This guided lectio divina of 1 Samuel 2:7-8 (NASB) corresponds to Ruth 3:16-4:12. Hannah's song of thanksgiving contains some powerful imagery about who YHWH is and His conduct, turning over and reversing many human ideas about how life operates. This portion fits beautifully with the themes in Ruth: Boaz is the instrument of God's heart, elevating Ruth and Naomi from their poverty to a place of honor.

Stay tuned for the next corresponding podcasts, which will dig into the social, historical and literary study of Ruth 3:16-4:12.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email askerica.podcast@gmail.com

Podcast instrumental music by ⁠Scott Holmes⁠ and ⁠Joseph McDade⁠.

We dig into the beautiful Hebrew language in this portion of Ruth 3:6-15 (NASB), looking specifically at how repetition and allusion weave our theme of hesed and human agency together. Often times Boaz becomes the focus in these later passages, but Erica explains why Ruth needs a shoutout as well. Ultimately, both Ruth and Boaz demonstrate the ideal hesed as a biblical example to all of us.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email askerica.podcast@gmail.com

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.

What do you do with the unprecedented moments of life for which the Bible holds no specific answer? Boaz finds himself in this place with Ruth and models the ideal hesed through his interactions in Ruth 3:6-15 (NASB). When we embrace the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law, it provides a creative template to live faithfully in God's kingdom as we embody His love to those around us.

If you have a question or would like to connect with Erica, please email askerica.podcast@gmail.com

Podcast instrumental music by Scott Holmes and Joseph McDade.