The Seventh-Day Adventist church in Linz, Austria, organized a special weekend for women with Daniela Gelbrich Ph.D. It was the last possible event before the renewed Covid-19 Lockdown. Daniela Gelbrich studied Theology and got a doctor’s degree in Hebrew at Sorbonne University in Paris. She brought us closer to God while presenting the story of Ruth, the Moabite woman. We learned about God’s loving-kindness and care for the poor, who at that time were the widows, orphans, and strangers. The social legislation of the time, ordained by God, was excellent. Daniela also explained to us the meaning of the word CHESED that can not be expressed in our translations. It shows us God’s characteristics kindness, goodness, love, grace, faithfulness, devotion, and so much more. That is what God is like, even today.
Daniela’s open and honest approach led to all in attendance feeling that they were being directly addressed. Her first topic was presented as the Sabbath sermon for the whole church with about 100 present and more than 110 on the live stream from around Austria. The program continued in the afternoon and on Sunday with a smaller group at the church and online. The renewed Covid measures kept some people from coming.
We learned so much during this weekend.
We are allowed to tell God everything that is in our hearts. The Bible does not gloss over problems, nor does Daniela. It’s so good. We heard about the Old Testament Kinsman Redeemer and realized that Jesus Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer who has delivered us from the bondage of sin. He preserves our name forever, He gives us a home, rest, and peace. He sees us. He takes care of us.
Our hearts were filled with gratitude to God and also to Daniela Gelbrich for leading us to understand God better through this story of an Old Testament woman.
According to a report by Irene Poimer
Women’s Weekend in Linz, Austria, November 20-21, 2021
Daniela Gelbrich explains the Bible Story of Ruth