Lesson Eleven: RUTH AND ESTHER
Introduction: You and I are part of these present times which are those described in the end-time events that biblical prophecy entails. We draw parallels in their course from the biblical narratives of Ruth and Esther from where we pick lessons as we face hardships and trials prior to the glorious coming of Jesus Christ, Our redeemer.
Memory Text: Esther 5:2(NKJV)
“So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favour in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.”
SABBATH; In Bible prophecy, a woman symbolises a church. This helps us understand how God regards His people. God would like us to understand Bible prophecy, and that is why He uses real-life events and people to help us get enlightened as we seek to strengthen our faith in Him. This week, we are focusing on the events surrounding Ruth and Esther, as we understand how God would like us to move during these last days.
SUNDAY; God originally wanted human beings to have eternal enjoyment of the abundance that He offered in the garden of Eden. However, man’s rebellion against Him robbed us of this opportunity, but even then, God has always worked out our salvation and redemption. Naomi faced hardships when she left her homeland, Bethlehem due to famine, and this is equated to the hardships we face when we rebell against God through sin. However much we see the repercussions of this rebellion in the world today, we never cease to see how loving our God is to us.
(READ Ruth 1:1-5; Genesis 2:16; 3:19)
MONDAY; Naomi, whose possessions had been lost upon leaving Bethlehem, returns to this town with Ruth, her daughter-in-law. She finds out that Ruth meets Boaz, who is a relative of hers, and this gives her a lot of joy because her hope of reclaiming the lost property is rejuvenated. Boaz, whose character is likened to that of Christ, reminds us that we are made children of God through His sacrifice that makes Him our nearest kinsman in the sight of God. Therefore, He urges you and I to accept His sacrifice so that we are redeemed from being slaves to sin and get to be His bride.
(READ Ruth 2:5-20; Leviticus 25:25; Matthew 12:8; Mark 8:31; Luke 22:22; John 3:14)
TUESDAY; In as much as Jesus Christ claims to be our closer relative, the devil also holds the same claim-the claim of being ruler over this world and over God’s children, for example, Job and Moses. However, Jesus Christ nullified this claim upon resurrecting Moses. In addition, just as Boaz paid the price for his bride, Ruth, at the gates of Bethlehem, so did Jesus Christ pay the price when He became human, born of a woman in Bethlehem, and Crucified at Calvary, that you and I may be redeemed from sin. This is similar to the judgement in favour of the saints in Daniel 7.
(READ Job 1:6-11; Matthew 4:8&9; Jude 1:9; Luke 22:31; Deuteronomy 34:6; Ruth 4:1-12; Daniel 7:13&14,22,26&27)
WEDNESDAY; During Queen Esther’s time, Haman developed rage against Mordecai, a relative to Esther, for his refusal to bow to him. He decides to punish the whole race of the Jews. This draws a similar character as one possessed by the devil, who, in the end-times, will seek to enforce people to worship him on another day other than the true Sabbath, on which we worship the true God. However, just as the Jews stayed loyal to God and were protected by God, so will God protect those who will stay loyal to keeping His commandments, from eternal perishing in the end-times.
(READ Ezekiel 28:11-15; Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 4:8-11; Revelation 12:14-17; 13:3&4,15; Esther 3:1-14)
THURSDAY; The moments that surround the close of this age and this world are not easy ones. However, God calls us to draw our focus away from the difficulties and realign our focus on the promises He gives us in His word, promises of overcoming them by His power. Queen Esther had the king on her side and the Jews were able to defeat Haman. Likewise, our King is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, and being assured of this, we can gladly look forward to the victory we have in God as we approach earth’s end. Therefore, each of us has a role to play, a role of sharing the Gospel of God’s great love and mercy found in the three angel’s messages in preparation for Christ’s second coming.
(READ Esther 4:13&14; 5:1-3; 9:20-28; Revelation 12:14)
FRIDAY; To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.
(READ “The First King of Israel” pp.605&606 in Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G White)
CAPTIONS:
SUNDAY; Famine in “the house of bread”
MONDAY; Ruth and Boaz
TUESDAY; Boaz as Redeemer
WEDNESDAY; Haman and Satan
THURSDAY; For such a time as this
FRIDAY; Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- Even after six thousand years of sin and death, how does the earth still reveal the wonders of God’s love and creative power?
- Think about the “small” things that test your faith now. If you compromise on them, the “small things”, how will you do when the big test comes?
- Why do you think God allows His people to pass through trying times? What is the point of allowing it?
- How does a believer prepare Himself or herself for any potential hardship that may come with loyalty to Christ? Where do you find hope in the midst of difficult circumstances?
- Why do you think we have a tendency to dwell on the harder things of prophecy and allow them to eclipse the bigger picture that provides good news?
