A Gentile Named Ruth

Ruth was a Mobite. Her Israelite husband broke God’s law by marrying her when he lived in the land of Moab. Then he died, and when his mother Naomi prepared to return to Israel, Ruth must have seriously thought about staying in her homeland. She would surely face rejection and persecution in the land of her husband’s family.

But Ruth was unwilling to separate herself from God’s people. The Bible tells us she clung to Naomi. She said, For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16b NKJV)

The young woman born outside of God’s kingdom decided she would chose God by identifying with His people. She journeyed to Israel with Naomi. When she demonstrated great tenderness and love for her mother-in-law, she was accepted in spite her background.

Then, in one of Scripture’s most beautiful love stories, Ruth became the wife of Boaz. Their first son, Obed, became grandfather of King David. And centuries later Jesus descended from the lineage of David.

The outcast named Ruth—the Moabite Gentile—played an important role in the ancestry of Jesus. She was a forerunner of God’s plan to include Gentiles among the people who belong to Him.

Originally published December 14, 1990.

"So I Prophesied"

God is omnipotent—meaning He has all power on heaven and on earth. But for reasons we do not understand, He chooses to work through people.

Ezekiel recorded an example of this when he wrote how God gave him a vision of a valley full of dead bones. As Ezekiel looked over the scene, God asked him, [C]an these bones live? (Ez. 37:3a NKJV)

Ezekiel knew God could make dead bones live, but He did not understand God’s plan. So, with the voice of one familiar with the ways of his inscrutable God, he replied, O Lord God, You know. (v. 3b)

Today almost everyone knows the story. In fact, it is such a familiar story that we might gloss over how God made a humble human being an instrument of such great and incomprehensible power.

The dead bones represented the Israelites, and God did want them to live. He could have spoken life into them directly without Ezekiel's help, but He chose to use a person. God said to Ezekiel, Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! (v. 4)

Ezekiel recorded, perhaps with a sense of irony and resignation, that he followed the Lord's instructions. So I prophesied . . . there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together bone to bone . . . and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.”(v. 7,10b)

Death cannot stand against God's Word. Even when spoken by a man, God’s Word brings life. Israel would live.

Originally published October 13, 1989.
Picture: Commercial landscaping, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

He Gave Up His Plan

When people love God, they want to do something for Him. David had the power to do big things, and he wanted to build a temple for God’s glory. See now, he said, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains. (II Sam. 7:2b NKJV) As a reigning king who had won many battles, he had collected much spoil that would provide precious metals to be used in the structure. It was an exciting project. (II Chron. 22)

God understood and valued David’s intentions. But God had a different plan. While David desired to build an earthly house for God, God desired to build a spiritual house through David. God said, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body . . . He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (II Sam. 7:12b,13)

David might have been disappointed. (In fact, much later, Solomon referred to his father's disappointment.) However, instead of focusing on his loss, David focused on God's promise to him for the future generations. In response to a the prophet’s Word, he gave up his heartfelt and worthy desire—his precious plan—and submitted to God. He said in his heart, As for God, His way is perfect. . . . (II Sam. 22:31a)

Originally published October 2, 1987.
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God's Protection

As soon as he did it, Pharaoh regretted setting the Israelites free. They were slave labor and the economy depended on them. So he gave orders to his army to follow with chariots—and he led the troops.

Imagine the Israelites’ terror when they saw Pharaoh with Egypt’s army closing in on them. They cried out to Moses who had an amazing word: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring today. (Ex. 14:13 NIV)

The order would be repeated again and again throughout Old Testament history, and when the order originated with God, He delivered His people—every time.

During the Exodus, the people obeyed the word from God through Moses, and the story that followed is one of the most familiar of our culture. Even Hollywood capitalized on the drama of a pillar of cloud . . . hiding people who walked through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. (vs. 19b,22b)

The real drama, however, is God’s plan. His plan was and is salvation. Although the people’s faith was imperfect, He delivered them. And throughout their journey through the wilderness to the promised land, He continued to protect and provide for His people.

Originally published March 30, 1985.
Picture: Commercial landscape, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

I Have Redeemed You

It seems strange that God would have to redeem or buy back His people. After all, He is our Creator. In a real sense, everything He created—including people—belongs to Him. He’s the One who designed and made us.

But as individual people we consistently reject our Creator. We go our own way because we choose our will over His will. That’s the same as denying His ownership.

When we reject God’s ownership, we separate ourselves from Him. But from the beginning, God foreknew our human nature and inclination to sin. Before we turned away from Him, He had a plan to buy us back. He had a plan to redeem His people.

God didn’t keep His plan a secret. He shared it with the people of the Old Testament. We read in Isaiah, I have formed you . . . you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. (Is. 44:21b,22 NKJV)

Originally published August 4, 1989.
Picture: Tulips, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Rise! Let Us Go!

Jesus spent much time talking with God the Father. Although many of His prayers are recorded, we often fail to understand their importance. He was God, but He needed to receive strength and direction through prayer because He was also human, just as we are human.

Insight into the interaction between Jesus and God the Father is especially evident in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Passover meal. Jesus was distressed, and He recoiled at the cross. "Abba, Father," he said. . . . Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will. . . ." (Mk. 14:36a,c, NIV)

Although He was submitted to the Father, Jesus would have liked another plan of salvation.

He withdrew from the disciples three times that evening as He prayed, coming to terms with God's Will. Finally He said, "The hour has come, Look, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." (v. 41b)

No longer seeking another plan, He was ready for His destiny. "Rise!" He said. "Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (v. 42)

Originally published June 22, 1990.
Picture: Roadside thistle, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

His Father's Plan

Imagine riding triumphantly into Jerusalem knowing that crucifixion was in your immediate future. Jesus understood prophecy, and He knew what what was going to happen to Him. He had learned Scriptures as a child and knew many passages that foretold His future. Perhaps Psalm 22 was vivid in His mind: I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. . . . (Ps. 22:14 NKJV)

Nevertheless, Jesus steadfastly rode the donkey forward to meet His destiny. What did He think as He looked out over the large crowd? He could have avoided both the time of praise as He entered the city and the time of confrontation with the Pharisees that would follow.

If He had, He would have avoided His Father’s plan. So He went forward, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and fulfilling what He had said of Himself earlier: I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down. . . . (Jn. 10:17b,18a NKJV)

Originally published March 21, 1986
Picture: Landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Our High Priest

Many men were born into the Old Testament priestly role. Their function was to stand in the gap for unholy, sinful people before a Holy, sinless God. To do this, they offered blood sacrifices from animals to atone or to pay the penalty for sin.

Jesus didn’t fit the Old Testament priestly mold. Yet He was and is a priest—our high priest—not according to the legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. (Heb. 7:16 RSV)

He didn’t fit the OT model because He wasn’t from the tribe of Levi—one of the requirements. He was from the tribe of Judah. The writer goes into detail concerning why this was God’s perfect plan, why Jesus was a different and superior kind of High Priest.

Most important, Jesus was unlike Old Testament priests because He offered His own body and blood—and because His blood is indestructible. His blood is eternal—it continually pays the penalty for sin—over and over and over and over and over.

When priests offered the sacrifice, they were interceding or praying for God’s people. So when Jesus prays for us, He fulfills His priestly role. But unlike Old Testament priests, His intercession is eternal. Since He will live forever, He will always be there to remind God that He has paid for their sins with His blood. (Heb. 7:25 LB)

Originally published March 26, 1982.
Picture: Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Satan's Offer

Jesus came to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. Satan knew as much when he tempted Jesus. He met Jesus in the Wilderness, gave Him a grand tour by supernaturally showing Him all the kingdoms of the world.” Then Satan said, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Mt. 4:8b,9 NKJV)

Jesus didn’t argue with Satan’s offer or logic. He knew Satan wanted to be worshiped; he knew Satan was god of this world and that the world was Satan’s to offer. It might have seemed that taking the offer would have been an easy way out.

But Jesus knew the offer didn’t fit His Heavenly Father’s purpose.

Even more important, the kingdoms of the world—regardless of their glory—were not what Jesus had in mind at the time. He had come to establish a different kind of kingdom. When He began His ministry, He had an unique message. We read, From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (v. 17)

Satan offers the world in a negative, selfish package; Jesus offers heavenly virtues here an in our afterlife. Like Jesus during His earthly ministry, we live in the world. And like Jesus, we can receive heavenly virtues and we can look forward. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Originally published March 9, 1990.

A Stick of Wood

Some of God’s illustrations are simple, but they so wonderfully illustrate His point.

The people of Israel were divided into two nations, had been divided for many years. When Ezekiel prophesied, the northern kingdom had been overrun by Assyrians and the southern kingdom was being ravaged by Babylon. During that difficult time, God told Ezekiel to take two sticks. On one he should write, belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him. On the other, belonging to Joseph (Israel) and all the house associated with him. Then, Join them together into one stick so they will become one in your hand. (Ez. 37:16,17 NIV)

The people of the two countries were all God’s people—and they shared a common faith. But they were separated by sin. They had even been at war with one another.

Even so, during this time of sorrow and great destruction, God reminded the people of Judah of the destiny they shared with Israel. He also continued to draw them to Himself and to speak to them through His prophets. I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (v. 23b)

Originally published May 25, 1984,

Picture: Along the Red River of the North. Photo by Cindy.

A Positive Influence

History indicates God is a positive influence upon society. For example, the Renaissance and the Reformation occurred almost simultaneously and greatly influenced each other. Many scholars think the revival sparked by John and Charles Wesley aborted an English revolution.

So we shouldn’t be surprised when stories in the Bible link obedience to God with peace and prosperity.

Consider King Jehoshaphat. As is true for all individuals, he wasn’t above reproach but he did try to walk in God’s commands. He instituted significant reforms for his people. And listen to the advice he gave his judges: “you do not judge for man but for the Lord . . . there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” (I Chron. 19:6b,7b NKJV)

Lest the judges become discouraged by the high standard, Jehoshaphat added a final thought: “Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.” (v. 11b)

Oirignally published February 6, 1987.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Jesus' Dominion

When God made man, He said, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish . . . fowl . . . every living thing that moveth. . . . (Gen. 1:28 KJV)

That commission changed drastically after Adam and Eve sinned. When God gave a commission to Noah, He said, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you shall be upon every beast . . . fowl . . . all that moveth . . . fishes of the sea. (Gen. 9:1,2 KJV) Dominion had been lost; it was replaced by fear.

But not permanently. Jesus regained dominion by defeating Satan. David prophesied this when he wrote, What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? . . . Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands . . . sheep and oxen . . . beasts . . . fowl . . . fish . . . O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Ps. 8:4,6a-8 KJV)

The psalm can apply to us. Christ's victory can be our victory if we align ourselves with Him. O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Ps. 8:9 KJV)

Originally published January 31, 1986.

Picture: Flower in Thailand, 2007. Photo by Patty