"1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
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The Book of Ruth is only four chapters. But contained within them is a beautiful love story that is a type of our relationship with our Lord Jesus. Though it is a real account of real things that happened to real people in a real place, it contains wonderful lessons for us to learn.
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Shavuot.
Our story takes place during Pentecost, or "Shavuot,” the Festival of weeks. That is why during this time, Jewish people all over the world read through the entire book in their synagogues.
On our calendar, this feast falls in either May or June, the time of barley harvest in Israel. It occurs 50 days--7 weeks plus one day--after the Feast of Passover, hence the name, “Festival of Weeks.” It is called, “Pentecost,” because it is 50 days after Passover.
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The Jewish people celebrate the giving of The Law from Mt. Sinai at this time. The Church, however, celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit, which ushered in the New Covenant of Grace. Those are the laws He writes on our hearts!
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The Letter Kills.
At the foot of Mt. Sinai, when God gave the Law, 3,000 people were killed 40 days later. But when the Holy Spirit was given at the top of Mt. Zion, 3,000 people were saved! This graphically demonstrates that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life! It's a perfect illustration of Romans 10:2 which says, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes”
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Ways To Study Ruth.
There are many different ways to study this book. You can learn valuable moral lessons to apply to your own life, which is one of the richest ways to study it. We'll be covering that in another part of this series.
You can study it dispensationally. For instance, Naomi and Ruth are depictions of Israel and the Church; and you can study it in terms of history. You can also study it in terms of eschatology. The entire book is a timeline.
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History.
Historically speaking, the nation of Moab, as well as Ammon, sprang from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his two daughters. They got him drunk one night and lie with him when he didn't know what he was doing. Both got pregnant and gave birth to sons. One was, Moab, the other, Ammon. They did it because they foolishly thought there were no more men in the land after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
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Both of these nations were enemies of Israel in ancient times and remain so, even today. Present-day Moab is modern-day Jordan. Ammon is comprised of present-day Palestinians and Northern Jordanians.
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Nations Under God's Curse.
At the time of our story, these two nations were cursed by God. Deuteronomy 23:3 expressly states, " An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever."
According to this law, no Moabite, like Ruth, could enter into the blessings of God. So, how did she come to be included in the genealogy of Jesus? We are studying the reason why.
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The Story Of Ruth Part 2: The Time Of The Judges
The Backdrop.
Judges 21:24-25 "And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
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In the order of God’s book, Ruth is placed right after the Book of Judges because her story takes place during the time the judges ruled. The opening scripture makes mention of this. The last two verses of the last chapter of Judges paint a bleak picture of a very dark and dangerous time. Check it out:
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"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
-
See what I mean? What a terrible time! If someone felt like killing you so he could rob you take away your property, he would just go ahead and do it. Kinda sound like our times, doesn't it?
-
Presiding Officers.
There were no kings ruling over Israel during this period. God appointed judges to rule over the people like Samson, Gideon, Jephthah, Otniel, and many others. There was even a lady judge named, “Deborah.” They were not sovereig like kings, you understand, but more like presiding officers. The people, however, pretty much seemed to ignore them.
-
Israel at that time was following a very destructive pattern that they repeated again and again. They would go along alright for a while, turn away from the True God, and worship idols. Because of their idolatry, they would cease offering right sacrifices to God, their sins were no longer covered, and, per Deuteronomy 28, they would be subjugated by their enemies.
Finally, when they could endure their bondage no longer, they would repent.....AGAIN.....cry out to God, He would have pity on them, and send a deliverer in the form of another judge.
-
God was very patient with them. Sadly, the people never learned their lesson.
-
In the midst of this dark scenario, God planted the beautiful love story of Ruth and Boaz.
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Famine In The Land.
Ruth 1:1 “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”
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You saw that there was lawlessness everywhere, so of course there was famine. Why do I say, "Of course?" Because the land would rebel against all the murders lawless deeds and refuse to yield its strength, just as it did for Cain.
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Cursed From The Ground.
God said this to Cain: "You are cursed from the ground." He DIDN'T say that He cursed him. He said the ground cursed him. He told Cain that IT would refuse to yield IT'S strength.
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Genesis 4:10-12, “And He (God) said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, IT shall no longer yield ITS strength to you.”
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In other words, the earth cursed Cain, not God. The earth “opened ITS mouth" to receive his brother's blood from his hand. God is showing us that the earth, the land, is an entity. "When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield ITS strength to you,” He said
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God Does Not Send Famine.
You must understand that God does not send famine, but He does allow it. If you look at the Hebrew, you’ll see it is a permissive tense, not a causative one. Yet in the midst of famine, God's people prosper even if the wicked do not. You can see this in the life of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Boaz in our story. In the midst of this 10-year famine, he remained a man of GREAT WEALTH.
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Dispensational Application.
Some have speculated that Ruth represents Israel. This cannot be, since she was a Gentile. She is a picture of the Church, which is primarily compromised of non-Jews, as you know.
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Naomi, as a Jewess, represents Israel. When she, her husband, and her two sons left the land of Promise, they went to live in a Gentile land, the land of the enemy: Moab. In that foreign land, her husband and both her sons died. When she returned to Bethlehem, she came back sad, poor, lonely, and brokenhearted. All she had was Ruth. As it turns out, Ruth was all she needed.
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Orpha, who left her mother-in-law, depicts those who have rejected God, and therefore Jesus, and do not worship the true God.
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Two Centuries Of Troubles.
Like Naomi, whenever the Jewish people left their land, they were like a fish out of water. They experienced death. For 2,000 years, the Jewish people found only persecution, death, and destruction at the hands of every country into which they wandered. The Holocaust was the most glaring of the injustices they suffered.
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But just as Naomi returned to her land so, too, did the Jewish people. They became a nation once again in 1948. Having just been through the Holocaust, like her they were sad, lonely, poor, and brokenhearted. All they had left was a glimmer of hope. But the Ruths of the world, i.e. “The Church,” particularly in America, were a great help to the newborn nation.
-
(For more on that exciting story, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/the-19th-book/)
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Please proceed to part 3 by following the link below. We'll be talking about the land of the enemy: Moab.
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The Story Of Ruth Part 3: Moab.
Ruth 1:1-2 "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
-
As you saw in part 2, the famine in Israel occurred because the land rebelled against all the murders and lawlessness. Naomi and her family left Bethlehem because they thought it would destroy them. Unfortunately, what they feared would happen to them if they stayed, happened to them in that foreign land.
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Meanings Of Names And Places.
All names in the Bible have a meaning. Much of the richness of this story is found in their meanings which lend to greater depth and understanding.
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Bethlehem. The name, "Bethlehem," means: "House of Bread." That's right folks; the house of bread had no bread.
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Ruth comes from two different root words, one meaning, "Beauty;" the other, "Friend." Put them together and you have, "Beautiful friend."
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Naomi means, "Pleasant."
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Orpha means "Back of the neck." How descriptive! When she turned around and went back to her people and to her gods, that's what we saw: The back of her neck!
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Elimelek's name that is also comprised of two words: "Eli: My God, " and "Melek: King." "My God is king." Sadly, when famine struck, he didn't exactly live up to his name. He fled with his family.
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Don't Run From Your Troubles.
God says when misfortune strikes, "Don't run from your troubles. Stay in the land and TURN TO ME." (See Malachi 3:7)
For example: In Genesis 26, He told Isaac to stay in the land of famine and He would bless him. That He certainly did. Where others could not reap any harvest at all, in verse 12 it says Isaac reaped one hundred fold!
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Joseph was in Egypt during a very great famine, yet neither he nor his people suffered. In fact, all Egypt was blessed because of his presence there.
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Mahlon and Cheleon. Now we come to these two. Why in the world anyone would give their sons these names is beyond me. They mean, "Sickly and dying or pining," respectively. Is it any wonder they both died? They are a depiction of the fate Israel suffered. When she left her land, she experienced death and destruction.
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Boaz, on the other hand, is a picture of Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer. His name means, "In him is strength." Jesus became our “Kinsman Redeemer” when He came to earth in the form of sinful flesh, without sin of course. He died a physical death on the cross in order to redeem us. “Redeem," means "Bought back." He bought us back from our enemy, the devil.
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Disobedience And Death.
Ruth 1:3-5
" 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
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Notice, it was after Elimelek died that both Naomi's sons married women from Moab, against God's law. You see, Moab was a nation cursed by God at that time and they were absolutely not to have any contact with them. Eventually, both sons also died, leaving their women to fend for themselves.
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Please proceed to part 4. Naomi returns to Bethlehem and finds that God has, indeed, not forgotten her. Follow the link below:
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The Story Of Ruth Part 4: Naomi Returns Home.
Ruth 1:6-7 "6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
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The whole town had heard of Naomi's return to Bethlehem, and were excited because of them. They had also heard about Ruth and her devotion to her mother-in-law.
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Naomi's Viewpoint.
Naomi had a bit of a different viewpoint. She said, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me."
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Mara means, "Bitter," in Hebrew. She was indeed very bitter; bitter and sad. Deep down in her heart, Naomi really thought that the Lord was against her. This, however, is a statement of her ignorance because the word she used for "Lord" in this verse is "Shaddai." This Name of God means, "The Nurturing one; The All-supplying One," like a mother hen. El Shaddai doesn't come against you or take from you: He supplies; He provides! God is a good God.
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She had no idea what He was about to do for her and Ruth, and she did not know that He was not the cause of her sufferings and sorrow. They were the result of her choice to go live in the land of the enemy.
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Ruth Confessed Favor.
In the next part of their story, Ruth makes another confession. It also does not go unnoticed by God.
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Ruth 2:1-3
"1There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
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Ruth knew her place and knew she was not like any of the other maidservants. She humbled herself and took her place as a foreigner in a strange land. That’s the kind of attitude that really gets God's attention. Grace always flows to the lowest place; to those who humble themselves. That's who God exalts.
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Boaz says to her, "The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."
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A full reward for fleeing for refuge? She was doing herself a favor seeking protection. That's like saying to a brood a chicks, "You shall be rewarded for running for protection under your mother hen's wings!" That’s a Divine Paradox. What a God! What a Savior!
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You see this principle demonstrated throughout the Bible. For instance, in the case of Jacob and Esau, when their father was very old and soon to die, Isaac sent Esau out to get him some venison so he could prepare his favorite venison stew. After eating, he had planned to bestow the first-born blessing on him. As you know, Rebecca overheard his plan and had Jacob go grab a goat so she could prepare stew for Isaac just the way he liked. After he ate and was satisfied, he conferred the blessing on Jacob that rightfully belonged to his brother.
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Esther is another good example. When she needed to come before the king to plead for the life of her entire nation, she not only waited until after the king ate at her first banquet, she invited him to another on and then told him of her request. She REALLY knew how to present her case!
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-
-
The Jewish people celebrate the giving of The Law from Mt. Sinai at this time. The Church, however, celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit, which ushered in the New Covenant of Grace. Those are the laws He writes on our hearts!
-
The Letter Kills.
At the foot of Mt. Sinai, when God gave the Law, 3,000 people were killed 40 days later. But when the Holy Spirit was given at the top of Mt. Zion, 3,000 people were saved! This graphically demonstrates that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life! It's a perfect illustration of Romans 10:2 which says, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes”
-
Ways To Study Ruth.
There are many different ways to study this book. You can learn valuable moral lessons to apply to your own life, which is one of the richest ways to study it. We'll be covering that in another part of this series.
You can study it dispensationally. For instance, Naomi and Ruth are depictions of Israel and the Church; and you can study it in terms of history. You can also study it in terms of eschatology. The entire book is a timeline.
-
History.
Historically speaking, the nation of Moab, as well as Ammon, sprang from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his two daughters. They got him drunk one night and lie with him when he didn't know what he was doing. Both got pregnant and gave birth to sons. One was, Moab, the other, Ammon. They did it because they foolishly thought there were no more men in the land after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
-
Both of these nations were enemies of Israel in ancient times and remain so, even today. Present-day Moab is modern-day Jordan. Ammon is comprised of present-day Palestinians and Northern Jordanians.
-
Nations Under God's Curse.
At the time of our story, these two nations were cursed by God. Deuteronomy 23:3 expressly states, " An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever."
According to this law, no Moabite, like Ruth, could enter into the blessings of God. So, how did she come to be included in the genealogy of Jesus? We are studying the reason why.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story Of Ruth Part 2: The Time Of The Judges
The Backdrop.
Judges 21:24-25 "And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
-
-
In the order of God’s book, Ruth is placed right after the Book of Judges because her story takes place during the time the judges ruled. The opening scripture makes mention of this. The last two verses of the last chapter of Judges paint a bleak picture of a very dark and dangerous time. Check it out:
-
"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
-
See what I mean? What a terrible time! If someone felt like killing you so he could rob you take away your property, he would just go ahead and do it. Kinda sound like our times, doesn't it?
-
(Judges of Israel.)
-Presiding Officers.
There were no kings ruling over Israel during this period. God appointed judges to rule over the people like Samson, Gideon, Jephthah, Otniel, and many others. There was even a lady judge named, “Deborah.” They were not sovereig like kings, you understand, but more like presiding officers. The people, however, pretty much seemed to ignore them.
-
Israel at that time was following a very destructive pattern that they repeated again and again. They would go along alright for a while, turn away from the True God, and worship idols. Because of their idolatry, they would cease offering right sacrifices to God, their sins were no longer covered, and, per Deuteronomy 28, they would be subjugated by their enemies.
Finally, when they could endure their bondage no longer, they would repent.....AGAIN.....cry out to God, He would have pity on them, and send a deliverer in the form of another judge.
-
God was very patient with them. Sadly, the people never learned their lesson.
-
In the midst of this dark scenario, God planted the beautiful love story of Ruth and Boaz.
-
Famine In The Land.
Ruth 1:1 “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”
-
You saw that there was lawlessness everywhere, so of course there was famine. Why do I say, "Of course?" Because the land would rebel against all the murders lawless deeds and refuse to yield its strength, just as it did for Cain.
-
Cursed From The Ground.
God said this to Cain: "You are cursed from the ground." He DIDN'T say that He cursed him. He said the ground cursed him. He told Cain that IT would refuse to yield IT'S strength.
-
-
Genesis 4:10-12, “And He (God) said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, IT shall no longer yield ITS strength to you.”
-
In other words, the earth cursed Cain, not God. The earth “opened ITS mouth" to receive his brother's blood from his hand. God is showing us that the earth, the land, is an entity. "When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield ITS strength to you,” He said
-
God Does Not Send Famine.
You must understand that God does not send famine, but He does allow it. If you look at the Hebrew, you’ll see it is a permissive tense, not a causative one. Yet in the midst of famine, God's people prosper even if the wicked do not. You can see this in the life of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Boaz in our story. In the midst of this 10-year famine, he remained a man of GREAT WEALTH.
-
-
Dispensational Application.
Some have speculated that Ruth represents Israel. This cannot be, since she was a Gentile. She is a picture of the Church, which is primarily compromised of non-Jews, as you know.
-
Naomi, as a Jewess, represents Israel. When she, her husband, and her two sons left the land of Promise, they went to live in a Gentile land, the land of the enemy: Moab. In that foreign land, her husband and both her sons died. When she returned to Bethlehem, she came back sad, poor, lonely, and brokenhearted. All she had was Ruth. As it turns out, Ruth was all she needed.
-
Orpha, who left her mother-in-law, depicts those who have rejected God, and therefore Jesus, and do not worship the true God.
-
(Yad Vashem: Holocaust Memorial, Jerusalem, Israel.)
-Two Centuries Of Troubles.
Like Naomi, whenever the Jewish people left their land, they were like a fish out of water. They experienced death. For 2,000 years, the Jewish people found only persecution, death, and destruction at the hands of every country into which they wandered. The Holocaust was the most glaring of the injustices they suffered.
-
But just as Naomi returned to her land so, too, did the Jewish people. They became a nation once again in 1948. Having just been through the Holocaust, like her they were sad, lonely, poor, and brokenhearted. All they had left was a glimmer of hope. But the Ruths of the world, i.e. “The Church,” particularly in America, were a great help to the newborn nation.
-
(For more on that exciting story, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/the-19th-book/)
-
Please proceed to part 3 by following the link below. We'll be talking about the land of the enemy: Moab.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story Of Ruth Part 3: Moab.
Ruth 1:1-2 "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there."
-
As you saw in part 2, the famine in Israel occurred because the land rebelled against all the murders and lawlessness. Naomi and her family left Bethlehem because they thought it would destroy them. Unfortunately, what they feared would happen to them if they stayed, happened to them in that foreign land.
-
Meanings Of Names And Places.
All names in the Bible have a meaning. Much of the richness of this story is found in their meanings which lend to greater depth and understanding.
-
Bethlehem. The name, "Bethlehem," means: "House of Bread." That's right folks; the house of bread had no bread.
-
Ruth comes from two different root words, one meaning, "Beauty;" the other, "Friend." Put them together and you have, "Beautiful friend."
-
Naomi means, "Pleasant."
-
Orpha means "Back of the neck." How descriptive! When she turned around and went back to her people and to her gods, that's what we saw: The back of her neck!
-
Elimelek's name that is also comprised of two words: "Eli: My God, " and "Melek: King." "My God is king." Sadly, when famine struck, he didn't exactly live up to his name. He fled with his family.
-
Don't Run From Your Troubles.
God says when misfortune strikes, "Don't run from your troubles. Stay in the land and TURN TO ME." (See Malachi 3:7)
For example: In Genesis 26, He told Isaac to stay in the land of famine and He would bless him. That He certainly did. Where others could not reap any harvest at all, in verse 12 it says Isaac reaped one hundred fold!
-
Joseph was in Egypt during a very great famine, yet neither he nor his people suffered. In fact, all Egypt was blessed because of his presence there.
-
-
Mahlon and Cheleon. Now we come to these two. Why in the world anyone would give their sons these names is beyond me. They mean, "Sickly and dying or pining," respectively. Is it any wonder they both died? They are a depiction of the fate Israel suffered. When she left her land, she experienced death and destruction.
-
Boaz, on the other hand, is a picture of Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer. His name means, "In him is strength." Jesus became our “Kinsman Redeemer” when He came to earth in the form of sinful flesh, without sin of course. He died a physical death on the cross in order to redeem us. “Redeem," means "Bought back." He bought us back from our enemy, the devil.
-
Disobedience And Death.
Ruth 1:3-5
" 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
-
Notice, it was after Elimelek died that both Naomi's sons married women from Moab, against God's law. You see, Moab was a nation cursed by God at that time and they were absolutely not to have any contact with them. Eventually, both sons also died, leaving their women to fend for themselves.
-
Please proceed to part 4. Naomi returns to Bethlehem and finds that God has, indeed, not forgotten her. Follow the link below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story Of Ruth Part 4: Naomi Returns Home.
Ruth 1:6-7 "6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
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You saw how the land rebelled against all the murders and all the rebellion with famine. Now, in spite of it all, God overrode the whole thing and gave the house of bread Bread again! Naomi heard of it in that foreign land and decided to return home.
You saw how the land rebelled against all the murders and all the rebellion with famine. Now, in spite of it all, God overrode the whole thing and gave the house of bread Bread again! Naomi heard of it in that foreign land and decided to return home.
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Naomi Adresses Ruth And Orpah.
On the way there, she turned and spoke to her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Let's follow the story.
Naomi Adresses Ruth And Orpah.
On the way there, she turned and spoke to her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Let's follow the story.
Ruth 1:8-10 " Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people."
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Both, at first, had in mind to return with her to Bethlehem. But Naomi admonished the women to turn back to their own people so that they might find husbands for themselves.
They were not happy about it, so Naomi said to them again these words in verses 11-15:
They were not happy about it, so Naomi said to them again these words in verses 11-15:
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"11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieves me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clung unto her. 15 And she (Naomi) said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law."
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Orpah decided to take her mother-in-law's advice. She returned to her homeland and to her gods. She, like Ruth, could have stayed and been grafted into the “Jewish tree,”…..but she chose not to. She made a conscious decision to turn her back and walk away. This clearly shows us that those who will suffer eternal punishment have made a conscious choice.
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Not Ruth. She was determined to stick with Naomi. Let's continue our story and look at the beautiful words she spoke to her which are so full of love and loyalty they are often used in wedding ceremonies.
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Ruth's Confession.
Ruth 1:16-17
“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God (Elohim), my God (Elohim).
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord (YHVH) do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God (Elohim), my God (Elohim).
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord (YHVH) do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”
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In the original Hebrew, you can tell Ruth not only knew Who "Elohim (Creator God)," was: She also knew the Covenant-Keeping One: YHVH. No doubt she had listened closely as Naomi told her wonderful stories of this God of Israel; stories about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and she fell in love with Naomi's God. When she said, "Your God shall be my God," He took notice of it and blessed both her and Naomi accordingly!
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Please proceed to Part 4 where we'll be talking about the women's return to Bethlehem and what awaits them in the land of Promise!
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The Story Of Ruth, Part 5: The House Of Bread
Ruth 1:19-22
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
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The whole town had heard of Naomi's return to Bethlehem, and were excited because of them. They had also heard about Ruth and her devotion to her mother-in-law.
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Naomi's Viewpoint.
Naomi had a bit of a different viewpoint. She said, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me."
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Mara means, "Bitter," in Hebrew. She was indeed very bitter; bitter and sad. Deep down in her heart, Naomi really thought that the Lord was against her. This, however, is a statement of her ignorance because the word she used for "Lord" in this verse is "Shaddai." This Name of God means, "The Nurturing one; The All-supplying One," like a mother hen. El Shaddai doesn't come against you or take from you: He supplies; He provides! God is a good God.
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She had no idea what He was about to do for her and Ruth, and she did not know that He was not the cause of her sufferings and sorrow. They were the result of her choice to go live in the land of the enemy.
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Ruth Confessed Favor.
In the next part of their story, Ruth makes another confession. It also does not go unnoticed by God.
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Ruth 2:1-3
"1There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech."
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The fifth time Ruth's name is mentioned, the word, "Hesed: Grace," appears. In this translation, it is translated, "Favor." She literally confessed favor. Favor is synonymous with grace!
Notice it says she "Happened" to come to Boaz' part of the field. That's because God was guiding her steps.
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Please click on the link below to continue to part 6 where we'll see what God has in store for Ruth and Naomi and learn about the law of gleaning:
Notice it says she "Happened" to come to Boaz' part of the field. That's because God was guiding her steps.
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Please click on the link below to continue to part 6 where we'll see what God has in store for Ruth and Naomi and learn about the law of gleaning:
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The Story Of Ruth Part 6: The Law Concerning Gleaning
The Story Of Ruth Part 6: The Law Concerning Gleaning
Leviticus 23:22.
"22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’”
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Ruth had heard a lot from Naomi about this wonderful God she worshipped. It's clear that she knew somewhat about the law concerning gleaning. So, she went out to do this menial task so that she and Naomi, whom she loved dearly, could have food to eat.
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The God Of Haps.
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Ruth had heard a lot from Naomi about this wonderful God she worshipped. It's clear that she knew somewhat about the law concerning gleaning. So, she went out to do this menial task so that she and Naomi, whom she loved dearly, could have food to eat.
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The God Of Haps.
As you saw in Part 5, Ruth went her way and the Bible says, "...she "happened" to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech." The old King James says, "And her HAP was to light on the part of the field belonging to Boaz."
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Hap is an old English word meaning, "Chance, good luck, or fortune." That our God! He is a HAPpening God! When He is in charge of your life, good things just "HAPpen!"
Her steps were undoubtedly guided to the field of Boaz by this God of haps!
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Hap is an old English word meaning, "Chance, good luck, or fortune." That our God! He is a HAPpening God! When He is in charge of your life, good things just "HAPpen!"
Her steps were undoubtedly guided to the field of Boaz by this God of haps!
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The ones who reaped in the fields for Boaz were hired servants of his. As a poor person and a foreigner, however, Ruth was not qualified to do reaping. She followed after the reapers to collect whatever they left behind, a servant to the servants. It was a very menial task.
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The ones who reaped in the fields for Boaz were hired servants of his. As a poor person and a foreigner, however, Ruth was not qualified to do reaping. She followed after the reapers to collect whatever they left behind, a servant to the servants. It was a very menial task.
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The Unnamed Servant.
Ruth 2:4-7
"4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!” 5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
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As Boaz depicts our Lord Jesus, so the Unnamed servant is a picture of the Holy Spirit. He is there throughout the scriptures, like the unnamed servant of Abraham who went to find a bride for the beloved son, Isaac. He is there in the story of Joseph, who spoke to his unnamed steward.
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Uncommon Landowner.
As Boaz depicts our Lord Jesus, so the Unnamed servant is a picture of the Holy Spirit. He is there throughout the scriptures, like the unnamed servant of Abraham who went to find a bride for the beloved son, Isaac. He is there in the story of Joseph, who spoke to his unnamed steward.
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Uncommon Landowner.
Boaz came and spoke to the reapers, then he addressed his servant. As you read above, he is unnamed. Now, it's not unusual for these big bosses to speak to the guy in charge of the reapers, but it is a bit unusual for Him to speak directly to the reapers. But Boaz is not any ordinary landowner. He treated them everyone with honor and respect, addressing them first. In fact, the first words out of his mouth were, “The Lord be with you.” He blessed his crew!
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Then he queried his crew chief about the new girl who was gleaning in his fields. The next thing he did is unlike what any other land owner would do: He spoke directly to this one doing the menial task of gleaning; this servant to his servants.
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Ruth Meets Boaz.
Ruth 2:8-9
"8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”
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Though this young girl is a stranger in a strange land, Boaz is showing her love, kindness, and favor. He knew who she was and offered her both protection and refreshment. He had heard of her loyalty and faithfulness to her mother-in-law and he respected her.
Ruth knew she did not deserve anything from him, yet she got it. Look what happened next:
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Ruth 2:10 "10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Though this young girl is a stranger in a strange land, Boaz is showing her love, kindness, and favor. He knew who she was and offered her both protection and refreshment. He had heard of her loyalty and faithfulness to her mother-in-law and he respected her.
Ruth knew she did not deserve anything from him, yet she got it. Look what happened next:
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Ruth 2:10 "10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
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She fell at Boaz's feet. Great things happen to those who fall at Jesus feet. Grace, favor, protection, and provision flows to that one. Boaz was so completely impressed by this young girl, he went on to explain to her why he took her in and allowed her to glean in his field.
She fell at Boaz's feet. Great things happen to those who fall at Jesus feet. Grace, favor, protection, and provision flows to that one. Boaz was so completely impressed by this young girl, he went on to explain to her why he took her in and allowed her to glean in his field.
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Divine Paradox.
Ruth 2:11-13
"11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”
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Ruth knew her place and knew she was not like any of the other maidservants. She humbled herself and took her place as a foreigner in a strange land. That’s the kind of attitude that really gets God's attention. Grace always flows to the lowest place; to those who humble themselves. That's who God exalts.
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Boaz says to her, "The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."
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A full reward for fleeing for refuge? She was doing herself a favor seeking protection. That's like saying to a brood a chicks, "You shall be rewarded for running for protection under your mother hen's wings!" That’s a Divine Paradox. What a God! What a Savior!
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God Gives Us Credit.
How like our Father, giving us credit for what He has done, like the morning Jesus was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection.
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Remember how Peter and his partners had toiled all night and caught nothing? Then Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat. So many fish ended up in their net, they could not haul it into the boat!
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God Gives Us Credit.
How like our Father, giving us credit for what He has done, like the morning Jesus was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection.
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Remember how Peter and his partners had toiled all night and caught nothing? Then Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat. So many fish ended up in their net, they could not haul it into the boat!
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Do you recall what Jesus said to them? "Bring now the fish YOU HAVE CAUGHT."
You have caught? Wait a second: Who actually "caught" the fish for them? It was Jesus! They had worked all night long with nothing to show for it. Jesus caught those fish and gave them credit for doing it. Wow!
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Please follow the link below to part 7 where we'll be talking about the Law of the Kinsman Redeemer
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The Story Of Ruth Part 7: The Kinsman Redeemer
Ruth 2:14 "14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back."
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Now this show how really different Boaz was from any other land boss. He not only spoke to the foreigner, Ruth, who was doing the most menial of jobs in his fields, he invited her to eat at his table with all the others working in his fields. He himself passed parched grain to her to eat and dip it in the vinegar.
Ruth had plenty to eat, she was filled, and kept some back to bring back to Naomi.
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The Law concerning the Kinsman Redeemer is found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Basically it says this: #1. The man must be a relative. #2. He must be wealthy. #3. He must restore the lands and property to his relative with no strings attached.
If his relative died without producing any children, he must marry the widow and produce an heir for his brother that his name would not be blotted out of Israel. But if he refused to redeem his relative, here's what was to happen:
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" 7 But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
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That's why Jesus had to be born as a human being. You see, it was a man, Adam, who sinned and caused all mankind to fall. It had to be someone from the human family to buy us back.
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But the big question was, would Boaz be willing to redeem her? She was not even a Jew and, under law, not qualified for the blessings of God. The man would risk marrying his inheritance.
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Please follow the link below to part 8 where we will see what transpires at the threshing floor.
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You have caught? Wait a second: Who actually "caught" the fish for them? It was Jesus! They had worked all night long with nothing to show for it. Jesus caught those fish and gave them credit for doing it. Wow!
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Please follow the link below to part 7 where we'll be talking about the Law of the Kinsman Redeemer
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The Story Of Ruth Part 7: The Kinsman Redeemer
Ruth 2:14 "14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back."
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Now this show how really different Boaz was from any other land boss. He not only spoke to the foreigner, Ruth, who was doing the most menial of jobs in his fields, he invited her to eat at his table with all the others working in his fields. He himself passed parched grain to her to eat and dip it in the vinegar.
Ruth had plenty to eat, she was filled, and kept some back to bring back to Naomi.
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The Field Of Boaz.
As you read earlier, Ruth had gone to glean in one of the local fields so they would have food to eat and that it just so "Happened" to be the part belonging to Boaz. Well, when Naomi found out who's field in which she had been gleaning, she realized at once that this man was one of their nearest kinsman redeemers. He was in a position to marry Ruth and redeem her out of her widowhood and poverty. Naomi would be blessed as well!
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Kinsman Redeemer.
What is a “Kinsman Redeemer? He was a wealthy close relative who was in a position to help out one of his own family who had fallen on hard times.-
The Law concerning the Kinsman Redeemer is found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Basically it says this: #1. The man must be a relative. #2. He must be wealthy. #3. He must restore the lands and property to his relative with no strings attached.
If his relative died without producing any children, he must marry the widow and produce an heir for his brother that his name would not be blotted out of Israel. But if he refused to redeem his relative, here's what was to happen:
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" 7 But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
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That's why Jesus had to be born as a human being. You see, it was a man, Adam, who sinned and caused all mankind to fall. It had to be someone from the human family to buy us back.
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But the big question was, would Boaz be willing to redeem her? She was not even a Jew and, under law, not qualified for the blessings of God. The man would risk marrying his inheritance.
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Please follow the link below to part 8 where we will see what transpires at the threshing floor.
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The Threshing Floor: Story Of Ruth Part 8
Ruth 3:1-4
"Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.”
5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
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Natural Wisdom.
Natural Wisdom.
There are many spiritual truths in this short book, but there is also natural wisdom to be found. In the passage above, Ruth was given some advice from by her mother-in-law, Naomi. It was about how to propose without trying to propose, so to speak.
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#1. When you go out on a date, bathe. That should be a given, unless you really don't want to go on a second date.
#2. Anoint yourself. For goodness sake, use deodorant and cologne or purfume. You'll be much more favorably received.
#3. Put on your best clothes. What you wear sends a message and shows how much you value your date.....or not.
#4. Go to where there are friends. If you are looking for someone in your life and all you do is sit around the house asking God, "Who? When" you're going to be waiting a long time. The Bible says that if you want friends, go to where there are friends and BE FRIENDLY.
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The Best Time To Present Your Case.
More natural wisdom can be gleaned about when best to make a request or make a presentation. When is the best time to present your case to another, whatever that case may be? FEED YOUR CLIENT, or the person of whom you are making a request.
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Wise Naomi told Ruth not to make herself known to Boaz until AFTER HE ATE. Humans in general are in a much more favorable mood after they have eaten. -
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You see this principle demonstrated throughout the Bible. For instance, in the case of Jacob and Esau, when their father was very old and soon to die, Isaac sent Esau out to get him some venison so he could prepare his favorite venison stew. After eating, he had planned to bestow the first-born blessing on him. As you know, Rebecca overheard his plan and had Jacob go grab a goat so she could prepare stew for Isaac just the way he liked. After he ate and was satisfied, he conferred the blessing on Jacob that rightfully belonged to his brother.
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Esther is another good example. When she needed to come before the king to plead for the life of her entire nation, she not only waited until after the king ate at her first banquet, she invited him to another on and then told him of her request. She REALLY knew how to present her case!
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At The Feet Of Boaz.
Ruth 3:4 “ 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.”
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Naomi showed Ruth how to propose without proposing. She was to go the the threshing floor, notice where Boaz lay down, but not let her presence be known. After he fell asleep, she was to go over to him, uncover his feet and lay down at his feet.
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In many cultures around the world, it is a sign of great respect toward another person to touch the their feet or fall at their feet, deeming them more worthy than you. Humbling yourself before that person has the effect of putting yourself in a good light, making the other person more favorably disposed to grant your request.
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In the same way, wonderful things happen to those who fall at Jesus' feet. Throughout the Bible are accounts of people who, in essence, did just that. All of them received what they were looking for, whatever that was.
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Cover Me!
Ruth 3:6-9
"6 So she (Ruth) went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?”
So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
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Ruth did all that Naomi told her to do to the letter. After Boaz lay down, she quietly came over to him, UNCOVERED HIS FEET, and lay down.
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Ruth and Boaz lived after the institution of the prayer shawl in Numbers 15. Every Jewish male was required to wear one. Boaz would have been no exception. As a close relative of hers, when she asked him to take her under his wing, she was saying in effect, "Cover me; redeem me and my situation." It was tantamount to proposing marriage.
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Boaz' Response.
Ruth 3:10-13 10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
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Boaz agreed to take Ruth as his wife, but there was a man who was a closer relative that he had to speak to first, which he would do the next day.
He told Ruth to lie down until morning, and then leave the threshing floor before she could be recognized.
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Sit Still, My Daughter.
Ruth 3:16-18
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?”
Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”
18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
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After this statement of Naomi to Ruth, she does not speak another word. The Holy Spirit is showing us that Ruth is resting quietly, fully trusting in the God of Israel to accomplish for her what she and Naomi want: For Boaz to the one who redeems Ruth and marries her.
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After this statement of Naomi to Ruth, she does not speak another word. The Holy Spirit is showing us that Ruth is resting quietly, fully trusting in the God of Israel to accomplish for her what she and Naomi want: For Boaz to the one who redeems Ruth and marries her.
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The Closer Relative.
Before Boaz could marry Ruth he had to satisfy the claim of the closer relative. He went to the city gates. He was there with 10 of the elders of the city. Who is this closer relative? It is Mr. Law, or what we would call, "A type of the law." Who gives us the authority to personify the Law? The Apostle Paul in Romans 7.
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Please proceed to Part 9 by following the link below. We'll be talking about the transaction at the gate and what happens to Ruth. (Link to follow)
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Please proceed to Part 9 by following the link below. We'll be talking about the transaction at the gate and what happens to Ruth. (Link to follow)
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The Story Of Ruth Part 9: The City Gate
Ruth 4:1-4
Ruth 4:1-4
1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it,and I am next after you.’”
And he said, “I will redeem it.”
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So, Boaz went and sat at the city gate. In those days, that is where business was transacted and judgments took place. Notice there were TEN ELDERS present to witness their business. “Ten” also typifies the Law.
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Boaz offered this nearer relative the opportunity to buy the property that had belonged to Elimelek. At first the man said, "Yes," he would redeem the land, until he found out that he would have to marry the Moabitess, Ruth, and produce and heir for her dead husband.
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I can just picture the color draining out of his face. In light of this new information, he relinquished his claim and gave permission to Boaz to redeem the land for himself and obtain Ruth as his wife.
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They legally sealed the deal by “Mr. Law” taking off his sandal–a sign of ownership–and handing it over to Boaz. This accorded Boaz full and rightful claim to all the property of Elimelek and the right to marry Ruth.
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In the same way, Jesus redeemed us from certain death and we became His bride! Now, as in the story of the Prodigal son the unnamed servant was instructed to put shoes on his feet, He puts shoes on our feet, a sign that we are sons/daughters, and heirs to all the property belonging to our Father. Because we are made holy by Jesus, we have the right to walk on holy ground WITH OUR SHOES ON!
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And because the "Shoe" is now in Jesus' possession, the devil can no longer walk all over us!
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Please follow the link below to Part 10 where we'll see Boaz at last get his heart's desire: Ruth as his wife!
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Boaz Marries Ruth: The Story of Ruth Part 10
Please follow the link below to Part 10 where we'll see Boaz at last get his heart's desire: Ruth as his wife!
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Boaz Marries Ruth: The Story of Ruth Part 10
Ruth 4:
"Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.”
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As you learned in Part 7, the wife of the dead was to take her husband's sandal off his foot, spit in his face and say, "So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed."
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Obviously, Ruth and Boaz lived long after this law from Deuteronomy 25 was written. As you can see, the spitting part is no longer there, nor is the widow of the dead.
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As you learned in Part 7, the wife of the dead was to take her husband's sandal off his foot, spit in his face and say, "So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed."
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Obviously, Ruth and Boaz lived long after this law from Deuteronomy 25 was written. As you can see, the spitting part is no longer there, nor is the widow of the dead.
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All the elders and the people gathered at the gates were witness to the whole transaction. Boaz enumerated in the hearing of all everything he acquired, leaving no doubt as to what and who now belonged to him.
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In the same way, Jesus went to bat for us against the devil. He defeated him with his own weapon, death, completely plundered him, and got all the spoils! And who benefits? The Church, the Ruths! His bride! Since Jesus fulfilled the law, IT CAN NO LONGER WALD ALL OVER US!
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Mahlon and Cheleon, "Sickness and Death," are also under His feet. They no longer have the upper hand over us, either. You see, when we die, even that is victory because we go to be with Jesus!
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Elders Happy For Boaz.
The Elders could have simply said, "Yep, ok, we are witnesses," and left it at that. After all, Ruth was a foreigner and a Moabite at that. But they didn't! You can tell by their response that they are not only in agreement, but they are very happy for Boaz! Look what they said:
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11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
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Their prayer for Boaz was that the LORD, YHVH, the covenant-keeping One, bless the woman who is coming to his house and make her like Rachel and Leah, two of the most prestigious women in Israel, builders of the house of Israel. They wished him prosperity and every blessing!
Notice they also respected Ruth? They did not call her, "That Moabitess," but honored her for the virtuous woman she was.
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Please continue on for the exciting conclusion of this study on Ruth by following the link below to Part 11.
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The Story Of Ruth Part 11: Portents Of The End Times
Ruth 4:3
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
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Elders Happy For Boaz.
The Elders could have simply said, "Yep, ok, we are witnesses," and left it at that. After all, Ruth was a foreigner and a Moabite at that. But they didn't! You can tell by their response that they are not only in agreement, but they are very happy for Boaz! Look what they said:
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11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
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Their prayer for Boaz was that the LORD, YHVH, the covenant-keeping One, bless the woman who is coming to his house and make her like Rachel and Leah, two of the most prestigious women in Israel, builders of the house of Israel. They wished him prosperity and every blessing!
Notice they also respected Ruth? They did not call her, "That Moabitess," but honored her for the virtuous woman she was.
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Please continue on for the exciting conclusion of this study on Ruth by following the link below to Part 11.
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The Story Of Ruth Part 11: Portents Of The End Times
Ruth 4:3
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
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How the LORD has turned circumstances around for Ruth and Naomi! He gave Ruth conception and she bore a son to Boaz. By this marriage, Ruth has entered into the lineage of Jesus, becoming the great grandmother of King David himself. Naomi, as her mother-in-law, is also part of this blessing and shares the honor with Ruth
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The End Times And Beyond.
In this last chapter of Ruth we find that there are portents of events concerning the last days and a timeline of events both for our days and into Jesus' millennial reign. Let's continue the story and see what the Holy Spirit has hidden for us in this wonderful love story.
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14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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Ruth is a picture of the Church. As a Gentile and a Moabitess, she was cut off from God and the blessings of Israel. The Law excluded her and she would have been forever under God's curse if not for Grace.
Enter Boaz, a picture of Jesus, who spread his mantle over her, redeemed her, and she became part of the lineage of Jesus. We non-Jews were just like her; without a Savior and without hope until Jesus became our Kinsman Redeemer. He saved us from a fate worse than death and we became His bride, with all the rights and privileges thereof.
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Naomi is a picture of Israel as you learned in another portion of this series. The women surrounding her depict the nations of the world after Jesus has come back and put all things to rights. Israel is, at last, queen among the nations, who are gathered around her in admiration of her son.
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Boaz is a type that leads into another type. He is a type of Christ as our Kinsman Redeemer, and his son is a picture of the babe Who would be born in the distant future in this very town of Bethlehem that would save the whole world.
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The babe held by Naomi is, of course, a picture of Jesus Who will be admired by all the nations after He returns to earth. But he also is another type.
Notice that his name, Obed, was given to him by the women around Naomi, not by his parents. Obed in Hebrew means, "Servant." That's Jesus Who came to serve not to be served.
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How the LORD has turned circumstances around for Ruth and Naomi! He gave Ruth conception and she bore a son to Boaz. By this marriage, Ruth has entered into the lineage of Jesus, becoming the great grandmother of King David himself. Naomi, as her mother-in-law, is also part of this blessing and shares the honor with Ruth
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The End Times And Beyond.
In this last chapter of Ruth we find that there are portents of events concerning the last days and a timeline of events both for our days and into Jesus' millennial reign. Let's continue the story and see what the Holy Spirit has hidden for us in this wonderful love story.
-
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14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
-
Ruth is a picture of the Church. As a Gentile and a Moabitess, she was cut off from God and the blessings of Israel. The Law excluded her and she would have been forever under God's curse if not for Grace.
Enter Boaz, a picture of Jesus, who spread his mantle over her, redeemed her, and she became part of the lineage of Jesus. We non-Jews were just like her; without a Savior and without hope until Jesus became our Kinsman Redeemer. He saved us from a fate worse than death and we became His bride, with all the rights and privileges thereof.
-
Naomi is a picture of Israel as you learned in another portion of this series. The women surrounding her depict the nations of the world after Jesus has come back and put all things to rights. Israel is, at last, queen among the nations, who are gathered around her in admiration of her son.
-
Boaz is a type that leads into another type. He is a type of Christ as our Kinsman Redeemer, and his son is a picture of the babe Who would be born in the distant future in this very town of Bethlehem that would save the whole world.
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The babe held by Naomi is, of course, a picture of Jesus Who will be admired by all the nations after He returns to earth. But he also is another type.
Notice that his name, Obed, was given to him by the women around Naomi, not by his parents. Obed in Hebrew means, "Servant." That's Jesus Who came to serve not to be served.
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Secrets In The Hebrew.
Ruth 4:13-22
“Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.”
“Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.”
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Last but not least, there is a message to us at the very end of this wonderful story. Whenever a story like this ends with the lineage of Jesus, there’s a special message just for us! It’s hidden in the names of all these people. The meanings of the names at the end tell another story entirely.
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Perez…………….Breach. Breach means “break. Breaks in the wall can let sheep out and/or wolves in.
Hezron…………..Enclosed
Ram………………High and Exalted
Amminadab……My Noble Kinsman
Nahshon………..Enchanter, like a snake charmer. This word in the Bible is used for “magic, miracles and shekinah glory.”
Salmon………….Garment
Boaz……………..In Him is strength. Bo means “in,” az means “strength,” same root word for the Uzzi gun invented by the Isralis; literally “gun of strength.”
Obed…………….Servant
Jesse…………….The One Who Is or exists
David…………….Beloved
Hezron…………..Enclosed
Ram………………High and Exalted
Amminadab……My Noble Kinsman
Nahshon………..Enchanter, like a snake charmer. This word in the Bible is used for “magic, miracles and shekinah glory.”
Salmon………….Garment
Boaz……………..In Him is strength. Bo means “in,” az means “strength,” same root word for the Uzzi gun invented by the Isralis; literally “gun of strength.”
Obed…………….Servant
Jesse…………….The One Who Is or exists
David…………….Beloved
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It’s a picture of Jesus! “The breach has been enclosed by my high and exalted Noble Kinsman with enchantment in His garment. In Him is strength to serve the one who is His beloved.”
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God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him shall NOT perish, but have eternal life. That's the ultimate message to us in the beautiful story of Ruth.
