Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Ruth 3 - The Midnight Encounter

Naomi asks Ruth to pull a highly dangerous stunt, fraught with potential problems. Ruth is to sneak up on Boaz in the middle of the night, and ask him to marry her. so many things could've gone wrong, and ruth had the most to lose. However, she obeys her mother-in-law, and Boaz once again proves what a real man he is.

Ruth 2 - Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz

In an extraordinary "coincidence", Ruth goes to glean barley in the fields of Bethlehem, and happens to land in the field of Naomi's relative, Boaz. While the people harvesting barely take notice of this foreign Moabite girl and treat her as an outsider, Boaz recogizes her as a special person who has been through so much in order to join the people of Judah. Boaz asks her to stay in his field and instructs the young men to treat her with respect.

Ruth 1b - Ruth Accompanies Naomi Back to Judah

Naomi pushes her daughters-in-law to go back to their families in Moab. Orpah eventually turns around around heads back yo her family, but Ruth stays with Naomi. While Naomi is focused on worldy things such as finding a husband and financial security, Ruth is in it for something more. She is ready to embrace a new identity, a new God, a new people, and a new way of life. Although the people of Judah and Naomi herself seem to ignore her presence entirely, God has other plans for this young woman. Sometimes greatness is right there staring us in the face, but we look right past it at everything else.

Ruth 1a - Elimelech and Naomi Leave Judah Behind

In the first portion of this chapter, we read how Elimelech and his family abandoned Judah, and settled in Moab. Disaster strikes the family as all the men die, leaving Naomi and her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah bereft of their husbands.  They hear good news from Judah, and set out on a journey to return to Judah.

Jonah 4 - God Always has Mercy

We read how Jonah is so upset that God had mercy upon the enemies of the Jewish people, as he complains that people are never sincere.  They repent one day, and then the next they return to their old ways! God send Jonah a message through the Kikayon plant. You are happy with it today, even though tomorrow it will dry up! I, says God, am happy with my children when they deserve it, because they are innocent now and deserve a chance, even if tomorrow they may choose the wrong path again.

Jonah 3 - Jonah Travels to Nineveh

After being told a second time by God, Jonah finally goes to Nineveh to carry God's message. The people of Nineveh hear the message and repent of their evil ways, and God's decree of destruction is averted.

Jonah 2 - Jonah Prays from the Belly of the Fish

Jonah prays to God as he is drowning, and promises to worship God in the Temple. God saves Jonah by sending a fish to swallow him within which he miraculously survives for three days and three nights. Astoundingly,  Jonah still does not tell God that he is ready to fulfill the mission upon which God is sending him.

Jonah 1b - One Person's Potential Lost is a Loss to all of Humankind

We answer the questions posed in 1a to explain the true message of chapter one of the book of Jonah. We all run from our God given missions and skills and potential. When we don't live the life we could live, everyone around us pays the price

Jonah 1a - Jonah Flees to Tarshish

God sends Jonah on a mission, and Jonah runs to Tarshish to avoid doing his calling. God sends a storm and the sailors determine through lots that God is angry with Jonah, and Jonah asks to be thrown in the sea to save the entire ship. The sailors attempt to save the ship without doing what he asked, but ultimately only throwing him into the sea to certain death will save the ship.  Many questions arise in this chapter, and we put forth the questions, to be answered in the next podcast.

Isaiah 66 - The Final Word of God

God again reminds us of the message isaiah started with in chapter one. I am not interested in your sacrifices, your Temples, your worship. I am the creator of everything! What use do I have of your little buildings? I want you to care for the poor, and heal the broken-hearted. I sent out the Jewish people to bring my message to all corners of the Earth, and I will bring all nations together, indeed, all living flesh to worship together peacefully in Jerusalem.