Category: Bible Challenge

“So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, ‘Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!’
Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, ‘Now at last Naomi has a son again!’ And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.” v13-17
To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story about a girl who was fortunate. But in reality, the events recorded in Ruth were part of Gods preparation for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah. Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. We must make our choices with God’s eternal value in mind. Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good ways to move ahead. Because of Ruth’s faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn’t see all the results. Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of life will extend beyond your lifetime. The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made.

Taken from the NLT LIfe Application Study Bible

“‘The LORD bless you, my daughter!’ Boaz exclaimed. ‘You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.’” v10-13
Ruth and Naomi have assumed that Boaz was their closest relative. Boaz, too, must have already considered marrying Ruth because his answer to her shows he had been thinking about it. He couldn’t have considered marrying Namoi because she was probably too old to bear any more children. One man in the city was a nearer relative than Boaz, and this man had the first right to take Ruth as his wife. If he chose not to, then Boaz could marry Ruth.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. ‘What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Boaz replied. ‘But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.’” v.10-12
Ruth’s life exhibited admirable qualities: She was hard working, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. These qualities gained her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life whenever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same.

Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in – no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.’” v.16
Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not only the people God loved, God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know Him. This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew. Through Him, the entire world can come to know God.

The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God’s impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became the great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, sex, or national background. And God can use every circumstance to build his Kingdom.

Taken for the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then Samson prayed to the LORD, ‘Sovereign LORD, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.’”v.28
In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson’s prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don’t let guilt feelings over sin keep you from your only means or restoration. No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to him. If God could still work in Samson’s situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Then Delilah pouted, ‘How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me? You’ve made fun of me three times now, and you still haven’t told me what makes you so strong!’ She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it.” v.15-16
Samson was deceived because he wanted to believe Delilah’s lies. Although he could strangle a lion, he could not smother his lust and see Delilah for who she really was. How can you keep your desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving you?
1. You must decide what kind of person you will love before passion takes over. Determine a person’s character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance.
2. Because most of the time you spend with your spouse will not involve sex, your companions personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as his or her kisses.
3. Be patient. Time and observation often reveal what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the LORD, ‘You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?’”
Samson was physically and emotionally exhausted. After a great personal victory, his attitude declined quickly into self-pity – “Must I die of thirst?” Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great achievements, so don’t be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory.

During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was HIS strength that gave you the victory. Concentrate on keeping your attitudes, actions, and words focussed on God instead of yourself!

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.” v.19
Samson impulsively used the special gift God gave him for selfish purposes. Today, God distributes abilities and skills throughout the church. The apostle Paul states that these gifts are to be used “to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” To use these abilities for selfish purposes is to rob the church and fellow believers of strength. As you use the gifts God has given you, be sure you are helping others, not just yourself.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, which is located between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol. v. 24-25
Samson’s tribe, Dan, continued to wander in their inherited land, which was yet unconquered. Samson must have grown up with this warlike tribe’s yearnings for a permanent and settled territory. Thus, his visit to the tribal army camp stirred his heart, and God’s Spirit began preparing him for hs role as a judge and leader against the Philistines.

Perhaps there are things that stir your heart. These may indicate areas where God wants to use you. God uses a variety of means to develop and prepare us: hereditary traits, environmental influences, and personal experiences. As with Samson, this preparation often begins long before adulthood. Work at being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and the tasks God has prepared for you. Your past may be more useful to you than you imagine.

“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.’”v.2
Self-sufficiency is an handicap when it causes us to believe we can do what needs to be done in our own strength. To prevent this attitude among Gideon’s soldiers, God reduced their number from 32,000 to 300. With an army this vastly outnumbered, there could be no doubt that victory was from God. The men could not take credit. Like Gideon, we must recognize the danger of fighting in our own strength. We can be confident of victory against life’s challenges and temptations only if we put our confidence in Gods and not ourselves.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible