Posts Tagged ‘choices’
Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3
As the prophet Elijah was about to depart from this earth, he asked Elisha: “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (2nd Kings 2:9) The understudy wisely answered that he desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This is essentially the same question God asked Solomon when he appeared to him a few years earlier. (1st Kings 3:5) Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. God gives us choices. One of the tensions in Scripture is between our free will and God’s sovereign will. God is sovereign but he has chosen to work with man who is made in His image. Part of that image is the ability to make choices.
Elijah had been instructed by God to tap Elisha to take his place some ten years earlier. Elisha was the son of a farmer. He was plowing with 12 yokes of oxen–a big rig of that day! (1st Kings 19:19) He was called when Elijah threw his cloak over him. Scripture records that he left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he sacrificed his oxen, burning his plowing equipment to cook the meat. He set out to follow Elijah. Choices have consequences and rewards and often lead to more choices.
As the time for Elijah’s departure drew near, Elisha had to continually choose to stay near his mentor. Elijah kept asking him to stay away, but he kept insisting on staying. If we are going to get all that the Lord has for us, it means we must persevere! Those who persevere to the end will reap a reward! Elisha asked for the double portion of his mentor’s spirit. Elijah could not give that himself. It must come from the Lord. Elijah gave him a word of knowledge–that if he could see him when he departed he would have what he asked for. (2nd Kings 2:10-12) As they walked on together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind right before Elisha’s eyes! It was an exciting exit for the prophet Elijah and an exciting transition for the prophet Elisha as he picked up the cloak and began to do greater things than his mentor!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the final word from God. He had the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34) He has told us to ask Him for whatever we need and He will do it. (John 14:14) He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and bring forth the gifts of the Spirit as they are needed to glorify the Lord. He has told us, his disciples, that we will do even greater works because He has gone to the Father. (John 14:11-14) Ask the Lord today for what you need! How much more will God the Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:13)
Scripture reading for March 16: Ruth 1-4
The story of Ruth is set in the time of Judges between 40-100 years before the time of David (1000 BC). This simple story unfolds as a famine forces an Israelite family to leave Israel for Moab. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, stay in Moab. Nothing good appears to happen to them there. The husband dies. Both sons marry Moabite girls and then they die as well. Naomi is left bitter and ready to return to her land and people. The daughters-in-law are left with a choice to make.
Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to go on back to their own people. She is too old to have more sons for them to marry. Orpah goes on back. Ruth, the other daughter-in-law, clings to her mother-in-law and makes a beautiful confession of devotion and faith. (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth is ready to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God until death! What conviction and faith are exhibited by this descendant of Lot!
Choices have consequences. In choosing to go to the land of Israel, Ruth would have been an alien and would not have had an inheritance or a people to take her in. She would have had to rely on God’s grace and try to help her older mother-in-law to live. There was no welfare or jobless benefits. Those that did not work, did not eat. Ruth began to glean fields. The law in Israel left the corners of the fields and the grain that was dropped for the orphan and widow. (Deuteronomy 24:19) She would work as she could and get food for her family. God’s divine providence placed Ruth in the field of Boaz, a close relative of Naomi’s. Boaz was also a descendant of Rahab, the harlot that hid the spies!
Because of her hard work and humble spirit and her choice to stay with Naomi, Ruth’s good reputation was spread around. Boaz heard about her and showered her with favor. (Ruth 2:11-12) In Israel, the closest relative to a widow had the right to buy the widow’s property and also to take the widow and continue the family line. Boaz was in that line. He was a possible “kinsman redeemer”. Boaz responded to Ruth’s humble appeal, purchased the field, and took her as his wife! Both Boaz and Ruth are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 1:5-6)
Jesus Christ is our “kinsman-redeemer”. He is a “close relative” who has bought us back from slavery to sin. When we humbly appeal to Him in faith, He will surely make the transaction for us as well! Ruth is a type of Gentile bride for Jesus Christ. When we closely read this beautiful story, we get a glimpse into the heart of God and Jesus Christ! Thank the Lord for being our “Kinsman-Redeemer”!
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9)