Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Hosea 2a - God Compares Israel to a Harlot

The prophet starts by telling the people what they CAN be, if only they cooperate together.  But God berates the nation for turning to all of her other "lovers" while abandoning God Himself.

Hosea 1 - God Tells Hosea to Marry a Prostitute

We are introduced to the prophet Hosea, who was a contemporary of the more famous prophet Isaiah. However, Hosea mostly directed his prophcies to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. In a most unusual discussion, God directs Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman named Gomer, and to raise a family with her. He has two sons and a duaghter, and through their names, Hosea delivers an ominous message to the people of the Northern Kingdom.

Ruth 4 - Boaz Marries Ruth, and Ruth Becomes the Matriarch of the Davidic Dynasty

Boaz proves that he is a man who keeps his word. He redeems the family property, marries Ruth, and restores the family of Naomi to its' land and heritage. Ruth, once a stranger and foreigner who was rebuffed, becomes the matriarch of the Kings of the Jewish people.

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.