New Eden Resources

God's good design is that we live out our faith in the context of community. A traumatized and bitter Naomi is blessed by God's faithfulness in, to, and through others in her life.

The prologue of Ruth sets the stage for God to keep His promises through unlikely people in extraordinary ways. In this session, we dig into the story before the story. 

The book of Ruth is Gospel bedrock - both typologically and practically. When we read the book on the author's terms, we see the depth and beauty of this familiar story. 

The book of Hosea culminates, in chapter 14, with an invitation from God, through the prophet Hosea, to a garden. But Israel isn't going back to Eden... they are looking forward to an eternal Garden where they will dwell with God. We are reminded that, by the grace of God and blood of Jesus, that invitation is extended to all who repent and believe.

The people of Israel, like their father Jacob, strive, maneuver, and grasp for the good life - thinking that they can get what they want by political alliances, self-sufficiency, and idols. Ultimately, God will prove that all of these means cannot provide what Israel needs most.

Hosea 11 continues to lay out the sins of Israel, but there is a parallel and more prominent story in the chapter as well: that of God's love. Hosea sheds light on the tender love of God that disciplines and redeems.

In Hosea 7-10, we see that Israel will face great loss as a result of her passion, arrogance, and presumption. However, the gospel continues to be the message of hope God extends to His people through the prophet Hosea. Ultimately, Hosea's call for the people to repent and return to God is a shadow of the true and better Prophet, Jesus, who brings the Kingdom near and calls all who will hear to repent and believe.

In Chapter 6 of Hosea, we see God's "Hesed" love on display toward the people of Israel, and by extension, toward us. When this love is rightly acknowledged, it motivates us to truly know God. That knowledge of God leads not to presumptuous confession, but to real repentance and rich fellowship with Him.

In Chapters 4 & 5 of Hosea, we see Israel and her priests charged with disregard, disobedience and deception in relation to God's law. The folly of their attitude toward the law is only fully understood in light of God's goodness in providing this means for relationship. In this session, we explore the reality that we can delight in God's law because of the heart of God in giving it.

In Chapters 2 & 3 of Hosea, we see God pursue Israel through four movements: courting, betrothal, marriage, and consummation. This is no so-called "blind love," but the all-knowing and penetrating love of Israel's Husband. Now, all who are in Christ enjoy this faithful and lavish love.