Ruth 1: A Nation’s Prayer That Would Connect Two Countries for a Global Miracle

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day and by chapter. Seven minutes a day and by chapter. Seven minutes a day and seven days a week. Join us each day and seven days a week. Join us each day and seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join share it with others so they can join share it with others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. this journey that will be life-changing. this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll have will create awe and wonder. We'll have will create awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey to change, but all in all the journey to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may will be worth it. Once in a while we may will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear take a detour on the journey and hear take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on their from some of God's servants on their from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of favorite passages from a chapter of favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their scripture and let them give you their scripture and let them give you their insight. insight. insight. Every journey needs a small detour Every journey needs a small detour Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. ever articulate. ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Ruth 1. today's chapter is Ruth 1. today's chapter is Ruth 1. A nation's prayer that would connect two A nation's prayer that would connect two A nation's prayer that would connect two countries for a global miracle.

countries for a global miracle. countries for a global miracle. I remember hearing the words, "We must I remember hearing the words, "We must I remember hearing the words, "We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey." If pain is fuel for the journey." If pain is fuel for the journey." If pain is fuel for the journey, chapter 1 of the book of Ruth journey, chapter 1 of the book of Ruth journey, chapter 1 of the book of Ruth is a full tank of fuel. is a full tank of fuel. is a full tank of fuel. It's a chapter about pain, but the It's a chapter about pain, but the It's a chapter about pain, but the journey will get us to one of the most journey will get us to one of the most journey will get us to one of the most remarkable endings in Bible history when remarkable endings in Bible history when remarkable endings in Bible history when we get to Ruth chapter 4. we get to Ruth chapter 4. we get to Ruth chapter 4. Today we start the book of Ruth, a story Today we start the book of Ruth, a story Today we start the book of Ruth, a story within a story. Ruth is really a story within a story. Ruth is really a story within a story. Ruth is really a story within a whole book to be more specific. within a whole book to be more specific. within a whole book to be more specific. Ruth takes place in the middle of the Ruth takes place in the middle of the Ruth takes place in the middle of the book of Judges. book of Judges. book of Judges. We see that from the very first verse. We see that from the very first verse. We see that from the very first verse. We are told that when Ruth's We are told that when Ruth's We are told that when Ruth's extraordinary story occurs, it says this extraordinary story occurs, it says this extraordinary story occurs, it says this in Ruth 1:1, "Now it came about in the in Ruth 1:1, "Now it came about in the in Ruth 1:1, "Now it came about in the days when the judges governed that there days when the judges governed that there days when the judges governed that there was a famine in the land and a certain was a famine in the land and a certain was a famine in the land and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to man of Bethlehem in Judah went to man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his sojourn in the land of Moab with his sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. The pain of wife and his two sons. The pain of wife and his two sons. The pain of famine drove a family to Moab because famine drove a family to Moab because famine drove a family to Moab because that's where Ruth will be met and become that's where Ruth will be met and become that's where Ruth will be met and become part of this Jewish family. This famine part of this Jewish family. This famine part of this Jewish family. This famine could have very well been one of the could have very well been one of the could have very well been one of the moments where Israel did evil in the moments where Israel did evil in the moments where Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and they were under sight of the Lord and they were under sight of the Lord and they were under the Lord's discipline.

the Lord's discipline. the Lord's discipline. Famine is the big plot and the book of Famine is the big plot and the book of Famine is the big plot and the book of Ruth is the subplot. Ruth is the subplot. Ruth is the subplot. Do you remember the cycle of the book of Do you remember the cycle of the book of Do you remember the cycle of the book of Judges? You would hear these words Judges? You would hear these words Judges? You would hear these words throughout the 300 years over and over. throughout the 300 years over and over. throughout the 300 years over and over. Then the sons of Israel did evil in the Then the sons of Israel did evil in the Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and then the soul of a sight of the Lord and then the soul of a sight of the Lord and then the soul of a nation would wake up and you would see nation would wake up and you would see nation would wake up and you would see light burst through the clouds and these light burst through the clouds and these light burst through the clouds and these words would bring the dead back to life. words would bring the dead back to life. words would bring the dead back to life. When the sons of Israel cried to the When the sons of Israel cried to the When the sons of Israel cried to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them. the sons of Israel to deliver them. the sons of Israel to deliver them. 50 miles down the road in Moab, there 50 miles down the road in Moab, there 50 miles down the road in Moab, there are rumors rumbling that God has come are rumors rumbling that God has come are rumors rumbling that God has come back to Israel. back to Israel. back to Israel. The widow Naomi hears about it and we The widow Naomi hears about it and we The widow Naomi hears about it and we read what she does in Ruth 1:6. Then she read what she does in Ruth 1:6. Then she read what she does in Ruth 1:6. Then she arose with her daughter-in-laws that she arose with her daughter-in-laws that she arose with her daughter-in-laws that she might return from the land of Moab for might return from the land of Moab for might return from the land of Moab for she had heard in the land of Moab that she had heard in the land of Moab that she had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited. It seems that the Lord had visited. It seems that the Lord had visited. It seems that verse 6 could be pointing to the moment verse 6 could be pointing to the moment verse 6 could be pointing to the moment when God raised up a righteous judge to when God raised up a righteous judge to when God raised up a righteous judge to deliver the people and God blessed the deliver the people and God blessed the deliver the people and God blessed the land.

land. land. The famine has been broken through The famine has been broken through The famine has been broken through prayer in Israel. After 10 years in prayer in Israel. After 10 years in prayer in Israel. After 10 years in Moab, someone prayed in Israel for God Moab, someone prayed in Israel for God Moab, someone prayed in Israel for God to return. Who could have known that the to return. Who could have known that the to return. Who could have known that the prayer of the people in Israel would be prayer of the people in Israel would be prayer of the people in Israel would be the beginning of a miracle story in the beginning of a miracle story in the beginning of a miracle story in Moab. A prayer in Israel would not only Moab. A prayer in Israel would not only Moab. A prayer in Israel would not only break the famine but would launch the break the famine but would launch the break the famine but would launch the story of two widows' journeys. story of two widows' journeys. story of two widows' journeys. No one knew that a nation's prayer No one knew that a nation's prayer No one knew that a nation's prayer could connect two countries for a global could connect two countries for a global could connect two countries for a global miracle. miracle. miracle. Ruth's story starts at a crossroads. Ruth's story starts at a crossroads. Ruth's story starts at a crossroads. She's given a choice of who to follow. She's given a choice of who to follow. She's given a choice of who to follow. When Naomi is heading back to Israel, When Naomi is heading back to Israel, When Naomi is heading back to Israel, both her widowed daughters-in-law's will both her widowed daughters-in-law's will both her widowed daughters-in-law's will go with her. Remember the Moab tragedy. go with her. Remember the Moab tragedy. go with her. Remember the Moab tragedy. Naomi's husband dies. Her sons marry two Naomi's husband dies. Her sons marry two Naomi's husband dies. Her sons marry two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Then the sons die and Naomi is left Then the sons die and Naomi is left Then the sons die and Naomi is left alone with two foreign alone with two foreign alone with two foreign daughters-in-law's in a strange land. It daughters-in-law's in a strange land. It daughters-in-law's in a strange land. It is at this point Naomi will go back to is at this point Naomi will go back to is at this point Naomi will go back to Bethlehem. Bethlehem. Bethlehem. It says this in Ruth 1:8, "And Naomi It says this in Ruth 1:8, "And Naomi It says this in Ruth 1:8, "And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law's, go said to her two daughters-in-law's, go said to her two daughters-in-law's, go return each of you to to her mother's return each of you to to her mother's return each of you to to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you house. May the Lord deal kindly with you house. May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with as you have dealt with the dead and with as you have dealt with the dead and with me. May the Lord grant that you may find me. May the Lord grant that you may find me. May the Lord grant that you may find rest each in the house of her husband."

rest each in the house of her husband." rest each in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them and lifted up their Then she kissed them and lifted up their Then she kissed them and lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, voices and wept. And they said to her, voices and wept. And they said to her, "No, but we will return with you to your "No, but we will return with you to your "No, but we will return with you to your people." Their determination seemed people." Their determination seemed people." Their determination seemed honorable until Naomi made their choice honorable until Naomi made their choice honorable until Naomi made their choice real. She told them the cost of real. She told them the cost of real. She told them the cost of following her. Listen to Ruth 1:11. "But following her. Listen to Ruth 1:11. "But following her. Listen to Ruth 1:11. "But Naomi said, 'Return, my daughters. Why Naomi said, 'Return, my daughters. Why Naomi said, 'Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons should you go with me? Have I yet sons should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may be your in my womb that they may be your in my womb that they may be your husbands? Return, my daughters. Go, for husbands? Return, my daughters. Go, for husbands? Return, my daughters. Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I I am too old to have a husband. If I I am too old to have a husband. If I said, I have hope, if I should even have said, I have hope, if I should even have said, I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, a husband tonight and also bear sons, a husband tonight and also bear sons, would you therefore wait until they were would you therefore wait until they were would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from grown? Would you therefore refrain from grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is marrying? No, my daughters, for it is marrying? No, my daughters, for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand harder for me than for you, for the hand harder for me than for you, for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.' of the Lord has gone forth against me.' of the Lord has gone forth against me.' And they lifted up their voices and wept And they lifted up their voices and wept And they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her again. And Orpah kissed her again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." Now the party of three is down to two.

Now the party of three is down to two. Now the party of three is down to two. It was valiant until the cost of their It was valiant until the cost of their It was valiant until the cost of their personal dream could potentially die. personal dream could potentially die. personal dream could potentially die. If you went with Naomi, your dream of If you went with Naomi, your dream of If you went with Naomi, your dream of marriage, children, and even marriage, children, and even marriage, children, and even grandchildren is at risk. It was at this grandchildren is at risk. It was at this grandchildren is at risk. It was at this price that Orpah said, "Check, please." price that Orpah said, "Check, please." price that Orpah said, "Check, please." and exits the story. and exits the story. and exits the story. Ruth, unfazed by the cost, speaks some Ruth, unfazed by the cost, speaks some Ruth, unfazed by the cost, speaks some of the most emotional and memorable of the most emotional and memorable of the most emotional and memorable words of dedication and commitment words of dedication and commitment words of dedication and commitment recorded in God's holy word. The young recorded in God's holy word. The young recorded in God's holy word. The young widow speaks to the old widow with an widow speaks to the old widow with an widow speaks to the old widow with an unexpected depth. Listen to Ruth 1:16. unexpected depth. Listen to Ruth 1:16. unexpected depth. Listen to Ruth 1:16. But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you. For you or turn back from following you. For you or turn back from following you. For where you go, I will go. Where you where you go, I will go. Where you where you go, I will go. Where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where be my people and your God my God. Where be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be you die, I will die and there I will be you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Thus, may the Lord do to me and buried. Thus, may the Lord do to me and buried. Thus, may the Lord do to me and worse if anything but death parts you worse if anything but death parts you worse if anything but death parts you and me." When she saw that she was and me." When she saw that she was and me." When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no determined to go with her, she said no determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

more to her. more to her. Two widows were heading back to Two widows were heading back to Two widows were heading back to Bethlehem. Bethlehem. Bethlehem. They heard there was food, but there was They heard there was food, but there was They heard there was food, but there was much more than a meal that awaits them. much more than a meal that awaits them. much more than a meal that awaits them. They just didn't know what God was about They just didn't know what God was about They just didn't know what God was about to do. They would come with a pain to do. They would come with a pain to do. They would come with a pain story, but experience a life-giving story, but experience a life-giving story, but experience a life-giving miracle. miracle. miracle. Naomi was the woman of pain. Her 10 Naomi was the woman of pain. Her 10 Naomi was the woman of pain. Her 10 years took a toll on her physically, years took a toll on her physically, years took a toll on her physically, spiritually, and emotionally. She was spiritually, and emotionally. She was spiritually, and emotionally. She was unrecognizable to the community she grew unrecognizable to the community she grew unrecognizable to the community she grew up in and was married in and had up in and was married in and had up in and was married in and had children in. When she arrived, the children in. When she arrived, the children in. When she arrived, the people said this in verse 19. people said this in verse 19. people said this in verse 19. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all And when they had come to Bethlehem, all And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them. the city was stirred because of them. the city was stirred because of them. And the women said, "Is this Naomi?" And the women said, "Is this Naomi?" And the women said, "Is this Naomi?" She said to them, She said to them, She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly the Almighty has dealt very bitterly the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord with me. I went out full, but the Lord with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you has brought me back empty. Why do you has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi since the Lord has call me Naomi since the Lord has call me Naomi since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty witnessed against me and the Almighty witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

has afflicted me?" has afflicted me?" Naomi was angry with God. She's Naomi was angry with God. She's Naomi was angry with God. She's husbandless, childless, poor, hungry, husbandless, childless, poor, hungry, husbandless, childless, poor, hungry, and feels abandoned by God. and feels abandoned by God. and feels abandoned by God. I have lived enough life to know that I have lived enough life to know that I have lived enough life to know that all those elements tell me a great God all those elements tell me a great God all those elements tell me a great God story is about to take place, and it did story is about to take place, and it did story is about to take place, and it did indeed. The next three chapters will indeed. The next three chapters will indeed. The next three chapters will unfold those miracles. unfold those miracles. unfold those miracles. I've recently been reading the life of I've recently been reading the life of I've recently been reading the life of John Bunyan, who wrote the most popular John Bunyan, who wrote the most popular John Bunyan, who wrote the most popular Christian book of all time next to the Christian book of all time next to the Christian book of all time next to the Bible, Pilgrim's Progress. Bible, Pilgrim's Progress. Bible, Pilgrim's Progress. What many don't realize is that it was What many don't realize is that it was What many don't realize is that it was written in prison. written in prison. written in prison. It was in November of 1660 that John It was in November of 1660 that John It was in November of 1660 that John Bunyan was arrested and would spend 12 Bunyan was arrested and would spend 12 Bunyan was arrested and would spend 12 years in a cell. He was sentenced at years in a cell. He was sentenced at years in a cell. He was sentenced at first to 3 months on the condition he first to 3 months on the condition he first to 3 months on the condition he would stop preaching, to which Bunyan would stop preaching, to which Bunyan would stop preaching, to which Bunyan replied that he was willing to suffer replied that he was willing to suffer replied that he was willing to suffer till the moss shall grow on mine till the moss shall grow on mine till the moss shall grow on mine eyebrows rather than violate my faith eyebrows rather than violate my faith eyebrows rather than violate my faith and principles. It was in those 12 years and principles. It was in those 12 years and principles. It was in those 12 years in prison in prison in prison that John Bunyan completed one of the that John Bunyan completed one of the that John Bunyan completed one of the all-time best-selling works of Christian all-time best-selling works of Christian all-time best-selling works of Christian literature.

literature. literature. He wrote letters to his church He wrote letters to his church He wrote letters to his church that he was snatched from, and one of that he was snatched from, and one of that he was snatched from, and one of those letters is riveting and those letters is riveting and those letters is riveting and convicting. It's like reading a New convicting. It's like reading a New convicting. It's like reading a New Testament letter from the Apostle Paul Testament letter from the Apostle Paul Testament letter from the Apostle Paul from prison. He says in his prison from prison. He says in his prison from prison. He says in his prison letter these words, letter these words, letter these words, "I never had in all my life so great an "I never had in all my life so great an "I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the word of God as now. The inlet into the word of God as now. The inlet into the word of God as now. The scriptures that I saw nothing in before scriptures that I saw nothing in before scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place and state to are made in this place and state to are made in this place and state to shine before me. Jesus Christ also was shine before me. Jesus Christ also was shine before me. Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now. I never more real and apparent than now. I never more real and apparent than now. I never knew what it was for God to stand never knew what it was for God to stand never knew what it was for God to stand by me at all times and at every offer of by me at all times and at every offer of by me at all times and at every offer of Satan to afflict me as I have found him Satan to afflict me as I have found him Satan to afflict me as I have found him since I came in here for low as fears since I came in here for low as fears since I came in here for low as fears have presented themselves so have have presented themselves so have have presented themselves so have support and encouragement. Yet God as support and encouragement. Yet God as support and encouragement. Yet God as being very tender of me have not being very tender of me have not being very tender of me have not suffered me to be accosted suffered me to be accosted suffered me to be accosted but would with one scripture or another but would with one scripture or another but would with one scripture or another strengthen me against all in so much strengthen me against all in so much strengthen me against all in so much that I have often said this were it that I have often said this were it that I have often said this were it lawful I could pray for greater trouble lawful I could pray for greater trouble lawful I could pray for greater trouble to experience greater comfort.

to experience greater comfort. to experience greater comfort. Say those words slowly with me and out Say those words slowly with me and out Say those words slowly with me and out loud. Were it lawful I could pray for loud. Were it lawful I could pray for loud. Were it lawful I could pray for greater trouble so I could experience greater trouble so I could experience greater trouble so I could experience greater comfort. greater comfort. greater comfort. Those words are foreign Those words are foreign Those words are foreign to all of us. to all of us. to all of us. Many have involuntarily experienced it Many have involuntarily experienced it Many have involuntarily experienced it but most assuredly not prayed for it. but most assuredly not prayed for it. but most assuredly not prayed for it. John Bunyan's greater trouble, 12 years John Bunyan's greater trouble, 12 years John Bunyan's greater trouble, 12 years in prison, gave us the great comfort, in prison, gave us the great comfort, in prison, gave us the great comfort, The Pilgrim's Progress. The trouble was The Pilgrim's Progress. The trouble was The Pilgrim's Progress. The trouble was worth it. The book of Ruth is proof of worth it. The book of Ruth is proof of worth it. The book of Ruth is proof of this. Naomi's pain was a cell. Ruth's this. Naomi's pain was a cell. Ruth's this. Naomi's pain was a cell. Ruth's marriage and her future was Israel's marriage and her future was Israel's marriage and her future was Israel's Pilgrim's Progress. Her pain, prison, Pilgrim's Progress. Her pain, prison, Pilgrim's Progress. Her pain, prison, would last 10 years and give us one of would last 10 years and give us one of would last 10 years and give us one of the greatest love stories that would the greatest love stories that would the greatest love stories that would affect the whole world. affect the whole world. affect the whole world. Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.