9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant

(Mark 9:9–10, NKJV).

Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, seen Moses and Elijah talking with Him, and heard the Father’s voice say, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him” (Mark 9:1-7).

Why did Jesus tell them to tell no one what they had seen until “the Son of Man had risen from the dead?” Here are a couple of reasons.

First, several were already bearing testimony that Jesus is the Son of God: (1) John the Baptist, the Elijah of prophecy (Mark 10:11-13; Matt. 11:14; John 5:33-35); (2) The Father Himself by the miracles of Jesus (John 5:36-37); and (3) The Scriptures (John 5:38-39).

Second, the apostles were not yet prepared to tell others what they had seen. That was not their job at this moment. They still had much to learn from the Master. Only now did they understand John was the prophesied Elijah (Matt. 17:12-13). They did not know Jesus would rise from the dead (Mark 9:10). They did not yet grasp the redemptive work of Christ (Peter even rebuked Jesus for saying He would suffer, be killed, and rise after three days, Matt. 16:21-23). Rest assured, the apostles would tell others about the transfiguration when Christ commissioned them to preach the gospel to the world (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; see 2 Pet. 1:16-18).

What can we learn from this?

(1) Teachers must first be students of God’s word (1 Tim. 4:13, 15-16).
(2) Teach what you know while maturing in your knowledge of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:11-6:3).
(3) Zeal without knowledge can be dangerous (Rom. 10:2-3). 
-Sword Tips #2258

I am sure most Bible students are familiar with Ruth, the Moabitess who was widowed but followed her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem to live. Once there, she met and married  Naomi’s kinsman, Boaz. To their union came Obed, and in time she became the great-grandmother of David. It is easy for us, having read the story, to focus upon Ruth being David’s great-grandmother and all that this would imply in God’s plan for man’s salvation. In fact, Ruth is one of only four women mentioned in the earthly lineage of Christ (Matt. 1:5).

What makes this good lady stand out in my mind was her conscientious, considerate, and sacrificing attitude. Unlike us, who have the benefit of reading the book, Ruth didn’t know what the outcome of her life would be! Still, she displayed an attitude that continues to shine for future generations. Like Abel, she “being dead yet speaketh” (cf. Heb. 11:4)!

The first time we read anything of substance about Ruth is after she had become a widow. When Naomi wanted to go back to Bethlehem, Ruth begged to accompany her mother-in-law (v. 7-18) when all that was promised to her was a life of poverty, living among strangers, speaking a foreign language, worshiping a foreign god, and no promise of ever returning to Moab. (So far as the book of Ruth is concerned, she never returned to see her family.) Such faithfulness to a mother-in-law tells me just what kind of woman Naomi was and how she conducted herself among her daughters-in-law during her years in Moab!

Yet, our thoughts right now are focused upon Ruth. Such people as Ruth stand out and serve as good examples for the rest of us (Rom. 15:4). Just as she faced hardships and unknown elements in her life, so also it happens today. Isn’t this the real challenge of being faithful to God? It is easy to be faithful to God when things are going well, and we are not facing the pitfalls, challenges, temptations, and hard choices in life. It is much more complex when we are in the middle of enduring temptations, hardships, and challenges! It is at this time we need to remember Ruth’s example of faithfulness. We would do well also to remember the words of Ruth’s great-grandson: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4)!

While married and then widowed in Moab, while following a mother-in-law to a strange land, Ruth didn’t know how her life would go. In like manner, we don’t know how our life will turn out (Prov. 27:1), but choosing to be faithful to God through it all brings true blessedness (Rev. 2:10; I Cor. 15:58; I Cor. 16:13-14; Matt. 24:13).

-The Old Paths, May 16, 2021