“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. This is perhaps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He survived the initial crash, but was killed trying (unsuccessfully) to rescue his wife. The lyrics were found in his be­longings after the accident. This song is one of the first ever recorded on a phonograph. George Stebbins made the recording during a demonstration of Thomas Edison's new invention in New York City.

MY REDEEMER
Click here for tune.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

Last summer one of my sons was infected with Giardia (parasites) while on a camping trip in the Rockies. This illness comes from drinking infected water found in ponds and streams. The symptoms are distinct and painful. We met with our family doctor with our own self-diagnoses fresh in our mind. We wanted to see how quickly the doctor would make the same diagnoses. After a couple of questions and a few pokes in the tummy our doctor asked, “When is the last time you went camping”? We knew he was on the right track. Then came the clincher, “Did you drink from any mountain stream”? In response to our “affirmative” he made the right diagnoses. We go the family doctor in hopes that he will make the right diagnoses. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a medical doctor noted for his diagnostic skills. However, God called him from medicine to the ministry, that he might diagnose souls and preach a prescription from the Word of God!

Dad’s Study

This year we have surveyed some of the great saints of church history, from the New Testament to the 21st century. Today, we turn to one of the giants of the 20th century, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Dr. Lloyd-Jones grew up in Wales, where his family attended a Welsh-Calvinistic Methodist Church. He grew up to become a prominent medical doctor. By the age of 26 he became a licensed physician on his way to a lucrative career. However, God had a different calling for Lloyd-Jones. While reading the Scriptures, God opened his blind spiritual eyes and caused Lloyd-Jones to embrace the Christian gospel of grace. Following his conversion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones continued to listen to the symptoms of his patients. However, he soon began to realize that what his patients truly needed was not ordinary medicine, rather the medicine of the Gospel that could bring eternal life! God was calling Lloyd-Jones to stop listening through his stethoscope and begin preaching the Scriptures. He married another doctor by the name of Bethan Phillips after a long courtship. His first church was in Aberavon where many were converted under his preaching. His reputation grew for his clear exposition of the Word of God. Lloyd-Jones was a Calvinist and an evangelical in the tradition of Spurgeon, Whitefield, the Reformers, and Puritans. He preached verse-by-verse through books of the Bible. He was called to be the assistant to G. Campbell Morgan at Westminster Chapel. During World War II Dr. Lloyd-Jones continued to preach the Scriptures during the bombings of London. In 1944 a flying bomb exploded a few hundred yards from the chapel, covering the preacher and faithful congregation in a thick white dust! It is reported that one member of the congregation opened her eyes after the explosion, and seeing everyone covered in white thought that she must be in heaven! Following Campbell Morgan, Dr. Lloyd-Jones faithfully preached the Word at Westminster Chapel. After the war the congregation continued to grow to over 1,500 when he retired in 1968. The Banner of Truth publishing house was started with the help and encouragement from Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Today, his preaching lives on with his multi-volume exposition of the book of Romans and a number of smaller books such as Revival, Why Does God Allow War? and Spiritual Depression. In February 1981, seeing that his earthly work was now complete, Dr. Lloyd Jones said to his family, “Don’t pray for healing, don’t try to hold me back from glory.” On the Lord’s day, March 1st of the same year the doctor passed into the glorious presence of the Lord he so faithfully preached.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Catechism

Question 20

Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim.2:5), who being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14) and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col .2:9).

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are mine. When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3a).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. This is perhaps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He survived the initial crash, but was killed trying (unsuccessfully) to rescue his wife. The lyrics were found in his be­longings after the accident. This song is one of the first ever recorded on a phonograph. George Stebbins made the recording during a demonstration of Thomas Edison's new invention in New York City.

MY REDEEMER
Click here for tune.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

Follow through is especially important in the sports arena. If a pitcher doesn’t follow through with his pitch to the plate, the spectators in the stands had better be ready. If a tennis player doesn’t follow through with his volley, he will soon find his balls disappearing beyond the fence. If a quarterback doesn’t follow through with his pass, his number of interceptions will increase dramatically. So too it is in the Christian walk when we don’t follow through — blessings are missed, joy is hindered, and satisfaction is lacking. On the contrary, when we do follow through, what we find is God’s wonderful full provision, as we will see in our study today from the fourth chapter of Ruth.

Dad’s Study

In chapter one, Ruth’s plan dominates as she expends her energies following her mother-in-law, Naomi. In chapter two, Boaz’s plan dominates as he sets to the task of providing for Ruth. In chapter three, Naomi’s plan dominates as she sends Ruth to Boaz to gain his favor as a kinsman redeemer. Now in chapter four, Boaz returns to the engineering forefront as he unfolds his plan to redeem Ruth. But there’s one hitch – there is a nearer kinsman redeemer. Will this man take what has been offered to Boaz? What will become of Ruth?

With his carefully devised plan, Boaz takes the initiative and approaches the nearer kinsman redeemer with an opportunity to buy Naomi’s land and the subsequent responsibility to take Ruth as wife and raise up a son as the next inheritor (4:3-6). Having agreed to purchase the land, this individual backpedals about marrying Ruth, thereby opening the door for Boaz to redeem the land and take Ruth as his wife. Boaz wastes little time in confirming and completing this transaction before the ten elders and then taking Ruth as his own. In fact, the text wastes little time describing this dramatic series of events: “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son” (4:13).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Dads, discuss with your children the sovereignty of God in this Book of Ruth. In particular, consider the number of “chance” events that had to transpire in the book.

1. Naomi, Ruth and Orpah all would lose their husbands in so short a time,

2. A Moabitess (Ruth) would desire to follow a Jew (Naomi) and more importantly, follow after the God of Israel,

3. A barren, young, unmarried woman finds a fruitful, older, unmarried man in the fields,

4. Naomi’s risky plan involving Ruth and Boaz works, and

5. Boaz’s plan of redemption meets with success as the nearer kinsman redeemer passes on his right of redemption.

The greatest act of God’s sovereignty would involve the fruitful product of the union of Boaz and Ruth in marriage – the birth of a son, but not just any son: “Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (4:21b-22). To think, God used a Gentile woman to perpetuate the line of the Messiah. What does they say about God? What does that say about God’s use of man? Of God’s use of you?

Pastor Jim Stevanus – Calvary Baptist Church, Wabash, IN

Catechism

Question 20

Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim.2:5), who being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14) and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col .2:9).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. This is perhaps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He survived the initial crash, but was killed trying (unsuccessfully) to rescue his wife. The lyrics were found in his be­longings after the accident. This song is one of the first ever recorded on a phonograph. George Stebbins made the recording during a demonstration of Thomas Edison's new invention in New York City.

MY REDEEMER
Click here for tune.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

Can you guess today’s key word? Here are some hints. It is that essence of God that incites His blessings toward man. It resonates throughout scores of hymns and is part of the title of one of the greatest hymns ever written. It is that which sustains us day by day. It is commonly called this as it relates to what is said before meals. It is that which saves us. What is it? I trust you answered grace! Grace originates from our heavenly Father and finds its source in human recipients. As we consider the third chapter of Ruth today, we find a powerful portrait of grace.

Dad’s Study

The chapter begins with a rather risky plan by Naomi involving her daughter-in-law Ruth. And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshingfloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do (3:2-4). Naomi’s strategy hinges on two character qualities – the beauty of Ruth and the kindness of Boaz — and the reader is not disappointed! Boaz responds positively to Ruth’s presence and develops a plan to redeem her in the next chapter.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Most commentators concur that Boaz is the human picture of the heavenly Redeemer to come, Jesus Christ, who, in fact, would come from this very lineage. Boaz acts with grace toward Ruth in order to redeem her – the very picture of Jesus toward sinful mankind. In light of this chapter, Dads, lead your family through a time of discussion with the following questions:

1. What parts of Naomi’s plan were risky? If God is in it, how certain is the plan?

2. What initial problem entered into the equation regarding Boaz’s right of redemption? Is God hindered by our seemingly monumental obstacles?

3. How is Boaz’s response a picture of our Lord’s grace? Consider Romans 5:8 in your answer.

4. How did Ruth respond to her mother-in-law’s plan (3:5,9) and to Boaz’s plan (3:14a)? What does that teach us regarding how we are to respond to God’s plans?

God (e.g. Boaz) will do His part; we (e.g. Ruth) must do our part. He does the impossible; we do the possible. He will do what only He can do; we must do what we can do. Dads, ask your children how this should significantly flavor our efforts to witness, our plans for the future, and the maintenance of our bodies.

Pastor Jim Stevanus – Calvary Baptist Church, Wabash, IN

Catechism

Question 20

Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim.2:5), who being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14) and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col .2:9).

“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”

Today’s Hymn

Words: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. This is perhaps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He survived the initial crash, but was killed trying (unsuccessfully) to rescue his wife. The lyrics were found in his be­longings after the accident. This song is one of the first ever recorded on a phonograph. George Stebbins made the recording during a demonstration of Thomas Edison's new invention in New York City.

MY REDEEMER
Click here for tune.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

Do you have any scars on your body from some injury? When I was two years old, I had polio and meningitis, which in those days were usually fatal. During that time, the doctors fed me through the veins in my ankles, leaving scars that are with me to this day. I have several other scars from various events, the latest leaving a scar on my hand from being punctured by a metal flay from a burn barrel. Scars are wonderful things, showing the healing ability that God gave our bodies, but they also show that you had a problem. Such is true of character scars. Children who lie and later repent may bear some scarring, as do those who cheat or steal or desire wrong things in their heart. God will heal us when we repent, but our character has suffered an assault, and needs to be strengthened. In our chapter today, we see two people meet who are faithful in character and had developed their good character traits while they were young.

Dad’s Study

Read vs. 1-6. Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz, which indicates to us right away that Boaz was a righteous man, desiring to be obedient to God’s Word. Leviticus 19:9 commands that an owner of a field is to not glean (pick up the loose droppings of the fruit or grain of the crop) his own field, but leave it for the poor. Some men would put obstacles in the pathway of the poor, or disallow their gleaning altogether, but not Boaz. His servants knew his character, and allowed Ruth to glean even before Boaz came upon the field. Read vs. 8-13. Boaz shows his interest in this woman, and we find out that he already knows about her (v. 11) and appreciates this faithful woman who has sought out protection from the only true God (v. 12). Boaz is not ashamed to speak God’s name, or give witness concerning Him. Read vs. 14-23. Boaz is obviously taken with Ruth, and does what he can to insure her success in reaping. As Ruth relates what happened with Naomi, we find out that Boaz is a close relative, which means he may bear some responsibility toward their care. It is not until later that we learn that he is not actually responsible, as he is not the closest relative, but he nevertheless assumes responsibility from the beginning, being a generous man.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

God leads us, if we are faithful to Him, to other faithful people, and this is true of marriage. You may not be thinking about marriage yet, but if you desire to have a life that pleases the Lord, you will want to cultivate faithfulness toward God and His Word now so that you will be able to recognize this quality in others when you are older and when the time comes for you to marry. If a man or woman is faithful, generous, forgiving, pure, upright, and honest it is because, by God’s grace, they have pursued godliness from their youth. Determine today to live each day for the Lord in faithfulness.

Pastor Craig Chambers – Alberton, Montana

Catechism

Question 20

Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim.2:5), who being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14) and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col .2:9).

“For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore” (Psalm 132:10-12).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Philip P. Bliss, 1876. This is perhaps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He survived the initial crash, but was killed trying (unsuccessfully) to rescue his wife. The lyrics were found in his be­longings after the accident. This song is one of the first ever recorded on a phonograph. George Stebbins made the recording during a demonstration of Thomas Edison's new invention in New York City.

MY REDEEMER
Click here for tune.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

The Scriptures command that we be equally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14). In marriage that means we are to be married to like-minded believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Discuss as a family why this is so important. Look to Numbers chapter 25 and 1 Kings 11 for examples of the consequences of disobedience of this command of God.

Dad’s Study

The book of Ruth begins with the disobedience of her father-in-law, Elimelech. In the days of the judges he left Israel because of famine. This famine no doubt was in response to Israel’s falling away from God and was most likely a punishment visited upon them just as the oppression of the surrounding nations was the hand of God’s judgment for their disobedience. Elimelech chooses to leave the Promised Land rather than humbly submit to the hand of God’s chastisement, repent, and walk in obedience. It leads to the ruin of his family, as he and then his sons die in the land of Moab. It shows the depravity of Elimelech, that he chose to go to the land of Moab. The Moabites were the descendants of Moab, Lot’s son who was born to him by his daughter as the result of an incestuous relationship (Gen. 19:37). It was the Moabites who led Israel astray to false gods in the Sin of Peor in Numbers Chapter 25. In that case the Israelite men married Moabite women and were led to worship the false gods of Moab. God’s anger burned against them and all who followed false gods were slain and God commanded the Israelites to be harsh to the Moabites. For this same sin of leaving Israel and marrying Moabite women we see that Elimelech and his sons forfeit their lives.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Both of Naomi’s Moabite daughters-in-law had a very strong affection for her. They did not desire to part with her when she decided to return to her home, the land of Israel. This was a test of their love for her. Orpah was not willing to leave home, family, and false gods to go with Naomi: she loved her sin more than God. Ruth, on the other hand, made a willful decision that the God of Israel would be her God. Naomi did not prevent her in going when she saw that God had resolutely changed her heart. We see here evidence of God’s wonderful saving grace when he saves a Moabite. One whom He had commanded the Israelites to treat harshly for their past sins of leading Israel astray to false gods, He now wonderfully saves, redeems and brings into His family as one of His children.

Naomi had been afflicted with a cup of bitterness as the consequence of her sin. Yet, God in His mercy has, through that, redeemed a lost pagan and brought her to the knowledge of Himself. Ruth is a testimony of the free grace of God in saving men, women, and children of all times.

Catechism

Question 20

Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim.2:5), who being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14) and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col .2:9).