Thursday Bible Study

 The story of Ruth is about how God works in and through the ordinary circumstances of life. There aren't any spectacular signs and wonders to showcase in this book. The characters and story plotlines are common... about ordinary people in everyday settings, struggling with regular life issues...  But God's resolute (although uncredited or 'invisible') hand is directing each scene and every character. And wherever and whenever God works, it is ALWAYS extraordinary, miraculous, and divine! [Read Ruth 1:1-2] Who are we introduced to in the opening verses? What are we told about them? What difficult decision does Elimelek have to make? What are the pros and cons for staying and for going? If you had to put food on the table, would you decide differently from Elimelek? What are some important considerations that would affect your decision? [Activity] Read Deuteronomy 11:16-17, Leviticus 26:18-20, and Amos 4:6-9. What are we told in all three examples? Read ahead, to Ruth 1:...

 Matthew 2 opens shortly after Jesus' birth. Although Joseph's home and business are in Nazareth, the family are currently in Bethlehem. While they're there wise men (magi) visit the baby. Although we sing about three kings, Matthew doesn't tell us how many Magi came to visit, or even where they're from... [Read Matthew 2:1-12] These "magi" are important and influential members of royal court. Experts in science, mathematics, history and astronomy. Maybe they were already aware of the prophecy made in Numbers 24:17 that talks of  a star rising out of Jacob? As they arrive with news about the birth of this new king, how does the current king react? You would expect the people of Israel would rejoice at this news, but how (in verse 3) do they respond? Why do you think they might respond in that way? Does anything in the history of Israel prepare us for this reaction? Gentiles travel thousands of miles, at great cost, to come and worship a foreign king... yet...

 Appropriately, Luke begins his story about Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple, God's symbolic dwelling place. The first 2 chapters of this story, told by Luke, tells us about the birth of 2 boys. It's clear that Luke wants us to contrast these 2 boys, as he deliberately sets their births side by side... [Read Luke 1:5-38] How do we see the origins stories of these 2 boys compared / contrasted in these key events? The announcements? The miraculous circumstances? The parents responses? First, Luke introduces us to Elizabeth and Zechariah... then he shifts 100 kilometres north, to Nazareth, where a young girl named Mary is engaged to be married... In both these scenes, what do both women have? Compare verses 18 & 34. Both Zechariah and Mary question the words of the angel. Why is Zechariah rebuked and Mary not? What comforts can we take from the promise in verse 37, that "no word from God will ever fail"? [Read Luke 1:39-56] These 2 boys are described... 1 is a prophet o...

We've reached the end of this journey with the prophet Hosea... and the end of this love story. Was Hosea's marriage to Gomer ever restored? We don't know.   What we do know is that the greater love story (that Hosea's story was supposed to reflect) still continues... Back in Hosea 14:1 what was the appeal and here, in Hosea 14:4 what is the promise ? God's love will be the key to Israel finding new life. God, in verse 4, says "[I will] love them freely." What does this mean to you? What will God's love do? What are the images used in verses 4-8? What does each image convey? Why do you think Hosea finishes with the postscript of verse 9? [Activity] Think back over the whole book of Hosea. What has God shown you about Godself? What do you need to remember?