisy, discontentment, worry, discouraging others, complacency)

Leviticus 19:4 NASB “Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God.”

1 John 5:21 NASB “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

“Paul knew something that many Christians still have not learned –that the human heart is idolatrous and will worship anything it can possess. Therein lies the danger of the ‘good’ things. We have surrendered evil things, bad things, but we hold on to the good things and these we are prone to worship. Whatever we refuse to surrender and count but loss, we will ultimately worship. It may be something good, but it gets between you and God –whether it be property or family or reputation or security or  your life itself.” -AW Tozer

Prophets were inspired and Deborah the prophetess was full of inspiration! She had the gift to stir up people and move and motivate them.

Her Bravery:

Deborah saw a need and rose up and did something about it! She did a good job because the land had rest for forty years.

Deborah called for Barak, telling him to deliver the country. He said he would go only if Deborah went with him. They needed a brave heart!

The odds were against them but Deborah believed her God.

Deborah was a warrior.

Her Song:

Read Judges 5

Out of the conquest and victory, Deborah wrote a song. Her calling from God not only inspired her to fight, it inspired her to sing.

Outline of Deborah’s Song

(v. 1-5) –History verifies that the Lord sent a rainstorm and all of Sisera’s 900 chariots got stuck in the mud.

(v. 6-8) -Shagmar was a previous judge at a time when it was not safe to travel on the highways.

             -Deborah’s pride was in that she was a mother.

             -The people rejected the One True God and turned to false gods and worshiped them.

(v.9 ) –Deborah showed her support for other godly rulers in the land.

(v.10-11) –The gates were a place of assembly and where the people would meet and talk about topics of the day. Now the topic would be the righteous deeds of the Lord.

(v.12-13) –After the victory Deborah still tells Barak to rise up.

(v.14-18) –not all the tribes helped. Reuben acted as if there was no war. The tribe of Issachar stood with Deborah and Barak. Dan was busy in commerce. Asher continued on the seashore. Zebulun and Naphtali fought really well.

(v.19-20)  –These former enemies of Israel helped fight at the water of Megiddo which is near what will be Armageddon one day.

(v.21-23) –Meroz did not come to help the work of the Lord and they were cursed. The Lord secured their victory.

(v.24-31) –Jael is blessed. With a motherly heart, Deborah thinks of Sisera’s mother. Taking anyone’s life is sorrowful.

Life Lesson:

“May we, like Deborah, awaken to the need of the kingdom of God, arise to do our part, and march on with the Lord of Hosts to victory. And those who love and serve Him will “be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might” (Judges 5:31). –Frances Vander Velde

Discussion Questions:

1.      Where did Deborah live? Who was her husband? Where did she sit as judge?

2.      How would you describe Deborah’s personality?

3.      What can you personally apply in the story of Deborah that you want to share with the group?

Rahab

šRahab›

Scripture References:

Joshua 2; 6:17-25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

Her  Location and Status:

Joshua was the leader now in place of Moses. The Lord promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. (Joshua 1:5-8).

The Canaanites in Jericho had protection from mountains, the Jordan River and Mediterranean sea. They also had well fortified cities and peaceful trade with other countries. They were cultured, idolatrous and had commercial achievements. These were the kind of people Rahab lived among.

Rahab lived in Jericho.

Jericho was known as the strongest of the fortified cities of Canaan.

“This ancient ‘City of Palms,’ as it was known, was surrounded and protected by two walls about fifteen feet apart. The walls, though not high, were wide and sturdy, and houses made of sun dried bricks, supported by timbers, were built over the gap. Rahab’s house occupied a place on the wall.”           –Frances Vander Velde

Joshua sent two men to spy out the city of Jericho.

The two spies found refuge in Rahab’s home.

Rahab was a prostitute.

“Before Rahab became a believer in the One True God, she was an idolatrous Amorite. Ra was the name of an Egyptian god, and Rahab’s full name meant ‘insolent and fierce.’ Besides her less-than-positive name, the Bible reports that Rahab was a harlot.” –Elizabeth George

  

Her Faith

Read Joshua 2:1-11

Rahab truly came to believe in the God of Israel. She was attentive to what He was doing and placed her faith in the One True and Living God.

By hiding the two spies, Rahab showed what she really believed in.

James 2:25 NKJV

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Rahab:

-knew God had given them the land

-heard about how God parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites out of Egypt

-claimed He was God in heaven above and on earth beneath

What are your personal statements of faith?

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

How is our faith increased?

Romans 10:17 NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is needed to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Rahab is included in the “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11…there are only 3 women mentioned (Sarah, Jochebed and Rahab).

Hebrews 11:31 NKJV

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab’s choices defined who she became.  Her choices defined who she was and enabled her to be a part of the “Hall of Faith”!

Sometimes we need to make choices that take courage and bravery. Our choices may be a risk in the beginning, but they are life in the end. In order for Rahab to preserve her and her family’s lives, she needed to risk her life! Then, she was spared later on. This is how true living works in God’s economy.

Luke 9:24 NKJV

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Luke 17:33 NKJV

Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

**Are you making these kinds of choices so that your destiny is one that glorifies God?

Rahab showed, by risking her own life, that she feared God more than man.

Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.”

Psalm 40:4 NKJV

Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psalm 25:2 NKJV

O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 31:19 NKJV

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

Day-by-day make choices that lead to a life of faith and victory.

Rahab had an evident call of God on her life. Jesus came to save the sinners. We must always remember that and avoid having any form of a pharisaical mentality. Sometimes we think we are more spiritually mature defined by the way we act and what we do. When true spiritual maturity is allowing God to reveal true motives of our hearts and walking in humility, considering others better than ourselves.

Rahab is an Old Testament “woman at the well” and God had a powerful call on her life to use her for His glorious purposes. God loved her just as much as every other woman.

  

Her Deliverance

Read Joshua 2:12-24

“That red token at the window was likewise a signal to the outside world that Rahab believed in the ultimate triumph of Jehovah…As that scarlet line, because of its color and sign of safety, speaks of the sacrificial work of Christ (Hebrews 9:19, 22), the ground of our assurance of salvation is not experience of feelings within, but the token relatives might not have felt safe within the house, but the same promise prevailed, ‘When I see the blood, I will pass over you’ (Exodus 12:13).” –Herbert Lockyer

“Rahab would be saved by letting down a scarlet cord. In these days, prostitutes would paint their windowsills bright red. Therefore, by hanging a scarlet cord over her red windowsill, Rahab would be forming a cross. The same image that saved the people of Israel in the Passover when they applied the blood to the top, sides and bottom of their doors, would save the pagans in Jericho. Whether to a Jew or a Gentile, the message is the same. It is the Cross that saves from destruction.”   -Jon Courson

You are not born pure. We are only made pure by the blood of Jesus.

*Psalm 51 –David wrote after falling in sin with Bathsheba

Her Acceptance and Heritage:

The Lord accepted Rahab. He called her His own and rescued her out of her land and it’s evil ways.

The Lord allowed her to have a new heritage and fresh start after she placed her faith in Him.

Rahab married Salman, a prince of the house of Judah.

Rahab was the mother of Boaz.

Did you know that Boaz’s mother was Rahab! Think of the godly man the Boaz was and the character he had. What a beautiful story of God’s redemptive and transforming work. I have a feeling that these are God’s favorite kinds of miracles to perform!

Remember that Christ calls the sinners to repentance, not those who have it all together.

Boaz and Ruth were the grandparents of David.

David is in the lineage of Jesus Christ Himself.

Read Matthew 1:5

Life Lesson:

Let your faith work its way out in your actions. Don’t let the fear of man keep you for taking risks for God.

James 2:25 NKJV

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Discussion Questions:

1.     Tell what you can about Rahab’s background and life. How much did she know about God before the spies came?

2.     Show that Rahab had faith. What kind of faith did she have?

3.     Is there any symbolism in the scarlet thread that Rahab hung from the window?

4.     Does the story of Rahab shed any light on what our attitude should be toward converts? What is our present-day attitude toward them? What should it be?