Ruth 1: 1: Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.
It came to pass because God brought this famine to pass.
The days when the judges ruled were the days when the Lord God ruled Israel through certain judges he raised up. These judges typify the Lord Jesus Christ under whose care believers rest. The judge served as Captain of the army--conquering their enemies and delivering the people--Christ is the Captain of the believer's salvation; Our warfare is accomplished by Christ (Heb. 2:10; Isa 40: 2.) The judge settled all legal matters among the people in righteousness--God the Father says of his beloved Son, by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many (Isa 53: 11.) The judge protected the people so they could enjoy the land God gave them and the liberty they had at God's hand--If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed; believers stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free (Joh 8:36; Gal 5:1.) Therefore, when a judge was over the people the people served the Lord in truth. But when the judge died they would forsake the worship of the Lord and followed false gods.
Believers have no rest without Christ our King ruling and governing us. We need the Lord to lead us, to teach us, to protect us. He says clearly that he is pleased to do so through his word, through those he has sent to feed us with knowledge and understanding of Christ.
Still, because the Lord loves his people he will not allow them to continue in a way of rebellion but turns them to him (Lev. 26: 18-19.) When the children of Israel would turn from him, the Lord would send judgments upon the people, turning them back to him (Jud 6: 1-6.) Thus when the people turned to the Lord for mercy the Lord would raise up before their eyes a faithful judge to whom they would submit and upon whom they would cast all their care--another good illustration of his faithfulness to keep his children ever looking to him (Isa 30: 21; Lam 5:21.)
There are no accidents in this world. From great things--such as a nation which destroys the land of a people to the tiny bird which falls to the ground, it is all by the hand of God, according to the will of God. If we have no food or if our table is full it is by the hand of God. Everything comes to pass according to his will and his purpose to bring his people to faith in Christ and keep them stayed on Jehovah.
May the Lord turn us to him and remind us of his promise, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Mat. 10: 29-31.)
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LOCATION & TELEPHONE Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor 150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553 Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday 10 AM Bible Class 11 AM Morning Worship Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service (The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)
NOTE: We especially welcome our friends who are so consistently listening, reading and commenting from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For those who might like to visit us without missing their regular services, our mid-week worship service is on Thursday night at 7:00 pm. We welcome you to join us in worship of the Lord our Righteousness.