Ruth 4:18-21

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18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David. ~ Ruth 4:18-21

Today, we conclude our study of the book of Ruth. This is the 30th genealogy in the Bible and it is that of Perez, the son born to Judah and Tamar. From him, a list of 10 names are given. This is a common form of such genealogies in the Bible. From Adam to Noah, 10 generations are listed. From Shem to Terah who is Abraham’s father, there were 10 generations. Here, from Perez the son of Judah, 10 generations will be listed until King David.

The story of Ruth began with the words, "Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled." It was during the time that the people got tired of the way things were with God as their King, so they asked for a human king which did not have a good outcome. In fact, the more God allows us to define ourselves, the worse we become. We are our own worst enemies. We weren't meant to exist apart from a relationship with our Creator.

The first name mentioned in the book of Ruth is Elimelech whose name ironically means "My God is King." Elimelech represented the time from the giving of the Law of Moses, through the time of the judges until the time of the kings. His wife Naomi represented Israel. The two sons of Elimelech and Naomi represented the two kingdoms of Israel; the northern kingdom known as Israel and the southern kingdom known as Judah. 

Chilion whose name meant "wasting away" represented the northern kingdom and it perfectly describes what happened to the people of Israel. They were exiled by Sennacharib, King of Assyria in 722BC and simply wasted away as a kingdom. Mahlon, whose name means "man of weakness," represented the southern kingdom known as Judah. The people of the southern kingdom were the bearers of the law of Moses yet the law was weak to grant them the heart they needed to follow the Lord. Their story is that of those who continuously disobey the Lord and they also joined themselves to foreigners in their rebellion against God. Thus they suffered exile. In their exiles the theocracy and the kingdoms died.

Mahlon, the younger son picturing the southern kingdom of Judah, returned after their exile, but only through the Gentiles pictured by Ruth. His people, the Jews, were subjected to Gentile rule from this point on. They were no longer a kingdom and thus Mahlon died and with his death, the kingdom ended. 

When Elimelech died, his sons remained. Then the two sons died, but Naomi lived on. Naomi represented the people of Israel, and Ruth represented the Gentiles who were being prepared for redemption through Israel. When Boaz entered the picture, it had been made abundantly obvious that the Law of Moses was too weak to give sinful men the new heart they needed to know the Lord. Boaz pictured the Lord Jesus who came in the strength of the Lord. Boaz name means "strength," and, he was introduced "at the time of the barley harvest" which was at the time of the Passover and the Feast of Firstfruits. Both fulfilled in the work of the Lord Jesus at the cross. Boaz was a picture of the Lord Jesus who is our Passover Lamb who is also the Firstborn from the dead.

At the end of Ruth 2 we read, "Ruth stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest." 

The wheat harvest was a picture of the church age. This is symbolized by Pentecost, which is 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. It was when the Holy Spirit came to indwell the saved. Interestingly, Ruth 2-4 all takes place in Bethlehem Ephrathah which means bread and fruitfulness respectively. The very name of the city and region points us to the Lord Jesus who was long pictured in the Old Testament and in the Gospels through the bread and through the wine.

Finally, the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy of ten names. These ten names create a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work that provides salvation to the willing of heart. The ten names are in order Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David. When translated, these names give this message which is: "The One who broke through death is exalted, He is my noble Kinsman, the foreseer, clothed in the strength of the Lord, a Servant is my husband, beloved." 

Ruth 4:16-17

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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 4:16-17

Today, we continue our study of the book of Ruth. Whereas this book began with famine in chapter one, it leads quite quickly to a harvest in chapter two. Then, it ends with a testimony of God's great faithfulness to a young gentile woman who was intent on being defined by the Lord. It is through the process of sanctification that God inculcates His culture into our souls, and, we do well to look to Him for the truth that sets us free from the bondage of the self life.

In v.16 of today's passage we read, "Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him." 

What Naomi did at that point was a symbolic act of adoption as her own. In Genesis 30, when Rachel was unable to bear her own children, she gave her maidservant to Jacob to have one for her. When she did this, she did it with this thought in mind, that the child would be nurtured by her. In fact in Genesis 30:3 we read, "Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her."

By having the child born in Rachel's lap, it signified that the child belonged to her. This verse in our text today about Naomi is similar. The child was Ruth's son, but Naomi would play a major role in his life. Obviously she would hold the baby and play with it often, but the purpose of Noami specifically saying these words was to tell us the significance of the act. The record of the words show the intent of the passage, and the intent was that Naomi would raise her grandson in the ways of the Lord.

This Hebrew word used in v.16 is not the usual term for "nurse" where a woman would breastfeed a child. This word means to confirm or to support. Naomi, as the nurse, then would be the primary one to raise the child in the law and culture of God. She would be the one who willingly bore the responsibility to teach the child the truth and the dangers of the self life.

In v.17 of today's passage we read, "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."

The women literally yelled out the name, "Obed" which means "servant." And, then the women yelled out, "There is a son born to Naomi." And, these women tied the name "Obed" to the idea that he was Naomi’s son. This makes sense when we recognize that just three verses earlier, as soon as it was said that Ruth was given conception and bore a son, the women said, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!" 

Then, in the very next verse we read, "May he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age." The son was the close relative who was Naomi’s redeemer. He is the one who will be the restorer of life and the nourisher of Noami. He will be a servant to her and so they call him Obed. This son was a type of the Kinsman Redeemer.

"He, Obed, is the father of Jesse, the father of David." The narrative ends with a note of resounding greatness. In the previous chapter, Boaz had hinted that a blessing was upon Ruth because of her determination to be defined by the Lord. Boaz had exclaimed in the dark of night at the threshing floor, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter!" Due to his attentive care for her, and because of her true steadfast faith in the Lord, the two of them became ancestors of David, the great king of Israel. And in turn, each of them became ancestors of the greatest King of all, and in Whom all of the Messianic prophecies are fulfilled. 

Boaz then shows us that there is more than just adherence to the law to bring about what is good and right. The unnamed closer-relative adhered to the law, but by him Ruth and Naomi remained unredeemed. He provided a picture for us of one who followed the letter of the law. Following the letter of the law only shows that the law cannot prevent our misery. Instead, it only increases it. The law only shows us that something more than the law is needed. And, that something more is the grace of God.

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul reminded us: "13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."

Later, in Galatians 3:21-25, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."

Where the closer relative of Naomi relied solely on the law, only misery for Naomi and Ruth would remain. But Boaz, prevailed over the law when he chose to be defined by the grace and love of God. Boaz was a man of grace because he understood the spirit and intent of the law, not the merely the letters which comprise it. Boaz too could have declined to redeem Ruth, but through the granting of grace, a bond of love was formed which prevailed over the law. His actions provided for us a perfect picture of our Savior, our Kinsman Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Ruth 4:13-15

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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. 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.” ~ Ruth 4:13-15

Today, we continue our study of Ruth 4 wherein we have seen God sovereignly work in Ruth's life so that she not only entered into a personal relationship with Him, but also that she ended up in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ. Preceding all of this were the tears of Ruth 1, the toil in Ruth 2, the development of trust in Ruth 3, and finally, the triumph through a testimony in Ruth 4.

In v.13 of today's passage we read, "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."

This is the second time in the book of Ruth that an event is expressly attributed to the hand of God; the first was in Ruth 1:6 where we are told that "the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread." While the Hebrew term for "conception" occurs elsewhere only in Genesis 3:16 and Hosea 9:11, the concept "gave her conception," occurs only here. 

The phrase, "She became his wife" reveals that throughout the book of Ruth, her status changes. In Ruth 2:10 Ruth was called a foreigner. In Ruth 2:13 Ruth is called the lowest form of a servant. In Ruth 3:9 Ruth is called the highest form of a servant. And now in Ruth 4:13 "she became his wife." As is the case in my life and yours, God has been known to reverse the fortunes of foreigners. He is the Master at entering into the lives of those who know they can not solve their problem causing them to cry out to Him. It is then that He does His greatest work.

In v.13 notice the repetition of the word "and." In the original, this word is repeated five times. A logical sequence of events is described here which shows perfect obedience to the word of God, and the Lord assuring that the allowance of the law will be fulfilled. Every detail of this verse reveals the hand of the Lord all over the events that unfolded in the lives of these newlyweds. And, Ruth bore a son for it is through a son that the name of the dead is to be raised up. Whether they had daughters or not isn’t recorded because this is dealing with redemption and inheritance and therefore the male-child to be born to the union is what the Bible is focused on. This son was the ultimate realization of the blessing that was bestowed upon Ruth in the first chapter of this book. Sorrow in Moab had now been changed into blessedness in Israel.

In v.14 of today's passage we read, "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!'"

Though Noami said to these women, "call me Mara," back in Ruth 2, there was no longer a need for that name. Naomi was no longer bitter and lacking the Lord’s grace. Due to the obedience of Ruth, Naomi had returned to being pleasant once again. She had left Israel full and returned empty. She was now full again due to the determined obedience of her daughter-in-law. In this pronouncement of blessing, the women did not address Ruth, but Naomi. Bless the Lord because he has not left you (Naomi) without a redeemer. Naomi’s future well being was being secured because of another. 

In v. 15 of today's passage we read, "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."

The blessing these women pronounced expresses the desire that Naomi be blessed in her old age through her grandson. This was possible because of the Lord's blessing through her daughter-in-law. What seven sons could not have done for Naomi, Ruth was able to do. Only through a woman can a child be born. If she had seven sons but none of them were married, they could never have given her what she had been given through Ruth.

In the Bible, the number seven indicates perfection. The women of the town knew that the value of Ruth and her love for Naomi was transcendent and that it had been through this love that a new hope was transcendently granted. Since the son was born to Ruth, though he was not of direct blood, he was to be considered the most cherished of all sons. This story reminds us to trust in God in the dark and bleak moments of life. God really does bring about all things for our good; sometimes we get to see that more clearly; other times we have to walk by faith and trust Him with the eventual outcomes. 

The book of Ruth took place during the days of the Judges. The books of Judges and Ruth cried out for a godly king, who would rule God’s people rightly and redeem them from the trouble brought upon them through their own foolish disobedience. With the birth of Naomi's grandson, we see the Lord unfolding the lineage that would lead to the godly king that we really need. That King is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth to be our Kinsman Redeemer. This is why He willingly came to this earth as one of us, so that He could redeem us into a personal relationship with God. And, our redemption is full!

Ruth 4:11-12

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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.” ~ Ruth 4:11-12

Today, we continue our study of Ruth 4 where Boaz has redeemed Ruth and the land of Elimelech. In Ruth 1 there were many "tears" due to the famine and the deaths of three husbands and one father. In Ruth 2, Ruth positioned herself to be blessed of the Lord through a man named Boaz through her "toils" in the field. In Ruth 3 we witnessed the growing "trust" between this woman and this man, picturing for us the growing relationship the Lord desires to give us with Him. And, in Ruth 4, we are witnessing the "triumph" of God in the lives of those who believe in Him enough to be defined by Him. 

In v.11 of today's passage we read, "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."

In Ruth 1 Naomi blessed Ruth. In Ruth 2 Boaz blessed Ruth. In Ruth 3 Boaz noted that Ruth was blessed of the Lord. And now again, in this final chapter, all the witnesses at the town gate. pronounce another blessing upon Ruth. Specifically, their blessing tied Ruth to Rachel and Leah, noting Rachel first. There are several reasons for putting her before Leah. Even though the people of Bethlehem were descendants of Leah, Rachel was the first desire of Jacob as his wife. She also died and was buried not far from Ephrathah where they lived. The main reason Rachel was mentioned first here was due to the fact that she pictured New Testament grace. Leah, on the other hand, pictured the Old Testament law. These two women of note were introduced as hopeful comparisons to Ruth, a wife for Boaz and a mother for his household.

These two women are credited with the building of the house of Israel, meaning the nation itself. This word translated "built" is the same word used to describe the "building" of Eve from Adam’s rib. From this word are derived the Hebrew words for "son" and "daughter." And so it indicates the building of the house through having children. It is made of three different words: Beth means "house," Nun means "heir," and Hey means "behold" as when something great is revealed.

Their blessing was that Ruth will continue to "build" the great name of the House of Israel through subsequent heirs just as Rachel and Leah did when they "built" the house of Israel. This blessing was literally fulfilled in the great-grandson of Ruth, King David. But, her greatest descendant was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This verse ends with two great words: Ephrathah which means "fruitfulness" and Bethlehem which means "house of bread." Accentuated here in the name of the city where our Savior was born is the fruit of the vine and bread. Interesting, the two elements of the Lord's Supper. These two elements point us to the Lord Jesus Christ who was the Bread of Life and His blood was analogized by the fruit of the vine. I doubt these witnesses really understood where all of this was headed.

In v.12 of today's passage we read, "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."

These words go directly back to Genesis 38 which is one of the most remarkable passages in the Bible as to what it pictures. Ruth, like Tamar, was denied her rightful justice until she personally came forward to claim it, just as Tamar did. Judah failed toward Tamar and was forced to state, "She is more righteous than I." Boaz proved his righteousness in doing what another would not do and fulfilled his obligation as the next closest relative to Ruth. Perez was born to Tamar by Judah and he was used by God as a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most interestingly, Perez was an ancestor to Boaz. The blessing upon these two by the people of the town was an acknowledgement that despite Judah’s superstition concerning Tamar being a bad luck omen, she turned out to be a blessing and the mother of a noble house.

All four of these are found tied together in this one grand story which included some nefarious workings. Lot’s older daughter tricked her father along with her sister and she bore a son named Moab who was an ancestor of Ruth. Jacob’s wife Leah tricked her husband and she bore Judah who is an ancestor of Boaz. Judah's wife, Tamar was an ancestor to Boaz, as well. And, Ruth married Boaz, and their son would lead to King David and then to the Lord Jesus. What seems like somewhat scandalous or possibly even immoral occurrences to most people, have all been used for a good purpose and a good end.

The marvel of the Bible which is the unfolding story of God's redemption of sinful man is that it contains everything necessary to enable us to have a personal relationship with God, no matter how badly we have acted on our sinfulness. This kind of revelation is lacking in nature and can only be revealed by God to us personally through special means. These special means have come to pass and they have been compiled into the Bible. This book shows us the great love of God that He has for each one of us and what He did to bring us back to Himself and to a place of idyllic perfection through the sacrifice made by His Son on our behalf.

I close with a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon who once said, "Our poor barren hearts ne'er produced one fruit, or flower, till they were watered with the Saviour's blood. It is his incarnation which fattens the soil of our hearts. There had been pricking thorns on all the ground, and mortal poisons, before he came; but our fruitfulness comes from him."

Ruth 4:7-10

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7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. 9 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. 10 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.” ~ Ruth 4:7-10

Today, we return to Ruth 4 which is only 1 of the 1189 chapters in the Bible. But, this chapter is of great significance because with the taking off of a sandal and the giving it to another, it was sealed that the lineage of the Messiah would include both Ruth and Boaz. Boaz became the kinsman redeemer for Ruth; he measured up to the task that was at hand. There were several requirements a man had to meet in order to qualify as a kinsman-redeemer. First of all, he had to be a near relative. Second, he had to be willing to redeem. Third, he had to be able to redeem. Boaz fit the bill for all of these, and in so doing, he became a type of the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer.

In v.7 of today's passage we read, "Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel."

Today's passage begins with a custom in Israel at that time. Many of the customs that we find even today in our culture has as their origin, the Bible. However, we live in a world that is anxiously looking for ways to redefine things. With these redefinitions, our world is continually being defined by the enemy himself. This explains the collapsing of what was once a great society largely impacted by the word of God.

Center stage in this chapter is a sandal. Throughout the Scriptures sandals have been of great importance. Sandals are mentioned 35 times in the Bible. The legal way that folks during the days of the Judges confirmed legal matters, whether it was marriage, the sale of real estate, or the making of wills, was the passing of a sandal from one to the other. 

In v.8-10 of today's passage we read, "8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, 'Buy it for yourself.' So he took off his sandal. 9 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. 10 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.'" 

Knowing already that Boaz was willing to redeem Ruth and the families land, the unnamed relative stated out loud in the presence of the witnesses, "Buy it for yourself." This relative's integrity was maintained by the way Boaz handled the situation. Ruth could have first gone to the unnamed relative and insisted on her right of redemption and then the law would have applied if he refused to fulfill the obligation. But, due to the skillful and thoughtful way that Boaz handled the situation with much tact, there was no loss of face. Since Boaz knew the grace of God for himself, he extended it to the unnamed relative. So, Boaz took off his own sandal and he willingly and legally redeemed Ruth.

When Boaz married Ruth the wife of Mahlon, he referred to her as "Ruth the Moabitess." God does not desire for us to forget that she was a Gentile. God did this to remind all, especially the Jews, that He has a heart for all mankind. Sadly, to this day, the most orthodox of Jews disdain Gentiles. This shouldn't be for the sure fire way that we know that someone has entered into a personal relationship with the God of the Bible is that he has God's heart for all of mankind.

It is worth noting Ruth's position in the Hebrew Bible. It is placed directly succeeding Proverbs. As the book of Proverbs illustrates the wisdom of a righteous man, it concludes with Proverbs 31, the description of the virtuous woman. Ironically, Boaz is wisdom personified. He was a wise man, who acted with respect and dignity even in the most tempting situation. Interestingly, Ruth, a Moabitess, is personified as the godly woman. In fact, the very language used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman whose "works praise her in the gates," is used to describe Ruth. It is as if the compliers of the Hebrew Bible placed the book of Ruth directly after Proverbs to describe the marriage between the wise man and the virtuous woman.

Whereas the book of Ruth is a book describing the redemption of one Gentile woman, the book of the Revelation is a book of redemption for the whole earth. At the time of the vision that God gave to the Apostle John while on the island of Patmos, recorded in Revelation 4, John was in heaven. John was at that moment was a type of the Bride of Christ. The soul and body had been redeemed through the blood of the Lamb, but the earth had not received its redemption yet. The earth’s redemption was to begin with the judgments of God during the Tribulation Period.

In his vision, John saw Heaven searching for someone to meet redemption’s qualifications, looking not only in Heaven and Earth, but under the earth as well. But now the Lamb of God appeared as the only One worthy to open the seven-sealed book. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One to be found worthy, able and willing to redeem all of Creation that was subjected to the rule of Satan in the Garden of Eden. Our father, Adam, lost his sinless nature foolishly; and he couldn’t buy it back. He wasn’t able. He did not qualify as a kinsman redeemer. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who has ever met the qualifications to be mankind’s Kinsman Redeemer. He was fit; He had become related to the human race by being born of the Virgin Mary. When He took on the form of flesh, He was eligible, fit to be our Redeemer. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary; that which was conceived within her was of the Holy Spirit. Divine blood, not human blood, flowed through the veins of the Lord Jesus; for the blood of the child comes from the earthly father. And at the crucifixion, His divine blood was offered up for sinful man's redemption. The Lord Jesus Christ became our older Brother. Willingly He said, "I come…to do your will, O God." As a result, the Lord Jesus Christ was able to fill that role because only His sinless blood could redeem the willing back to God. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.

It was John the Baptist who said of the Lord Jesus, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." 

Ruth 4:1-6

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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.” 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” ~ Ruth 4:1-6

Today, we transition into Ruth 4 where we are introduced to the previous mentioned fly in the ointment. The stage had been set in Ruth 1 where there were many "tears" due to the famine and the deaths of three husbands and one father. The law of God required the nearest relative to be the kinsman redeemer of Ruth since her Hebrew husband had died. In addition, in Ruth 2, Ruth was given great favor by God in the eyes of this wealthy man named Boaz. Ruth positioned herself to be blessed through her arduous "toil" in the fields of Boaz. Adding to all of this is the "trust" earned by all involved in Ruth 3. Through the unfolding of this story, Naomi trusts God more, while Ruth and Boaz grow in a trusting relationship. The sovereign hand of God is clearly being seen in our study of this wonderful book of Ruth. As we transition into Ruth 4 we will learn some fabulous principles about "triumph." 

In v.1 of today's passage we read, "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."

In ancient times, the cities were walled and gated. The city gates included courtyards which had alcoves in them. These city gates were the entrances to the city, and each gate had a courtyard. In these courtyards, there were typically benches for sitting. Kings would sit at the gates of the city; elders would sit at the gates of the city. The city gates served as a "combined town hall and courthouse." 

Previously, Ruth went "down" to the threshing floor and Boaz now went "up" to the city gate. But elevation isn’t always a consideration when going up or going down in the Bible. Rather, the importance of an area often indicates a higher position, regardless of elevation. In the Bible, when one is going toward the land of Canaan, for example, they are always said to go "up" regardless of elevation or direction on the compass. When one goes towards Jerusalem, they are always said to go "up" in the same way. Boaz went "up" to the city gate because the gate was the place of judgment. Big decisions were made there. Whether the threshing floor was actually lower than the gate isn’t as important as that the gate was where the matter decided upon at the threshing floor would be adjudicated.

In the middle of this verse we read, "and behold." Once again, the use of the word "behold" shows the "coincidental" nature of the encounter. What are the chances that Boaz could spot this redeemer in this crowded place? Not only that, in the midst of this busy, crowded place, Boaz was also able to stop ten elders to sit down with him. Echoing the "chance" arrival of Ruth in the field of Boaz in Ruth 2, here the providential hand of God was once again revealed as the very man with whom Boaz needed to negotiate the redeeming of Ruth just "so happened" to walk past shortly after Boaz arrived at the city gate.

In v.2-4 of today's passage we read, "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.'" 

So the men sat down, and Boaz pressed the nearest relative who was naturally to be the kinsman redeemer. He pressed him because Boaz ultimate desire was to see Ruth and Naomi taken care of; Boaz had been given by God a heart for these two helpless women. Boaz desired to buy the deed for the land for Noami and he desired to offer his hand in marriage to Ruth. 

The book of the Revelation is based upon this idea. When land was transacted, a title deed was drawn up. The title deed in those days was a scroll. And, in the scroll, the names and the stipulations were included. And then the scroll was sealed shut. When someone wanted to buy the land or redeem the land, they had to break the seal, unroll the scroll, and claim the stipulations that were found in that title deed. So, in order to buy back or to redeem something, the requirements had to be fulfilled. Fast forward to the final book of the Bible, the book of the Revelation. This is exactly what the Lord Jesus has done. In fact, early on in Revelation 4 no one was found worthy enough to open the seal but the Lord Jesus. As the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world, He was qualified to open the seal and to purchase you and me back to God.

In v.5-6 of today's passage we read, "5 Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.' 6 And the close relative said, 'I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.'"

To this point in the story, Boaz has asked this relative if he wanted to redeem the land for Naomi, and he agreed to do so. But, when Boaz shared with the relative that with the purchase of the land came the purchase of a moabite, his mind was changed. Since Ruth had married Naomi’s son, she was entitled to take part in what had occurred. But, since she was a gentile and this would involve a marriage to her, she was not named in the proceedings at this point. The matter at hand would first deal with Naomi and her inheritance which came from Elimelech to her. Once that proposition was settled, then the second matter would be addressed. 

Influenced by Boaz’ shrewdness, the unnamed closest relative realized that he couldn’t afford to buy the land and to care for the two widows and children that he would bear through Ruth. So, the man passed on the opportunity to redeem Ruth and in so doing permitted Boaz to assume first position. Such is a story of a man who loves his bride to be. Of course, this story is yet again a picture of our Savior's love for us. And, it is through our recognition of His love for us that we grow in our trust of Him, and, as our trust grows, our love for Him will grow as well. 

Ruth 3:16-18

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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.” ~ Ruth 3:16-18

Today, we close out our study of Ruth 3 where Ruth has gone from growing up on the other side of the tracks to establishing a meaningful relationship with one of the wealthiest men around. You will recall that God had given Ruth favor in the eyes of Boaz who allowed her to glean substantial amounts of grain from his field. This led to Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, advising her to make it known to him that if he asked her to marry him, she would say, "Yes." In fact, Ruth had done just that and now she has returned home to her mother-in-law after discovering a potential fly in the ointment.

In v.16-17 of today's passage we read, "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.'"

When Ruth returned to Naomi's house, there was excitement in the air. Interestingly, the writer of this book did not depict Ruth sharing any of the details of the night’s events other than mentioning the fact that Boaz had provided Ruth barley so that when she returned to Naomi she would not have returned empty handed. Of further interest, this statement by Ruth is the last recorded words by her in this book. The phrase "empty-handed" hearkened back to the sorrow Naomi expressed earlier when she and Ruth returned to Bethlehem. Boaz’ actions here seemed to suggest a change was in order for Naomi.

The setting at Naomi's house must have provided such a great context for there to be great joy shared between Naomi and Ruth. Just a short time earlier, these two widowed women stood on the dusty roads of Moab weeping at the grim prospects of their future, not knowing the plans the Lord had in store for them. And now, they were within hours of finding security and rest in one who would perform for them redemption. The only question that remained was not "if," but "who."

The grain Boaz gave to Ruth was a great sign of good things to come. The analogy drawn for all who follow the God of the Bible bears the significance of the completion of His work on our behalf and our assured entrance into the rest which was anticipated since the dawning of man. This "rest," which was lost to Adam, had not yet been available to anyone until the Lord Jesus Christ came to bear the sin of all who would believe in Him. The rest that He offers is predicated upon His resurrection from the dead.

It is significant that the barley passed from a Gentile to a Jew, not the other way around. Though it originally came from a Jewish man, it went through Ruth and then to Naomi. It is a Gentile who carried it until it was time to be handed to the one for whom it was originally intended. Despite his intentions to be betrothed to Ruth, Boaz still maintained compassion for, and a desire to support, Naomi. Again, it is an important consideration to understanding the entire scope of what is pictured here. From the very beginning of time, the gospel of the Lord Jesus was meant for the Jews and the Gentiles.

In v.18 of today's passage we read, "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.'"

Naomi knew the anxiety of Ruth’s heart and that she anticipated a breakthrough in her life. Perhaps, Ruth was pacing the floors of Naomi's house as she patiently waited for the plan of God to unfold. And, her excitement and impatience would only intensify as the moments passed with each hour. And so Naomi rightfully asked Ruth to sit and relax until the matter, which was out of her control, would be settled. This is a picture of our walk with the Lord. As we anticipate Him awakening another sinner from their sin or as we anticipate a call from our doctor's office, we have no other choice but to wait and the sup with our God. This is important because it is in these moments of life that intimacy with Him and offered to you and me. The key is to patiently look to Him with our hearts.

God knows the beginning to the end and everything happens for Him in the instantaneous now. Knowing this, we can rest in His will because we can be assured that Father knows best. 

In Ecclesiastes 11:3 we read, "If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie."

Once the tree has fallen, there is no way it will get up and move. When the matter of Ruth’s redemption falls, and in eternity it had, it will be once and for all-time decided. And when a man breathes his last and falls to the ground, his eternal fate will be  settled. There is a finality in the idea of that which falls. Here in this verse remains the question: "Who will be Ruth’s redeemer?"

Boaz had given assurance to Ruth by giving her grain, and he had departed at the first dawning of the morning to work out the consummation of his plans. Naomi therefore knew, with all certainty, that he was intent on seeing the matter through. Having seen his actions towards Ruth in the past and his kind attitude which accompanied him, she knew that he had his heart set on her and he had every intention of marrying her. But first it had to be determined if he was the one qualified and able to bring about her redemption. The question remained, "Was Boaz God's choice?" This is so crucial for all of us. God must be our pursuit and pursuant to Him is His will.

Everything so far in this love story has been carefully detailed and recorded for the sole purpose of helping us to see the work of the Lord Jesus Christ  in advance. This is a story of great love, both in the immediate story, but also in the picture it presents. The Lord Jesus Christ waited patiently for the fullness of time to come and then He came to earth in order to procure a bride for Himself. He also submitted to the authority of the Father and He followed the law to the letter, fulfilling it completely. Thus He embodied the law for us. 

There is a time, and it may not be far off now, when we will see the consummation of this great plan. Christ will come for His bride and He will sweep us away to be with Him forever. God chose this beautiful story of Ruth to show us hints of the unfolding of our story with Him. When we responded affirmatively to the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," we became a part of His bride.

Getting back to the waiting game for Naomi and Ruth. There should always for the believer in Christ a note of confidence in the invisible hand of God, who directs our lives with pinpoint accuracy. The key is that we practice patience in the Eternal One. Just as the six days of creation were incomplete without the seventh day of rest, Boaz' generous gift of seed was incomplete until Ruth gave to him her hand in marriage. This is a picture of our consummation with the Lord. 

Ruth 3:12-15

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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.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. ~ Ruth 3:12-15

Today, we return to our study of Ruth 3 where Ruth has just made it known to Boaz that if he were to ask for her hand in marriage, she would say, "Yes." Ruth was a picture of the sinner who is saved as a result of asking the Lord to come into his life. And, although Boaz gave full and clear indication that he was going to ask for her hand in marriage, there was wrinkle about to be made known which could jeopardize it. 

In v.12 of today's passage we read, "Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I."

As with any great story there are always twists that creates opportunity for God to show Himself strong on the behalf of those who depend upon Him. These twists could be looked upon as frustrations and disappointments, but a life of trusting in the God of the Bible renders a different perspective. Rather than seeing the interruptions as disappointments, faith in the God of the Bible says the disappointments are more opportunities for God to show Himself strong in the life of the trusting believer.

The twist in the story of Ruth is that Boaz knew that there was another relative who could have been the Kinsman Redeemer. We do not know who the other Kinsman was, we are not told of his identity but we do know that he was somebody in the chain in the family tree who was a closer relative than Boaz. So according to the law, Boaz had to use deference and pass it on to him first to see if he wanted to do it.

In Isaiah 45:2-3 we read, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron . . . That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel."

God has always performed the work of restoration and redemption is the lives of His trusting children. Isaiah wrote, "He makes crooked places straight." And, in order for Him to make crooked places straight, the place has to be made crooked. And, the crooked place here was there was an unnamed relative who legally should have been the Kinsman Redeemer. God uses the trials of life to condition our hearts for His holiness and to increase our spiritual maturity. Our trials are also designed to wean us from our dependence of this world and ourselves.

In v.13 of today's passage we read, "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."

These words of Boaz to Ruth were for her concern. We like Ruth are actually alone and destitute in this world. No matter how much we think we might have, even if our bank accounts are overflowing now, there are no guarantees that it will continue. Ruth understood this, but often we fail to see it. 

In v.14 of today's passage we read, "So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, 'Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.'"

During the night Ruth laid at the feet of Boaz and awaited his directions. To sit at the feet of someone indicates a desire to learn from that person. It is the place of submission and even servitude. This was where Ruth was that night as she spent the rest of her night pondering how the events of the next day would unfold. This is what it is like for the believer in Christ; daily anticipating His next move in our lives as we are poised to follow His lead into this great adventure with Him that awaits us.

At the earliest showing of light, Ruth "arose" or literally "stood up." The intent was to depart before the shadows turned to recognizable faces. The Hebrew here reads "before one could recognize another." This means Ruth's early departure was a necessary precaution to preserve her integrity. 

In v.15 of today's passage we read, "Also he said, 'Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.' And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city." 

Before Ruth was to depart from Boaz, he asked for Ruth’s shawl. The word translated "shawl" is used only twice in the Bible. This was a garment that was placed over her shoulders, or maybe tied around her waist that could be used to carry the grains. This particular word literally means to "bear" such as in having children and it was useful for Ruth to carry the barley into the city.

The word ephah is not in the original text. An ephah equates to about a bushel of wheat. One ephah, or one bushel, would be as much as Ruth could carry in a basket, just as she did at the end of her first day of labor in the fields. Unless Ruth had unseen strength, there was no way she could carry six ephahs of barley into the city. The unit of measurement here is not what is most significant. What was important here was Ruth was seen coming from the threshing floor with the barley grain. 

Barley is specified here because of what it pictures. Barley is a picture of the resurrection of Christ because according to Leviticus 23 barley was what was presented at the Feast of Firstfruits. This first sheaf came from the first mature crop of barley. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 we read, "20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming."

The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits by being the firstfruits of the resurrection. Others in the Bible (such as Lazarus and Jairus' daughter) had been raised from the dead prior to Christ's resurrection but they were resurrected back into their old bodies which would eventually die again. The Lord Jesus was the first to be raised into a new resurrection body, never to die again! 

Oh, the wisdom of God who created the grains, who ordained the time the grains would come forth, and who designed them with particular traits, each resembling the work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The grains and a trillion other items in nature have all been created and ordained to show us truths about God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ who is the main theme of all of the Scriptures.

Ruth 3:6-11

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6 So she 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.” 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. ~ Ruth 3:6-11

Today, we return to our study of the book of Ruth. In our last study Naomi instructed Ruth to doll herself up and go to the winnowing floor where Boaz would have been working and let it be known to him that she would like for him to ask for her hand in marriage. Later that day, after Boaz and his workers separated the grain from the chaff, they had a celebration meal in the evening celebrating all the grain they had winnowed. There was huge pile of grain there, and the workers would have been so tired from their full day of work they would all fall asleep around the pile of grain with their heads at the center of the file and their feet sticking out like spokes on a wagon wheel. They did this in order to guard what they had collected; there were many thieves known to be in the area. 

In v.6-9 of today's passage we read, "6 So she 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.'"

So, right there in the middle of the night, Ruth did as her mother-in-law had told her to do and Boaz was frightened by the person laying at his feet. The Hebrew used here translated, "at midnight" describes the darkest moment of the night when Boaz had fell into a hard sleep and then was startled to the point of intense fear as one would be when he did not know whether it was a lion or a man with an axe there at his feet. Sometimes we must experience intense fear in the midst of the darkness of life in order to appreciate the marvelous freedom that the light brings. That moment proved to be a metaphor of all that the Lord God was doing on the behalf of all involved in this marvelous story.

It was at that moment Ruth made her identity known to Boaz, and then she asked him to ask her to marry him. Ruth utilized a metaphor we still use today; to take someone under our wing is to provide them protection and provision. And, as we have mentioned before, all of this was possible due to the fact that God has a tremendous heart for the least. He is the author of the ancient law called the law of levirate marriage which is what is unfolding before our very eyes in this story of Ruth. Sadly, the people of Israel have forsaken this provision of God. Unfortunately, the people once known as God's people have, along with the rest of the world, abandoned God's culture and His definition of things. They, along with all who know not the Lord and His ways, are bent on changing the definitions of things, things that God has long ago defined. And, the more one abandons God's truth, the more one is gobbled up by evil and wickedness in all of its various forms.

In v.10-11 of today's passage we read, "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."

As soon as Boaz knew this person was Ruth, he reminded her that her goodness was really the expression of the Lord's goodness. He said to Ruth, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter!" Boaz' theology was spot on. He understood that if any good comes out of our lives, it is the Lord expressing Himself through us. Many think that after we have entered into a personal relationship with the Lord the goal is that we get better. Not so. As we learn to die to self and as we learn to yield to the Lord, it is then that we grow spiritually. When we are yielding to the Lord, He is enabled to express Himself through the brokenness therein. And, it is then that the Lord is most glorified.

I love the character shown by both Ruth and Boaz throughout this book. In every situation whether in Moab, on the road to Bethlehem, or in Bethlehem, Ruth and Boaz were so pleasant, polite and courteous to everyone. Boaz' reactions throughout this whole book, whether to Ruth or to his employees, was at every turn godly. All of this illustrates that when God picks a spouse for us, He gets the best for us. The key is that we walk in His truth. As we walk in His truth we access His wisdom. We must be smart enough to let Him do the choosing. I once heard a man say, "Ladies, you must be so close to the Lord that when a man wants to ask you to marry him, he must go through the Lord to do so." This principle not only works with the women but it works with us men, too.

As indicated by the response from Boaz to Ruth, she could have gone after a younger man, maybe one that was perhaps more attractive or one who would be with her longer due to his age. But Ruth was different, she was following the lead of the Lord who doesn't always major on our minors, so to speak. Due to the fact that Ruth had already garnered a godly reputation in Bethlehem as a virtuous woman, it was now time for her to realize the will of the Lord in her life. 

As I read this story once again, I am reminded of Romans 12:1-2 which renders to us the first step toward knowing the will of God for our lives. We begin to realize the will of God in our lives best on the heels of submitting ourselves daily to God as "living sacrifices." Ruth, somewhere along the way, had made that decision to yield her life to the Lord, and now, she was being defined by the Lord as He implemented His will in her life. 

I end today's blog with a very appropriate quote from Dr. Tim Keller who recently went home to heaven. He said, "In sharp contrast with our culture, the Bible teaches that the essence of marriage is a sacrificial commitment to the good of the other. That means that love is more fundamentally action than emotion. But in talking this way, there is a danger of falling into the opposite error that characterized many ancient and traditional societies. It is possible to see marriage as merely a social transaction, a way of doing your duty to family, tribe and society. Traditional societies made the family the ultimate value in life, and so marriage was a mere transaction that helped your family's interest. By contrast, contemporary Western societies make the individual's happiness the ultimate value, and so marriage becomes primarily an experience of romantic fulfillment. But the Bible sees GOD as the supreme good - not the individual or the family - and that gives us a view of marriage that intimately unites feelings AND duty, passion AND promise. That is because at the heart of the Biblical idea of marriage is the covenant."

Ruth 3:1-5

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1 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.” ~ Ruth 3:1-5

Today, we transition into the third chapter of Ruth where we go further into this romantic love story. More than a story of romance, the book of Ruth is more about the providence of God. And providence can be defined as God weaving together natural events supernaturally. It is where God works supernaturally naturally. He supernaturally allows natural events to be woven together for His glory and our good.

There are only 85 verses in the Book of Ruth, but there are a tremendous amount our spiritual principles discovered herein. For example, possibly going unnoticed is that Naomi has rid herself of her bitterness toward God and now she is thinking of others. This is the way it is in the life of the believer. On a given day, we can be defined by God's culture or we can be defined by the culture of the self life. When we are being defined by God, all sorts of good things come out of it, like caring for others.

In v.1 of today's passage we read, "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?'" 

As the parent, in that society and within the times of their culture, it was Naomi's duty and responsibility to arrange a marriage for Ruth. The Hebrew word translated "seek security" used in this verse implies "rest" such as in a place of rest, like when Noah’s ark settled on the mountains of Ararat, or a state of rest, such as when there is freedom from labor resulting in general ease and contentment. Naomi was asking Ruth if she wanted to be granted a place of rest in a marriage.

As we previously mentioned, in those days, there was a law that required the "kinsman redeemer" to marry a widow resulting in her being able to rest from her labors. This unmarried man of the family was required by God to take the widow as his bride so that she was not left destitute. Now that Naomi is back in the position of being defined by the Lord, she suggests to Ruth to make her interest in Boaz known to him. Naomi knew the Scriptures and that God had a huge heart for the widows and the orphans. Since Boaz was older than Ruth by a generation, he would not have asked Ruth for her hand in marriage; Ruth had to make her interest in Boaz known before he would ask her to marry him. Through the once embittered Naomi, God was providentially at work on the behalf of Ruth.

In v.2 of today's passage we read, "Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor."

Creative Naomi comes up with a plan to get Ruth and Boaz alone so that Ruth can make her interests known to Boaz. The setting would be the threshing floors which were usually made out of bedrock. It was an elevated area out in the fields where the grain was collected. It was elevated so that in the afternoon when the winds came, the chaff was separated from the grain most easily.

In v.3-4 of today's passage we read, "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."

Since the death of her husband, Ruth had worn widow’s garments. For the first time since that occasion, she will now adorn herself in a beautiful garment or dress and be prepared in a most radiant way. Her clothes would smell wonderful, her face would glow from the bath, and her hair would be shiny from a handful of olive oil. 

This is a story of not only Boaz becoming the redeemer of Ruth, this true historically verified story provides a picture of the Lord Jesus and those who follow Him. Every word and every detail in the story of Ruth was given to show us of the Lord's love, redemption, and restoration of those who would want to be His people. Every person mentioned in the story of Ruth is emblematic of another figure or precept which leads to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The story of Ruth is truly a work of beauty, and, God has taken these real people with their truly human needs and desires, and has used them as examples of His redemption for those who were once the enemies of God.

To uncover his feet referred literally "the places of his feet." It was comparable to saying, "the foot of his bed." Boaz would probably be sleeping in his clothes and merely have a cover over his feet to keep them warm through the night. With this cover, Ruth would lay next to his feet and cover herself as a sign of submission. It would be as a servant might do when sleeping in a room with their master. These action, as instructed by Naomi and carried out by Ruth, would have been perfectly acceptable in their culture. Ruth was offering herself to the one who had the right to redeem her by taking advantage of the very law of redemption which the culture was guided by. Boaz was the one to perform the redemption, if Ruth so asked. And, so it is with the wooing of the Holy Spirit of the unbeliever to believe in the Lord Jesus as Savior. He called us in anticipation of us responding, but it was we who had to respond affirmatively to the His call.

In v.5 of today's passage we read, "And she said to her, 'All that you say to me I will do.'"

Naomi had certainly presented a rather risky venture for Ruth, one that could have potentially been fraught with danger should Boaz choose not to redeem her. What is truly amazing is the simple response given by Ruth, specifically "All that you say to me I will do." Ruth did not question Naomi’s plan; there was only a simple response of obedience. We should not be surprised at this because this is what Ruth has done throughout this book. Recently, I had a young man ask me, "If God has forgiven our sin, past, present and future, what is our motivation to obey God?" I responded, "It is intelligent to obey God for He has given us His word in order to inculcate His culture into our souls. And, quite frankly, it is rather foolish to think that we know better than God." Ruth obeyed because she understood this principle.

Ruth 2:20-23

For the Ruth 2:20-23 PODCAST, click here

20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” 21 Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.” 23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law. ~ Ruth 2:20-23

Today, we conclude our study of Ruth 2 where the Lord has taken a difficult story of a woman named Naomi who lost her husband and sons to death and turned it into a tapestry. As the story has moved along, we now have seen the Lord lead one of the daughters-in-law of Naomi, Ruth, to a field owned by a man named Boaz who out of no where has shown the twenty-five year old Ruth, much favor. The faith of this young lady had made it possible for her to realize God's leading in her life to the point of experiencing many little miracles. As a result, her faith has impacted Naomi, her mother-in-law in such a way that she has turned from being a person who was bitter toward God to a person who is now grateful before Him. I find it very instructive that according to Romans 1, sinful man's departure from the Lord began with his inability to be grateful to Him.

In v.20-21 of today's passage we read, "20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, 'Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!' And Naomi said to her, 'This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.' 21 Ruth the Moabitess said, 'He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'"

As we saw in our last study, Boaz, the owner of the field where Ruth had been led by the Lord, told his men to deliberately leave grain behind during their harvesting so that Ruth would have plenty of grain to carry home to her mother-in-law. By the time her day of working was done, Ruth had gathered somewhere between around 30-50 pounds of grain which was enough to feed both she and Naomi for at least five days!

When Ruth got home, Naomi saw her grain haul and arrived at the idea that God had not forsaken her. We all struggle like Naomi, thinking that when we do bad things that God is upset with us. It is at this point that we conclude that He is not there or He is mad at us. This is the product of faulty theology. Since the Lord Jesus lived the perfect life that we could not and He died the death that we could not, the Father looks at all believers in the Lord Jesus through the lens of the Lord Jesus. In the Father's mind we are perfect through His Son. Therefore, everything He does or allows in our lives is the best for us. We must simply trust this to be the case and live our lives accordingly.

In today's passage, Naomi referred to the Lord’s kindness. Using the Hebrew word "hesed" which is the Old Testament word for grace. Naomi's theology was improving. She acknowledged that God used Boaz’ generosity to remind her of His faithfulness. For the first time in a long time, the heart of Naomi began to be softened toward God. Naomi realized, in that moment, that God had done all this through a close relative who fit the bill of a "kinsman redeemer." God had, in the Old Testament, ordered that the "kinsman redeemer" was to be a close relative who was to "redeem" or "to buy back" his relatives if they fell into debt and had to sell themselves as payment for their debt. According to Deuteronomy 25, the "kinsman redeemer" was also instructed to marry the widow and raise up a child for the brother who had died childless. In this way, the family line and inheritance would continue to be associated with the name of the man who had died.

Even though Boaz was not a brother of either Mahlon or Chileon, it is clear by Boaz’ generosity that he was the kind of man who had the heart of God for the needy. His heart had been touched by God’s "hesed" and he merely treated Ruth and Naomi as he had been graciously treated by God. It’s also clear as this story unfolds that the reference to Boaz as a Kinsman Redeemer is meant to point us to The Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Naomi’s discovery wasn’t just it was Boaz who sought the outcast, and sheltered the weak, and served the hungry, and showered his grace on the needy, it was God is the overall point being made.  

In Luke 19:10 we read, "Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost." He came reminding us of the words that He had given Isaiah in Isaiah 59:2 which reads, "Your sins have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." And yet, in Romans 5:8 we read that even "while we were sinners, Christ died for us," making it possible for us to be reconciled to God through the death of His Son on the cross.

Accentuated in v.21 are these words: Ruth the Moabitess. The writer of Ruth did this in order to reinforce the lengths to which the Lord went to save us. Ruth was yet again being shown to have a heritage which began in incest and did not measure up before God. This is the story that we all share for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have no idea how far reaching the degradation of sin has corrupted us. And, if we view those who are the product of incest as less than we are, our theology needs correction. As I am, you are the worst sinner. We all are and that should create the greatest amount of gratitude toward God and humility toward others in our souls.

In v.22-23 of today's passage we read, "22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, 'It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.' 23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law."

The concept of the "kinsman redeemer" has come to the forefront of the story. Naomi charged Ruth to stay close to the young women, implying that maybe a relationship could come out of this between Ruth and Boaz. We do not always know the leading of the Lord before we realize His will in our lives, but here in today's passage a principle pertaining to knowing the will of God is demonstrated by Ruth. As has been the case throughout this book Ruth, Ruth's trust in God was demonstrated as she submitted to the authority structure in her life.

The God of the Bible is, as Creator of all things, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. He has all power and all authority, and He entrusts roles of leadership and responsibility to individuals in the family, the body of Christ, the workplace, and the government. In Romans 13 we read, "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." 

Human authorities are accountable to God for how they exercise their authority. They are responsible to provide protection and direction for those under their care, to lawfully punish those who do wrong, and to praise those who do well. Those under authority are accountable to God for their responses to authority. Since God has placed authorities over each of us, we honor Him and His own authority as we submit to those He has placed over us. And, it is through the authority structures in our lives that God reveals His will for our lives to us.

Ruth 2:17-19

For the Ruth 2:17-19 PODCAST, click here

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” ~ Ruth 2:17-19

Today, we return to our study of Ruth 2. At the end of Ruth 1 we saw the pain of Naomi that had turned into bitterness. There had been a famine in Israel so Naomi followed her husband Elimelech, taking along their two sons, to Moab for sustenance. Shortly after arriving in Moab, Elimelech died. Naomi’s sons married Moabite wives. And then, within ten years, both sons died. At the end of Ruth 1, Naomi referred to herself as "Mara" which means bitter, and she blamed God for her bitterness. This just underscores the fact that we can be in the family of God and still have our struggles trusting the Father.

Our pain either pushes us to dependence to the Lord or it pulls us away to be independent of the Lord. The outcome is determined by the disposition we embrace: either pride or humility. In Job 36:15 we read, "He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity." This means God "grants us the ability to hear Him" through the adversity that we face in this fallen world. It is through our struggles that we are granted the choice to choose to listen to the Lord and subsequently be defined by Him. Our pain draws us to God, and once we are walking with Him, we will realize that everything in this world is just as broken as we. Through this process, we learn to recognize and to trust the voice of God who leads us through this sin ladened world. 

In v.17-18 of today's passage we read, "17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied."

Ruth had traveled back to Bethlehem with her bitter mother-in-law, Naomi, and she sought a job at a local grain field. God showed Ruth favor by giving her favor with a wealthy man of Bethlehem by the name of Boaz who was attracted to her even though he was at least fifteen years older. In these verses we learn that Ruth worked all day gathering and sifting barley in the fields and now she had taken her harvest home to her embittered mother-in-law, Naomi.

At the end of v.17 we learn that Ruth had gathered an ephah of barley for the day. This was no small amount of grain. In today’s measurements, it was approximately a bushel of barley. Undoubtedly, it was rather heavy for Ruth to haul, especially after her long day of working. In all, the grain that she obtained was enough to feed both herself and Naomi for five full days.

Even though Ruth was worn out and exhausted, she was satisfied with her work and her harvest. All work has dignity because it reflects God’s image in us. The first few words in the Bible reads, "In the beginning God created." God created us to feel better about ourselves as we responsibly hold down a job. And, if we do not take our cues from Him, we will be defined by something that is much lesser. This is the real issue which is that we are being defined by God on a daily basis. According to Genesis 2:15, work existed before the fall of man. The Bible clearly informs us that God put man in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it. The one who brings home a paycheck to provide for themselves and their family has a sense of dignity and worth. God made us this way, and, when we are not being defined by Him, we will be defined by the lesser which will always lead us down the road of destruction.

In v.19 of today's passage we read, "And her mother-in-law said to her, 'Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.' So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, 'The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.'"

It was at this point that the grace of God came rushing in upon Naomi. The astonishment of Naomi was evident in the repetition of her questions. She asked, "Where have you gleaned today?" Then she asked, "And where did you work?" Knowing Ruth’s character, there wasn’t even a hint of wrongdoing in Noami's questions. Instead of such thoughts, Naomi’s confidence in her character was never questioned. Naomi then realized that someone must have taken note of Ruth's plight and chose to help her. This led Naomi to say, "Blessed be the one who took notice of you!"

It was at that moment that Ruth revealed the identity of the man who had helped her and Naomi knew she was related to this man through her deceased husband, Elimelech. Earlier, we read that Ruth happened to come to the field owned by Boaz. But that was not how it actually came to pass. Ruth came to that field because God guided her there. To these unfolding events, Noami responded with praise. Naomi was the woman who had earlier come into town saying, "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." This was the same woman who said, "The Almighty has afflicted me." Due to Ruth's walk with the Lord, Naomi was beginning to see more of God’s unfolding plan for her and she was responding in the right way.

Most believe our sanctification or the inculcating of God's culture into our souls is about us. No, my friends, our sanctification is so that others might look into our lives with God and to see God shown through our yielded lives. God used Ruth to turn Naomi’s bitterness into gratitude, her unbelief into faith, and her despair into hope. One person, trusting the Lord and obeying His will, can change a situation from defeat to victory. Ruth’s faith in God’s Word led her to the field of Boaz. The love of Boaz for Ruth compelled him to pour out his grace upon her in the way he did.

This is the lesson we are left with today through the life of a twenty-five year old girl who grew up on the other side of the tracks. This is the lesson we gain from the one who had learned that her pain was useful to God to drive her to Himself and His culture. Like Ruth, we must be defined by the God of the Bible today so that others might learn of Him through our yielded lives.