The Love Story of Ruth

The Love Story of Ruth

The genealogy of Jesus Christ was involved in the life story of Ruth. It was a wonderful love story beyond comprehension. Her love affair was of three types and she was faithful to all of them. Ruth was a Moabite heathen woman. She first loved her mother-in-law whole heartedly and her name was Naomi. This woman was an Israelite lived in Bethlehem. She happened to go to Moab, due to unexpected famine in her land. In that strange land one son of Naomi married Ruth. She was a heathen woman. After her marriage, Ruth somehow became a true believer of the God of Israelites. So, she loved the God of Israel, with due respect and honour. In course of time, she learned more about this God and there by her love and respect increased on Him further. Then her third love affair was with Boaz, a land owner in Bethlehem after she came to this place along with her mother in law, Naomi.

Boaz was a compassionate teacher who was loved by everyone in Bethlehem and finally Ruth married him for his noble qualities.

There are 39 books in the Old Testament and the ‘Book of Ruth” is the 8th one from the beginning. It has only 4 chapters and 84 verses altogether. Yet that small book secured an important place in the heart of all Bible readers because of her noble character. This small book is also the embodiment of morality. There are 27 books in the New Testament that all of us know. But one thing, we have to remember in this connection. That is, out of 66 books of the Holy Bible 40 books are with the names of persons. And among 40 books 38 are with the names of men and 2 with the names of women. They are the “Book of Ruth” and the “Book of Esther”. However, there is one woman in the Bible who became famous for her book as well as for her direct link with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. And that wonderful Moalite heathen woman was Ruth. It was this woman whose book was written only in Hebrew language in the Old Testament and her story ended in the New Testament as a link with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Though she was a genetic woman, she was highly respected by the Rabbis of Jews. The book of Ruth used to be read in the Synagogues regularly every year at the time of Jewish feast called “the first feast” that they used to celebrate during the spring season. This was the third feast in the order of seven feasts. God established to Israelites to observe. These feasts were also called “Divine appointments.” God created these feasts or festivals with the purpose of meeting His chosen people. The four spring feasts are –

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1)The Passover – This feast speaks about Christ as the Lamb of God,

that was crucified.

2)Unleavened bread – This feast speaks about the spotless Lamb that

remained in the grave for three days.

3)First Fruit – This feast tells about the resurrection of the Lamb of

God.

4)Feast of weeks also called Pentecost – This feast speaks about the

ascendance of the Lamb of God after resurrection.

According to some commentators of the Bible the book of Ruth is not only most spectacular and beautiful love story, but also it is predominantly a book containing rich and wonderful and remarkable doctrine. It is a book for the genuine search of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, including the first patriarch Abraham, and King David that would reveal many surprises one of such surprizes was the inclusion of four women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

In the order of those four women the first one is “Tamar” a gentile Canaanite who somehow managed to sleep with her father–in–law “Judah” by disguising herself as a harlot. The result of that was as she wished she got a son and his name was “Pharez or Perez”. He was called fifth in the genealogy list of Jesus starting with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and Pharez. The second woman is Rahab. She was also a gentile woman, who led her life as a prostitute. But to her surprise she experienced the grace of God. She became a true and reliable one and finally became a heroine in the sight of Israelites when we see her in the Book of Joshua. She appeared as a harlot who lived in the wicked Canaanite city of Jericho. Once Joshua happened to send two spies to Jericho in search of that city. Those two spies accidentally met this Rahab and she gave them shelter by trusting their God, the God of Israel. With her personal risk she helped the two spies, physically and spiritually. The timely help was really great when the Israelites were trembling with fear She convinced the Israelite leaders that they would get final victory over Jericho. As a result of her risk and timely help and encouragement the Jewish people got victory. They embraced her as heroine and entered the promised land.

Then in course of time, Rahab happened to marry Salmon. (This Salmon was not king Solomon son of king David) who was in the Messianic line. Rahab gave birth to Boaz. The third woman was Ruth. She was also a heathen Moabite woman. But she was not like Tamar, who behaved like

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM harlot, and traped her father-in-law, Judah and through him got a son by name pharez. She was not like Rahab who was a harlot, before coming to faith in God. In the case of Ruth there is no black spot in her character. She was highly praised and respected for her nobility even by her rich husband Boaz.

The fourth woman we come across in the genealogy of Jesus must be Bethsheba the most familiar and of course wife of King David. The above three women, we have seen were of gentile origin. But in the lineage of Jewish Messiah this Bethsheba was a Jewish and originally the wife of Uriah, an Israel soldier. Later she committed adultery with King David and at last became his wife. She was the mother of King Solomon too. It was mentioned by a commentator that the genealogy of Jesus Christ reveals to us some touching surprising. One of such surprises was discovery of a spectacular “rose” in a desert. And that beautiful rose was Ruth, the Moabitess. One important thing we can find among these four women mentioned in connection with the genealogy of Jesus Christ is, the son of God; who is also called the sovereign God. He knows how to choose correct persons to accomplish His purpose. Now let us look into the three persons Naomi, Ruth and Boaz because these three were the main characters in the Book of Ruth.

It is the most wonderful love story and apart from that it was a book of more powerful practical and critical doctrine. By reading this book, I am confident that all readers of the book of Ruth will certainly appreciate the contents. She was no doubt an extraordinary character and Boaz also ultimately proved himself as the most suitable person to be her husband. We find in the book how the story starts abruptly. It commences with the description of the crisis of severe famine in Bethlehem and in the entire Israel nation. Bethlehem means ‘House of bread”. It was called so because that small town was filled with farmers residing along the steep valleys and cultivate their crop. But now that house of bread had no food to eat. Such conditions forced the family of Elimelech and Naomi to leave their homeland Bethlehem and go out in search of food. They, at last, reached the heathen land Moab.

At this stage, the readers and believers may get some doubt. What must have made God to bring such famine to His promised land. Moab was a strange place for a Hebrew family like Naomi to go and live there especially during the time of Famine when God planned to destroy both Sodom and Gomorah for the wickedness of the people. He told Lot to leave that place at once. Accordingly while He was leaving with his wife and two daughters,his

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM wife happened to look back out of curiosity and became a pillar of salt. Then he went with his two daughters and took shelter in a cave. It was a strange place for them. In that cave the two daughters hatched a wicked plan and slept with their father. As a result both became pregnants. The elder daughter got a son whose name was Moab. This same Moab became the founder of Moab city and the Moabite clan. Unfortunately, there was an uncompromising enmity between Israelites and Moabites. Though Elimelech knew this fact he happened to go to that strange land with his wife Naomi and two sons as it was the critical time of famine. The same Moabites strongly opposed prophet Moses, when he tried to enter their land with Israelites on their way from Egypt to their promised land Canaan.

Moab was about 50 miles from Bethlehem. Actually it was not a long distance either to go on foot or on a donkey. Yet, it was exceedingly difficult way to travel because of the following reasons –

1)Elimelech and his family had to cross the wilderness of Judah.

2)They had to descend down about four thousand feet, to the lowest part

on the earth and thirteen hundred feet below the sea level.

3)They had to go around the Northern end of the Dead sea.

4)They had to cross the Jordan river.

5)They had to ascend again four thousand feet high of the Mount Nebo.

From that particular spot only, Moses the servant of God was asked by

God to see the promised land. Moses saw that from such a distance and

died there only and he was buried there itself.

The family of Elimelech somehow settled in Moab. But in a very short time Elimelech died. His name “Elimelech” means “My God is King”. After his death the two sons married two Moabite heathen women and their names were Orpeh and Ruth. And the names of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi were Machilon and Chilion. Noami stayed in that strange land Moab for 10 years and during that period, she lost her husband and two sons. The time between the death of her husband and the marriage of her two sons was also not mentioned anywhere. And also the reason for the death of her sons after marriage was not said anywhere. To be clearer, whether her sons died natural death or due to any foul play was not quoted anywhere. But we have to feel sorry at the pathetic situation of Naomi. In just ten years time, she lost her husband and two sons in that heathen and idolatrous land.

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After ten years of painful stay in Moab, Naomi received a happy news from Bethlehem, that there was no more famine in Israel. But there was none to her to give a piece of advice at that time. She decided herself to go to her native land Bethlehem. She recollected also the past seven years famine in Egypt at the time of Joseph, and four hundred thirty years of captivity. Finally, with much pain in her heart she asked her two daughters in law to go to their parents. She sincerely loved the two ladies eventhough her sons were not there but last faith in God because of the death of her husband and two sons.

And Naomi said turn again my daughters why will ye go with me? Are thou yet anymore sons in my womb that they may be your husbands? Turn again my daughters go your way, for I am too old to have an husband (perhaps she must be in her early fifties). If I should say I have hope if I should have an husband to night ……………….the Lord is gone against me. (Ruth 1.11 – 13) Naomi, in her desperate condition though there was no one to continue her family name, She did not find any source of help from anywhere. She finally advised her two daughters-in-law to return to their houses (to their parents). For these words, Orpah hugged Naomi and left her. But Ruth was a different woman. She was only in her late twenties. She did not want to leave Naomi at any cost. With that strong decision she spoke courageously the following words which we find nowhere in the entire Scripture.

“And Ruth said entreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee, for whether thou goest, I will go and where thou lodgest, I will lodge they people shall be my people and thy God my God and where thou diest will I die there and will I be buried, the Lord do so to me and more also if right, but death part thee and me”. (Ruth 1.16-17)

The above said remarkable words touched and melted the heart of Naomi. The perfect and innocent heart and love of Ruth conquered her. Her negative thinking about Ruth had gone away from her forever. Then without second thought Naomi had decided to take Ruth to Bethlehem. The golden words the Gentile Ruth said, “Your people are my people, your God is my God”. These precious and noble words stamped in the heart of Naomi. Added to that the friends, who could survive the famine came and met Naomi and gave her more happiness. The tie Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem was the beginning of “Barley Harvest”.

This barley harvest was also called the “feast of first fruit”. In the order of feasts, adopted by God to Israelites, this feast would come as the

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM third one. In the cultivation of the land, this barley crop would come as the first harvest, during the spring season. This spring season would come either at late march or early April. During this time, the priest in an established ceremony would walk from the Temple Mount of Olives to a small field of barley and plant on that occasion. After that the first riped one should be taken to the Temple and offered it to God. Then the people would take it for granted that the harvest of the spring is ready in the ground.

Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Corinthians “But now is Christ risen from the dead and became the first fruit of them that slept”. (1 Corinthians

The second chapter of the book of Ruth is no doubt another episode in her love story. The event is, “Naomi had a kinsman of her husband a mighty man of wealth of the family of Elimelech and his name was Boaz” (Ruth 2.1). The source of information regarding the wealthy Boaz was no way concerned to Naomi, but she knew about him and his social status through her husband Elimelech, who happened to be his relative. Ruth, by taking this opportunity and by considering the poor condition of her family, one day she requested her mother in law that she would go into the field for gleaning. It is quite clear, Ruth used to consult everything with Naomi because of her respect. In the Mosaic law also God commanded that the following people would deserve for gleaning. They were the poor, needy, fatherless, widows etc. Such people were allowed to go into the fields and collect the left over things. When the farmers with their workers harvested the field some pieces of crop would be left for this purpose. So helpless people like Ruth would go into the field for gleaning. Let us see what God commanded in the Mosaic law? It is said, “when thou cuttest thine harvest, in thy field and hast forgot (missed) a sheaf in the field, thou should not go again to fetch it, It shall be for the strangers, for the fatherless and for the widows that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the works of thine hands”. (Deuteronomy

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God knows the people, who really needed His help. So, even without their asking. he will provide all their needs. Now both Naomi and Ruth were in that position. And as per the law of Moses, they had every right to glean in the land of wealthy Boaz, who was the relative of Elimelech, father in law of Ruth. First she did not know who Boaz was and in the same way, Boaz did not know who Ruth was and they were relatives. But in a very short time, Boaz came to know that Ruth was a young woman of self-respect from Moab. then he wished to know what happened to Elimelech, his relative and to his sons her wonderful treatment of Naomi and her perfect love toward the God of Israel. Boaz as a man, pitied and protected both of them. But Ruth was still a Maobitess remaining in a foreign land without a husband.

The third chapter of Ruth is a beautiful description of timely reaction of Naomi regarding the future life of Ruth. In this context, I would like to mention one quotation. “Strike while the iron is hot” and Naomi was going to do the same. She was always looking for the opportunity to provide happy life for her beloved daughter in law Ruth. Israelites after 10 years of suffering due to famine could have a good harvest. They were very happy for the outcome of the harvest. Whenever they had this kind of harvest they used to celebrate to show their gratitude, satisfaction and fulfillment and finally thank God. The workers would go to their houses with the due from the farmers. Boaz because of some reason remained in the field during night time to take care of the harvest from the thieves.

Naomi thought it was the most suitable time to do something to Ruth. She had a master plan to send Ruth to the place where Boaz was alone at that time. She gave brief information to that heathen woman Ruth about the culture and life style of Israelites. Naomi also advised her to get ready according to the customs of Israelites and go to Boaz. Ruth simply obeyed and followed her instructions. She went to him and uncovered the feet of Boaz and laid down beside him. During midnight he got up and surprisingly saw someone was sleeping at his feet. He might have thought some stranger came in and shouted who it was. She replied that she was Ruth, his hand maid. Perhaps, she might have not known the correct approach of a man by a woman in Israel culture.

Ruth was very young whereas Boaz must be almost double the age. In such situation it was not proper for him to advance further. Since she herself made the proposal, everything went well. The simplest definition of a kinsman redeemer came to us through a conflict between the Sadducees and the Lord

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM Jesus. When they tried to entrap Him between the speech in the crowds. The Sadducees put Jesus a question by disturbing Him in the midst of His speeches. The question was Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy 25.5 if a man dies having no children his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed into his brother”. (Matthew 22.2-4). Finally everything went well and Boaz whole heartedly accepted Ruth for marriage and to be the kinsman redeemer. Then Boaz said, “And now my daughter fear not I will do to thee all that thou (requestest) for all the city of my people doth know that there art a virtuous woman”. (Ruth 3.11)

Here is one technical point to be thought over Boaz was a kinsman to Elimelech either as brother or cousin. But this relationship was no way concerned to Ruth to be her kinsman redeemer according to the law of Moses. Added to that there was another nearer kinsman than Boaz, who had every right to help her according to the law of Moses. So the nearer kinsman had to say whether he wanted to redeem her or not. He had the first choice to say yes or no. Then Boaz told Ruth, “And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman even then there is a kinsman nearer than I.” (Ruth 3.12). Any way both met in the presence of elders to settle this issue. And the nearer kinsman openly refused to redeem Ruth due to some reason. Then Boaz said unto the elders and to all people “Ye are witness this day that I have brought all that was Elimelech and all that was Chelions and Malton’s (the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi) of the hands of Naomi” (Ruth 4.9). There are three things to be accomplished if Boaz wanted to redeem Ruth

1)Boaz must be a kinsman.

2)He had to be willing to redeem.

3)He must have the redemption price.

All this depended upon how much obligation the dead kinsman left behind. Any way all went well and the marriage was done in a grand scale according to his status. As a man he commanded great respect in Bethlehem. Naomi had a good member of friends and they too attended the marriage. At last Ruth became the wife of Boaz. And with the blessing of God, they got a son whose name was “Obed”. Naomi was no doubt a wonderful woman, who one’s thought all was last and life became hopeless. Now there was happiness in the face of Naomi. She took the child and laid him in her bosom and became nurse to do all kinds of service to that boy. This boy Obed grew up and became a man. Then he begat Jesse, and Juse begat David. And the Ruth a Moabite woman, who loved most of God of Israelites, now, became

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM the great grandmother of king David, and thereby in the physical lineage of the son of God. Jesus Christ If we look into the New Testament and the first chapter of the first book, Matthew gave the details of the genealogy of Jesus Christ starting with Abraham. In the fifth verse of the first chapter of Matthew, it is said that Salmon begat Boaz, through Rahab and Boaz begot Obed through Ruth, and the genealogy continued till the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us remember one point at this stage that a kinsman redeemer had to be a kinsman, and he must be willing to redeem and have the price to redeem.

Some Bible teachers compared this Boaz kinsman redeemer to the redeemer Jesus Christ. At the time of His birth Jesus Christ became a flesh for the unique purpose of being our redeemer. He could not remain in heaven and provide us redemption. God created man to become the king of the earth, and give names to the animals and so on but he lost the inheritance of the earth in the Garden of Eden. When the evil Satan made man to commit sin. Then the Satan by using his intelligence and cunningness took hold of the earth from man’s rule. In such circumstances Christ came to our rescue to redeem the entire humanity. It is said in this context, “He came but be ministered unto but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many to seek and to save that which was last” (Luke 19.10). One fact we find in the book of Ruth, that is it ended with the genealogy of the royal family of King David, though that book contained only four chapters and 84 verses. The book started with the story of pharez and ended with king David. The genealogy is involved with four permanent personalities of the Bible and they were, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah.

The tribe of Judah, was called the royal tribe from which the Messiah has to be born. It is said in the Bible, “the Scepter (royalty) shall not departure from the tribe of Judah.”(Genesis 49.10). We feel strange at the very first glance regarding his omission found the genealogy was ended only with the King David and exceeded the name of king Solomon. Pharez was the son of Judah and Tamar (Judah’s daughter in law). Pharez was the fruit of the result of sexual relationship between Judah and Tamar. If we study carefully the whole 38 chapter of Genesis it was dedicated to the description of the wicked event because it involved with some complications. The most important of such complications was the truth of Pharez. He was considered to be the illegal son of Judah.

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God gave a proclamation regarding this kind of events the illegal birth of people like Pharez. Prophet Moses, the law giver to Israelites wrote, “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord” (Deuteronomy

Since David was the 10th generation from Pharez, he did not come under the judgement of God; because, his judgement was only on the first nine generations. Ruth as the wife of Boaz gave birth to Obed. That means Ruth was the great grandmother of King David. To explain in details, she was the royal lineage of Jesus Christ. Many scholars and Bible teachers believed that the book of Ruth was written by Prophet Samuel. And the same Samuel happened to anoint David as the king of Israel after the ungrateful king Saul. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the spirit of the Lord came upon David and from that day onward. So, Samuel rose up and went to Ramath.” (1 Samuel 16.13)

It is important for if Samuel particularly penned the Book of Ruth, to show that David would come under the tenth generation and never be in the judgement of God, if the generations were counted correctly from Pharez to David.

Some Biblical scholars compared this 4 chapters book of Ruth, to Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament and to the “Revelation”. The chapters from the book of Revelation provide foundation for everything that is going to happen in the rest of the book like bringing the earth and all other things there in to an unconditional victory. According to chapter 4 apostle John was taken to heaven either through spirit or in body we have no authentic information. But he saw the throne and somebody was sitting on it. John gave the wonderful description of the throne of God, the significant sight, and the Angelic beings that surrounded the throne unfortunately. What was described by John was not correctly understood by the readers. Another important event John saw was four angelic beings remained standing continuously shouting in praise of God who was sitting in the throne. They were shouting, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty’ which was, and is,

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM and is to come (Revelation 4.8). Here, we see three fold proclamation of God’s holiness is for the strongest possible emphasis.

After the proclamation, the chapter is ended with these words, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.” (Revelation

4.11). It is a fact that all things in the universe belonged to God only. But due to the revengeful intervention of Satan in the affairs of God, man remained far away from God. Satan hatched a plan to take revenge against God through innocent man, and finally made man and God to remain as strangers. Even then God should be given glory, and honour, from the entire humanity because He was the creator of everything including man. Then coming to the

th 5 chapter, John saw a scroll sealed with seven seals, in heaven in the right hand side of the person who was sitting on the throne. That sealed scroll appeared like a deed concerned to the planet earth. Those seals had to be broken by a worthy man to reclaim the earth. In order to find out a worthy man a thorough search was conducted in heaven on earth and beneath the earth to uncover the events mentioned in that scroll. In spite of thorough search a suitable person was not found in the entire universe.

The beloved and aged apostle John confessed that he wept, a lot literally because no such worthy man was found to break the seals of the scroll and see what was written. Of all the disciples God loved John more than anybody. So, He called him beloved apostle. This apostle John correctly understood that if there was no one to open the scroll, then righteousness and justice would be mortally wounded and never to rise again and as a result everything is lost eternally. The next alternative for this remedy is not the second coming of Jesus Christ. It becomes His first coming. The secret here is the first coming of Jesus Christ into this world is incomplete without His second coming; because He has to open the scroll as it contained the deed of the earth only because of Jesus Christ all the believers are safe and secure. What we are today is due to the down payment of Jesus for our salvation.

During the second coming of Jesus as our Messiah and kinsman Redeemer. He will complete the remaining transactions. As John was weeping desperately for not finding a worthy man to open the seal of the scroll an angelic being suddenly came and commanded him not to weep. The angel further said, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ had the authority and power to break the seal and open the scroll which contained the title

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM deed of the earth. Then John looked at the throne and saw something that he missed at the first time. He was a lamb, which had been slain standing near the throne. It was a strong lamb with seven horns indicating Omnipotent with seven eyes indication of Omniscience. Then we come across one of the most important events that happened. It was the Lamb (God the son) who took the scroll from the hand of God (the Father) that sat on the throne. In such auspicious occasion the believers would certainly feel like singing a beautiful song. “Thou art worthy to take the book and open the seal there of.”(Revelation 5.9). After that the reason was given “For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindered. The kinsman Redeemer paid the prince that cost Him everything, that is infinite. He achieved something as king and priest. The result of His achievement is that the believers will rule with Him on the earth, for a thousand years”.

After this happy event, John saw another wonderful thing. It was the largest Choir and unimaginable and beyond comprehension. It was an assembly of ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands and thousands. “worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying, Blessed and honour and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever”. (Revelation 5.12 – 13) All of us as true believers must praise and glorify the Father who is sitting upon the throne why because He was the creator of everything in the universe we must also praise the Lamb, the son of God, because He redeemed what all His Father created and which was usurped by the evil Satan. The fact is that all the events and incidents the book of Revelation contained are indicated in those two chapters. There is still one more important thing the kinsman Redeemer had to do for the fulfillment of His achievements.

We come across now and then some squatters used to occupy the redeemed land illegally. In such conditions,it is the duty of the redeemer to drive away that kind of squatters from the land. In the same way, we find in the book of Revelation, Jesus breaks the seals and then blows the trumpets and pour out the bowls of their content. Those bowls contained the judgement by which Jesus wants to drive away the squatters; who are the Satan, the Anti – Christ, the false prophets, the false religion corrupt governments, paganism, atheism and all those who bluntly refused the grace of God and above all His love we know how the earth was defiled according to the Bible,

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM in the Garden of Eden, and how in intend it we also aware how Christ redeemed all of us by shedding His precious blood on the cross. As a result of all these events and their fulfillment, the believers along with Christ, will ruleth purified earth for a thousand years in the new heaven and the earth. (The heaven and earth are nearly purified qualitatively but not new in origin).

The earth is made new through purging. In the same way the believers are new creation in Christ. He is the same person who redeemed all of us from sin and so we became a new creation. The new earth will be like the Garden of Eden before sin entered into it. After the earth is purified and regenerated there will be no death, no disease, no famine, no calamities, no wars, no hatred and no sorrow. All these things are achieved by our beloved kinsman Redeemer Jesus Christ for the sake of His believers. This glorious redemption is shown to us through the wonderful love story of Ruth.

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 10

An extraordinary Prayer of Prophet Daniel

Daniel was called the beloved prophet of God. And also, he was well disciplined in his prayers. If we go through chapter 7 and 8, from his book, we brood over for a while to understand the intensity of his prayer and the wonderful visions he used to get. To be frank, we need mental capabilities to comprehend them. In our reading, when we come to the first part of chapter 9 we find an extra – ordinary prayer of Daniel that we cannot come across anywhere in the scripture. The very first verse of the chapter indicates the exact time, when it was written.

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus of the seed of the Medes which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans.”

That was the Medo – Persian empire, and Darius was made king. The year was about 538 B.C. and by that time Daniel was in exile for about 68 years. He was taken as one of the captives in the year 606 B.C and now he was almost 82 or 83 years old. That is to say, Daniel was just 14 years when he was taken as captive to Babylon with others. Then in the 2 verse itself, we see under what circumstances the aged faithful prophet had to pray to God.

“In the first year of his reign, I Daniel Understood by books, the number of the years, where of the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem.”

For our better understanding, it is necessary to look into (Jeremiah

“And this whole land, shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years, And it shall come to pass when seventy years are accomplished that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation saith the Lord for their inequity and the land of the Chaldeans and will make it perpetual desolation.” (Jerimiah 25.11– 12)

Prophet Daniel knew perfectly when the Israelites were exiled and when those seventy years would be completed. As the time was about to be over Daniel was deeply moved and full of convictions. So, with emotion and impassioned attitude he began to pray to God, and his prayer was unique. It was a prayer that came from the deepest soul. He prayed with fasting and

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM used “sack clothes” and “ashes”. In the verse 4 it is clearly pointed out the prayer was the prayer of confession. It was further certified that such prayer could be done only by a righteous man like Daniel. Following are the opening lines of the prayer of Daniel starting from 4th verse.

“O Lord, the great and dreadful God Keeping the covenant and mercy to that love him and to them that keep his commandments.”

What can we understand from the above lines? Daniel clearly exposed the true character of God. He said, God was the keeper of the covenants. This point is very important, with regards to Jeremiah’s prophecy. Why because he had already foretold about the banishment of Israelites for seventy years. This event took place because of the fulfillment of the word of God. It was also part and parcel of God’s plan to allow Israelites to return to their homeland after the completion of seventy years punishment. Then in the 5th verse Daniel justified the punishment that gave to them for their inequity.

“We have sinned and committed inequity and have done wickedly and have rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgements.

Prophet Daniel agreed and endorsed the judgement of God in punishing Israelites by saying that they observed it because they have been sinful, wicked rebellious and showed their deaf ear toward the holy commandments and precepts of God. The greatness of Daniel was that he used the word “we” instead of they, while he was telling about the evil deeds of Israelites. Though he was a perfect man, he included himself as one of them as a Jew. So, he said, “we have sinned”. Daniel was a Hebrew through and through and included himself as one of the Israelites in the humble confession of their wrong doings.”

Apart from this, Israelites also confused to listen to the frequent warnings and did not repent. So, God is always justifies in giving punishments to His people. First He would give them instructions, then warnings and finally punishments. His method of instructions, His method of warnings were found in His word in the days of antiquity. These things came to people, through His messengers called prophets. We understand religiousness belongs to God, only but confession would be seen in the faces of the people of Judah, and in the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Israel. And in the other nations, or wherever they remained their faces shall be full of confession, as they trespassed the word of God. The phrase “confession of face” is actually

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM another way of saying “we are covered the shame”. Daniel repeated the same point again and again, by saying the people of Israel sinned against God and reaped the consequences. Daniel continued his talk in the following verses of 8 and 9.

“O Lord to us belongeth confession of face to our king, to our princes and to our Fathers, because we have sinned against thee, To thee Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness though we have rebelled against him.”

We can understand how Daniel wrote these lines with agony about the guiltiness of his people including the great kings, princes and his ancestors. He presented Israelites as they had sinned and guilty, whereas the sovereign Lord is full of mercy and forgiveness. Here, Daniel pointed out the contrast between the sinful Israelites and their holy God a consuming fire. Then from verse 9 to 14, he enlightened us about the nature of transgression of Israelites and how they disobeyed God by not following the laws, and the commandments. They continued their inequity always. So, God was right in punishing His people. His method of punishment was so severe that nowhere on earth could be found except in Jerusalem. Now we see the end of Daniel’s confession which was part of his humble prayer in 15th verse.

“And now O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people, forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and hast gotten thee renown as at this day we have sinned we have done wickedly.” Daniel felt the guiltiness of his people very much. He strongly opposed it time and again. Though he

th confessed already he was not satisfied. In the 16 verse he was humbly pleading for God’s forgiveness toward the people of Jerusalem. So, his plea was:

“O Lord according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain because For our sins, and for the inequities of our Father, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.”

In his prayer, Daniel asked God for forgiveness. On one hand, he was supporting God by saying that He was justified in pouring our His anger upon Israelites and it was done basing on the time mentioned by prophet Jeremiah (that is seventy years). After the completion of that specific time he requested God, to turn back from His anger. The way he prayed to God with all him humanity we can understand his character and personality. He was perfect and sincere in everything and even God called him beloved prophet.

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM He was simply a righteous man pouring out his soul to his God. Anybody could be moved by his honesty, sincerity, integrity and perfectness.

Daniel continued his humble request to God regarding his people in verse 17 and 18 too. He always gave first priority to God, in everything. He requested God to look at the desolate condition of the Temple and the city Jerusalem, which was done by the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. He pleaded for the restoration of both of them for the sake of Himself; why because the Temple was His residence and the city after His name. And finally Daniel ended his prayer in the 19th verse with passionate heart toward the Almighty God –

“O Lord hear, O Lord forgive, O Lord hearken, and do defer not for thine own sake O my God for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.”

Daniel was calling God once again to save and restore Israel for His own sake. At that stage, we can presume as readers, the tears must have cascaded down the eyes of Daniel,when he brought his extra – ordinary prayer to a fitting conclusion. As a result of his humble prayer God was very much pleased and moved by it. He immediately sent on of His most prominent angel’s called Gabriel to personally respond to Daniel. According to the scholars of the Bible and theologians, Michael and Gabriel are called arch angels, but only specifically Michael is addressed as arch angel as mentioned in Jud 9. In the following lines angel Gabriel was telling the reason of his visiting Daniel:

And he informed me, and talked with me and said, “O Daniel I am now come forth to give thee, skill and understanding. (v.22)”

We do not know exactly whether Daniel asked God for insight. But one thing is clear, God gave it to Daniel and He would do the same to all of us. The Gabriel angel explained to him, what would happen to his people in near future and what is going to happen to them at the end of the age. We all know about Daniel that he was the most beloved prophet, of God. It is really wonderful and praiseworthy commentary on the prophet Daniel by the creator of heaven and earth. There is no greater compliment than this by God about any person in the Bible. The back bone of the prophecy – This back bone of the prophecy is considered the most important of all Biblical prophesies of the Old Testament. It was felt

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM like that by all scholars of the Bible. Gabriel angel told the following lines to Daniel:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for inequity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness and to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.” (v.24)

There is another way of reading “Seventy weeks” is seventy sevens or we can also say “seventy weeks of seven years”. The idea of being cutout, from history is to accomplish God’s purpose. That is to say, the Lord is cutting out seventy sevens of years. (490 years), with the view of accomplishing His purpose to Jerusalem the holy city and His people. The period of time of 490 years will take us to the end of history. By the end of 490 years, the people of Israel have to fulfill six important things –

1)To finish the transgression – Here the meaning of the word transgression

is that if any one puts a board “keep off the grass” and you stop on the

grass, such unmindful actions are called transgression.

2)Do not commit anymore sins – To sin is to miss the mark. Anything is

done against the word of God is called missing the mark.

3)To make reconciliation with God for inequity. Another word for

reconciliation is “Atonement”. Israelites were warned to make atonement

for their inequity or for their wickedness.

4)To bring in everlasting righteousness – this is a reference to the Messianic

or (1000 years) Millennial kingdom.

5)To seal up the vision and prophecy – It means to bring prophecy to its

fulfillment.

6)To anoint the most holy – Here, one may get a genuine doubt; That is to

whom the phrase, “the most holy” refers whether that phrase refers to

the holy place in the Temple of Jerusalem, or concerned to a person the

Messiah. If the most holy is a reference in our mind it must be the

Millennial Temple or if the Messiah is in our mind to anoint Him means

here accept Him who He is, what He has been doing to humanity and

what He will do when He comes again. And so finally, the phrase, “the

most holy”, we can take it for granted that it is a reference to the Messiah

only especially for acceptance of Israelites and embracing of Jesus Christ.

And ultimately that will be the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Minor

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prophet (Zachariah’s 12.10) and they shall look upon me whom they

have purified and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only

son.

According to verse 25, the time involved here was “Seven weeks and thee score two weeks”. We have to understand this phrase basing on the Biblical and Daniel reference. So, we have to remember here a “week” of seven days areequalent to “seven years”. The prophecy is not speaking of weeks or days, but only weeks of years. The word for weeks is a translation of the Hebrew word, “heptad” which means “seven”. So, seven weeks are equalent to 49 years. Then the next is three score and two weeks. A score means 20 years. Therefore, each week we can say seven years, period. Then regarding 62 weeks we must calculate as 434 years; and to that figure 49 years also to be added. The final total is 483 years or 69 weeks (or sevens of years). Now, we are able to understand the correct time period, then we have to understand also when this time period would begin? and end. So, along with calculation, the unusual event begins with the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem and ends just before the Messiah being “cut off” killed (v. 20). Let us look at the phrase, and final the inner meaning, “the street shall be built again, and the wall even in troubles times.”

We have to take the meaning of the phrase in a different way. The street and wall of Jerusalem shall be rebuilt not after 62 weeks but after seven weeks, or 49 years. At this stage, let us concentrate our attention on the dates. What is the meaning of 49 years? Whether these 49 years are going to occur really. Jeremiah requested king Ahasuerus to grant him permission to go to the place of his forefathers Jerusalem and take up the repair work of the city. He also requested the king to give him a recommendation letter to the governor and to the keeper of kings forest in order to get some wood for repair purpose. The king provided everything to Nehemiah because God was with him. This remarkable repair took place on March 5, 444 B.C. Then after 49 years of time, that is in 396 B.C the public square, the public moates of Jerusalem had been completed in their repair work. That was the fulfillment of seven weeks (49 years). Then we have to know about three score and two weeks, that is 62 weeks or otherwise known as 434 years, until the Messiah is to be “cut off” here “Killed”. This reference is linked with the Jewish lunar calendar, which Daniel had in his mind. The Messiah’s “cut off” occurred in April 32 A.D. that means on that year Jesus was crucified and killed.

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As a matter of fact, the date of birth of Jesus Christ and His date of crucifiction have remained controversial, but we have been following the probable dates for both. The Biblical historians and scholars tried their best to find out the correct dates but in vain. If we look in to the verse 26, it is written, “shall Messiah be cut off” and also we see “not for himself” whatever may be the fact of the reference, Messiah has to come and die, not for Himself, but for the sake of sin of Jewish people and also for all humanity. Impact of final seven years: The coming of Messiah to the earth for the first time and dying for the sake of sinners is not the end of the story. For the people of Daniel (Israelites) something more to happen because of their peculiar way of life. As said here, “and the people the prince that shall come and destroy the city and the sanctuary and the end shall be with a flood and unto the end of the war desolation and determinded.” (v.26). Before we try to understand the details of v.26, let us go back to the verse 24 again, where we are told of “seven weeks” or 49 years. So, far we have covered 483 years out at 490 and there are still seven years to be covered. Basing on the verse26, we know prior to that final seven years period, the city of Jerusalem and its sanctuary the Temple of God would be destroyed. Jesus Christ predicted this calamity 40 years before His death. And that destruction has to be done by the people of the prince that shall come. And who were those people according to the prophecy of Daniel. This is really a tuff question to answer. Technically speaking, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, were done by the Romans in 70 A.D. The truth is that initiative was taken by the Romans, but the real people who fought and destroyed were, the modern day regions of Turkey Syria and Iraq.

Depending upon the calculations of the seven years followed the 69th week that occurred in 32 A.D., then the period of 490 years would have concluded in 39 A.D itself. With the said information, the reason can be guessed easily that something is going to happen between 69th and 70th weeks. And that something is nothing but the destruction of both Jerusalem and the Temple. But this action did not take place until 70 A.D so, the 70th week had not followed the 69th week in the chronology. Then how to explain this sensitive point to others? Simply by depending on biblical prophecy? For example, in Daniel chapter 2 the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a statue with the head of gold that represented Babylonian empire, the Chest and arms of silver Medo – Persian empire, belly and thighs of bronze signified Greek empire and legs of iron represented Roman empire. And then this

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM finally decided that these two parts of the image represented the confederation of the Nations, during the seven year period of this era, in human history.

We can take it for granted that this is the “far” aspect of the prophetic dream. According to this prophetic view, we have to as readers jump from the first century to the end of the age. If we look into the chapter 7 Daniel we find the same incident, how we jumped from the most wicked king Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria, who was the replica of Anti – Christ, who will rule for seven years at the end of the age. Here, the question remains unanswered, where do we find the gap between 69th and 70th weeks. Let us recollect the events that occurred from the beginning. The first incident was restoration of Jerusalem by Nehemiah and the time required for that was 49 years (seven weeks). The second event was the death of Messiah 434 years (62 weeks). The third event was the prophecy, regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. But this event did not anyway indicate that 70th week followed by 69th week immediately as per the chronological order. So, in what way that particular time could be located.

After thorough investigation the gap between the two times are identified as “church Age”. And this “church Age” began at the time of Pentecost when God sent the holy – spirit to His disciples on the fiftieth day of His ascension to His Father. This church Age would end, after Jesus comes for the second time. This can be also called “Church Current Age” the age of grace. The Lord would extend His salvation to all men and women, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We cannot say when this church age would end; probably with His second coming, the rapture of the church then the pouring out the wrath of God in the trumpet and bowl judgement and the final battle of Armageddon. We can also say, about the church Age that it will last until the fulfilment of the Gentiles, rule (Romans 11.25). Then only Jesus will return and end this church Age of Grace, before establishing His Millennial kingdom.

In this context, Apostle Paul also referred to this church Age, as a mystery. “How that by revelation he made known unto me.... his promise in Christ, by the Gospel.” (Epiphanes 3.3 – 6). So, according to Paul the church Age was only a mystery something that was always in the mind and will of God and it would not be revealed till the correct time comes. The church Age was a mystery something hidden from Old Testament saints. The fact is that the church Age – the Age of Grace, which is separating the 69th and 70th weeks.

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If we study about end times period we will certainly know there is a final seven year time. And during that time, comes the Anti – Christ and use his power to persecute the people of God, the Jews and Christians. Then the church will be raptured, and Christ punish all the wicked and bring salvation to all righteous people. This seven year period time is generally referred to the “Tribulation period” which has no basis in scripture. It is bitter and more appropriate if we refer this to the period “the seventieth week” mentioned in the book of Daniel. The correct times of this week is referred to the “Great Tribulation” based on (Matthew 24.21) or the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30.7). It will last only for 3 ½ years, because the great Tribulation period is going to be shortened. Whatever may be the outcome of this reference it has nothing to do with the Old Testament prophets. There was no scope for them to know about the Church Age or the “gap” between 69th and 70th weeks. But Daniel perfectly explained about, seven weeks, sixty two weeks and a seventieth week.

The Old Testament prophets like Daniel did not know anything about the church Age as it was a mystery and God also never revealed to him and he never foresaw this far 2000 years gap between 69th and 70th weeks. This event has again taken us back to the “far and near” implications of the Old Testament prophets. When they were writing they looked down on the time and saw two mountain peaks. The first one or nearer mountain peak represented the first coming of Christ and the second or farther mountain was identified as the second coming of Christ. The prophecy of the first coming was concerned more about His virgin birth, as son of man, would be given the name Immanuel which means, “God with us”. He would be born in Bethlehem and then die for the sin of the world. Then His second coming was compared to the second mountain peak. And this time, there would be cosmic disturbances, the rapture of the church and the judgement of the wicked, humanity.

These two mountain peaks were the wonderful illustration of “near and far” implication of prophecy. They were fused as one, in the mind of the prophets, which found in (Isaiah 9.6). “For unto as a child is born unto us a son is given”. The first coming or the first mountain peak and the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name would be wonderful counsellors. He was also called the mighty God. The everlasting Father and the prince of peace, who is coming at the end of the Age and this is called the second mountain peak. If we look into this statement carefully, the first and second

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM separation. Here, we have to keep in mind the period of times the gap between the two comings or mountain peaks, which was somehow hidden from the prophet. Practically speaking he had no idea of such a big division of time, between the first and the second coming of Christ (the Messiah). In this context, let us recollect the verses of apostle peter, “Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched, diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, searching what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ, which was in them, did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” (1 peter 1.9 – 11)

All of us have to remember one top secret in this connection, “God gave amazing foresight to His special messengers, but He did not give them clear understanding of things they prophesied yet they did not understand them correctly. What they spoke about. They searched patiently to ascertain the exact meaning but in vain. They could never discover the full truth because God did not want to disclose to them the mystery of the church Age.

Now let us go back to the 9th chapter of prophet Daniel where it is mentioned about a “prince that shall come” in verse 29, who is going to come? Out of the Roman empire, what is the time of the first mountain peak? Again if we go back to chapter 2 it is said about feet and toes, of a kind of Roman empire, which will clearly exist at the end of the Age, which we call the second coming or the second mountain peak. The prophets of all Old Testament like Daniel did not know anything about the length of time between those two mountain peaks. In His first coming we see the beast empire of Rome. In His second coming we have some kind of revived Rome that will be with ten horns, representing ten nations. (Daniel) from which a “little horn” (the Anti – Christ) is going to rule. In the 9th chapter of Daniel we have the reference of 69 weeks which would take us back to the first coming of Jesus Christ. But the seventieth week will not occur until the end of the age. With this bring information we could have a clue about the mystery of

thth the “church Age” which caused the separation of 69 and 70 weeks. But Daniel could not have any clue about the mystery of the church Age in his time. And the readers, I believe would come to an understanding of the gap, when they come to verse 27 which is the concluding passage of Daniel’s vision. As far as we are concerned there is no problem of understanding because it is concerned to the final seven years of this era of human history. So let us look into the lines of Daniel from his book.

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“And he will confirm the covenant with many (not all) for one week and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and for the over spreading of abomination he shall make it desolate even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

“He” (the prince who will come the Anti – Christ) will confirm a covenant then either strengthen which is already in existence or create a new one with Israel for one week which means seven years. We have to meditate upon this to know whether it was a peace covenant. Then at the middle of the seven years that is 3 ½ years later this Anti – Christ will break his covenant with Israelites and turn against them. He will put an end to the sacrifices in the Temple and set his own image in it. This remarkable situation, will cause an unimaginable desolation and even makes the Jews not to enter the Temple any more. The same thing was alone to the Temple, some hundreds of years ago, by a pagan wicked king Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria. We have some advantages of the prophets who did not know about the details of the “church Age” gap between the 69th and 70th weeks. We have been living well the past 69th week. But when the 70th week is going to come we will be in darkness like the Old prophets. This must be the reason why A New Testament is teaching us to live with the expectation of the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is actually a same advice for all believers to live with the hope of the second coming of Christ in our life time.

Christ will return soon to this earth should be our greatest hope, for holy living, and we will struggle to any extent to live for Him every moment of our lives. If this is proved correct we shall try our level best to change our lifestyle in order to achieve salvation. Had the writers of the New Testament given any particular date of His coming then the believers would have lived an exemplary life in order to please Him and try for eternal life. If we believe that Jesus would come in our life time, then we don’t feel any relaxation. We try our best to walk on the foot print of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, if Jesus comes today that very news will revolutionize our life style for the sake of purity. It means to live with expectation, what must have made God to conceal the probable date of His returning is that we must live for Him always, expecting Him at any moment in our life time, just like the righteous and beloved prophet Daniel.

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 11

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