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Showing posts from March, 2015

When was the book of 1 Samuel written?

Often times, Scripture gives us an internal evidence that helps us pinpoint when a certain book was probably written. One such example is 1 Samuel 9:9, the author deviates from narrating the story to offer his commentary of events: "(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)" We do not know who wrote 1 Samuel, but it does show us from this text that the time of prophets is a possible guestimate.

Gleaning in the Book of Ruth

A recent assignment on a study on this book has brought about a greater awareness of the actions of Ruth in this book. In Ruth 2:2, Ruth converses with Naomi and she tells her mother-in-law what she is about to do: And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2) This demonstrates an amazing awareness of Israelite law. In Leviticus 19:9-10, God instructed the Israelites to never completely harvest the land in order to leave some food for the sojourners and foreigners to "glean". The reference verse is shown below: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am t

Wings in the book of Ruth

Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 3:9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemed." Ruth sought refuge under the Lord's wings. A redeemer's wings is provided.