Daily Digest

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

Sometimes we need to stop and get back to basics. John, at the very start of this paragraph, is essentially saying “Folks, let’s cut to the chase,  ‘cause we are out of time.”

It’s time to ask the hard questions…am I a true follower of Jesus? Do I really have His Spirit working in my life? What evidence is there in my life that proves my faith in Jesus is real? Am I actually doing what He wants? Do I know what He wants? Is there a daily friendship with Jesus – is there ‘fellowship’? Do I have this eternal life that He is offering me?

Lord, please work on me today – and keeping working on me until I can say a resounding “YES” to all these questions.   Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Here’s my paraphrase of this passage

You know Him (God)…. who is:

… from the beginning, who created us out of love for relationship with Him and with each other

… who forgave us from our sins and helps us to forgive others

… strength and makes us strong

… the overcomer of evil and makes us overcomers too

… the word to us and is now alive in us….

So to us, who are created, loved, forgiven, strong, overcomers, alive in the word… let’s be His Light. Let’s live his Light! And LOVE our brothers and sisters!

The command (Originally the 10 commandments seen in Exodus 20:1-17 and then repeated to us by Jesus recorded in Matthew 22:37-38, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27) is that we must Love the Lord our God with all that we are and love our neighbour as we do ourselves.

The whole of the scriptures from the beginning to the end are littered with reminders to do this one thing; “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34), “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35), Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10), “Dear friends, since Gods so loved us, we also ought to love one another”(1 John 4:11) .. just to list a few examples.

Jesus help us to be who you have created us to be and who you declare us to be! Help us to live out your light and love. May we love our brothers and sisters. Help us to love ALL people. All people are made in your image and you love each person dearly. Help us to forgive those who have offended and hurt us, just as you have forgiven us. Help us to love, as you have loved us. Thank you that you do not ask us to do anything you have not already done and thankyou we don’t have to do it in our own strength but in yours. Thank you for your help Holy Spirit to live out your light and love.

Amen

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

God solved the sin problem for good! Jesus came so we have an advocate before the Father.  Not only for each of us individually but for the whole world too. It’s hard to believe sometimes when we look at how messed up we make things or how mucked up the world seems.  But God promised and Jesus followed through. What a blessing.

Thank you Lord that You have made a way for each of us. Thank you Jesus that You were obedient and took on the burden of our sin. Help me to remember daily the blessing You have made available. Amen.

Written by Therese Manning

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

All Christians waiver in their faith from time to time. Sometimes caused by a lack of attention to the disciplines of faith or sometimes it signals a prelude to significant spiritual growth. Which ever it is, it can be uncomfortable.

Add to that, the voices that deny the existence of God in our society are many and loud and it’s not surprising we need to hear strong faith declaration along the path of our own faith journey to keep us moving forward. This is the reason we fellowship together.

The Bible is also a voice that influences our faith but rarely are there places in the Bible like this passage where the apostle John, with firsthand knowledge of Jesus, testifies directly to you of the truth about Jesus and what he has seen.

This passage was written at the end of John’s life and demonstrates he held true to this testimony his entire life.

So, take another moment today to re-read this passage and allow John as a first-hand witness to testify to you ‘personally’ regarding the truth and allow his faith to add to your faith today.

Lord, I ask that you take this testimony from the apostle John and strengthen our faith in you.

Amen

Written by David Newton

20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[a] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.[a] These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king. 11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children,[b] and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. 15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

What a terrific account of God’s faithfulness and faithful people seizing opportunity!

There have been events in my life when God’s hand was the powerful force of change. Change of circumstances and situations, where everything was beyond my control. These are exciting times, seeing God act, but also challenging, waiting for God’s timing. Just as I’m sure the waiting did for Esther and Mordechai, it builds my faith and patience.

As the king honours Mordechai, this opens the way for him to influence the plight of God’s people. Xerxes agreed and the edict travels out across the lands. What an incredible change of circumstances, that a Persian king would entrust a Jewish elder with this authority (this reminds me somewhat of Pharaoh and Joseph!) Our faithful God saved his people and remained true to his covenant promises.

I remember that God is the same in my life. He does not leave anything to chance when he acts. He transforms situations in response to my faith.

Esther and Mordechai show me something else – that I need to be open to opportunities to be used by God. God was at work through Esther and Mordechai, especially bringing them favour with the king. However they needed to act. Situations for me to do the same could mean confronting fear of the consequences, and uncertainty of what to say. However there is no uncertainty that God is with me through it all.

Lord Jesus, the incredible elevation of foreigners in King Xerxes court demonstrates your amazing power to transform situations beyond our wildest dreams. Position me Lord to be a change conductor as you give me opportunities.

Amen

Written by Claire Moore

7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” 5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” 6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

How we weave our own traps!  Here we see Haman develop an elaborate trap to kill off the Jews, yet instead of snaring them he snares himself.  I wonder how often the traps I set for others are actually sprung on me.  I should remember the principle of life that God’s Word gives us, we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). How often do I allow my anger to burn brightly and cause me to dream up various plans and schemes that sound fool-proof except for the fool called me.  I need to remember to forgive often, freely and that vengeance is mine – SAYS the LORD – and that for all my schemes and plans it is not for me to take vengeance!!

Father help me to forgive freely and not hold grudges or let the sun go down on my anger.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” 9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

What a contrast!

Haman is obsessed with himself: boasting about his wealth and perceived honour; and consumed with hatred for any who don’t share his elevated view of himself. Esther comes humbly and respectfully to Xerxes.

Haman is so overwhelmed by his hatred that he rushes to set up the public destruction of his enemy before he has even mentioned his plan to the king. Esther is patient: though she’s been offered up to half the kingdom she patiently builds anticipation of her request to save her people.

Haman takes a big risk (building the spike before asking the king) to build his own self-esteem and destroy others. Esther takes a big risk (coming into the king’s presence uninvited) to rescue others.

I can’t help but be reminded of what Paul says about love. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Hatred is life transforming … to destruction. Love is life transforming … to life.

Father, I want to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (Ephesians 4:31). Holy Spirit, transform my heart to love like you love.

Written by David Cornell

12 Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. 13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Hasn’t the Jewish race suffered incredibly over history. This passage is yet another account of the severe persecution that the Jews are about to face by this decree to have them all slaughtered in a single day. And why? We need to refer back to what we have read previously in this chapter. The Jews were different. They kept themselves separate, their customs were different, and they did not obey the king’s laws. King Xerxes was therefore advised that this should not be tolerated, and that they should be destroyed.

I ponder with what God is teaching us today by this passage. I believe a key challenge is “conformity”. If the laws of our land changed in a way that was contrary to God’s laws and ways, how would I respond? If our Christian customs, eg being part of a church community, prayer meetings, connect groups etc all suddenly became illegal, would I remain faithful to God, even to the point of death?

I like to think that I would remain steadfast, and it is a worthy challenge for us all to contemplate how we would personally respond.

Thank you Father that we live in a tolerant country, and that our expression of our faith and belief in You is not illegal. Continue to build our faith such that in any scenario of potential persecution, we grow in strength of faith. Amen.

Written by Steve Fell

3 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. 3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

Here is a story about various men who hold influential leadership positions in the King’s kingdom. We find them sitting at the king’s gate: Haman, Mordecai, and two royal officials.

In the previous passage, Mordecai had overheard a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He uses his position of influence to save the life of the King by passing the information onto Queen Esther who in turn tells the King. As a result, Mordecai is honoured.

In this passage, we read that Haman was honoured, and by the King’s command, all his servants were to bow down to him. However, Mordecai refused to. Here we see some interesting reactions: the two royal officials stir up trouble by constantly harassing Mordecai. They take the matter further and report it to Haman to see how he would respond. They even do a bit of mud-slinging, saying that Mordecai is a Jew. Haman reaction is one of rage against Mordecai and the Jewish people.

By contrast, Mordecai is a man of integrity. He knows what he stands for and will not be persuaded or pressured by those around him. His heart is motivated by the plight of his people.

As I read this, I cannot help but ask myself what kind of person am I? What does my leadership look like? Do I live according to integrity and conviction? Do I live with others in mind? Or am I insecure and get jealous or self-serving?

Lord help me to lead from a position of integrity and strength that is found in You. May I do what I can to help others and influence others for good.

Written by Gab Martin

12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name. 15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.

Esther is an intriguing character in the Bible and this is one of the more… um… uncomfortable passages of the old testament.

We have a dodgy beauty pageant, which leads to a night with the pagan king, that he is so impressed by, that he wants to marry Esther. It all sounds very dodgy.

And what does God say? Not much. In fact, God isn’t even mentioned in the book.

Yet God’s blessing on Esther, Mordecai and even on the king is evident throughout the narrative of the book.

This passage is a reminder for me, that the kingdom of God is primarily about God’s love for us, even though we don’t deserve it.

Lord, thank you for your grace, that while we were yet sinners, you loved us, and send Christ to save us through his death in our place.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware 

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. 13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. 15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.” 16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. 19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” 21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

This is one for all the girls out there…

You are not an object to be exploited – to be looked at and ogled.

You are not to be disadvantaged because you have the courage to say no.

You are valued and loved by God. You are elevated by Him, even when men try to push you down.

You deserve to be respected – your thoughts and opinions matter.

You deserve to have a husband that treats you right – a man that says “I will fight for ‘oneness’ with you. Not dominance over you”

You deserve to have a husband that says “I love you and I will sacrifice my life for you because that’s what Jesus did and I will follow His example”

You are a daughter of the King! There is no higher standing!

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, 19 Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, 20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 21 Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, 22 Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

This passage gets me excited! Not because of the love making but because of where it fits in the history of humanity!

Ruth and Naomi were on death’s door, living as widows with no means for income. Ruth was within her rights to leave her mother-in-law Naomi, but she stayed and attached herself to the fate of Naomi and entrusted herself to the God of Naomi.

I may feel confused or lost, but I can attach myself to God’s people, throw my lot in with them, even when I am unsure of where I am going. In doing so their blessing becomes my blessing, their clarity my clarity. I become more aware of the goodness of God in the community of God’s people.

Ruth is grafted into God’s people and over time received blessing, provision and clarity – we see the culmination of this here. She would become the grandmother of the greatest king ever to rule in Israel, King David, and she would be an ancestor in the human blood line of Jesus Christ.

Lord I am not an island, I throw my lot in and acknowledge that without your people I will wither and die. I am attached to the body of Christ – the Church. I suffer with the Church and rejoice with the Church. Ultimately I will live forever with the Church and our Saviour! Amen

Written by Andrew Mellor

4 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said. 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” 6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

V1. Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there.

I like Boaz. He has family business to attend to – so he goes straight to it – positioning himself at the town gate – where the town people pass by, positioning himself for success in his family business. He has promised Ruth he will sort things out for her future – and he immediately puts it at the top of his agenda. There is no mention of anything else Boaz does after he speaks to Ruth – except this.

I live in a culture where it is easy to put family business lower down on the agenda than it belongs. For me – family business is God’s business. They are not in opposition. Just as it was for Boaz – his commitment to Ruth was part of God’s plan.

I want to do what I say I will do, when I say I will do it. I want to position myself where I need to be. I want to sort out things that need to be sorted out in order to move forward. Lord I need your help to do this. Thank you for hearing me and answering me today.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn