47.RUTH Chapters 1--4

The book of Ruth, is the 8th book of the Bible, and I believe the most difficult for some of us to emulate. It is also the shortest book in the Bible, yet I believe, it shows us very vividly how to fulfil the Greatest commandment “Love one another as I have loved you.” By way of explanation I’d like to say something about setting dates. In those days, they didn’t have calendars the same way as we do today, so they marked events and occasions by what took place, or who was reigning at the time, In that way; people would get an idea of how long ago different important occurrences took place. In this case we are told in the very first verse “In the days when Judges ruled,” so we know that it was before the kings ruled over the Jews That gives us the idea that it was quite early in the time-line. Elimelek a man from Bethlehem in Judea left his homeland because of a great famine in that area. So along with his wife Naomi, his two sons Mahlon and Kilion went to live in Moab for the duration of the famine, “For a while “ tells us Elimelek was only going to stay in Moab (a Heathen country) for a short time. The Jews had been settled in Judia for some time and regarded it as their own. Jews were very possessive and protective of their land as they are today. They believed God had given it to them; it was theirs so there had to be a good reason for them to leave it, and there was, “a famine”,so we know he had every intention of returning home after the famine. However Shortly after getting to Moab Elimelek died, leaving Naomi with her two sons who married Moabite or (heathen) women named Ophra and Ruth, another ten years saw both Naomi’s sons also die, not leaving any heirs. This would have been a terrible situation for Naomi, not only had she lost her husband, but her sons as well who had not left any heirs, she was in a foreign land and had acquired two daughters-in-law. She had no income, no money to pay for their accommodation and fast running out of food. Also, It was a disgrace not to have an heir, because Jews believed not to have an heir meant one had brought God’s displeasure on them and this was His way of punishment. Consequently, these three women possibly were the subject of gossip, ridicule and accusations particularly from other women, (what have they done,? Why has God punished them so severely?) although it’s not in Scripture, it has been suggested, that all these problems came about because her sons married Pagan women. So life wouldn't have been pleasant living in Moab. When Naomi heard the famine was over in Bethlehem she decided to go back Home, where she at least had family and friends. On the way she tried to get the younger women to go back to their father's homes in Moab, and perhaps have another chance at marriage, she tried twice with much coaxing and tears, but with no success. I’d like to point out here the charity on Naomi's part, she was thinking of these girls, she didn't want them to suffer the inevitable disgrace of widowhood without having produced any children. Ultimately, Ophra did go back to her family in Moab but Ruth wouldn't go, so, what was Ruth's motivation I suggest, Love and Sympathy. She was prepared to give up her chance of another marriage, the comfort of her father's home, family and all her childhood friends just to stay with this lonely old woman not for a few months or even years, but for the rest of her life. When we do things for God with the right motivation (love of God and love for others) ,God will be there for us. We know Ruth must have been comparatively young because we also know she had other children later in life. She was prepared to lay the rest of her life down. When Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth arrived back in Bethlehem, the town’s women were a bit surprised to see them, Naomi was depressed and explained that God had dealt severely with her and she asked to be known as Mara, which means bitter, rather than Naomi As it was the start of the barley harvest season, and their first priority would have to be food and accommodation Ruth suggested she might go and get some work in one of the Barley fields. Her husbands family would give them a temporary home but Ruth had to find work for food. So Routh went off to pick up some barley from the side of the fields where the harvesters were working. At that time,This was quite a legitimate practice for the poor. sometimes when we do lay down our lives and ambitions for God things don’t change immediately and doubt starts to creep in on us. But When we trust God, accept the situation and do our best with what we have, we see the hand of God at work. Just see how God takes and turns Naomi and Ruth’s hopeless situation into something very beautiful. The field in which Ruth began to glean Barely belonged to a man named Boaz, whom Ruth didn’t know; but was a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Now, on inquiring who this new woman was , Boaz found out that she was a relative of his, and perhaps felt some responsibility for her, so at brake time he told Ruth to stay with his team of women under his protection. In so doing he had her eat and drink at the table with the other permanent workers and walk behind the other women who would keep an eye on the new girl. He also told the men to drop some extra stalks on the side for her, and told them to keep their hands off her. It’s really Interesting to see how God worked this all out. Boaz an older man admired Ruth, he could see she had qualities which one rarely sees in the one person. She was intelligent, honest and beautiful she also displayed humility and integrity. He must have made further inquiries about her because he told her he knew of her kindness to his relatives wife Naomi and gave her a permanent position as a gleaner. Ruth was very grateful for all that Boaz had done for her and asked him why she had found favour in his eyes, and he replied “I have been told all you have done for your mother-in-law in leaving your parents home and your country to come to a place and people you didn’t know.” He then prayed over her,”May the Lord Bless you, Reward you and Keep you under the shadow of His wings “ That was no casual prayer, as we will see going through her life. Even though Ruth wasn’t a Jew, she recognised the kindness of Boaz in acknowledging her for what she had done for Naomi. People outside the church are looking to see what we Christians are doing for the outside world. When Ruth told Naomi the name of the man she had been working for and all he had done for her, Naomi recognised Boaz as one of her husband’s close relatives and said “He is our Kinsman Redeemer” and encouraged Ruth to stay there under his protection, where she would be safe. Naomi knew she needed to find a home for Ruth, so one day as the season rolled on, she told Ruth to wait until Boaz fell asleep and in a posture of submission to go and lay at his feet, and put the corner of his rug over herself; in so doing she would be submitting and offering herself to him (This symbolises our submission to God, like Ruth we have nothing to give God but ourselves and as we lie at His feet He will not consider our unworthiness but the gesture of love, just like Ruth who wasn’t a virgin, she’d been married before, she wasn’t even a Jew and had no rights as a foreign woman in that town. We too as sinful human beings had no rights to God’s Kingdom until our debt was paid by Jesus on the Cross.) So she had nothing to offer but herself. Just like us. Boaz told her how much he appreciated the fact that she didn’t run after the younger or wealthier men but had chosen to be with him. (So often, we are tempted to choose the world and it’s bright lights rather than the love and security of of God He then gave her six measures of barley and told her to go home quietly and he would see what could be done. (Often God has us wait to see how genuine we are.) Although Boaz was considerably older than Ruth, he had grown very fond of her, but there was one big hoop he had to jump through. There was a closer relative of Naomi’s husband than Boaz, who had first rights to Ruth’s Father-in-laws estate which included Ruth. But, when he found out there was also a wife that went with the estate he turned down his rights and offered it to Boaz. The transaction was completed at the town gate and in front of ten of the town leaders who were witnesses, Boaz took Ruth to be his wife. In due course Ruth became pregnant and had a Son who was named Obed and was the ancestor of King David who was the ancestor of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading my thoughts on the book of Ruth. The next time you are in a really bad situation, take out your Bible and read the book of Ruth, You will see that God can and will make something really lovely out of a situation that potentially gives you no hope at all. We have access to a wonderful God. Nothing is impossible for Him. Don’t ever doubt that. I pray His blessings on all who put their trust in Him. Phaline. Reference;-- NIV & NJKIV Bibles. Inspiration from:--Archival copies of THE WORD FOR TODAY. By Bob & Debby Gass. & Calvary Chapel App. “The Bridge” programme New Jersey U.S.A.