Ruth Day 27: Ch 4:18-22

19: Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron,

Perez is the oldest of the twin sons that Tamar bore to Judah.

Perez means “branch,” Hezron means “camping place,” Judah means “praise Yahweh,” and Tamar means “date palm.”

19: Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminidab,

Ram means “high, exalted” and Amminidab means “my people give freely.”

20: Amminidab fathered Nashon, Nashon fathered Salmon,

Nashon (also spelled Nahshon) means “serpent” and Salmon means “coat.”

21: Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,

Boaz means “lively” and Obed means “serving.” It is interesting to note that Obed is not referred to as the son of Mahlon in this genealogy as would be the custom when redeeming a widow. Instead he is referred to as Boaz’s son.

22: Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Jesse means “man” or “manly” and David means “favorite” or “beloved.”

David becomes the king of Israel. He is a king whom God promised. The people revered him as a good king and God promised a king greater than David which we learn is Jesus. Anyone who knows the history of David knows that although he was a great king, he had his share of mistakes. Jesus is the perfect king who will reign forever. He lived a sinless life and gave us His righteousness for our unrighteousness which makes it possible for us to enter heaven!

Although the meanings of the names aren’t important, it is good to know that God uses everyday people to achieve His plans. We don’t know much about many of the people in David’s ancestry, but God used them. They surely taught their children the truth of God’s Word. David sang songs to God and his faith was great. He was known as “a man after God’s own heart.” Sometimes our greatest achievement in the kingdom of God will be to raise children who are after God’s own heart. I’m not sure about you, but that is pretty encouraging to me.

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 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 19: 3:14-15

14: So she lay at his feet until morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”

Rumors. If you’ve every watched Veggie Tales, the rumor weed song pops into my head when I think of this. It is to protect her dignity that she leaves before she can be recognized. If you questioned their chastity, she laid at his feet until morning so I’m pretty sure nothing happened. I find it interesting that he says “the woman” here. My Greek and Hebrew are rusty which is why I haven’t brought the languages up during this study, but I am curious as to why Ruth is referred to in this way.

15: And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

Growing up I used to think that Boaz gave her the barley as an excuse to be out so early in the morning. If anyone were to ask why she was up, she could say that she needed barley for breakfast or something like that. Recently I heard a sermon where the pastor mentioned that it could be because he wanted to give Naomi a sign that he had accepted their request and would get it taken care of that day. My only question regarding this is; did he know that Naomi had put Ruth up to this? On the one hand, Ruth most likely did not know the customs so it would be obvious that Naomi had put her up to this. On the other hand, we are not told of Ruth mentioning anything about Naomi during their conversation. Either way he gifts her with barley

This section is a little short, but still interesting. We see how Boaz looks out for Ruth’s dignity and that both of them were respectful towards one another. Tomorrow we will look at Naomi and Ruth’s interaction that morning.

We should seek to honor one another and to look out for each other’s well-being. We can all guess that temptation was there, but they chose to remain pure. I’m sure that we’ve all faced temptation in whether it be the same as Ruth and Boaz, although most likely a different scenario, or some other temptation. We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

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.

Ruth

So I’ve decided to be a stereotypical woman and study the book of Ruth. Over this next week I will read the book and figure out how I’d like to divide it up. I encourage you to read through the book as well. If you have any questions regarding the book of Ruth, let me know!

Here are some basic facts about Ruth:

She is an ancestor of King David and therefore an ancestor of Jesus
She is one of two women with books in the Bible named after them (the other is Esther)
She was from Moab

We’ll learn more about her through this study and we’ll also discover more about God and His salvation plan.