In this chapter, we continue to explore the ‘hesed’ of Ruth and Boaz. What would the world look like if we continually considered other people more important than ourselves? I think this is emulated through all three of the major characters in this story. Join us as we dive in!

Ruth 2 introduces Boaz as a new character. He’s identified as a rich man in Elimelech’s family. So the question seems to be, will he be like the men we find in Judges, or will he be different? Will Boaz take advantage of his status?

Ruth is a beautiful story of faithfulness and dedication. We open this book and learn what it means for Yahweh to be full of steadfast love and how often that is demonstrated by the most unlikely characters.

These two chapters are among the most vivid sections of poetry in the whole Hebrew Bible. You likely have never heard them spoken from any pulpit. Nineveh is utterly ruined and exposed for their true self. These are difficult passages but we have to try to break down our cultural biases to help appreciate these aspects of Yahweh and also be humbled by it.

Many people don’t even know this book exists in the Bible. It’s a difficult book to read and understand. Although this book revolves around the destruction of Nineveh, it’s primarily good news to those oppressed by Nineveh. Yahweh wants to have compassion on Nineveh as we discussed in Jonah. But, Yahweh will not continuously put up with nations who oppress others and are full of violence and Nineveh is the example which is given in this short book. It seems the underlying message is that there will be a new Exodus and those who trust in him will be liberated from the slavery of the powers of darkness.

As the prophet of Yahweh, Micah becomes the representative of his people. Although Yahweh will send them into exile, he will deal with their sins and restore them. He “will cast their sins into the depths of the sea” and he will keep his promises. That’s who Yahweh is and will always be.

This chapter contains one of the most well known verses in the Hebrew Scriptures. What does it mean to “do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God” and have we ever really considered its context? If we do, does it change what our response to who Yahweh is?

Micah 5 is full of hope for a group of people who have lost their nation, their king, and their families. One day, a king will come and he will lead them out of exile! Matthew very much sees the ministry of Jesus in these words of Micah.

God’s wrath is always encapsulated in his love. He disciplines his children so that something good might grow out of it. This is Micah’s hope in the exile. Right now, they do not uphold the mishpat of God, so they are going to go into Babylon. But that won’t be the end of the story.

In this episode we step into the book of Micah. These are uncomfortable chapters but I think it’s best that we just meet them head-on and stop avoiding them. Yahweh is not going to put up with his people taking advantage of the less fortunate. We are supposed to be a kingdom of priests and this book challenges us on how serious that is to Yahweh.