I Love the Book of Ruth

I'm glad John Piper has a new book on Ruth: A Sweet and Bitter Providence.

2 Years ago, I preached 5 messages from the book of Ruth. The content of those messages have been among the most faith-building of any sermons I've ever preached. You can listen to them at the church website by selecting "Ruth" from the drop-down menu.

New Piper Book Coming Soon

A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper is expected to arrive in January.

Looks like an exposition of the book of Ruth?

Reflections on Ruth

Here are a few of the ways I think the Book of Ruth is meant to teach us about God:

1. Even in the difficult circumstances of our lives, God is working to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The book of Ruth is Romans 8:28 illustrated in the life of Naomi.

2. God is in control of all things, including “ordinary” events.

3. Our love for God should be practically expressed in our love and kindness to others.

4. God’s grace knows no boundaries. Even a despised Moabite (Ruth) is included in the royal line of David and ultimately in the family tree of the Messiah.

5. None of us deserve God’s kindness. We should respond with humble astonishment when God shows favor to sinners like us. His grace is only possible because our Redeemer was willing to die for our sins.

Ruth Commentaries: Get Block!

If you are interested in studying the Book of Ruth, here are my thoughts on available resources:

1. Block is on top! Daniel Block's commentary on Ruth in the NAC series is THE best resource on Ruth. I cannot speak for the Judges portion of this commentary, but the Ruth exposition is second to none. This is the most thorough and clear commentary on Ruth I read, and it is wonderfully Christ-centered! If you don't want to take my word for it, here are some other voices (much more helpful than mine):
-Tremper Longman gives this volume a 5-star rating.
-Desiring God lists this as the best commentary on Judges/Ruth.

2. Faithful Indeed. Sinclair Ferguson's small little book called Faithful God is a faithful exposition of Ruth. This is basically 4 messages that Sinclair preached on Ruth in book form.

3. Love this Title! This is a brand new book in the Gospel According to the Old Testament series (see other volumes in this series here). From Famine to Fullness: The Gospel According to Ruth by Dean Ulrich is a great meditation on Ruth. The title of this book accurately communicates the message of Ruth.

4. Duguid Good. The Ruth section of Esther & Ruth in the Reformed Expository Commentary series is very helpful. It contains 5 sermons in written form from a great Old Testament scholar: Iain Duguid.

Here are some other commentaries I read but did not find much help from (which is more of a reflection on my weaknesses than the authors'):

1. Judges and Ruth in the Tyndale Old Testament Series.

2. Ruth in the Bible Speaks Today Series.

3. The Book of Ruth in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament Series.

Ruth: Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer

I am loving preaching through Ruth. God in His kindness is using its message to mold and shape my soul. I am finding myself more in love with Jesus as my redeemer. He is willing to redeem me even in my depravity.

Look forward to several more posts in the next few weeks with more of my thoughts on Ruth and my commentary recommendation(s).

You can listen to the messages at the Christ Baptist site.

The Thorn

I'm finding this poem by Martha Snell Nicholson to be in line with the theme of the book of Ruth:

I stood a mendicant (beggar) of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, "But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me."
He said, "My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee."
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

A Frowning Providence: Ruth 1:1-6

I am currently preaching through the book of Ruth. It has been refreshing to study. I attempted Sunday to give an introduction and overview from the first 6 verses. If you want, you can listen to the audio at the Christ Baptist website.

The main point of Sunday's message: Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.