The connection between barley and hope cited in the videos title is so fitting! Scripture reveals that the barley harvest is associated with the Passover, and thus the atoning work of Jesus. There are no accidents in the Bible!
Thank you once again for an uplifting talk. I like to start the day with one of these videos and no matter how many I times I watch them, I am always encouraged.
Naomi and Ruth having lost all their family but keeping faith and hope is very much how I feel about my daughter and I … thanks for reminding me of them.
The Ruth reading spoke to me. It reminds me that God doesn’t always shield us from every unpleasant thing or even losses in life. Instead He gives us hope as the more important lesson. Our part is to be brave and have hope, and God will do the parts we can’t do.
Yes, a helpful and humbling reminder that we will have trouble in this world, but also hope! How might we take courage when life feels particularly heavy or hopeless?
It can be really tough when life is particularly hard and we get down. The two things that have really pulled me through during bleak times are God’s word and His Holy Spirit. His Word is dependable…a constant in life that doesn’t change with the wind. When my spirit is low I remind myself what His Word says. And lately I’ve been particularly open to the Holy Spirit coming along my side as Comforter and, for lack of a better word, travel companion. I’m finding He is just as real as Father God and Jesus. Oh my, He is such a comfort and fortifier in ways that are hard to express!
Good words. It is a reminder of the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus drew near and went with them-- by the Spirit he is near and goes with us as we journey today!
I was reading Deuteronomy 23 about a week ago. When I read that no Ammonite or Moabite was allowed into the assembly of the Lord, I immediately thought of Ruth. Just like the rest of us Gentiles, her great faith in the God of Israel was what mattered... and God chose her to be an ancestor of David and Jesus. That is hope manifested!! Another great scripture reading by Prof. Wright!
I am speaking / preaching on this passage this coming Sunday. I love the access we have to glean (pun intended) from studious theologians. I plan to emphasize hope for Ruth and Naomi, and the ultimate hope of Jesus Christ who was crucified as our "Boaz" (strong God / man) at the time of the barley season. If I'm not mistaken, I think it should be barley that the priest is waving on resurrection Sunday when our Savior conquers death. What hope that resurrection is in all its fulfillment.
Thank you for your kind words. Your commitment to studying and sharing these insights in your preaching is very encouraging. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these videos continue to be accessible. We hope your preaching on Sunday goes well and brings hope and encouragement to the congregation! --NTW Online Team
Thanks so very much! I love this story. There are moments where events in my life seem hopeless. When there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, I cling to the Lord. I particularly love that Ruth had no idea how great a lineage would result from the birth of this one child. And never saw those results (she also is the ancestress of Jesus). So often our faith may not appear to bear much fruit in our lifetime (as Paul or the Prophets who were rejected by many) but God can bring greater blessings/fruit than we can imagine from humble faith. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for sharing! Yes, it is wonderful to be reminded that it is so often more important to be faithful than 'effective' and to trust God for the outcome.
Rachel and Ruth have always been an encouragement to me. Gentile women who believed God and it was counted unto them as righteous faith. Not of their works but of Christs alone. I love the history of Ruth.
I loved your comment regarding hope as the format for future miracles we have no idea are part of the struggle if we continue to preserve. I've had miracles I believe were set in place before I prayed for them...too many to ignore, but never the less modern day miracles. I'm an artist with 5 children, 14 grandkids, and now 6 great grandkids. I live alone in a retirement and recreational community far away from all my kids. I've had miracles when I thought GOD forgot about me. Just after I moved here as I was leaving a market not far from my condo a young woman was picking up a flyer from the market and her back was to me and her jacket had a lovely American Indian design on it. I said, " I love your jacket!" Long story short....we bacame good friends. She too had just moved in and purchased a pretty house and property. She was and is a hair dresser and I needed a haircut! At my first appointment with her we got to gravitate to talking about JESUS! Fast forward to a little over two years ago we decided it would be fun to 'paint in the HOLY SPIRIT, whatever that meant. We set up in her garage, got out the paint and canvases and began? But I floundered, it seemed like I was embarking on territory I knew nothing about, and I talked wondering how to start. My daughter got to 'sing' in the SPIRIT at church (I wasn't there to hear) , but I'd never heard of painting in the SPIRIT...So I prayed... I started by thinking backwards to when there was no planet Earth or stars or atmosphere...anything! moving through those thoughts and my perception visually of what those moments might have looked like. It took about two and a half days to work myself through...and what I experienced was knowledge of the miracles of me being here in my life journey! It's been like a burst of fresh air this new insight. I'm so grateful!!
Hanging on to God even when God seems invisible and even uninterested, is one of the challenges of Christian living. I have always loved the story of Ruth and Naomi. In my life I have struggled with the death my husband and the feelings of deep grief. I have also had the joy of meeting someone, most likely the love of my life, in a place and situation I would never have imagined! We have been married for 15 years and I cannot imagine life without him. As a woman, there are not many "Bible Stories" that speak directly to the viewpoint of women. When I was younger, I always identified as Ruth, now as an older person I find myself identifying with Naomi. Scripture is always so alive and ever changing, while at the same time never changing at all. Amazing, isn't it?
Thank you for your openness. We appreciate you sharing your experiences, of both enormous loss and grief and also joy that brings hope. Perhaps one way we might relate is to see others who are excluded or overlooked today when we do not see ourselves in the story.
@@NTWrightOnline You are so right. One of the things I discovered when I first lost my husband, was a massive group of other "widows" who literally knocked on my door and asked if they could help. Lots of sitting together and going out to eat, lots of listening to one another's pain. Since then, I have been very aware of women who have recently lost husbands. Many times, they are ignored or avoided by people they used to "couple" with. It is like they are constant reminders that it is possible to experience the death of a spouse, and no one wants to admit it. This has given me a real push in my ministry to reach out to these folks. I hope that I have been a listening ear and a reassurance to them that life beyond the death of a spouse is possible. Once we know the depths of pain it is possible to reach out more easily to others who are also in pain. This goes far beyond just loss of a spouse - Nouwen's "Wounded Healer", hits the nail on the head, so to speak.
I remember reading (I forget where, unfortunately) that the events of Samson, Ruth, and the first part of Samuel were happening within the same historical window--God was working to oust the Philistines, renew the priesthood, and prepare the path for the King all in one window of time. It is amazing to see how God providentially works things toward the good of His people for the glory of His name.
SO encouraging to us all to hang on to hope ... which is expectancy of goodness from God (in my anticipation that is) 😊 I can understand Ruth's devotion as I feel the same way about my mother-in-law in Birmingham England. She still calls & I've had the pleasure of 2 visits there at her expense. I love her dearly & will be 91 the end of August. Ruth was my grandmother's favorite book & I read it to her at her deathbed for the "100th" time in her lifetime. Thank you sir for a WONDERFUL uplifting short to carry throughout the week. Hanging on to Hope, Sherry 💞🙏💖🕊😇
Naomi, a Hebrew, and Ruth a gentile are related through marriage of Naomi's son to Ruth, but more intimately and profoundly, Ruth followed Naomi; thereby they were united in spirit.
The barley harvest symbolizes the fruitful results of Ruth’s decision. An example of stepping out in trust. [An intriguing thought for me: I wonder how life turned out for Ruth’s sister who stayed behind?]
An interesting thought -- there is much about which we can only imagine! We might also ponder where we have chosen like Ruth or like Orpah in our own lives. What do others think?
I think Scripture has consistently painted the picture of a faithful God (culminating in the God-personified Messiah) rescuing the cosmos - as opposed to our human unfaithfulness - in not carrying out our image-bearing mandate and responsibilities. Whether Ruth or Orpah, Mary or Martha, Paul or Peter, Euodia or Syntyche, we remind ourselves that it is neither black nor white, right nor wrong, left nor right, but that the cosmos is made up of a spectrum of personalities in-between and beyond. We remind ourselves too that during the time of Jesus..., the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes, and others were all thinking that they were doing their "best for God", making decisions, and thinking that "they have gotten it right!" Yet when Messiah came, He modelled for them (and us) the true meaning of being faithful to God and how we can be faithful image-bearers if only we continue to walk by His Spirit. The words of Paul rings clear towards the end of his Galatian epistle in 6:15 "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation!"
Good words! And, yes, a helpful reminder for us to see a full spectrum of personalities in God's new creation, each who are far more complex than one 'type' of person or the sum total of this or that decision.
Hello Tom! My name is Andrey. Can I ask you about some spiritual stuff. It is very personal. Is it possible to write you by e-mail. If so, could you give me where I can write?
The connection between barley and hope cited in the videos title is so fitting! Scripture reveals that the barley harvest is associated with the Passover, and thus the atoning work of Jesus. There are no accidents in the Bible!
Great observation-- the bread of life and hope!
Thank you once again for an uplifting talk. I like to start the day with one of these videos and no matter how many I times I watch them, I am always encouraged.
Thank you for your kind words! We're glad these videos encourage you. Your support encourages us. --NTW Online Team
Naomi and Ruth having lost all their family but keeping faith and hope is very much how I feel about my daughter and I … thanks for reminding me of them.
Keeping faith and hope can be difficult for many when enduring loss or hardship. Thank you for sharing.
The Ruth reading spoke to me. It reminds me that God doesn’t always shield us from every unpleasant thing or even losses in life. Instead He gives us hope as the more important lesson. Our part is to be brave and have hope, and God will do the parts we can’t do.
Yes, a helpful and humbling reminder that we will have trouble in this world, but also hope!
How might we take courage when life feels particularly heavy or hopeless?
It can be really tough when life is particularly hard and we get down. The two things that have really pulled me through during bleak times are God’s word and His Holy Spirit. His Word is dependable…a constant in life that doesn’t change with the wind. When my spirit is low I remind myself what His Word says. And lately I’ve been particularly open to the Holy Spirit coming along my side as Comforter and, for lack of a better word, travel companion. I’m finding He is just as real as Father God and Jesus. Oh my, He is such a comfort and fortifier in ways that are hard to express!
Good words. It is a reminder of the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus drew near and went with them-- by the Spirit he is near and goes with us as we journey today!
@@NTWrightOnline Yes! So, so grateful He is always near and present!
I was reading Deuteronomy 23 about a week ago. When I read that no Ammonite or Moabite was allowed into the assembly of the Lord, I immediately thought of Ruth. Just like the rest of us Gentiles, her great faith in the God of Israel was what mattered... and God chose her to be an ancestor of David and Jesus. That is hope manifested!! Another great scripture reading by Prof. Wright!
Great observation about embodied, or 'hope manifested' in the life and legacy of Ruth!
I am speaking / preaching on this passage this coming Sunday. I love the access we have to glean (pun intended) from studious theologians.
I plan to emphasize hope for Ruth and Naomi, and the ultimate hope of Jesus Christ who was crucified as our "Boaz" (strong God / man) at the time of the barley season. If I'm not mistaken, I think it should be barley that the priest is waving on resurrection Sunday when our Savior conquers death. What hope that resurrection is in all its fulfillment.
Thank you for your kind words. Your commitment to studying and sharing these insights in your preaching is very encouraging. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these videos continue to be accessible. We hope your preaching on Sunday goes well and brings hope and encouragement to the congregation!
--NTW Online Team
Thanks so very much! I love this story. There are moments where events in my life seem hopeless. When there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, I cling to the Lord. I particularly love that Ruth had no idea how great a lineage would result from the birth of this one child. And never saw those results (she also is the ancestress of Jesus). So often our faith may not appear to bear much fruit in our lifetime (as Paul or the Prophets who were rejected by many) but God can bring greater blessings/fruit than we can imagine from humble faith. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for sharing! Yes, it is wonderful to be reminded that it is so often more important to be faithful than 'effective' and to trust God for the outcome.
Thanks again. I always look forward to these small readings. They’re packed with thoughts for the day. 🥰
We're glad you're enjoying them! Was there a particular hought that struck you this week?
Rachel and Ruth have always been an encouragement to me. Gentile women who believed God and it was counted unto them as righteous faith. Not of their works but of Christs alone. I love the history of Ruth.
I loved your comment regarding hope as the format for future miracles we have no idea are part of the struggle if we continue to preserve. I've had miracles I believe were set in place before I prayed for them...too many to ignore, but never the less modern day miracles.
I'm an artist with 5 children, 14 grandkids, and now 6 great grandkids. I live alone in a retirement and recreational community far away from all my kids. I've had miracles when I thought GOD forgot about me.
Just after I moved here as I was leaving a market not far from my condo a young woman was picking up a flyer from the market and her back was to me and her jacket had a lovely American Indian design on it. I said, " I love your jacket!"
Long story short....we bacame good friends. She too had just moved in and purchased a pretty house and property. She was and is a hair dresser and I needed a haircut! At my first appointment with her we got to gravitate to talking about JESUS!
Fast forward to a little over two years ago we decided it would be fun to 'paint in the HOLY SPIRIT, whatever that meant. We set up in her garage, got out the paint and canvases and began?
But I floundered, it seemed like I was embarking on territory I knew nothing about, and I talked wondering how to start. My daughter got to 'sing' in the SPIRIT at church (I wasn't there to hear) , but I'd never heard of painting in the SPIRIT...So I prayed...
I started by thinking backwards to when there was no planet Earth or stars or atmosphere...anything! moving through those thoughts and my perception visually of what those moments might have looked like.
It took about two and a half days to work myself through...and what I experienced was knowledge of the miracles of me being here in my life journey! It's been like a burst of fresh air this new insight. I'm so grateful!!
Thanks for sharing a bit of your story with us, Sheila. May your friendship continue to be and bring a blessing!
Hanging on to God even when God seems invisible and even uninterested, is one of the challenges of Christian living. I have always loved the story of Ruth and Naomi. In my life I have struggled with the death my husband and the feelings of deep grief. I have also had the joy of meeting someone, most likely the love of my life, in a place and situation I would never have imagined! We have been married for 15 years and I cannot imagine life without him. As a woman, there are not many "Bible Stories" that speak directly to the viewpoint of women. When I was younger, I always identified as Ruth, now as an older person I find myself identifying with Naomi. Scripture is always so alive and ever changing, while at the same time never changing at all. Amazing, isn't it?
Thank you for your openness. We appreciate you sharing your experiences, of both enormous loss and grief and also joy that brings hope.
Perhaps one way we might relate is to see others who are excluded or overlooked today when we do not see ourselves in the story.
@@NTWrightOnline You are so right. One of the things I discovered when I first lost my husband, was a massive group of other "widows" who literally knocked on my door and asked if they could help. Lots of sitting together and going out to eat, lots of listening to one another's pain. Since then, I have been very aware of women who have recently lost husbands. Many times, they are ignored or avoided by people they used to "couple" with. It is like they are constant reminders that it is possible to experience the death of a spouse, and no one wants to admit it. This has given me a real push in my ministry to reach out to these folks. I hope that I have been a listening ear and a reassurance to them that life beyond the death of a spouse is possible. Once we know the depths of pain it is possible to reach out more easily to others who are also in pain. This goes far beyond just loss of a spouse - Nouwen's "Wounded Healer", hits the nail on the head, so to speak.
What a wonderful ministry of presence you have for those who are grieving and wounded deeply and in need of comfort and hope.
Beautiful, the literary genius of biblical author (s),only if one can always see it😇😍
And God bless you too, Tom, and thanks
Amen!
I remember reading (I forget where, unfortunately) that the events of Samson, Ruth, and the first part of Samuel were happening within the same historical window--God was working to oust the Philistines, renew the priesthood, and prepare the path for the King all in one window of time. It is amazing to see how God providentially works things toward the good of His people for the glory of His name.
Yes, both to look both back and forward and reflect on how he continues to work in his world through us today!
SO encouraging to us all to hang on to hope ... which is expectancy of goodness from God (in my anticipation that is) 😊 I can understand Ruth's devotion as I feel the same way about my mother-in-law in Birmingham England. She still calls & I've had the pleasure of 2 visits there at her expense. I love her dearly & will be 91 the end of August. Ruth was my grandmother's favorite book & I read it to her at her deathbed for the "100th" time in her lifetime. Thank you sir for a WONDERFUL uplifting short to carry throughout the week. Hanging on to Hope, Sherry 💞🙏💖🕊😇
Thanks so much for starting your week with us again!
Amen 🙏 How Encouraging it is!
Naomi, a Hebrew, and Ruth a gentile are related through marriage of Naomi's son to Ruth, but more intimately and profoundly, Ruth followed Naomi; thereby they were united in spirit.
Yes, and how powerful to consider that Ruth affirmed, 'Your people will be my people and your God my God'.
Goodness me! This is wonderful. The reminder of the "unexpected" is so hopeful!
Yes! Finding faith in unexpected ways and through unexpected people!
The barley harvest symbolizes the fruitful results of Ruth’s decision. An example of stepping out in trust. [An intriguing thought for me: I wonder how life turned out for Ruth’s sister who stayed behind?]
An interesting thought -- there is much about which we can only imagine! We might also ponder where we have chosen like Ruth or like Orpah in our own lives. What do others think?
I think Scripture has consistently painted the picture of a faithful God (culminating in the God-personified Messiah) rescuing the cosmos - as opposed to our human unfaithfulness - in not carrying out our image-bearing mandate and responsibilities. Whether Ruth or Orpah, Mary or Martha, Paul or Peter, Euodia or Syntyche, we remind ourselves that it is neither black nor white, right nor wrong, left nor right, but that the cosmos is made up of a spectrum of personalities in-between and beyond. We remind ourselves too that during the time of Jesus..., the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes, and others were all thinking that they were doing their "best for God", making decisions, and thinking that "they have gotten it right!" Yet when Messiah came, He modelled for them (and us) the true meaning of being faithful to God and how we can be faithful image-bearers if only we continue to walk by His Spirit. The words of Paul rings clear towards the end of his Galatian epistle in 6:15 "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation!"
Good words! And, yes, a helpful reminder for us to see a full spectrum of personalities in God's new creation, each who are far more complex than one 'type' of person or the sum total of this or that decision.
❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Hello Tom! My name is Andrey. Can I ask you about some spiritual stuff. It is very personal. Is it possible to write you by e-mail. If so, could you give me where I can write?
Hi! Thanks for reaching out. Tom doesn't monitor this channel personally, but you can contact our team who works with him at ntwrightonline@gmail.com
@@NTWrightOnline Thank you!