Ruth Day 24: Ch 4:5-8

(I apologize for the tardiness of this post. I thought I had completed it already, but found out that I did not and didn’t have time to work on it until now.)

5: Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”

Since Mahlon had no heir when he died, a relative needed to marry Ruth in order to bear an heir. The land happened to play a part in this role since the land would go to the heir. It is two similar yet different customs that are combined in this situation.

6: Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take the right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

We aren’t told why the other relative refused to redeem except for that redeeming the land would cause problems with his own inheritance. My guess is that he did not realize that marrying Ruth was required. Naomi was older and had already born sons, although they had died, so the law most likely did not go into effect where they would need to bring up an heir. He probably thought that all he had to do was care for Naomi and the family land would be his. The land was to remain with the family which is why only a family member could redeem it. When the relative realized that he would have to marry Ruth and have an heir for Mahlon, he refused. Again, this is just my speculation since we are not told in Scripture.

7: Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.

The author of this book wrote much later than the events of the book. We can clearly see that in this particular verse as well as in the length of the genealogy at the end of the book. Some suggest that the prophet Samuel wrote the book, but we are not told.

8: So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.

The author mentions the custom and then tells us that the other redeemer did so in order to give up his right to the land, and thus Ruth.

If you read this book for the first time, you may have been holding your breath for a few verses. It seems like that one “perfect” couple are headed towards marriage when a wrench is thrown into the mix. There’s a mix of anxiety and groaning as you wait for the problem to be solved and the happy ending to be achieved. Well, unlike many TV dramas, you didn’t have to wait for long. The other redeemer has forgone his right and now Boaz has the chance to redeem Ruth.

In a way, this also reminds me of the Gospel. Back in the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were in charge of caring for the garden and there was no sin at that time. The only rule was to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In return, they could enjoy fellowship with God forever. Like the other redeemer, they chose to forgo their inheritance. They ate of the forbidden tree and were kicked out of the garden. Sin entered into the world and we suffer because of it. Like Boaz who sought to redeem Ruth, Jesus sought to redeem us. He had planned it from the beginning and put His plan into action. At the right time, He bore our sins on the cross and paid our debt! Now we can enjoy eternity in fellowship with God! Jesus is our kinsman redeemer!

Ruth Day 23: Ch 4:1-4

1: Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of who Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Boaz knew exactly where to find the other redeemer and the other redeemer obliged his request to sit down.

2: And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Now there’s a party; just kidding! It seems that everyone respects Boaz enough to listen to his request and to wait for him to make his full request known.

3: Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country ofMoab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative, Elimelech.”

The Israelites had a law that family land could not be sold to anyone other than another relatiave. Boaz begins his statement by pointing to the land.

4: “So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Uh oh. The other redeemer is interested in the land. Boaz has elders watching their interaction so that they would have witnesses.

And we’re going to stop here on this cliffhanger for today. This seems like a wrench in God’s plan, but when we see what happens next, we realize that it was only a little bump that had no effect whatsoever. Oops. I guess it’s not a cliffhanger anymore 🙂

Ruth Day 21: Chapter 3 Review

A lot has happened for Ruth in one day. Her mother-in-law puts her up to a scheme to catch the man called Boaz and have him redeem her (through marriage). He accepts and sets the necessary steps in motion.

As usual, it is time for questions and answers!

What happened during the chapter?
What did we learn about Naomi?
What did we learn about Ruth?
What did we learn about Boaz?
What did we learn about God?
How can we apply what we’ve learned to our lives?

Tomorrow we’ll review chapter 4 and get an idea of what is to come regarding Boaz’s plans and the redemption of Ruth.

Answers! (They don’t have to be exactly the same)

What happened during the chapter?
Naomi tells Ruth of her plan
Ruth agrees to obey
Ruth obeys what Naomi said
Boaz is surprised
Boaz promises to put the plan of redemption in action
Ruth returns with barley to Naomi
Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz won’t rest until the matter is settled
What did we learn about Naomi?
Naomi is a bit of a schemer and match maker
She understands the rules of a kinsman redeemer
She is looking out for Ruth’s well-being
What did we learn about Ruth?
Ruth is obedient
Ruth is worthy
What did we learn about Boaz?
Boaz is a man of God
Boaz will seek to rectify the problem immediately
What did we learn about God?
God’s plan was in motion before anyone could see it
Boaz implementing the steps to redeem Ruth can remind us of how God set up the steps for our own redemption
How can we apply what we’ve learned to our lives? (Your answers may be different)
We can thank God for putting His plan in motion to redeem us
We can tell others of God’s redeeming love
We can know that God is working in our lives, even when we can’t see it

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Ruth Day 20: 16-18

16: And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

Spill the details! Ruth fills Naomi in on all that has happened.

17: saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”

How could I forget? That’s what I get for not re-reading the chapter before writing yesterday’s post (insert face palm here). The reason that Boaz gave Ruth the barley was so that she would not go back to her mother-in-law empty-handed. It was a signal to Naomi. This answers my question from yesterday about Boaz’s knowledge of Naomi’s involvement. You can always learn something new even when you read something multiple times, especially in regard to the Bible.

18: She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

As we will see in the next chapter, Boaz wastes no time in setting this redemption thing in motion. He goes through the proper channels and redeems Ruth.

This reminds me a bit of the Gospel. For one, Jesus left His home in heaven to come live among men just as Ruth left her home in Moab to live with Naomi in Bethlehem. Jesus also didn’t take His sweet time to plan our redemption. Genesis 3:16 is referred to as the “protoevangelion,” which means “first Gospel.” The plan for our redemption was in motion from the beginning. God wasted no time in getting His plan in motion. When the time was right, Jesus came to earth as a man to take our sins upon Himself and die on the cross, bearing the punishment for our sins. Then He rose from the dead to show His power over death. Now all who believe will be set free and their sins wiped clean! I get excited every time I think about it!

Anyway, I apologize for the error on my part regarding the meaning of the barley. I can’t believe I missed it when it was right in front of my eyes! It’s good to know that our Savior does not make mistakes! God bless and see you tomorrow!

Ruth Day 13: 2:21-23

21: And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’”

Ruth lets Naomi know that Boaz is looking out for her. It is also interesting that Ruth is referred to as Moabite here.

22: And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.”

Naomi knows that it is safer for her to be in Boaz’s field, especially because he has offered protection. Ruth is referred to as Naomi’s daughter-in-law in this verse.

23: So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

As mentioned earlier in the week, the barley and wheat harvests last around three months. Ruth stayed in Boaz’s field this whole time and cared for her mother-in-law. The flip flopping of the use of men and women is most likely because she worked around both the men and women and thus the author just alternates the use of the terms.

We can learn that Ruth listens to Naomi and also takes Boaz’s offer to stay in his field. She didn’t have to stay, but she did. Sometimes we just need to listen to others and accept their generosity rather than try to fend for ourselves. It can be a hard thing to do, especially for those of us who prefer to do everything ourselves.

God is working through this. During this period of time, Ruth and Boaz will get to know each other better. We are not told whether or not there is any romantic inclination. Sometimes we want God to jump to the “good stuff” so that we don’t have to wait. It can be hard, and sometimes painful, to wait, but our waiting is for a reason. God is working even when we cannot see Him.

Ruth Day 9: 2:1-7

1: “Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.”

Introducing the newest main character. The prince charming, the rescuer, the source for all those “where is my Boaz” memes. (That last line should be read with a twinge of sarcasm.) On a serious note, Boaz is first introduced. His connection to Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, is an important factor that will come into play later in the chapter. The first thing we learn about Boaz is that he is a relative of Naomi’s husband. The second thing we learn is that he is a worthy man. The third thing we learn is that he is specifically from the clan of Elimelech (Naomi’s husband). The last thing we learn is his name: Boaz.

2: “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”’

We are reminded in this chapter that Ruth is a Moabite, not an Israelite. She asks Naomi to glean ears of grain which is what those in need often did in order to provide food for themselves. When the reapers would gather up the harvest, some was inevitably left behind and people were able to gather it and keep it for themselves. It was a way to provide for the poor. Naomi gives Ruth permission to go.

3: “So she set out 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 clan of Elimelech.”

I’ve read through this book so many times, but this is the first time that I’ve noticed that the whole field didn’t belong to Boaz. “She happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz.” We are reminded that Boaz is a relative of Elimelech.

4: “And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.”’

Boaz came from the city to his part of the field. His greeting to the reapers shows his faith. Boaz is a worthy man and a man of God.

5: “Then Boaz said to his young man who was in change of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Boaz notices Ruth working in the fields. A funny quote I’ve heard, but I don’t remember where I’ve heard it, is “Boaz saw Ruth working not twerking.” I find it interesting that he even noticed her, because it wasn’t uncommon for women to gather after the reapers.

6-7: “And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came and she has continued from early morning until now except for a short rest.”’

Again, we are reminded that Ruth is a Moabite. The servant knows that she had returned with Naomi. She requested to glean and has excellent work ethic. She shows diligence in her work even though it is tedious.

God is only mentioned in a greeting, but we can see His hand of providence at work here. First, he leads Ruth to the land of her mother-in-law’s relative to glean. Then He causes Boaz to take notice of Ruth. We’ll notice more of God’s providence in this situation as we continue through this chapter.

Whether we be stay-at-home moms, students, have a full time job, or anything in between, we need to be diligent in what we do. God notices and He will give us strength and rest when we need it.

Ruth Day 8: Overview of Chapter 2

Chapter two covers how Ruth and Boaz meet. It is also the first mention of a kinsman redeemer.

Here is a summary of the chapter:

Boaz intro (vs. 1)
Ruth goes to glean fields (vs. 2-3)
Boaz returns (vs. 4)
Boaz inquires of Ruth (vs. 5-7)
Boaz speaks to Ruth (vs. 8-9)
Ruth thanks Boaz (vs. 10)
Boaz praises Ruth and God (vs. 11-12)
Ruth thanks Boaz again (vs. 13)
Ruth eats with Boaz (vs. 14)
Boaz instructs reapers (vs. 15-16)
Ruth gleans (vs. 17)
Naomi sees gleanings (vs. 18-19)
Kinsman redeemer (vs. 20)
Ruth relays Boaz’s instructions (vs. 21)
Naomi agrees (vs. 22)
Summary (vs. 23)

Verses one through twenty-two take place over a single day. Verse twenty-three covers about a three month period. The barley harvest is from April until May and the Wheat harvest is from May until June.

Things to think about as you read through this chapter:

What kind of person is Boaz?
What does Boaz first notice about Ruth?
What do you think Naomi means by redeemer in verse twenty?
What do we learn about Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz in this chapter?
What do we learn about God in this chapter?

I challenge you to read through all of chapter two today in preparation for the rest of the week.

Ruth Day Six: 1:19-22

Verse Nineteen: “So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”’

So the women continued on their journey to Bethlehem. The way this verse is worded makes be believe that they had started traveling before Naomi told them to return to their families. It fits with verses six and seven where they say “she arose [] to return from the country of Moab” and “so she set out form the place where she was [] and they went on the way…”

Verses 20-21 “She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”’

Naomi’s name means “my pleasantness” whereas Mara means “bitter.” Naomi no longer sees her life as pleasant because of the calamity that has befallen her. She still focuses on what has been taken from her rather than what has been given to her.

Verse 22: “So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.”

This verse pretty much sums up what has happened. Naomi returns with Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem. It also gives a time frame for their arrival. The barley harvest begins in April and ends in May.

Naomi believes that God has left her and that her life is no longer pleasant. Trials can be painful, but God never abandons us even when it seems hopeless.

Ruth Day Five: 1:15-18

Verse Fifteen: “And she , “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”’

From an evangelism standpoint, I’m a little disappointed in Naomi encouraging them to return to their gods, but from a practical standpoint Naomi believes it to be better for them to remain with their own people.

Verse Sixteen: “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.”

This is a brave thing for Ruth to say. She is willing to go with Naomi to a foreign land. She is willing to follow her wherever she goes. To stay wherever she stays. She is giving up her own cultural identity for Naomi’s people and giving up her gods for Naomi’s God.

Verse Seventeen: “Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”’

Ruth further elaborates her dedication. She not only will stay with Naomi until Naomi passes, Ruth will stay until she herself dies. She is willing to give up everything to go with Naomi. This is similar to what Christians are called to do. We are called to give up everything to follow Christ. He may not actually ask us to abandon everything, but we must be willing to.

Verse Eighteen: And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.”

Naomi could see that Ruth would not be persuaded to leave her side. Naomi would not be completely alone like she had been feeling. Not only was God there unseen, but Ruth was visibly by her side.

Even when things seem dark, God brings people into our lives who will stay. Even if there is no one present at the moment, we are never truly alone. We never travel our sorrows alone because we always have God by our side.

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

Ruth Day 3: 1:6-9

Verse Six: “ Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited His people and given them food.”

The reason that Naomi and her family had left Bethlehem in the first place was because of the famine. After ten years, Naomi learns that God has provided food.

Verse Seven: “So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.”

This verse reiterates the previous verse and points to the location of her return. Verse one mentioned how they were from Bethlehem in Judah. Naomi is returning home to her people and seems to be bringing her daughters-in-law with her.

Verses Eight-Nine: “But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.”

Naomi seems to realize that it is better for her daughters-in-law to return to their families. From the context, they are young enough to remarry and go on with their lives in the land of Moab. They need not remain widows. In that way, they would be taken care of into their old age.

They care for each other, as Naomi tries to persuade them to remain for their benefit and the young women weep at her suggestion. Naomi also mentions how they have been kind to her.

We see that God has removed the famine from the land of Judah at that particular time just as He had allowed it to come at a previous time. His plan, as will be seen as we read through more of the book, brings a Gentile woman, not originally part of the Israelite people, into the genealogy of Jesus. By doing this, God also shows His plan for all people to be saved. Jesus didn’t come just to save the Israelites, but to save all peoples who repent and believe.