5.1.25 (Ruth 1)

Introduction

Hello, this is Kenneth, and welcome to Dwell.

Today is Thursday, May 1st. Thanks for joining us for today's Dwell Kids Daily.

Thanks for joining us for The Melodic Line for Kids.

For the next few minutes, I invite you to join me as we look to our Great King by opening our hearts to hear from Him through the words of the Bible.

Silence

As we begin, let us remember that God calls His people, young and old, to be still and know that He is God. Let's take a few seconds to clear our minds, so that we can hear him better.

Opening Prayer‌ Father, when we spend time in your word and set our hearts on your teaching, we flourish like a lush tree planted by a stream of fresh water. Teach us today and nourish our souls.

Passage

Today our passage is from the Book of Ruth chapter 1 verses 15-18 (ESV)

And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”  But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

Exhortation

This little book called “Ruth” has been cherished by billions of people for thousands of years all over the world. The first verse of Ruth says that this story takes place during the time of the judges. This was a time of great disobedience in Israel. For the most part, the people didn’t honor God as king. They didn’t follow his commands. They did what was right in their own eyes. Not a great moment in Israel’s history.

When we read the book of Ruth, we need to remember this tough time as the setting. The story itself starts with a famine in the land. This means that there is no food. So Elimelech and his family move out of the land, to Moab, not very friendly neighbors of Israel, in order to find food. But in Moab things get worse. Elimelech’s sons marry Moabite women, and then Elimelech and his sons die, leaving the women on their own. In ancient times, this is very bad.

So Naomi, Elimelech’s wife, tells the Moabite women, her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to go back to their home and marry Moabite men. Naomi considers herself cursed and will go back to Israel and strive to carry on. Orpah agrees and leaves. This brings us to our passage today.In the story so far only bad things have happened – famine, death, brokenness – but here something good happens. The Moabite woman named Ruth pledges herself to Naomi and more importantly to Naomi’s God, who just happens to be the true God of the universe. God will use the faithfulness of this Moabite woman to change Israel’s fortunes forever. Indeed, God will bless Ruth’s faithfulness over and over again, a series of blessings that lead us to King David himself.

Call to Action Let’s take a few seconds to marvel at the faithfulness of God. I all of Israel’s rebellion, God brings a faithful Moabite woman (maybe the last person we’d expect) into the story to change the fortunes of Israel, and ultimately for all people.

Closing Prayer‌ Let’s pray together.

Father in heaven, you are good and we are grateful. Your kindness is unending and your mercy is marvelous. By your Spirit help us to be faithful to you. We come to you today in the name of King Jesus. Amen.

Outro

It's been great to be with you today.

Tomorrow, we'll be in Psalm 40. Until then, go in peace, and let the word of King Jesus dwell in you richly.

Now, go in peace and let the word of King Jesus dwell in you richly.