The worship team led the congregation in a lively worship session. Ordained
elder Ngulminthang dedicated the offerings to the Lord.
Introduction by Jamsuanmuang, Thianminlian and Angela Lun who are
awaiting visas to go abroad as missionaries followed.
Rev. Kumam Suresh Singh took up bible study on the book of Ruth. Giving a
brief background, he said that the story happened during the time of the Judges.
Bible scholars agree that it was probably during the time of Gideon. The book
of Ruth started with a famine in the land. The famine was not due to drought or
natural calamity but caused by the Midians who persecuted the Israelites by
destroying all their crops. Elimelech from Bethlehem in Judah went with his
wife Naomi and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion to the country of Moab to
escape from the famine. Elimelech died there and his two sons took two
Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth as wives. After dwelling there for ten years,
Noami’s two sons also died. Noami returned empty handed to the land of Judah
with Ruth, one of her daughters in law. In the latter part of the book, God turned
Naomi’s barren and empty life into a life of abundance when he gave her a son
through Boaz and Ruth. The book is titled Ruth but it’s about Naomi.
The book of Ruth teaches us how to take refuge under the wings of the God of
Israel like Naomi and Ruth. The book ended with the geneology of David, the
son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth. The writer of the book
wanted to portray the greatness and Godly generation of David who faced
opposition from the ten tribes of Israel during his reign.
Important lessons from the Book of Ruth:
- God’s promise to Israel, Judah and David never fails. He preserve a line
of rulers. He is a great God.
- God works in mysterious ways to fulfill His purposes and plans.
- Genuine Godliness is seen in the way we treat people. The loving
kindness of Boaz reflects his devotion and love for God.
- There is no boundary in God’s love. No one is ever outside of God’s
love, even a moabitess like Ruth.
- Life may be hard at times but we should learn to take refuge under the
wings of God.
The worship service ended with a prayer and benediction by ordained elder
Zabiak.
