JUN 5

Ruth 1:5
Memorise 2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

Have you ever read a story that related simply the bare facts without any further details? Probably not, for such a story would have been too brief and colourless, not to mention boring, for you to even remember it!

As much as narratives teach spiritual truths, they are also stories that relate certain events and happenings. As such, there are bound to be incidental details here and there which might not add much spiritual value, but that are still helpful in giving colour and adding an additional dimension to the story. For example, verse 5 informs us that both Ruth’s as well as Orpah’s husband, Mahlon and Chilion, had died. Though there isn’t much to say spiritually about this fact, it is still useful in helping us to understand what led up to the events in verses 6-18. Otherwise, it would not make much sense for Ruth and Orpah to even consider going back with Naomi to Judah!

Of course, it is important also not to place too much reliance on these incidental details. After all, they are simply that – incidental details – and nothing more. They might help in making the story more understandable, but they should never be twisted out of context to squeeze out some spiritual application that was never there in the first place. For example, it would be absurd to say that this passage teaches us that we should wait for our spouses to die before we can learn how to make godly choices!

Dear teen, may you thus pray for much discernment even as you study God’s Word. Learn to separate spiritual truths from other incidental details, and do not confuse the two.

Thought: Knowing which are main ideas and which are details can help a lot in understanding the Bible!
Prayer: Lord, teach me with the Holy Spirit’s help.