Week of December 11th Old Testament Part 1

First of all, a HUGE thank you to everyone who brought food to share for our Christmas pot luck lunch.  We really enjoyed the variety of foods from around the world, the fellowship time just chatting over lunch, and a relaxing time to get to know one another better.  A real blessing!

We began a new study booklet called "God's Amazing Book".  This is a 12 lesson study which will take us all over the Bible as we take an overview of this book which is the most important book in the entire world!  Even if you have studied the Bible for years and years, there is more to discover, and in fact, oftentimes the more you learn, the more you realize there is still more to learn.

The lesson focused mostly on the first five books of the Old Testament, which are often referred to as The Law, The book of Moses, the Pentateuch, or for Jews, the Torah.   

In Genesis we learn about the creation of the world and our origins.  God is unexplained.  He is unexplainable.  Exodus details the Israelites deliverance from Egypt.  Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy describe the rituals, sacrfices, offerings and regulations for the priests. 

The historical books of the Old Testament give accounts of the lives of the Israelites and their struggle to maintain not only order within their people but also hold of their promised lands.

But we now have the New Testamanet, and Christ came and changed it all.

Well can’t we just get rid of these Old Testament books then?  I mean, why do we need them?

If you are a Christian, the Old Testament is your spiritual history. The promises and calling of God to Israel are YOUR historical promises and callings. 

The sacrificial system established in Leviticus lays the foundation for the New Testament.  I didn’t understand this until very recently, really, about 5 years ago, when I studied the Old Testament.

In order to understand who Christ was and what He did, we must begin with the Old Testament, which contains prophecies concerning the coming of Christ as a “guilt offering” (Isaiah 53:10). In fact, the whole sacrificial system established by God in the Old Testament set the stage for the coming of Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice God would provide as atonement for the sins of His people (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10).  The Old Testament system is a process of substituting something for our sins in order to be right with God.  

The sacrifice of lambs played a very important role in the Jewish religious life and sacrificial system. When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), the Jews who heard him might have immediately thought of any one of several important sacrifices. With the time of the Passover feast being very near, the first thought might be the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The Passover feast was one of the main Jewish holidays and a celebration in remembrance of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. In fact, the slaying of the Passover lamb and the applying of the blood to doorposts of the houses (Exodus 12:11-13) is a beautiful picture of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

The sacrifices had to be done again and again, but with Christ - he was the perfect sacrifice - and the final sacrifice, the once and for all sacrifice, designed by God. 

The Old Testament points to the New Testamanet - they are linked and cannot be broken.  

Now for a couple Do’s and Dont’s regarding the OT! (from "How to Read the Bible for all its Worth", by Fee/Stuart)

Do see the Old Testamanet as God’s inspired word for you.

Don’t see it as God’s commands to you.

Do see the Old Testament law as the basis for the old covenant, and therefore Israel’s history.

Don’t see the Old Testament law as binding on Christians in the new covenant where specifically renewed.

For a very long time as a Christian, the Old Testament meant to me Outdated, Weird, Foreign, Difficult to Read.  It is easier to open up the Bible in the New Testament, definitely. 

But what a revelation I experienced when I finally did realize what it mean that Jesus is my sacrifical lamb.  That for centuries people had to follow sacrificial rituals in order to be holy in the presence of God.  That in many other religions of the world today, there is a requirement of cleansing before entering the place of worship.  Or there is a sense that they must earn their way to God’s favor.  With Christ, and the foundational laid in the Old Testament, we can access God anytime.  We can come here and worship him, we are all equally loved by God.  God doesn’t love anyone more because she knows her scriptures.  God doesn’t love anyone more because she prays so much or knows all the perfect Christian religious rituals.  God loves us all, and welcomes us all, no matter what our situation.  We can thank Jesus for this - He is everything.  He turned the Old Testament upside down really!!

Amen for that!!

We hope that you have a lovely Christmas break!  

Our next class will be January 8th.

Please complete pages 12-17 in your booklet.

Week of December 4th Esther 9-10

Triumphant Deliverance

Esther chapters 9 & 10

For next week, we will begin a new study called "God's Amazing Book".  This study will take us all over the Bible, to see the consistent themes thread throughout this holy text.  Even if you have studied the Bible for many many years, this is wonderful to take a step back and see the Bible as one whole unit.  It is our prayer that you'll find this study to be rewarding and insightful.

Next week, December 11th, we will have a wonderful Christmas pot-luck of sorts, just after class from 12-1ish.  Each of you has the opportunity to bring a dish to share.  We've signed up in our discussion groups, so see or email your discussion leader if you have questions about what to bring.

We will also take up donations to give to a new church plant in Kentish Town and to the HTSC homeless shelter.  We've heard that the homeless organization that the HtB plant at St. Lukes in Kentish town urgently need new or gently used clothes, etc (new mens socks, new underclothes, new/used backpacks, new/used thermos).
Please consider bringing items in to donate.

Now, onto this past week's study!!
Our study of Esther comes to a close.  What a dramatic change of events we have seen in these last few chapters!
The tables have turned.  
This expression means taking the place of your opponent.  And in chapter 9, when the date arrives for the planned genocide originated with Haman's anger towards Mordecai arrives, the Jews defend themselves and actually, over the course of 2 days, kill 300, 500 and 75,000 of their opponents.  
Unfortunately today the Jews are still constantly threatened.  But here, God intervened and a new decree had been passed allowing them to fight - it was now a day when the Jews could legally fight and kill those who would seek to harm them. And as we read in the passage 9:1, ‘on this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them... the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.’  The ultimate table turner is God.  In all our circumstances, and in the ultimate gift of Jesus, He turns the tables for us.  Do you have any area where the enemy has been gaining what looks like a sure victory? Thank God that He is able to turn the tables and bring hope from despair and life out of death. It is written above that in those days, through the ‘turning of the tables’, the fame of Mordecai increased greatly throughout the realm. We also see Haman's sons brought to justice, all of them are also killed, per Esther's request.

After the battles came the rest and celebration!  And Mordecai proclaimed that this event will forever be celebrated, and indeed it is today, called Purim.  It is celebrated in the month of February or March. 

Celebrations are important religious events!!  As Christians, and at this most important time of the year, how will you and your family make Christmas a religious celebration more so than a consumerism celebration?  

To recap Esther, one commentator (I. Gordon) writes:

 A nasty villain and a wicked plan... a beautiful queen and position of power... a decree of death and a city perplexed... a sleepless night and an enemy exposed... an annihilation averted and a victory gained. To be honest there is far too much to sum up with a few words. But in it all we have seen the hand of the invisible God moving providentially on behalf of His people. And, like any good story, sometimes it was only at the very last minute! But move He did. 

I loved learning from Esther!!  

I think there is so much more to discover, and I look forward to studying it again in the future.

Some final questions:

Write down and record the times in your life that God has turned a negative situation into a positive one, and keep this record in a safe place to add to as God continues working in your life!

How can you renew the importance of celebrating the Christian religious holidays throughout the year?  What might you start as a new tradition, religious in nature, in your home for Christmas this year?

Week of November 27th, 2013

Esther Chapters 6-8

Pride goes before a fall

Special thanks to Grace W. for doing our wrap up talk this week!  What a blessing!!

The king cannot sleep.  He calls for the royal diary to be read to him.  This is when he is reminded of the incident where Mordecai saved his life, and he learns that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai.

Then he asks his closest advisor, Haman, to help him plan a way to properly honor Mordecai, without revealing who the honors were for, so actually Haman, being selfish and prideful, believes it must be for him!

How ironic then, when Xerxes demands that all the rewards be done unto Mordecai!  Can you picture Haman's reaction!?

And then Esther reveals the edict to the king and reveals her identity as a Jew.

The king is outraged, and then finds Haman fallen upon Esther, taking the scene to mean he had assaulted her as well.  Enraged he demands that Haman be impaled on the pole he had erected for Mordecai, when one of the kings eunuchs explains that a gallows had been built at Haman's house. Again, an ironic turn of events!

A new edict is passed and the Jews celebrate!!

In Chapters 6 to 8 God's sovereignty is powerfully evident.  We see that Mordecai finally receives honor for his role in saving the king's life.  We see Haman get what he deserves, and that his pride in hoping for glories and honors for himself actually cause him to present those honors upon Mordecai!  Xerxes clearly was unaware of the feud/hatred between Haman and Mordecai. Esther's position enables her to influence the king through her courageous and brave approach to make her request and eventually save her people.  Wherever we are, we are of use to God.  How will God use you today?

Some questions for optional further consideration:
Scripture tells us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 quoting Prov 3:34).  How do you see this principle in Esther 6-8?  How have you seen this principle work out in your life and the lives of those around you?
These chapters of Esther portray a sudden reversal in the lives of the Jews, from dispair and distress to dancing, feasting and celebrating.  How have you seen God turn grief into joy in your life or in others you know? 

Week of Nov 18th - ESTHER CHAPTER 5

Esther's Request to the King
Esther Chapter 5

This chapter is the turning point in our story.
Chapter 4 ended grimly....Esther is ready to risk her life, going unannounced into the presence of the king, to plead the king to help save her people.
And that is where we pick up our story - in verse one chapter 5 - we see Esther bravely and courageously approach the king:

"On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

AH!!  We can all take a deep breath - she has been received with pleasure.  If we are honest with ourselves, I believe that many of our greatest fears are never realized.  We cannot allow fear to grip and disable us, and the Bible warns us about worry (Phil 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus).  Esther acted bravely and did not dwell in her fear.

Not only has the king received her graciously, but beyond that, he offers to give her almost anything she requests!!

Will she immediately demand that Haman be punished and that the decree he established be overturned??  Read on:

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

No, Esther does not make a hasty request, in fact, to our surprise she doesn't make her request AT ALL.  Do we too often rush into things, especially when things are tough or we are frustrated or upset?  I know that I certainly do.  I immediately want to complain.  Often times it is my own family who receives my complaints and nagging.  Perhaps I can learn from Esther, and offer my children a snack before I proceed to kindly ask them to focus on their homework, clean up their rooms, do their chores, etc.  

But why does Esther delay her request until the next day?  I believe when we read chapter 6, we will see it is all part of God's plan.

And why does she invite Haman to her banquet?  Isn't he the enemy?!

Let's see, in these next verses, how he responds to Esther's actions:

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Haman, the evil character in this story, can easily be the target of our greatest disgust.  And yet, if I am honest with myself, do I also not seek man's approval, instead of Gods?  Do I not find it easy to see my pride grow when things are going well?  Do I sometimes allow something simple, which I am unpleased with, to wreck what would have been a perfectly lovely day?  HMMMM....if I am truly honest with myself, yikes, I am much like Haman myself.  It is an ugly admission.  One that I would prefer not to face.  Yet so true, and what a warning here.

Some extra optional questions to consider regarding chapter 5:

Why do you think Esther delays her request to the king?

What might be the benefits of delaying an important decision or pausing during a critical moment?
Why do you think Haman's bitterness towards one person prevents him from enjoying all his blessings?

If you reflect back on your life to times when you struggled, faced hardship or very difficult times, can you see in hindsight that God was indeed at work?  What lessons of God's faithfulness did you experience in emerging from those hard times?  How can those times encourage you to face difficulties which may be in your future?

Week of November 11th

Threat to the Jews

Study 7

Esther 3&4

In this part of our study we meet the wicked Haman.  We learn about his background (from the province of Agag in Media) and know that there is a long standing hatred between his ancestry and the ancestry line of the Jews.  Haman, with his manipulative and self-serving ways, has become elevated above all the nobles in the kingdom and is now 2nd only to the king himself!

Mordecai refuses to pay such a man honor, and will not obey the law in bowing down to him.  Thus begins the seed of fury in Haman whose wrath reaches the point in which he decides he wants to wipe out all of Mordecai's people.  He has the king sign a decree to wipe out all the Jews.  The king trusts him completely and doesn't even inquire about WHO it is that Haman is ordering to be destroyed (3:10).

Now Mordecai learns of this decree.  In the beginning of Chapter 4 we see how he puts on sackcloth and ashes, wails loudly throughout the city and goes to the gate of the palace.  The whole city is "bewildered" (3:15) by the decree, clearly this seems irrational.  And yet as we know, kings could do what they wished, and often did destroy people even within their own kingdoms.

Wearing sackcloth was customary in Judea and the East; tearing of one's clothes and wearing sackcloth and ashes is mentioned in Genesis 37:34 and Ezekiel 27:30:33.

Eventually he is able to communicate with Esther and they are able to discuss this crisis.  Mordecai urges her to act in 4:14 "and who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this".   What makes her jump to action in the next section?  What courage and bravery is this, in this humble queen, to say, "if I perish, I perish".  In verses 15-16 in Chapter 4 we suddenly see a determined, wise woman with a plan:

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

After taking guidance from Mordecai all these years, she is now going to guide him - she will help lead him to help her try to save their people.

During the wrap up talk Jill stated "God puts people in positions to do his work" and "God puts people in positions to get on their knees for him".  Beautiful calls to us to SEEK to examine just where in our own lives does God want us working on his behalf?  For whom do we need to be in prayer and TO whom do we need to be sharing God's love and salvation?

For further thought:
In what ways do you see God giving free reign to evil in Esther?  in our world today?
In what ways do you see God exercising control over evil in Esther?  in our world today?
Would your faith grow stronger or weaker in Esther's situation? 
How difficult is it to trust God that he is in control over your circumstances?
How do you respond in times of crisis?

Homework for next week:
read the commentary on pp 37-38; complete the questions on pp 39-40

THANKFULNESS in November

An extra post - remembering to be intentional about being grateful in November.

We are grateful to all the service men and women who serve to protect, secure and defend our countries.  I say countries because we are such a diverse group of women - many of our class members have more than one "home" country.  May God bless and protect all those who are in the line of duty and may we remember to pray for them regularly, not just at this time of year.  May peace and comfort be upon all those who have family members and loved ones serving actively.  And may we honor those who have fallen while in duty on our behalf.

As November tends to carry a theme of gratitude around the globe, what are some ways you seek thankfulness in your life?  Please share ideas in the comments if you would like!

Recently my sister shared this great idea from a website:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/free-tools-for-you/
click on "When You're Tired of Missing Jesus"

http://www.aholyexperience.com/free-tools-for-you/

It's a beautiful idea of creating a "Thanksgiving Tree" from branches and printable leaves with Bible verses.

Week of November 5th

Esther 2:12-23

Although I usually dive right into the topic covered during classtime, today I'd like to start off by expressing my gratitude to all the members of our Community Bible Study and especially to the Servant Team.

This new Bible Study group in Northwest London is truly a testament to God working in the lives of the women in this area!  Each week, as we gather in worship, prayer, and learning together, we see God at work.  Every week we sense his presence and his call and his everlasting love.  There are stories of answered prayer and fellowship in examining God's word together.  We laugh, we ponder, and we cry together.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS GROUP!! 

We feel very strongly that this is God's class and He is our ultimate teacher.

This week's passage was brief - only 11 verses.

We picked up with Esther in the harem.   She receives 12 months of "treatments" which included 6 months of oil treatments and then 6 months of perfumes and cosmetics.  What was this, a spa??
When she is called to spend the night with the king, she could take anything she wanted.  Esther, wise and humble, asks Hegai, the king's principal eunuch, for suggestions.  She wins the favor of the king, and he prefers her over all the other young women.  She is crowned queen, and there is a great banquet.
Some time afterwards, Mordecai, ever faithful at the gate of the palace, perhaps holding a rank in the government or public office, overhears a plot to murder the king.  He tells Esther, who tells the king, and they investigate to confirm the findings.   The two men plotting to murder the king are then killed.

There is so much we want to know!  So many missing details!!  My husband sometimes gets frustrated because I get caught up in details.  It's true - I want to know it all!  Was she nervous?  Did she pray?  Was she scared?  How did she win everyone's favor?  Was she happy to be queen?

For us as believers, what kind of "treatments" might make us more favorable to God?

Have we specifically asked for God's favor in our lives?

Was it right for her to hide her faith and background?  

Do we sometimes need to "hide" our faith and background, in order to be in situations where God can use us?  Think of missionaries working in anti-Christian countries.  Probably they cannot be very overt about their faith, and often need to keep their following "underground" or "undercover".

Week of October 30th, 2013

God Wants YOU!!

Esther 1-2:11

In today's class we launched into our study of Esther.
Now I have to confess, I was a bit surprised as I read the opening to Esther in the first two chapters.  There were some issues - such as seven days of feasting and drinking by Xerxes and his pals, Xerxes summons of the queen to come and "display her beauty" for all these men, then her refusal to do so, and then this kingdom-wide search for the most beautiful virgins to choose a new queen - these issues make me a bit uncomfortable.  I squirm in my chair as I read this stuff. Why?  I guess it's the treatment of women here.  Yet, this is a real portrait of this time and this culture and it is real history.  I think the problem is that the children's version has been my past experience.  This is the real deal.  And God doesn't sugar coat anything.  And God sometimes gives us stories and situations that make us uncomfortable.  And it's in this uncomfortable place where we learn, grow, understand, and appreciate....

We spent time placing the book of Esther on the map and on the timeline:  Persian Empire, and probably about 479BC.

Then we took a small diversion.  We must take a moment to compare Ruth and Esther.  We just finished Ruth.  And we're beginning Esther.... and there are very big differences between the two!!  

Check this out:
In the Book of Ruth, there are at least 37 references to God.

In the Book of Esther, there are none.

In the Book of Ruth, we see famine, harvests and life in a simple rural community.

In the book of Esther, we see life in a Royal Palace where oppulence and luxury and excess rule.

The book of Ruth begins with famine and 3 deaths, and ends with the birth of King David.

The book of Esther begins with a King’s Feast, and ends with the death of 75,000 enemies of the Jews.

The book of Ruth features a Gentile woman who marries a Jewish man - and who is then used by God in the ancestry of Israel’s greatest king, king David, and she then becomes part of the genealogy of Jesus.

The Book of Esther features a Jewish woman who marries a Gentile and ends up preserving the Jewish race.

The 2 books in the Bible named after women.  2 very different stories - different times - different settings and very different plots!  

Whether we are simple rural women or women in palaces, GOD IS AT WORK.

Whatever your circumstances, whatever YOUR situation, God wants to use you.  God wants to impact others through you.  God can even use you to change the course of history.  

Even Vashti is important here. Did you know she is seen by many as a heroine for women's rights?

Vashti's refusal to obey the summons of her drunken husband has been admired as heroic in many interpretations of the Book of Esther. We admire Vashti's principle and courage. Even Harriet Beecher Stowe called Vashti's disobedience the "first stand for women's rights."  

Now onto Esther. Chapter 2

The kingdom-wide search for the most beautiful virgin to become the new queen end with Esther. A Jewish orphan girl who is being raised by her cousin Mordecai. Mordecai, and the fact that Esther is a Jew, will be important as we move ahead in this story.

v11 “Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her”.

As we leave Esther today, I hope you see WOMEN - despite not being in the forefront of ancient history and arguably in many parts of the world today not having the same rights or positions of authority as men - we can take hope!  

NO MATTER WHAT OUR POSITION….be it queen, widow, farm girl, housewife, banker, lawyer, actress, doctor, it doesn’t matter what your profession or situation is - YOU ARE IMPORTANT and GOD WANTS TO USE YOU FOR HIS KINGDOM GOOD.  God has a plan for you!  

In this first part of Esther, we see a Greedy, selfish, arrogant king...Yet WE HAVE a humble, loving compassionate God - the one true God….our God is good and holy and righteous.  And God can use any of us to change the course of history.  We are that important.  

Some extra questions for thought:

How do you feel as you read this first part of Esther?

Why do you think Queen Vashti refused to obey the King's command? Do you feel it was disobedience to the King or protection for herself of simply her own stubbornness?

Do you know what happens to Vashti after this? Is she banished from the kingdom forever? Or does she retain some power, and how?

How do you feel about the King and his advisors plan to find a new queen?

What do we know about Ether so far in this story?

How might God use events or circumstances in your life for his greater good?

God is our Redeemer - week of October 16th

Lesson 4

Ruth Marries Boaz

NO CLASS NEXT WEEK ON OCT 23rd!!

We will see you on October 30th as we begin Esther.

We have completed the book of Ruth!  This short love story is so much more than meets the eye.  Is it short, but there is SO much in this story.  It appears to be a love story, but there is SO much more than a love story going on!!

We began by briefly discussing "the encounter" on the threshing floor.  There's a bit of mystery here.  It seems so strange for us, from our cultural point of reference and our time in history.  However, for THIS time and THIS culture, it was completely acceptable and part of a plan that Naomi had been contemplating for some time.  

A couple of reasons why this encounter not only makes sense but also was not of a physical nature:

First, Boaz is an older man.  He probably does not see Ruth as "in his league" (v10 "you have not run after the younger men"). He often remarks on her "noble character".

And, he knew of the 1st in-line kinsman - he obviously has given this some thought and has been contemplating Ruth and a potential relationship with her.

For Ruth, she is a widow.

She has been married before, and any woman who finds herself either divorced or widowed and interested in marrying again will certainly look at marriage with different eyes, not the fleeting attraction that youth might seek.  

She has seen the beautiful caring protection and provision that Boaz can provide, and felt flattered and honored (2:10 "why have I found such favor in your eyes?")

These reasons are part of the picture of how this encounter on the threshing floor makes sense.  Naomi wanted Ruth to be very clear to Boaz about her desire.  Boaz had already shown his wilingness to provide for Ruth when she was in his fields. Boaz probably finds Ruth to be out of his league, and knows that there is a kinsman redeemer 1st in line before him.  Also, it has been threshing time, so he would not have been able to deal with this matter.

So, Ruth is there, very clear about her intentions - saying, "I am interested in you"….what courage that must have taken.  She waits for the response.  Will he reject her or redeem her?

NOW setback.  v12 There is another who is closer than I.  Boaz commits by oath to redeem her and to follow the law and even supplies her with grain (a generous gift).

Honorable MAN, that Boaz! I don't think this scene would play out in much popular culture, which makes it all the more precious.  Which is why anytime a man says, we can wait, THAT is the kind of guy you want - not a yes, now, me first, my needs kind of guy....

I wonder if you have ever experienced setbacks or times when God has said WAIT.  It is for our blessing.  And it is for our protection.  Our good.  Can you think of times in your life when you have had to wait or had a setback, but later you see God's blessing in that?  Maybe you feel like God has you in a waiting period right now!!  Can you trust him with his perfect timing???

On to Chapter 4: Ruth did not have to wait long.  The very next day, as promised, Boaz went to the town gate (which was the place of all formal business, the town hall so to speak, for business and legal transactions).

Naomi needs a male family member to "redeem" her land - and the closest male relative to Elimelech is the first in line to do so.  He does not have a name, but in v 4 "I will do it" but when he learns about Ruth the Moabite, he then says I cannot redeem it, for fear of endangering my own estate"v6.  So Boaz, who apparently has no hiers or members of his family who would be displaced, perhaps he lost his wife and children (not unusual in those times) gets his chance.  Then they do the sandal thing/in front of witnesses/etc  and the people pronounce their blessing upon the transaction:  may you be like Rachel & Leah, Perez etc..

And who do we see a picture of at the end of this story?  Naomi.  Yes, Naomi is the one perhaps whose joy is most complete "Naomi has a son"! verse 4:16

Now the theme here: Redemption.  Let's talk a bit more about this idea of "redeeming Ruth".  Just what is it to redeem a person?  For Ruth, it saved her, gave her new life, gave her family - including Naomi - new life and property rights, continued the line of Elimelech and Naomi.

The idea of a kinsman redeemer is directly connected to the idea of Redemption in the NT.

Redeem=

verb  Always takes an object.  You can't just say "I redeem".  We redeem SOMETHING>

1 compensate for the faults or bad aspects of:

2gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment:

3fulfil or carry out (a pledge or promise):

Well, When we were in Sainsburys this past weekend, after checking out with our groceries, my receipt said I had a certain amount of Nectar points and I could redeem them for more than 40£ of value.  I thought, I’d better redeem these points soon.  I had not even realized I had those points!

If I gave you all a voucher today, and said this voucher is good for a free meal in the cafe.  Now, that is a nice gift.  You’d think, great, a free meal!  I don't have to cook.  Wonderful.  

But is the end?  NO.  You must take action.  You have to physically GO to the cafe, present the voucher, and the person at the counter must accept it.  It is a transaction.  It is not passive.  Some people might not redeem their voucher for the free lunch.  Some people might be too busy.  Some people might say, I'm not hungry.  Some people might be too proud (I dont need a lunch, I have my own lunch thank you).  Some people might go and look at the menu and decide they don't like the offerings.

All of these people then, have something that goes to waste.

And so it is with Christ.  

He has given each of us a voucher.

Each of you has that voucher.  All of us have the opportunity to redeem it.  But we must feel the need to do so. You must take action!

John 1:12 To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

2 Corinthians 5:17 Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being, the old is gone, the new has gone!

Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved, through faith.  It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it"

Each of us has a free voucher from God.  We can present it to him, admitting our need (that we are sinners) and humbly coming to his feet, like Ruth did to Boaz.  It takes courage to do this.  Pride must be put aside.  The action must come from YOU.  Otherwise God doesn't know you are interested!  

Boaz redeems Ruth.  Through their marriage, Naomi is also redeemed, because now she has gone from emptiness to fullness, she has gone from destitution to security and hope.  Ruth's great-grandson, The Great King David, redeems Israel to peace and prosperity in the early days of Solomon.  The ultimate redeemer, we know, follows this genealogy and is called "Son of David" - he fulfilled prophecy and will to bring US to rest.  To redeem us.  To redeem you and Me!!

Have you redeemed your voucher?

Have you been humble enough to lay at the feet of Jesus and ask him to redeem you?

If yes, then thank him!! Thank him for being your redeemer!  For filling your emptiness, for protection and provision!!  If not, I say, do it today!!  Do not let that voucher go unredeemed.  Do not wait any longer.

I hope that you can see now, at the end of Ruth, that ALL of Ruth was more than a love story.  It was about redemption for us.

Week of Oct 9th "Ruth meets Boaz"

Lesson 3
Ruth Meets Boaz
Ruth 2-3:5
GOD IS OUR PROVIDER

This week we reviewed the beautiful masterpiece found in 1:16-17, then dove into the study of Chapter 2 and the first few verses of Chapter 3.

We get a new feeling here.  It is scene two in our drama, and what a change in scenery.
Scene one included death, famine, travel, depression, separation, loss, bitterness, poverty...
Scene two is something altogether different: barley harvest (abundance), hope (Naomi's new perspective), protection (Boaz protects Ruth), honorable sacrifice (Ruth taking risks by going to glean for her and Naomi's welfare).

Ruth suffers from the weight of being a Moabite woman in Israel, a widow, poor, really having no status - and alone except for Naomi.  YET she is honorable, virtuous, hard-working, confident, obedient.

In fields gleaning barley, she is noticed by Boaz, the landowner, who is also from the clan of Elimelech, and therefore one of the kinsman-redeemers.  Boaz, being a Godly man, takes interest in her welfare, offering her drink, food, protection, and blessings.

Ruth took great risk in going to glean, during the time of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" - she could have been insulted or harmed.

Boaz, as an honorable man, kept an honorable workplace.  He protected and respected his workers.  We can be sure that this was not the case in all of the fields in the area at this time in history - a time of lawlessness.  So just the fact that Ruth is in Boaz's fields shows how God protects His followers.  Our sovereign God not only arranges for Ruth and Naomi's welfare, but beyond that, He plays the role of matchmaker to ensure the continuation of the lineage in the family - one that we know becomes very important indeed.

Some further optional questions:
--Have you ever noticed God working in your circumstances?  Have you ever said, this is more than a "coincidence"?  If not, take a close look, God is working through you, in what may seem like random details of your life, He is there.

--In what ways do you care for God's people - those who have needs?

--In what ways do you show gratitude towards those who provide for you or offer you protection?

--What similarities can you draw between Boaz and Jesus, our redeemer?

--Would you have the courage to do as Ruth?  To respond, as she does in verse 5 "I will do whatever you say"?  Why or why not?

This week's homework will conclude our study of Ruth!

Week of October 2nd

Just a note that this week's homework (Lesson 3) is a bit longer than the first two lessons - three pages of questions.  May you be blessed as we continue to learn from Ruth and Naomi!!

 Lesson 2 Ruth 1:15-22

This past week's lesson involved only seven verses.  BUT OH, the depth of those precious words from our holy book!
We studied Ruth 1:15-22.  This short passage of scripture contains so much for us to examine.
First of all, we see Orpah leaving - "going back to her gods and her people".  Immediately in verse 15 we see that Orpah is making her choice partially based on her religious beliefs.  She is going back to HER GODS.
Ruth, in contrast, does not choose this path.  She chooses the road that will lead her to complete reliance, trust and faith in the one true God, the God of Israel.  And she does this without anger.  In contrast, she does this with her chin up, her eyes fixed upon the God of Heaven.
All three women are facing dire circumstances.  They have nothing; they are destitute and poor.  Historically, at that time, women could rely only on men's protection and property for their well-being.  Naomi has no male family members remaining, therefore she is essentially cut off from society.  Yet, Ruth clings to her. 

Some extra insight from

Henri Rossier...

Naomi's daughters-in-law accompany her, moved by the thought of returning with her to her people (Ru 1:10). But this good intention is not enough, for nothing less than faith will do in order to enter into relationship with grace. The behavior of Orpah and of Ruth illustrates this principle. In appearance there is no difference at all between them. Both leave with Naomi and walk with her, thus demonstrating their attachment to her. Orpah's affection is real: she weeps at the mere thought of leaving her mother-in-law; and full of sympathy, sheds still more tears when she finally leaves her. Orpah, the Moabite, also loves Naomi's people: “They said to her, We will certainly return with thee to thy people.” But it is possible to have a very amiable character without having faith. Faith makes a gulf between these two women who are so similar in so many ways. Confronted with impossibilities, the natural heart draws back, whereas faith is nourished on impossibilities and so increases in strength. Orpah gives up a path which has no outcome. What could Naomi offer her? She was ruined, stricken by God, and filled with bitterness; did she yet have sons in her womb to give as husbands to her daughters-in-law? Orpah kisses her mother-in-law and returns to her people and to her gods (Ru 1:15).

Here at last the secret of the natural heart is unveiled. The natural heart may attach itself to God's people without actually belonging to this people. A woman like Naomi surely is worthy of awakening sympathy, but that is not the sign of faith in operation. In the first place faith separates us from idols, causes us to give up our gods, and turns us to the true God. This was the Thessalonians' first step in the path of faith, too (1Th 1:9-note). Orpah on the contrary turns away from Naomi and the God of Israel in order to return to her people and her gods. Confronted by this difficulty, she shows that she is unable to endure the test. She indeed weeps as she leaves, but she does leave, just like that charming young man who went away sad, unable to decide to separate himself from his possessions in order to follow a poor and despised Master.

Ruth's case is quite different. What precious faith she displays: full of certainty, resolution, and decision! No objection can change her mind. How clearly faith sees its goal! She listens to Naomi's words but her decision has been made, for she knows only one path, which for her is the necessary path. What are nature's impossibilities before faith's necessities? Ruth neither allows herself to be deterred by the prospect of not finding another husband, nor even by the Lord's hand stretched out against her mother-in-law; in the obstacles that mount up she sees only so many new reasons for clinging to her decision. Naomi is everything to Ruth, and Ruth cleaves to Naomi.

For me, the most stunning, inspiring, BEAUTIFUL words in this passage are found in verses 16-17!

"Entreat me not to leave you or 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 even death parts me from you."

The more I re-read these words the more amazing they become. Ruth's commitment to Naomi is simply mind-boggling, it really doesn't make sense for her to feel this way - this is how we KNOW it is God! She is deserting her homeland, leaving for a country she does not know, with no husband, and she is professing a radical loyalty to her destitute mother-in-law!   "Where you die I will die and there be buried" (v. 17). In other words, she will never return home, not even if Naomi dies.

BEST of all is this: "Your God will be my God" (v. 16). Naomi has just said in verse 13, "The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me." Naomi is bitter, angry, alone. Yet Ruth puts all her trust in Naomi's God, she sees beyond the anger that Naomi expresses, Ruth sees a hope, she sees a future, she trusts in the one true God.  Her faith here is all-inspiring, truly awesome, a real testament to her character.  Something for all of us to strive for - to have absolute faith and a positive hope in the worst of times.

Some optional questions for further consideration:
Do you think Ruth's commitment and loyalty is commonly seen in people today?
Why or why not?
Do you feel that our culture encourages a faith in God in the toughest of times, or does it rather encourage us to look to blame others, express our anger, and embrace bitterness?
How do you respond to God when there has been great suffering in your life?
What will you do today to prepare yourself to follow Ruth's example in any future difficult circumstances?

Week of September 25th Ruth 1:1-14

Great to dive into our study this week!

The homework is light.  We encourage class members to dedicate 5-10 minutes every day to spend time in God's word and complete one or two questions in the homework.  Please remember to pray for your discussion group members who have submitted prayer requests as well.  We are prayer warriors for one another!  We have begun our class with a light study; CBS offers studies which require a bit more time and we would like to move towards those studies in the coming year.

For now, we have begun RUTH!
In this week's passage, we learned about Naomi's family's journey to Moab and the tragedy that struck the men in the family.  We see three widows begin to travel to Bethlehem, Naomi's homeland, because she had heard that the famine was over.  To be honest, Naomi did not have many other options, having no male members in her family and no hope for a continuation of the family line.  Depressed, bitter, and alone, she urges her two daughters-in-law to "go back to their people".  We see Orpah express a tearful goodbye, but in contrast, Ruth "clings" to Naomi, refusing to leave.

OPTIONAL - for extra thought - Some further questions:
Who do you relate to most in this first passage - Naomi, Ruth or Orpah?
What would you do if you were in their situation?
Do you believe Elimelech's family was being disciplined for abandoning the Promised Land?
Do you view your commitments differently when circumstances become difficult?
Are you tempted to blame God for your problems?  Why?
What truths help you focus on the big, eternal picture rather than on your circumstances?

This week's homework:
Read pp 10-11 and answer questions on pp 12-13 Ruth 1:15-22

FIRST CLASS

September 18th, 2013

FIRST WEEK OF CLASS!!

What a great blessing!  We were thrilled to see so many women turn out to study God's word. 

This is His class; He is our teacher.

In class we learned about the organization of CBSi United Kingdom:
http://cbsiuk.org/blog/

And of CBSi: 
http://www.cbsinternational.org/



This exciting ministry is growing and we are thrilled that we get to be part of that growth - glory to God!

A typical class will go as follows:
9:55-10:05 arrive, tea/coffee
10:05 Welcome prayer
10:10 Songs of Worship
10:20 Devotional - sharing - faith story
10:30 Discussion Group Time
11:30 Wrap up talk

The homework for this week is:
Read pp. 6-7, complete the questions on pp 8-9.

We encourage all class members to do 1-2 questions per day, being sure that each day they are spending time on the study.  All it takes is about 5-10 minutes per day!

Please email us if you have any questions!
cbsiswisscottage@gmail.com

New Women's Bible Study - Northwest London

Please join us as we are thrilled to begin a new

COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY (CBS) International

in Swiss Cottage - London

WHERE:  We will meet at Holy Trinity Swiss Cottage
Just opposite Finchley Road Tube Station

WHEN:  Wednesdays beginning September 18th, 2013  

TIME:  10am - 12 noon

WHO:  All women - all backgrounds - all ages - all denominations

WHAT: We are a group of diverse women who meet weekly for discussion, worship and teaching time. CBSi is an international organization that provides an interdenominational Bible study for the community - in over 73 countries around the world.
Our women's group will be studying Ruth, Esther, and 1John this year.
A typical class will begin with worship music, a short devotional, discussion in small groups (on the lesson we have completed at home using a Bible and the study book or questions), and a wrap-up talk. There are occasional social & fellowship opportunities to gather following the class, in a relaxed setting.

HOW TO JOIN:  For more information or questions, please email: cbsiswisscottage@gmail.com

Bible Study starting in September!! Please join us!!

PLEASE JOIN US!

 Our Bible study group will begin meeting on Wednesday September 18th, 2013



In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you!!  If you have questions, or want more information about our group, or you are interested in serving on our leadership team, please contact us at:

cbsiswisscottage@gmail.com





Our class will meet:

Wednesdays 10:00 - 12:00
during term time (mid-September through mid-June)




We will meet AT:

Holy Trinity Swiss Cottage
Holy Trinity Church
Finchley Road
London NW3 5HT

Getting to HTSC Tube:
HTSC is directly opposite "Finchley Road" underground station on the Metropolitan and Jubilee LInes.
 
Rail:
HTSC is a short walk down the Finchley Road from "Finchley Road and Frognal" Station.
 
Bus:
The 13, 82, 113, 187, 268 and C11 all stop right outside HTSC. Click here for more info.

Sorry we missed you.....

This is a personal message to someone who tried to come to our group today, Wednesday June 5th.  We are very sorry that we missed you.  The building was being used by a school group and we had to meet at an alternative location.  We apologize that we didn't post that information on the website here.  If you get this message, we'd love to hear from you so please contact us at:
cbsiswisscottage@gmail.com

Why study the Bible?

WHY DO YOU STUDY THE BIBLE?

 

Here are just a few of the reasons that our group shared.  What would you add?

 

1) to understand the #1 best selling book of all time 

 

2) to bring us closer to God

                  

3) to gain wisdom and apply it to our daily lives

                  

4) to improve our mental, physical and spiritual health

                  

5) for friendship and prayer support

                  

6) to serve our local community

Where we meet

PLEASE JOIN US!

for more information please contact us at
cbsiswisscottage@gmail.com

Wednesdays 10:00 - 12:00
during term time (mid-September through mid-June)

Holy Trinity Swiss Cottage
Holy Trinity Church
Finchley Road
London NW3 5HT

Getting to HTSC Tube:
HTSC is directly opposite "Finchley Road" underground station on the Metropolitan and Jubilee LInes.
 
Rail:
HTSC is a short walk down the Finchley Road from "Finchley Road and Frognal" Station.
 
Bus:
The 13, 82, 113, 187, 268 and C11 all stop right outside HTSC. Click here for more info.
 
By car:
There is some parking on Sundays and in the evenings in the car park accessible from Sumpter Close, by HSBC bank. 
Please note that this is only accessible driving south on the Finchley Road. The postcode above is for post, the best postcode to put in your SatNav is NW3 5JR.
Unfortunately there is NO PARKING on weekdays.

Community Bible Study International Swiss Cottage, London, UK

WELCOME TO CBSi NORTHWEST LONDON

We are a group of women who meet weekly during the school year to study God's word.

The success of CBSI lies in its five-way process that enables people within a supportive group environment, to understand God’s Word for themselves. 

1. Home study
Each week there are study questions, which the participants and leaders complete at home. Most answers can be found in the passage being studied. This helps people get used to using the Bible when answering questions.  

2. Group discussion
Discussion group time is the heart of CBS!  Classes are divided into small groups, each with a discussion group leader.  The larger class breaks into small groups where they discuss the home study questions and answers, in an encouraging small-group environment. A leader facilitates discussion to enable group participation on the answers they have written down. A small group usually consists of about 6 -12 members. 

3. The talk
Following small group discussion time, the class comes together for a wrap-up talk, typically 15-30 minutes in length.   The talk brings out truths and principles from the Bible passage, often with life application.  The speaker will seek to share the main principle that God wants to implant in our hearts and lives from that week's scripture study.

4. Commentary 
When leaving, the participants are given a Commentary on the lesson they have just studied as well as the questions for next week.  Most classes will have a study book or booklets which include all the lessons. 

5. Caring
CBSI is a Team Ministry and is run by volunteer leaders. Most CBSi groups have fellowship time, sometimes sharing a meal together, several times during the course of the class.  Relationships are at the heart of CBS - our relationship in caring for one another just as Jesus cared for his disciples and cares for us today.