In Ruth 1, we meet three men and three women, who suddenly separate, leaving all in apparently impossible situations. By the end of the first chapter, there is a ray of hope for the women but none for the men. Even so, one of the women remains convinced that God is against her, since her life has taken tragic turns. As we face suffering in our own lives, we also can conclude that God is against us, unless we consider what he did by sending his own Son.
God's presence in the early church produced awesome acts of community giving and healing but also an awesome judgment against hypocrisy and deception.
Christians need to walk wisely by being filled in the Holy Spirit.
The loss of the Ark from Israel anticipated the way of approaching God through Christ and also warns against faith that is merely outward...
