Mountains and Mustard Seeds

In this literary study of Ruth 2:8-16 (NASB) we pull together some of threads that the author weaves through the book of Ruth. At the heart of Boaz's dialogue with Ruth are some beautiful, timeless truths about God's presence and awareness of human agency, and the main idea that hesed begets hesed.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

In this episode we compare the Bible against the Bible to gain a better understanding of Boaz's character and behavior. Boaz demonstrates that a god-honoring life not only upholds YHWH's covenant, but goes above and beyond by embracing the spirit of the law and the heart of God behind it. Boaz responds to hesed with hesed.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

This guided lectio divina of Ephesians 2:19-22 (MSG) corresponds to Ruth 2:8-16. I love Eugene Petersen's translation (the Message), which captures similar themes we see in this portion of Ruth. Boaz creates a safe, lavish space for Ruth to belong as an outsider. He understood - just like Paul - that the heart of God invites anyone and everyone into YHWH's Kingdom family.

Stay tuned for the next two corresponding podcasts, which will dig into the social, historical and literary study of Ruth 2:8-16.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

We look at the author's brilliant usage of foreshadowing and contrast in our literary study of Ruth 2:1-7 (NASB) . This helps us focus not only on the remarkable character and Boaz, but also on the key understanding that obeying God and understanding God's heart enables us to embody God's hesed.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

What do ancient agricultural practices, Levitical commandments, and ethnic antagonism have to do with the book of Ruth? Chapter 2 demonstrates the delicate interplay of prejudice and disobedience as the Israelites begin to interact with the "Moabite woman from the land of Moab." Disclaimer: Erica doesn't pull punches on this one, so don't listen if you hate being challenged.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

This guided lectio divina of Psalm 126 (NASB) corresponds to Ruth 2:1-7. This beautiful psalm reflects the sorrow and joy of life which often go hand-in-hand. God sees our tears and they are never wasted. In fact, they can eventually grow into immeasurable joy in our lives when we entrust them to the Lord.

Stay tuned for the next two corresponding podcasts, which will dig into the social, historical and literary study of Ruth 2:1-7.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

What do sandwiches, pizza and Biblical literature all have in common? Not much, but Erica makes some comical connections as word pictures in this study of Ruth 1:15-22 (NASB). We unpack the literary brilliance of chiasm, and learn how to identify it, how it works, and how it unpacks a text in fresh ways for the modern reader.

SHOW NOTES: Chiastic structure for Ruth's loyalty oath (1:16-17; pattern A-B-C-D-D'-C'-B'-A')

1 Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you;

2 for where you go, I will go, 

3 and where you sleep, I will sleep. 

4 Your people shall be my people, 

5 and your God, my God. 

6 Where you die, I will die, 

7 and there I will be buried. 

8 May the Lord do so to me, and worse, if anything but death separates me from you.”

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

The end of Ruth chapter 1 is a real banger of a passage, but most of us don't realize the punch it packs in our modern, Western context. Erica delves into the ANE tradition of oaths and the significance of Passover for this pivotal turning point in the book of Ruth. As always, we have reflection questions sprinkled in for your own processing and application.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

This guided lectio divina of Psalm 107:1-9 (NRSVA) corresponds to Ruth 1:15-22. It is a Psalm of thanksgiving which acknowledges God's hesed towards His people. Even if Naomi and Ruth don't return to Bethlehem rejoicing, this Psalm captures the joy of YHWH's lovingkindness despite the suffering that His people have experienced.  

Stay tuned for the next two corresponding podcasts, which will dig into the social, historical and literary study of Ruth 1:15-22.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

Today's podcast digs into Ruth 1:6-14 (NASB) with a word study on the Hebrew word for return (sub), and explores a major theme of the book: God's hesed through His people. Per usual, it is crammed full of application and reflection questions for a modern context.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email [email protected]

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.