Ruth

“Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go”

Ruth 1-2

This post is all about Ruth. Ruth is one of the great women in the Bible. She lived in a wicked environment and yet remained faithful and devoted to God. As the world we live in gets more wicked we can learn how to stay strong by the example of Ruth.

Some background before we get started, Elimelech and his family move to Moab from Judah because of famine. Elimelech and his wife Naomi had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The father, Elimelech ended up dying and the sons then married. Chilion  married Ruth and Mahlon married Orpah.

They lived in Moab for ten years where Naomi’s husband and two sons died. At this time she decided that she would return to Judah. Naomi took her daughters in law, Ruth and Orpah, and told them of her plan. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to return to their mother’s houses. In Ruth 1:14 it says, “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.” Clave means to hold fast to or to stay with her. Ruth then said that she will go with her and follow her wherever she goes. Ruth tells Naomi that she will always be with her, even until death. So Naomi and Ruth left for Judah.

The trials that Ruth faced in Ruth chapter 1 included loosing her husband and then leaving the land where she lived. She also left her own family behind to go to Judah with Naomi, her mother in law. It would have been hard to leave her family but she chose to go with he mother in law. I asked myself why Ruth chose to go with Naomi instead of staying with her family like Orpah did? I thought that maybe she felt some kind of duty because Naomi didn’t have a husband or her sons to take care of her. More than a sense of duty though, I think that Ruth loved her mother in law and saw this chance to start over somewhere else and be with her mother in law who needed her.

            When Ruth and Naomi got to Judah Ruth went to glean (gleaning was to gather leftover grain after a harvest) the ears of corn and that is when she met Boaz. Boaz was a mighty man of wealth and a kinsman of Naomi’s husband’s, Elimelech. Boaz learned that of what Ruth was doing and he said to her, “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap.” Ruth was very grateful and bowed down to Boaz and thanked him. She was confused as to why he found grace in her and why he was impressed with her, since they had just barely met. When Ruth asked him why he was impressed with her Boaz said in chapter 2 verse 11 of Ruth, “It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband; and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which though knewest not heretofore.”

            When Ruth would glean she gleaned with Boaz’ maidens. This was a blessing and a privilege. Naomi told Ruth how blessed she is and how blessed Boaz was to be so kind to her. Ruth stayed with the maidens of Boaz to glean until the end of barley and wheat harvest and she stayed with her mother in law.

            I think that Boaz was so kind to Ruth because he was impressed with her and her actions. He saw the love that she had for Naomi and the sacrifice that Ruth had to make to be with her mother in law. Her actions could have influenced his admiration for her and maybe thought that Ruth deserved more. I think that Boaz saw that Ruth was special and sensed that something was different about her.

Moving on with our story, Naomi then instructed Ruth to lie down with Boaz. Ruth then told Naomi that whatever she tells her to do, she would do. Naomi wanted to help Ruth secure a husband and a family and she had Boaz in mind for a Levirate marriage. A levirate marriage is when the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow, and the widow is obliged to marry her deceased husband's brother. Now Boaz was not a brother in law but he was considered a kinsman, which is defined as having blood relations.

In this day it was custom, to have the woman propose to the man this way. Ruth lay at his feet while he slept and when Boaz awakened she directly asked him to be her protector. Boaz regarded this as proof that Ruth had feminine virtue and modesty and he was honored that Ruth did not go after a younger man. Boaz agreed but for this to happen the next kinsman had to renounce his rights to Ruth and this next of kinsman did so.

            Boaz and Ruth were married and they had a son who would be famous in Israel. This son gave Naomi a kinsman and she loved him dearly. His name was Obed and Obed is the father of Jesse who is the father of King David. Years later, Jesus would be born into this family.

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We can learn a lot from Ruth and from her story and example. One thing that I learned was facing our challenges. We need to be headstrong and trust in the Lord with the trials and challenges that come our way. We need to trust the Lord and follow the promptings that we get. I bet that Ruth had the prompting to go with Naomi to Judah and she followed that. We need to face our challenges with faith and with the Lord on our side. We need to face our challenges with strength and determination. We have to be actively involved, we cannot expect the Lord to just do it for us because he loves us, we need to do what we can. We never know what the Lord is going to have us do to get us to where we need to be and where he needs us to be. We need to face our challenges with the Lord in mind and with his will leading our way like Ruth did.

Please watch this short, three minute video about Ruth.

“Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve”

Joshua 7-24 

 

 This was one of my favorite post’s so far. It has really touched my heart and strengthened my testimony. This post is very special and I hope that something I said touches your heart and helps you. Thank you for reading! :)

Joshua 10:12-14. Did the sun really stand still in the heavens?

 It may seem contradictory that the sun would stand still in the heavens, but the sun was actually moving like normal, it was the Earth that had stopped. The reason the Lord stopped the rotation of the earth was to lengthen the day for his work, bringing victory to Israel.

 The Lord can do anything; He is all-powerful and mighty. God could move the mountains if he wanted to. The Lord flooded the earth to cleanse it of the wicked during the time of Noah. The Lord parted the Red Sea for Moses and those he was leading to freedom. Before that, He had those 12 plagues that aided and made it possible for Moses and the Israelites to escape from captivity. When Jesus Christ was crucified, the Lord had there be no light for a couple days. When Christ comes again there will be many great signs in the heavens and on the Earth below; we will see the moon turn to blood, we will see the sun be darkened, the stars will fall from the sky, and much more. The Lord can do anything. He made us; his children and He made this Earth with Jesus. Those who don’t believe that God can do anything should look around them and see all the magnificent things he has created and then read our history of what he has done for the righteous and what he has done to the wicked.

I know that God can do anything. We need to have faith in him and his teachings. I know that God knows everything; he knows the why and the how. I know that the only way that I can truly become like him and live with him again someday is by trusting in him and loving him with everything I have. I know that the Lord can stop the rotation of the Earth if he needed to.

Read the chapter summaries of Joshua 7-22. Make two lists—one that identifies Israel’s successes and another that identifies Israel’s failures.

             Successes-

Joshua ambushes, and takes Ai, then slays its inhabitants. Then he builds an alter in Mount Ebal. Joshua makes the Gibeonites servents to Israel. Israel defeats the Amorites and their allies. The Lord fought for Israel. Joshua and Israel conquer the whole land and destroy many cities and nations. They (the children of Israel) are given their inheritances. A tabernacle is set up at Shiloh.

            Failures-

Defeated by the people of Ai. The Lord casts stones from heaven upon them.

Read Joshua 23-24 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Joshua 24:1-28, “Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve” (pg. 242). What do you think was the major theme of Joshua’s final address to his people? Based on the lists you created from Joshua 7-22, write a paragraph that explains why Joshua chose to deliver his final address on this particular topic.

           

Joshua starts off telling this people that all they have is because of the Lord, their God. He then tells them that these lots they have inherited are to be an inheritance for their tribes and the Lord will expel their enemies so they can posses the land the Lord had promised them. Joshua then goes on to tell them to be courageous and to keep the commandments. He tells them to turn not away from the Lord. He tells them to not worship false Gods and to cleave unto the Lord as they have done until this day. Joshua tells them to take heed unto themselves and to love the Lord. He teaches them to trust in the Lord to help them and to bless them. He teaches them that if they turn from God then God will destroy them or punish them. Joshua teaches them to make and keep their covenants with the Lord. He teaches them that the Lord has blessed Israel.

The major these and the most important thing that Joshua teaches them is to choose the Lord and to serve him only. In Joshua 24:15 he says, “serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” If you do not chose to serve the Lord and choose to serve another god “… then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you…” (Joshua 24:20)

 I believe that Joshua chose to deliver his final address on choosing to follow the Lord and only him because these people had so much to be grateful for and they seen the tremendous blessings that come from choosing the Lord and only him. When you look at the journey the Israelites went through you see that when you choose to serve the Lord and only him, that you will always ‘win’ and that you will be blessed. You see through this story how much the Lord loves his people and wants to be there with us, to help us, and to bless us.

We need to make the conscious choice to serve the Lord only. There are examples all around us, in the scriptures and those around us that testify that when we choose to serve the Lord and him only, He will bless us and he will look after us. When we make that choice to serve Him and him only we are on our way to true joy and happiness. The following is a quote from the Institute manual regarding this principle of, “ Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve.”

“I think what we need to learn are the true principles that shall lead us to peace, to wealth and happiness in this world, and glory and exaltation in the world to come. And that if we can learn these principles, and receive them in good and honest hearts, and teach them as our faith, and practice them in our lives, we shall show our manhood, our independence and our agency as creditably before the angels and the Gods, as any wicked man can, in refusing the good and cleaving to the evil, exhibit his before the devil and his angels.”

I just want to bear my testimony and to testify that I know this principle is true. I see it all around me. This scripture is so powerful and is more powerful when you study the journal of the Israelites. I know that when we choose the Lord to follow and seek his guidance, love, and forgiveness that we will be eternally happy. We will be blessed beyond any degree we imagined. I know that God will always be on our side, to fight with us if needed, to comfort us, to counsel with when making hard and life-changing decisions. I know that God is alive and is constantly with us. I know that he loves each and everyone of us. I know that He listens to our prayers, both spoken and thought. Put your trust in Him, let him help you, and let him take away your worries, your pains, and your sins. He is there for us and if we choose to follow and serve Him only, I know that he will bless us tremendously. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my brother Jesus Christ, and I love his gospel and his church.

Obedience Brings Blessings; Disobedience Brings Curses

Deuteronomy 10-11; 13-14; 22-24; 26; 28-29

This post will be in the format of a Q&A. I tried it differently but I feel that it is most influential this way. I hope you learn something new and that you are encouraged to read these chapters on your own with this new insight and possibly answer these questions on your own. 

Deuteronomy is a great book of scripture and you can learn so much from it! Something my teacher, Brother Cluff, shared with us this week was that Deuteronomy is a greek word that means 'second law'. I thought this was interesting and it helped me have a different point of view while reading this book. I hope you all enjoy! If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you and your interpretation or knowledge. 

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Deuteronomy 10:1-5

•       Where did the Lord direct Moses to keep the tablets containing the Ten Commandments?

He directed him to keep the tablets in an ark of wood, a cabinet or chest, according to the footnote for 1b, that the Lord will make.

•       What do you think this instruction teaches us about the value the Lord places on the commandments?

This instruction teaches us that the commandments are very important to the Lord. He wants them to be protected and also wants them to last forever.

•       Notice the Joseph Smith Translation correction in the footnotes for verse 2.

The footnote teaches us about the importance of the commandments. It tells us what had been lost or broken, he has included in these plates again, the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 84:14-27. What blessings did the children of Israel deny themselves through their disobedience in the wilderness?

             The children of Israel denied themselves, because of their disobedience, the power of the higher priesthood.  Because they didn’t have the priesthood they denied themselves the power to receive ordinances. Since they were disobedient and were not able to receive the priesthood and ordinances they could not endure the presence of the Lord.

Compare Deuteronomy 11:1, 13-14, 22; 30:6, 16, 19-20 with Matthew 22:36-40. Why do  you think Love is the most important commandment? Love is an emotion; can emotions be commanded? How can a person love someone they don’t even see? How can we learn to love God?

The most important commandment is to love the Lord. When we love the Lord we will obey his commandments, we will treat others right, and we will keep our bodies and souls clean. Love is an emotion that I believe everyone is capable of. To love someone you don’t know can be challenging but it is possible. Our spirits already want to love and obey the Lord, it is our immortal body and the natural man, it is Satan who puts bad feelings into our minds and thoughts. We can love someone that we don’t see by getting to know them, by getting to know their personality and their beliefs. We learn to love God by understanding who he is, by obeying his commandments and learning about his life.

Read Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 11:1, 8-9; 13:4; and 26:17-19. What do these verses have in common? Why you think the Lord places such a strong emphasis on obedience to the commandments.

These verses all teach us to love the Lord with all of our heart and soul. They teach us to obey the commandments, to obey his statutes and ordinances. The Lord places an emphasis on obedience to the commandments because they are very important. We need to follow his commandments to become better sons and daughters and become like him. By keeping the commandments we show our Father in Heaven that we love him. When we consider Mosiah 2:41 we learn that keeping the commandments helps us be happy. Living in the way of the Lord will make us happy. Keeping the commandments will bring temporal and spiritual blessings as well. D&C 130:21 teaches us that when we obtain or receive blessing from God “it is by the obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.”

Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and make a list of the results of obeying the commandments.

The results from obeying the commandments are blessings; some of those blessings are listed next. The Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth, blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee, you shall be blessed in the city and in the field. You shall be blessed in the fruit of they body, the fruit of they ground and the fruit of thy cattle and flocks of sheep. You shall be blessed when you come in and when you leave. The Lord will cause thine enemies to be smitten. He will bless thee in the land and establish thee a holy people unto himself. The people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord and they shall be afraid of thee. The Lord will make thee plenteous in goods. The Lord will give you his good treasure; the heaven will give rain to your land in his season. The Lord will make thee the head, not the tail; you shall only be above not beneath.

Skim through Deuteronomy 28:15-65 and make another list of the consequences of disobeying the commandments. Read Helaman 12:3 and write the purposes the Lord has for sometimes chastening his children with “many afflictions.”

If you do not obey the commandments you will be cursed and these curses will overtake you. Your city and field will be cursed. Your store will be cursed. The fruit of your body and land and cattle/flocks will be cursed. You will be cursed coming in and going out. You will have pestilence cleave unto you. No rain will come. Your enemies will smite you. You will be smote with the botch of Egypt and with madness, blindness and astonishment of heart. Your vineyard will not do well, your cattle and meat will not do well, and your family will suffer. People will be angry with you. You will not be happy and not have an abundance of thins. You will be hungry and thirsty and naked. Your daughters will be given away to another people. You will be in bondage.

We learn the purpose of the Lord chastening his children in Helaman 12:3. The Lord chastens his people so they will remember him, repent and come unto him.

The Lord clearly stated consequences of disobedience, but He does not desire to curse His children. Read Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 26:7-11; Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; and Mosiah 26:30. Write a paragraph describing the Lord’s mercies and what His greatest desires are. Include in your statement how it makes you feel to know that God is kind, loving, and merciful.

            The Lord wants us to come back to him. He wants us to repent. He doesn’t want us to suffer; he wants us to come unto him, to seek him. He will have mercy on us; he will abundantly pardon our wrongdoings. When we are forgiven the Lord will forget about it. He will ‘erase’ is from our ‘record’, so to speak. It gives the Lord great pleasure when we come unto him, repent, and use the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

 What gives me great comfort is knowing that “…as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mosiah 26:30). We are all human and will make mistakes and keep making mistakes. We will have to suffer the consequences of those mistakes/sins but the Lord will always forgive us. There is not a certain amount of times that we can repent and he will accept it. He will always accept our apology and our repentance. Just because he will do this doesn’t mean we can slack off, we need to try our very best to live our lives the best that we can. To love the Lord, to love our neighbors and keep all of his commandments the best that we can is how we should live our lives. By living our lives in the ways that the Lord has instructed and by keeping the commandments shows our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we love them and it shows that we appreciate the sacrifice that our brother, Jesus Christ, made for all of us. It is because of Christ that we can be forgiven, and that we can be forgiven as often as we need it.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I hope you learned something new and that the Spirit of the Lord has touched your heart. Remember that the Lord loves you more than anything and wants you to succeed. He knows what you want and what you need, don't forget to ask him for help. When you do something wrong don't feel helpless, just go to the Lord. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I hope that whomever reads this knows that and knows how important all of this is for me. 

Remember, God lives and He loves us!!