Last Sunday, during a Bible study, I quoted Paul’s verse from Romans 8, where he says we are “more than conquerors.” I said, among other things, that Christ is the conqueror; He conquered death. We, however, share in that victory,… Lees verder
Samson’s secret lay (primarily) in his long hair. That was one of the elements of his Nazariteship. Just as long hair in women represents glory or honor (1 Corinthians 11:15), so it is the opposite in men. For men, long… Lees verder
When children’s Bibles and songs mention Samson, his low morals are often pointed out. He visited a prostitute, fought and murdered freely, and ignored his parents’ advice. Yet, in Hebrews 11, Samson is mentioned in the account of Old Testament… Lees verder
Samson is said to have begun to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines (Judg. 13:5). It was only much later that King David achieved the final victory over this enemy (2 Sam.3:18). But the true deliverance of Israel… Lees verder
So far, we have looked at what Matthew, Mark, and Luke record about the crucifixion. Finally, if we compare John’s account with this, we are confirmed in the fact that there were three crosses on Golgotha. Interestingly, John does not… Lees verder
In the previous blog post, I mentioned the two main sources I know that claim there were five crosses on Golgotha. When I refer to “the article,” I refer to the first one, as it is more extensive than the… Lees verder
Were there three or five crosses on Golgotha? Most readers will never have asked themselves that question. After all, it is common knowledge that the Lord was crucified with two others. Yet, especially when something is rarely questioned, it’s good… Lees verder
In the final verses of Ruth, we find a list of ten names. Earlier (4:2), we found ten men who witnessed the confirmation of Boaz as a redeemer. The ten names found here are ten witnesses to the promises made… Lees verder
We are nearing the end of the Book of Ruth, and it is also the climax. Boaz acts as a kinsman, ensures that the land returns to the family, and marries Ruth. From the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, a… Lees verder
The witnesses present at the transaction between Boaz and “ploni almoni” deliver a two-part testimony, which is highly prophetic. It foretells what would happen to the house of Ruth. In the previous blog post, we saw that the first part… Lees verder
Boaz inherits Naomi’s land and also takes Ruth as his wife. Later in this chapter, we will see that they actually marry. Through her marriage to Boaz, and the son they produce, Ruth becomes a matriarch of Jesus Christ (Matt.… Lees verder
The other redeemer has been exposed, and according to Israelite custom, Boaz has received his shoe as a sign of the position he is taking. Boaz is the one who meets all the conditions and can truly act as Ruth… Lees verder
The unnamed redemptioner, “ploni almoni,” refuses to redeem the family property. Boaz, however, takes on this responsibility, and in the following verses, this is legally confirmed according to the customs of the time. Ruth 47 This was the custom in… Lees verder
Naomi is forced by poverty to sell a piece of land belonging to her family. In Israelite law, family members had the first right to buy, so that the property remained in the family. Ruth 43 He said to the… Lees verder
In the last chapter, the other kinsman comes into the picture, whom Boaz had already mentioned to Ruth during their encounter on the threshing floor (3:12). Boaz seeks out this other kinsman, and a conversation about kinsmanship ensues. Ruth 41… Lees verder
In the final chapter, we reach the climax of the story. Boaz is going to fulfill his promises to Ruth. In this passage, the other kinsman appears, whom Boaz had already mentioned when he met Ruth on the threshing floor… Lees verder
On the threshing floor, a secret meeting takes place between Ruth and Boaz. Ruth asks Boaz to “spread his wings over her,” to care for her and act as her kinsman. Boaz declares that he will do everything in his… Lees verder
Ruth makes herself known to Boaz and acknowledges him as the kinsman on the threshing floor. Then we read Boaz’s response: he promises Ruth that he will do what is necessary and that she can rest in it. This points… Lees verder
Ruth, at Naomi’s instruction, goes to the threshing floor to meet Boaz. She has washed, anointed herself with oil, and put on new clothes. All aspects that illustrate the future restoration of Israel. Then Boaz comes and lies down. Ruth… Lees verder
The story in the book of Ruth beautifully describes how the romance between Ruth and Boaz develops. But this is not the only story, because beneath the surface, this story turns out to be strongly prophetic in nature and rich… Lees verder
In the previous blog we saw that the temple was later built on the threshing floor of Arauna. The temple is the center of Jerusalem, “the city of the great King” (Matt.5:35) and the capital of the Messianic Kingdom for… Lees verder
In the previous blog post, we saw that David purchased Araunah’s threshing floor and built an altar there. Solomon, David’s son, later built the temple on the same site. The description we find of this connects Araunah’s threshing floor with… Lees verder
Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is winnowing barley on the threshing floor and gives her instructions on what to do. The threshing floor plays an important role in various biblical stories and has diverse and rich meanings. Ruth 32 Now,… Lees verder
After the encounter in Boaz’s field, we find another encounter between Boaz and Ruth in the following passage. Naomi tells Ruth where Boaz will be and what he is doing there. He is on the threshing floor, winnowing barley. Ruth… Lees verder
The story in Ruth builds to a climax. In chapter 1, after all the sorrow and misery that had befallen the family, a hopeful announcement followed about the beginning of the barley harvest. In chapter 2, Ruth comes to work… Lees verder