Exodus 20:8-11

This verse highlights the fourth commandment that God gave the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The Israelites were required to observe the Sabbath day which meant ceasing of all labor on the seventh day after six days of working (Deffinbaugh, 2004). The Israelites had to trust God that within the six days of work they could be able to maintain a stable economy. This verse refers back on the seventh day the Lord rested after creating everything. The Sabbath day was not only to be remembered but also to be kept holy which meant it was sacred. This verse gives a broad explanation of how the Sabbath day should be observed (Duane, 2013).

John 2:1-11

This verse shows that on the third day Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding His mother was attending. This miracle laid a foundation for understanding signs. Jesus didn’t attract attention while performing this miracle because the master of the ceremony didn’t find out (Dr. Ralph, 2020). This first miraculous sign revealed the glory of Jesus and also inspired unshakable faith among his followers. Jesus turning water into wine not only shows that He is like the Father in love but also in having the power of creation. This miraculous act shows that Jesus is concerned with the little things and he is always with us in our time of need (faith-life, 2008).

The book of Ruth

Historical settings of the book of Ruth

The book of Ruth was written during the time of judges. This period of judges was after the death of Joshua and before the crowing of the new kings of Israel. Judges were rulers that were sent by God to deliver the people of Israel from the oppressors. During this time of judges, there was a lot of moral and spiritual duplicity which was followed by the enslavement of the Israelites. During this time there was also a lot of religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity, and frequent foreign oppression (Boling, 2016). This book reflected a time when there was peace between the Israelites and the Moab. It gives a glimpse of the lives of one family in Israel and also provides an account of the results of true faith, love, and piety during the period of judges. It is characterized by optimism and hope while describing the journey of Ruth and Naomi from a life of sadness to a life of happiness and fullness. Ruth was a wife to one of the sons of Naomi named Mahlon. After Naomi’s husband and her two sons died Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem (The church of Jesus Christ of latter days saint, 2020).  Naomi asked her two daughters-in-law to go back to their mothers and remarry. Ruth refused and decided to go back to Bethlehem with Naomi. In Bethlehem, Ruth met Boaz a relative of Naomi’s husband, and got married. Later Ruth and Boaz were blessed with a son and Naomi rejoiced because her generation would continue.

Cultural settings of the book of Ruth

The book of Ruth provides an insight into the culture that was practiced during the period of judges. During this time everybody did what was right according to his /her opinion. This created a lot of tribal disunities. Many people during this time lived in clans, this was important social units that were excited between families. The clans were expected to cater to each other during difficult times (Younger, 2009). The clans were expected to maintain the social and economic survival of their relatives in times of Crisis. This was kindness was demonstrated by Boaz when he agreed to marry Ruth and continue the generation of his relative Naomi. During this period of the book of Ruth, there was also a law concerning the role of the kinsman-redeemer. The main concern of these laws was to endure the redemption of a widow’s property and continuity of the widow’s family line. Boaz is seen taking the role of kinsman-redeemer by marrying Ruth and having a son with her.

Application of the book of Ruth in Today’s Christian practice.

Christians should be selfless and compassionate because they will be rewarded by God. Ruth offered to stay with her mother in law and work in the fields instead of returning to her home. She was later blessed by marrying Boaz and continuing her family line. Christians should believe that God is concerned with everyone regardless of their background. God blessed Ruth despite her being a non-Jew. Christians should know that God uses the little things in life to bring greatness. Through the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, King David was born. Christians should trust in the Lord to provide a redeemer that will resume us from despair. God used Boaz to redeemer Ruth from a life of sorrow and sadness (the bible, 2016).

The book of Philemon

The historical setting of the book of Philemon

This book was an intense short and personal letter that Paul wrote to one of his Christian believers Philemon while at the prison in Rome. During this time slavery was deeply rooted in the Greco-Roman culture. During this period there were three classes of people the upper echelons Romans who mainly consisted of the militaries and politicians. They were the near bottom who are the recently freed slaves and lastly the slaves (The international bible society, 2020). Philemon was a wealthy man and a slave owner. Onesimus, one of Philemon salves had stolen from him and ran away. Onesimus bolted to Rome looking for a way to lose himself at the imperial capital that had a non-descriptive slave population. Onesimus met Paul during His ministry and became a Christian. Onesimus provided valuable services to Paul while in prison and Paul grew fond of him. Paul knew that Onesimus had stolen Philemon hence breaking the Roman law. According to Roman law, any slave that defrauded his master would be punished by death. Paul decided to send back Onesimus to Philemon with a letter, appealing him to forgive Onesimus and accept him back as a Christian brother (Grace to you, 2010). Paul surges Philemon that he should treat Onesimus like how he would treat him and any debt he has should be claimed from him. Paul wanted Philemon to free Onesimus so that he would continue his Christian duties in Rome.

Cultural settings of the book of Philemon

During the time if the imperial Roman Empire slavery was an ancient and widely accepted practice among the Romans. This practice had led to the development of three social classes’ namely upper echelon Romans, the near bottom freemen, and free women, and lastly, there were the slaves at the bottom (Bowen, 2010). This social framework of the Romans and Greeks appeared to be intertwined around Aristotle (natural slavery). Individuals that were conquered in battle would become slaves and those who wished to become roman citizens would first have to be slaves. Slaves were considered inferior by nature and they were properties of their owners. Masters fulfilling their roles and slaves performing their roles was considered as a good natural order among the Romans. Slaves were allowed to earn wages and buy themselves out of slavery. Those who were born as slaves would be considered socially immovable throughout their generation unless they were freed (MATT, 2009). According to the Roman culture, any slaves who fled from his /her master’s house would be punished by death. A fugitive slave could not be pardoned because according to the Roman culture it was considered a shame and it violated all the rights.

Application of the book of Philemon to Christians today.

Christians should welcome everyone to be born again. Paul accepted Onesimus despite being a thief and he urges him to back to Philemon and seek his forgiveness. Christians should always do the right thing despite the situations. Paul sends Onesimus back proving he shouldn’t have left except to continue his work of salvation. Christians should understand that everything happens for a reason and the glory of the lord. Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus’ departure was for a greater purpose of doing the lord’s work.

References

Boling, M. (2016). The book of Ruth.

Bowen, J. (2010). Philemon. 

Deffinbaugh, B. (2004). The Meaning of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). BIbile.org.

Dr. Ralph, W. F. (2020). Changing the Water into Wine (John 2:1-12). Jesus walks on water.

Duane, G. (2013). “Observe the Sabbath Day and Keep It Holy” (Exodus 20:8-11). Theology of work.

faith-life. (2008). John 2 1-11 notes. Retrieved from faith-life sermons: https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/61441-john-2-1-11-notes

Grace to you. (2010, August 31st). Philemon. Retrieved from Grace to you: https://www.gty.org/library/bible-introductions/MSB57/philemon

MATT, D. (2009). Paul’s Letter to Philemon. kingdom living.

the bible. (2016, October 16). Retrieved from https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/explore-the-bible/5-essential-lessons-you-need-to-know-from-the-book-of-ruth.html

The church of Jesus Christ of latter days saint. (2020). Introduction to the Book of Ruth. Retrieved from The Church of Jesus Christ of latter days saint: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-seminary-teacher-manual/introduction-to-the-book-of-ruth?lang=eng

The international bible society. (2020). Intro to Philemon. Retrieved from The international bible society: https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-philemon/

Younger, L. k. (2009). Ruth. NIV Application Commentary.