The Book Of Ruth Part 1
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The Book Of Ruth Part 2
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The Book Of Ruth Part 3
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THE BOOK OF RUTH
We’re going to study the book of Ruth, to see what qualifies someone to be a redeemer.
A redeemer is someone who can free you from a dept you owe, one you can not pay.
First let me show you the spiritual way.
Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”
The only way we can pay for this debt of sin, is not to break any of Gods laws, and we know that there was only one man who could do that, and it was Jesus.
Since we couldn’t paid this debt we needed a redeemer, which redeem means to purchase.
We know how that was done.
Gen1:28 God gave Adam dominion, over the earth to rule it.
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Satan came into the garden and defeated Adam by using his wife Eve, giving him the fruit to eat, and by doing that, they rebel against God.
He became ruler over this world,
Eph 2:2 “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Matt 4:8-9
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
God being a just God set out to correct this, he brought a redeemer in to redeem us.
Since satan defeated a man, it had to be a man to defeat satan.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled
John 13:21 he was troubled in spirit
John 11:35 Jesus wept
John 19:34 pierced his side, and blood flowed out
Luke 22:44 he was so burden that he sweat drops of blood
1 Pet 1:18-19
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
And because God said it Gal 4:5 that we needed a redeemer, also in Titus 2:14 Jesus said that he had to give his life so we could be redeem
So for Jesus to be able to pay the dept for us he couldn’t owe the same dept and he didn’t.
2Cor 5:21 says “he knew no sin”
Heb 4:15 says he was without sin
1Peter 2:22 says “who did no sin”
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
As we read the book, let’s keep this in our mind.
The book of Ruth will explain what it says in Eph.
Eph 5:22-23
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Submission in the bible is a beautiful word, when we submit to the Lord, nothing could be more perfect.
Submission is when you obey with gladness in your heart.
Obeying without submission is doing it with bitterness, not wanting to.
Submit to your husband the same as you submit to God.
Women if you’re not obeying the Lord, then you’re not going to be a very good Christian wife.
And I’m sorry, but he didn’t say submit if he’s whatever! (earns it, if he’s good to you and so on)
Women who work, they don’t have a problem with submitting to their boss, so why would you not submit to your husband who should be a man of God.
Women it’s hard to do this, but you can if you’re walking with the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body?
Just as Jesus is the head of the church and he gave his blood so they can be one.
The same with husbands and wives they become one because of the blood.
Jesus is the head of the church, the body, the bride.
A husband is the head of the wife, the body, his bride.
He didn’t say that the woman is the savior of her own body; the Lord has never had a woman to be independent.
This is the way of the world, women don’t need men.
It is a sin for women to have a baby without a husband. She is breaking the way God meant for it to be.
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
This is Gods chain of command, his divine order.
A woman being independent is not in the bible.
This is Gods way.
When women try to run the home, they are breaking Gods chain of command.
Head means to provide, take care of, and lead spiritually.
Now I’m sorry to say that they are many Christian men who do not want this responsibly.
If you’re a Christian you accept the words of God, we shouldn’t have a problem with that.
In verse 23 when he says that the husband is the savior of the body, we need to see exactly what he means; this should have put a question in our minds.
It says that Christ is the savior of the body the church and then it compares it to the husband being the savior of the body his wife.
With this study we’re going to find out what this verse means.
Let’s start by showing why men should work
It was appointed to man to work.
Gen 3:17, 23
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
The Lord has never meant for women to take care of themselves, and we’ll see that in this teaching.
Women that are in the flesh don’t like this way of God.
The Lord gives the responsibility of a woman in:
Titus 2:1-5
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, (live in a way that honors God) not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, (alert to Gods ways) to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, (to be wise in mind, pure in heart) keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Don’t disobey the word of God by disobeying your husband, because if you do, you’re showing that the word doesn’t mean that much)
Gen 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Keepers at home, not at work.
The devil has given women many reasons why they should get an education so they could find a job just in case something happens to the husband.
Now I have shown you all of this to help you understand what Ruth is all about.
What happens if the husband dies?
We’re going to read and see in this book, that it’s a love story on how the Lord’s plan tells us how to take care of this, and it is really a better way.
We’ll find that the book of Ruth that there 3 things you have to have to be a redeemer.
This is the same 3 things Jesus had to be to redeem us.
1) Jesus had to become human to be a kinsman, and when you give your life to him you have made God your Father.
2) He had to be sinless and he was.
3) He was willing, God didn’t make his son come down and die for our sins.
Let me show what it says in Lev so you can understand the beginning of the teaching.
Lev 26:1-20 speak about the Lord telling Israel that if they obey his words that he would bless them abundantly, but if they were disobedient to him, he would not bless them, and one of the ways he would chastise them would be through a famine.
Wouldn’t we rather walk with the Lord and be blessed, than to not walk with him by disobeying him and getting spankings.
In this book, Ruth is us, and Boaz is God
Chapter 1
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, (means “my God my King”) and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Famine was because Israel had rebel against God.
Elimelech didn’t trust God to see him through it, that’s what he should have done, but left with his wife and two sons, and tried to flee from God’s chastising.
He trusts the Lord with his soul, his eternal life, but couldn’t trust him enough to see him through the famine?
They flee to Moab – A city of sin, Moabites were very dark color, and it was a nation of heathens, lost people.
They were there about 10 years.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Elimelech died. Remember Ananias and Sapphirs in Acts 5 for trying to trick the Lord.
Acts 5:1-10
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
At this time she can depend on her two sons to take of her, because that is the biblical way of doing it.
Specially the first born.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
The two sons married Moabite lost women, which was against the commands of God.
2Cor 6; 14-15 “be not unequally yoke”
James 4:4 “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God”
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Then the 2 sons died also for the same reason the father.
Now what is she going to do?
She’s a foreigner in this land; their ways are not the ways of the Lord.
She’s like the prodigal son, and what did he do?
Now she’s going to have to depend on God.
Sometime in our lives we are going to be in her place, and have to depend on God.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
Israel repents as a nation, there is revival in the land, so Naomi and her 2 daughter-in-laws, left to return to Israel.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
Naomi repents herself and turns back to the Lord, that’s something we need to learn how to do.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
She thanks them for being good to her sons, and says to her daughter-in-laws to feel free to return to their own homes, because the Lord did deal with her 2 sons, and her husband.
Notice that these were good girls, they were good to Naomi sons and to her, they were good but lost.
9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
May the Lord bless you, to find husband in your own land, stay with your own people.
(not like her sons who found wives in another land.)
and they wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
They replied “no we want to go with you and your people” they saw something good in Naomi that they wanted to stay with her, and leave their own family and friends.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Naomi tells them no to turn back home, and that there is no more sons in her womb, for them to marry.
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
Here we have a Christian women who is trying to turn her daughters in law away from her way (the Lord)
And she tells them yet another time to go back home,
The Lord has dealt harsh with me, for letting my sons marry lost women.
I don’t want this to harm you any more, than what it has.
Naomi is doing what it says in;
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
What she is saying is can you do what it says in;
Matt 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Naomi wasn’t making it easy on them, like some of these preachers do, oh you’re going to have a bed of roses now, ask and you shall receive.
Read the bible, did John the Baptist have a bed of roses?
King David spent much of his time running from King Saul who was trying to kill him.
And there are many more Christians who were paying the cost for being Christians.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Orpah wasn’t ready to pay the cost and return to home, because of what Naomi just said, but Ruth didn’t.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
Naomi tells Ruth; go back to your gods, as Orpah,
She was making sure that she really wants to follow her as she goes back to her God.
One did and the other didn’t
Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth was converted, because of the life and witness of Naomi
Ruth counted the cost and accepted it.
Ruth was willing to count the cost, Naomi said to her in verse 8 to return to her family, but she was ready to do what it says in:
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
It doesn’t mean hate like we know the word, it means, if you don’t put the Lord before these, so if you’re not ready to count the cost, then don’t waste your time, trying to be his disciple.
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
When Naomi saw that Ruth was very serious about giving her life to God, and being with her Christian sister now, all the way onto death, she knew she didn’t have to say anymore.
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19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
They were surprised and happy to see her again
She told them, no longer call me Naomi (pleasant), but call me Mara meaning bitter
Notice Naomi didn’t say she was bitter?
21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
She left with husband and sons.
Naomi is saying that she was full; meaning she had everything going her way, why depend on the Lord.
Her life wasn’t empty until she lost her husband and sons, and they were taken home for their disobedience.
She’s not testifying against the Lord, she saying it was her and her husband fault for what they did.
If she was full of blessing, then that means that she was walking with the Lord, plus the Lord is not going to take everything away from you if you’re walking in his will.
Naomi suffering is a sign of God’s disapproval.
If Naomi was doing nothing but complaining about what the Lord has done to her, like she hadn’t done anything wrong, do you think she would have be able to win Ruth to the Lord?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Prepares us for the next chapter
Now that Naomi has repented and came back to the Lord, she’s empty, what are the Lords plans to fix what happen? Let’s see God go to work.
Chapter 2
1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Boaz, - means powerful one, he’s kin, and wealthy, 2 qualities of being a redeemer
2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Gleaning means poor people who picked up what was left, after the farm hands were finish.
Lev 19:9-10 TLB
9 "When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.
Right here the Lord is speaking to Moses and tells him what to say to the children of Israel, how to take care of the ones who don’t have as much, remember it’s the man who should be out there, again it’s what it says in the bible about the men:
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
We’ll see that down in verse 21 it was men who were gleaning.
Now sometimes the women have to do it.
We’re going to find out here, why sometimes the woman has to go out.
Also maybe it’s because the husband can’t work.
The Lord always has a way to take of his people.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth went because Naomi was too old to do it, remember what it said in ch 1:12 she was too old to have a husband.
And then it says that she just so happen to come to a field that belongs to a kinsman to Naomi?
You know that we as Christians don’t believe in coincidence.
Sometimes we don’t see what God is doing until the end of whatever happens.
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.
Boaz was a good Christian man and boss, and a very rich.
Wouldn’t it be a blessing if when you went to work, your boss would say, “God be with you” instead of “gd” or other ways they talk.
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
Damsel means single young women, and Boaz by asking who does she belong to, this is showing that every single women belongs to a man, father or brother,
Ruth caught the eye of Boaz.
6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
It’s the Moabitish, this was not a nice way of saying this, and she came back with Noami.
The foreman over the field knew all of this because Ruth had to tell him who she was.
As a foreigner Ruth couldn’t assume that she had a right to glean, but was careful to ask permission, and the foreman told Boaz how hard she had been working.
And how she rested just for a little while under some shelter.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Remember how I told you at the beginning of the lesson that Ruth is us, and Boaz was like God.
We see that as soon as Boaz saw Ruth he fell in love.
Just like the Lord did with us.
Boaz is telling Ruth not to go to any other field, but to stay right here with the other women.
This is just like the Lord telling us not to go to any other god; I’ll take care of you.
Boaz knew she was much younger than him, because he calls her daughter instead of sister.
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
He tells the young guys not to mess with her, he gives her special protection.
She had no right to the water, which had to be brought from the well; it was for the workers, but he gave her permission to drink also.
The other gleaners are thinking who is this young woman, that she gets this special attention?
We can see that Boaz has falling head over hills for Ruth.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
This is exactly what we should have done to Jesus when he offered us the grace of salvation.
She falls down to the ground, as Orientals before their superiors?
He knows how she as followed her mother-in-law in the Lord, and did not return to her past life, and has excepted this new way of life
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
Boaz is saying, I know how you left everything, and how good you have been with Naomi, and how you have come to a new place to live that you know nothing about.
12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Boaz sees and how she has committed herself to the refuge and protecting wings of Jehovah God
13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
Let me be accepted by you, for you have been very good to me, he sure has and we know why.
Ruth believes that she is still a Moabitess and doesn’t realize that she is like them now
14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Boaz has invited her to lunch, and even waited on her until she was full.
Matt 15:27 “yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.”
Now she eating at the table were before she was picking up left over, and it was enough.
Can you picture this?
Here’s a dark skin, beautiful young girl, but she looks poor, her hair is not fixed up all pretty, she doesn’t have make up on and this rich older man can’t take his eyes off of her.
15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Boaz said let her pick up right up with his workers, and make sure that you drop plenty for her, not only what she needs, but more.
And he tells them not to give her a hard time.
Again he was showing love at first sight.
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
She had picked about 50 lbs, which was a lot for one day
18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
And she brings the corn to Naomi after getting plenty; she even brought leftover food from lunch to give her.
Isn’t this just like the Lord, when you’re walking with him, doing what you are suppose to be doing, how he blesses. Amen.
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
Naomi couldn’t believe how much she was able to pick, and wanted to know who was so good to her.
And she says blessed be the one who did this, again the Lord recognizes the ones who work, it was the Lord spiritually and then Boaz physically.
And she told her it was Boaz.
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Naomi was delighted that the Lord led Ruth to the field of Boaz.
She explains that he is one of their nearest kinsmen.
Can you see where this is going?
21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Remember this story is a type of Jesus to us.
He tells us to stay close to his (men of God, the preachers, teachers) until he comes for us.
Just the way he has told Ruth to do, so he can take care of her.
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
Naomi tells Ruth to stay with the workers of Boaz, and don’t go to other field.
To do so it would show that his field isn’t good enough.
Again the Lord tells us to stay with his people, because going to another field is dangerous.
Elimelech went to other field and look at what happen.
If he would have trusted in God even dought they were getting a spanking the Lord would have taken care of him just like he did with Boaz.
23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
This chapter shows a great love story, and he takes care of her for a season, that’s good, but they need more than that.
And this is what churches do, they take care of the widows for a while, a help here a help there.
This not Gods way, and we’ll see that.
Before I start the next chapter I need to explain something to you.
In Deut
Deut 23:2-3
2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord.
3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:
To us the word bastard means a baby born out of wed-lock
Here biblically it means if you were a Jew and you married someone who wasn’t a Jew and they were from another nation not of God, then your babies were bastards.
I’m not going to teach on it but we become Jew when we get born again.
And that is what happen to Ruth who was a Moabite, she became a Jew by getting born again.
Remember I taught you that Abraham was a Syria, got born again and became a Jew.
Congregation doesn’t just mean church, here it means the nation of Jews.
Chapter 3
1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Believe it or not, but there are some that teach that they are errors in the bible and this is one of them.
They say Ruth was not a daughter of Naomi, why didn’t they read what it said before calling her a daughter, it says “Naomi her mother in law”.
The same when it says that Jesus was the son of David, but we who have common sense know it’s meaning great etc, grandson.
We do this today some mother in laws call their daughter in law daughter.
Naomi says that she needs to find rest for Ruth, what does that mean?
Back in ch 1:9 “The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”
Marriage was arranged by parents, and it was fitting that Naomi should start looking for a husband who can provide security for Ruth
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
She points out Boaz as kindred, and she thinking about what it says in Deut 25:5-6
“If a brother dies without a son to carry on his name, then the brother or next of kin should carry on this responsibly and give her a son, and the first son she has will be considered the son of the dead brother, so his name want be forgotten”
It was tradition for the owner of the fields stay that night, as a celebration
3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
What do women do when they’re trying to impress a man, she’s been working and I’m sure she was dirty and maybe stinky.
But don’t let him see you until he finish with supper.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
Now after he’s done with supper, watch and see where he lying down, so when you go in later that night, you’ll know that you’re lying down next to Boaz.
This was the custom back then, and the reason she would uncover his feet, because eventually it would wake him up, and he would notice her, and then he would take it from there.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
This is what you call submission, she didn’t ask any questions, she just said yes and did it.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
She uncovered his feet, because that would wake him up.
He awakes at midnight and is surprise that there’s a woman at his feet.
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
She answers and says I’m your servant Ruth.
Naomi has taught Ruth many things and this was one of them.
“Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid” she was speaking symbolically of marriage
Ezek 16:8 (this is the Lord speaking to Israel) Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
The first kindness he’s speaking about is taking care of her mother in law.
Now she’s showing her kindness by going to him instead of a younger guy.
He knows he’s much older than her, but he also knows he’s family.
He also knows that Naomi has been teaching her the ways of the Lord.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Boaz knows what to do now; he’s speaking about being a redeemer
He knows and the people in town know that she is a virtuous woman.
Prov 12:4 A virtuous wife is her husband’s joy and crown, the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does.
She’s not married yet, but they’re calling her a virtuous woman, because of the way she is taking care of Naomi.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
He is saying, yes I’m a kinsman, but there is one nearer than me, he doesn’t have first choice.
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.
He tells her, go ahead and stay the rest of the night, and in the morning I will see if the nearest kinsman will do what’s right.
If he doesn’t than I will.
“as the Lord liveth” he saying, I swear to God.
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
It doesn’t say they slept together, she lay at his feet; remember these are two Christian people.
So before anyone can wake up and see them, she left.
Even dough they are Christians, the devil loves to start rumors that will make us look unchristian or bring Christians down.
Another reason he wanted her to leave early was that he didn’t want anyone to know that she bypass the first kinsman.
3 reasons why Boaz didn’t approach her first
1) Legally he couldn’t
2) He was much older, he is about 100 years old and she’s about 20 (me and Jody, I was afraid of being let down)
3) Naomi is nearer kin than Ruth, same problem as Boaz, but we’ll see that she wave her claim on him.
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
He’s still taking care of her; he sends her home with food.
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
It’s not that Naomi doesn’t recognize Ruth, because she says “my daughter”.
What she is saying, are you Miss Boaz or not.
How did things work out?
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Ruth now had to wait patiently at home.
Naomi is telling her, don’t worry he will do all he can legally to have you for his wife.
Boaz is doing the same thing here that the Lord has told us in:
Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
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Chapter 4
1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
The city gate were legal matters were decided and the business of the town transacted.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
These elders were there to witness.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
We see that this man is a kinsman.
Boaz tells him that Naomi has return from Moab.
Things are getting rough with Naomi and Ruth, because they have to sell some land.
When he says brother he’s meaning they’re of the same tribe.
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
Boaz gives him the custom of being a redeemer, and asks if he wants to follow it, and if he doesn’t then Boaz is saying he will because he’s next in line.
But the kinsman says OK.
He’s thinking that he just has to take care of the land, but then Boaz tells him more.
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
Oh by the way when you redeem it, you must also purchase Ruth the Moabitess as your wife, to rise up the name of the dead.
Remember earlier in the teaching I showed you:
Deut 25:5-6
“If a brother dies without a son to carry on his name, then the brother or next of kin should carry on this responsibly and give her a son, and the first son she has will be considered the son of the dead brother, so his name want be forgotten”
In verse 4 this kinsman has no problem redeeming the land, but he didn’t know about Ruth.
We‘re going to see that this changes everything.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
The reasons he changed his mine.
If he was to marry Ruth there would be a problem, because in:
Deut 21:17 He must recognize the rights of his oldest son, the son of the wife he does not love, by giving him a double portion. He is the first son of his father's, and the rights of the firstborn belong to him.
He didn’t want to lose his property to the first born of Ruth, then he has the right to get half.
So he waves his right has near kinsman to the next kinsman which is Boaz.
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
Today we have papers to sign to get a bill of sale, back then the bill of sale was not papers, it was your shoe.
The elders heard the next of kin pass on to Boaz the right of redemption, but to complete the transaction the symbolic ceremony of “handing over the shoe” had to be performed.
Deut 25:8-10
8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;
9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's (Ki-lee-ons) and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, (f-re-da) and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, (fair-rez) whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.
Ruth becomes the bride, he has redeemed her, she is no longer a gleaner, but the fields are hers now.
This is like the Lord to us:
Eph 1:14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Verse 11 the people said, “We are witnesses” they were pronouncing a blessing of fertility on Ruth, to be like Rachel and Leah, who had 12 sons between them, they helped build Israel.
They also gave their blessing to Boaz that he would increase his family, and he would be like (fair-rez) who was in the blood line of Jesus.
And when it says: “of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman”
Boaz seed will also be in the blood line of Jesus through Ruth.
And that his name would be famous, in the bible the name is very important of whom you are.
Here we have 2 men, one showed that he would go so far, the other showed he would go all the way.
That’s like us today, we’re OK with the easy part of God’s word, but when we run across something we don’t like, we stop right there and make excuses why we can’t do it.
Remember what Naomi said in 2:20 "May the Lord bless him!" Naomi told her daughter-in-law. "He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband.
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Who gave Ruth the child? “The Lord gave her conception”
We don’t make babies, we just have intercourse.
Abortion is killing what God gave.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
This book easily could have been called The Book of Boaz, so I would say that he is famous (remembered).
15 And he (Jesus) shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Remember back in verse 12 who the seed is “Jesus”
Not only does the Lord redeem us, he also restores us, gives us our life back.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it 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.
She was the great grandmother of King David.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: (fair-rez) Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat A-min-a-dab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, (Nash-shon) and Nahshon begat Sal-mon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
You’re thinking wasn’t his name suppose to be after Mahlon (Ma-lawn) to rise a son after him?
It is, his name is Obed of Bethlehem par Mahlon.
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
We’ll see that David was the father of Jesus:
Matt 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Remember I said that we are Ruth in this story.
She was a lost person, but a good person, the story says, lost but good.
Remember what it says in:
Titus 3:55 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Just as we had to be redeemed by Jesus, so he could take care of us.
Widows are to be redeemed by a male kinsman to take care of her.
One of the reasons God has man taking care of the women is because what it says in:
Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
The one that takes care of us, is the one we need to take care of.
Also:
1 Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Another reason we take care of the women.
1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (Worse than an unbeliever, because he knows the will of God, were the lost don’t)1 Cor 7:32-3332 In all you do, I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.
33 But a married man can't do that so well; he has to think about his earthly responsibilites and how to please his wife.
Women has we’re taking care of you, this is some of the things the Lord wants you to do.Prov 31:10-1210 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She contributes to his content and satisfaction, he doesn’t need to be griping and scraping to make it, as those who have wives that are proud and wasteful at home, wanting things they don’t need.
And maybe the wife doesn’t think the husband is good enough.
Matt 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
For the women who don’t know what Gods will is for you, here it is.
1 Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
This way you are in Gods will and others can’t say bad things about you.
Now we can understand how we (man) become the savior of the body
We’re going to study the book of Ruth, to see what qualifies someone to be a redeemer.
A redeemer is someone who can free you from a dept you owe, one you can not pay.
First let me show you the spiritual way.
Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”
The only way we can pay for this debt of sin, is not to break any of Gods laws, and we know that there was only one man who could do that, and it was Jesus.
Since we couldn’t paid this debt we needed a redeemer, which redeem means to purchase.
We know how that was done.
Gen1:28 God gave Adam dominion, over the earth to rule it.
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Satan came into the garden and defeated Adam by using his wife Eve, giving him the fruit to eat, and by doing that, they rebel against God.
He became ruler over this world,
Eph 2:2 “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Matt 4:8-9
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
God being a just God set out to correct this, he brought a redeemer in to redeem us.
Since satan defeated a man, it had to be a man to defeat satan.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled
John 13:21 he was troubled in spirit
John 11:35 Jesus wept
John 19:34 pierced his side, and blood flowed out
Luke 22:44 he was so burden that he sweat drops of blood
1 Pet 1:18-19
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
And because God said it Gal 4:5 that we needed a redeemer, also in Titus 2:14 Jesus said that he had to give his life so we could be redeem
So for Jesus to be able to pay the dept for us he couldn’t owe the same dept and he didn’t.
2Cor 5:21 says “he knew no sin”
Heb 4:15 says he was without sin
1Peter 2:22 says “who did no sin”
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
As we read the book, let’s keep this in our mind.
The book of Ruth will explain what it says in Eph.
Eph 5:22-23
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Submission in the bible is a beautiful word, when we submit to the Lord, nothing could be more perfect.
Submission is when you obey with gladness in your heart.
Obeying without submission is doing it with bitterness, not wanting to.
Submit to your husband the same as you submit to God.
Women if you’re not obeying the Lord, then you’re not going to be a very good Christian wife.
And I’m sorry, but he didn’t say submit if he’s whatever! (earns it, if he’s good to you and so on)
Women who work, they don’t have a problem with submitting to their boss, so why would you not submit to your husband who should be a man of God.
Women it’s hard to do this, but you can if you’re walking with the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body?
Just as Jesus is the head of the church and he gave his blood so they can be one.
The same with husbands and wives they become one because of the blood.
Jesus is the head of the church, the body, the bride.
A husband is the head of the wife, the body, his bride.
He didn’t say that the woman is the savior of her own body; the Lord has never had a woman to be independent.
This is the way of the world, women don’t need men.
It is a sin for women to have a baby without a husband. She is breaking the way God meant for it to be.
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
This is Gods chain of command, his divine order.
A woman being independent is not in the bible.
This is Gods way.
When women try to run the home, they are breaking Gods chain of command.
Head means to provide, take care of, and lead spiritually.
Now I’m sorry to say that they are many Christian men who do not want this responsibly.
If you’re a Christian you accept the words of God, we shouldn’t have a problem with that.
In verse 23 when he says that the husband is the savior of the body, we need to see exactly what he means; this should have put a question in our minds.
It says that Christ is the savior of the body the church and then it compares it to the husband being the savior of the body his wife.
With this study we’re going to find out what this verse means.
Let’s start by showing why men should work
It was appointed to man to work.
Gen 3:17, 23
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
The Lord has never meant for women to take care of themselves, and we’ll see that in this teaching.
Women that are in the flesh don’t like this way of God.
The Lord gives the responsibility of a woman in:
Titus 2:1-5
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, (live in a way that honors God) not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, (alert to Gods ways) to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, (to be wise in mind, pure in heart) keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Don’t disobey the word of God by disobeying your husband, because if you do, you’re showing that the word doesn’t mean that much)
Gen 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Keepers at home, not at work.
The devil has given women many reasons why they should get an education so they could find a job just in case something happens to the husband.
Now I have shown you all of this to help you understand what Ruth is all about.
What happens if the husband dies?
We’re going to read and see in this book, that it’s a love story on how the Lord’s plan tells us how to take care of this, and it is really a better way.
We’ll find that the book of Ruth that there 3 things you have to have to be a redeemer.
- Nearest kinsman
- Able
- Willing, this was very important.
This is the same 3 things Jesus had to be to redeem us.
1) Jesus had to become human to be a kinsman, and when you give your life to him you have made God your Father.
2) He had to be sinless and he was.
3) He was willing, God didn’t make his son come down and die for our sins.
Let me show what it says in Lev so you can understand the beginning of the teaching.
Lev 26:1-20 speak about the Lord telling Israel that if they obey his words that he would bless them abundantly, but if they were disobedient to him, he would not bless them, and one of the ways he would chastise them would be through a famine.
Wouldn’t we rather walk with the Lord and be blessed, than to not walk with him by disobeying him and getting spankings.
In this book, Ruth is us, and Boaz is God
Chapter 1
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, (means “my God my King”) and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Famine was because Israel had rebel against God.
Elimelech didn’t trust God to see him through it, that’s what he should have done, but left with his wife and two sons, and tried to flee from God’s chastising.
He trusts the Lord with his soul, his eternal life, but couldn’t trust him enough to see him through the famine?
They flee to Moab – A city of sin, Moabites were very dark color, and it was a nation of heathens, lost people.
They were there about 10 years.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Elimelech died. Remember Ananias and Sapphirs in Acts 5 for trying to trick the Lord.
Acts 5:1-10
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
At this time she can depend on her two sons to take of her, because that is the biblical way of doing it.
Specially the first born.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
The two sons married Moabite lost women, which was against the commands of God.
2Cor 6; 14-15 “be not unequally yoke”
James 4:4 “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God”
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Then the 2 sons died also for the same reason the father.
Now what is she going to do?
She’s a foreigner in this land; their ways are not the ways of the Lord.
She’s like the prodigal son, and what did he do?
Now she’s going to have to depend on God.
Sometime in our lives we are going to be in her place, and have to depend on God.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
Israel repents as a nation, there is revival in the land, so Naomi and her 2 daughter-in-laws, left to return to Israel.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
Naomi repents herself and turns back to the Lord, that’s something we need to learn how to do.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
She thanks them for being good to her sons, and says to her daughter-in-laws to feel free to return to their own homes, because the Lord did deal with her 2 sons, and her husband.
Notice that these were good girls, they were good to Naomi sons and to her, they were good but lost.
9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
May the Lord bless you, to find husband in your own land, stay with your own people.
(not like her sons who found wives in another land.)
and they wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
They replied “no we want to go with you and your people” they saw something good in Naomi that they wanted to stay with her, and leave their own family and friends.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Naomi tells them no to turn back home, and that there is no more sons in her womb, for them to marry.
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
Here we have a Christian women who is trying to turn her daughters in law away from her way (the Lord)
And she tells them yet another time to go back home,
The Lord has dealt harsh with me, for letting my sons marry lost women.
I don’t want this to harm you any more, than what it has.
Naomi is doing what it says in;
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
What she is saying is can you do what it says in;
Matt 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Naomi wasn’t making it easy on them, like some of these preachers do, oh you’re going to have a bed of roses now, ask and you shall receive.
Read the bible, did John the Baptist have a bed of roses?
King David spent much of his time running from King Saul who was trying to kill him.
And there are many more Christians who were paying the cost for being Christians.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Orpah wasn’t ready to pay the cost and return to home, because of what Naomi just said, but Ruth didn’t.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
Naomi tells Ruth; go back to your gods, as Orpah,
She was making sure that she really wants to follow her as she goes back to her God.
One did and the other didn’t
Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth was converted, because of the life and witness of Naomi
Ruth counted the cost and accepted it.
Ruth was willing to count the cost, Naomi said to her in verse 8 to return to her family, but she was ready to do what it says in:
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
It doesn’t mean hate like we know the word, it means, if you don’t put the Lord before these, so if you’re not ready to count the cost, then don’t waste your time, trying to be his disciple.
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
When Naomi saw that Ruth was very serious about giving her life to God, and being with her Christian sister now, all the way onto death, she knew she didn’t have to say anymore.
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19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
They were surprised and happy to see her again
She told them, no longer call me Naomi (pleasant), but call me Mara meaning bitter
Notice Naomi didn’t say she was bitter?
21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
She left with husband and sons.
Naomi is saying that she was full; meaning she had everything going her way, why depend on the Lord.
Her life wasn’t empty until she lost her husband and sons, and they were taken home for their disobedience.
She’s not testifying against the Lord, she saying it was her and her husband fault for what they did.
If she was full of blessing, then that means that she was walking with the Lord, plus the Lord is not going to take everything away from you if you’re walking in his will.
Naomi suffering is a sign of God’s disapproval.
If Naomi was doing nothing but complaining about what the Lord has done to her, like she hadn’t done anything wrong, do you think she would have be able to win Ruth to the Lord?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Prepares us for the next chapter
Now that Naomi has repented and came back to the Lord, she’s empty, what are the Lords plans to fix what happen? Let’s see God go to work.
Chapter 2
1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Boaz, - means powerful one, he’s kin, and wealthy, 2 qualities of being a redeemer
2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Gleaning means poor people who picked up what was left, after the farm hands were finish.
Lev 19:9-10 TLB
9 "When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.
Right here the Lord is speaking to Moses and tells him what to say to the children of Israel, how to take care of the ones who don’t have as much, remember it’s the man who should be out there, again it’s what it says in the bible about the men:
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
We’ll see that down in verse 21 it was men who were gleaning.
Now sometimes the women have to do it.
We’re going to find out here, why sometimes the woman has to go out.
Also maybe it’s because the husband can’t work.
The Lord always has a way to take of his people.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth went because Naomi was too old to do it, remember what it said in ch 1:12 she was too old to have a husband.
And then it says that she just so happen to come to a field that belongs to a kinsman to Naomi?
You know that we as Christians don’t believe in coincidence.
Sometimes we don’t see what God is doing until the end of whatever happens.
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.
Boaz was a good Christian man and boss, and a very rich.
Wouldn’t it be a blessing if when you went to work, your boss would say, “God be with you” instead of “gd” or other ways they talk.
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
Damsel means single young women, and Boaz by asking who does she belong to, this is showing that every single women belongs to a man, father or brother,
Ruth caught the eye of Boaz.
6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
It’s the Moabitish, this was not a nice way of saying this, and she came back with Noami.
The foreman over the field knew all of this because Ruth had to tell him who she was.
As a foreigner Ruth couldn’t assume that she had a right to glean, but was careful to ask permission, and the foreman told Boaz how hard she had been working.
And how she rested just for a little while under some shelter.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Remember how I told you at the beginning of the lesson that Ruth is us, and Boaz was like God.
We see that as soon as Boaz saw Ruth he fell in love.
Just like the Lord did with us.
Boaz is telling Ruth not to go to any other field, but to stay right here with the other women.
This is just like the Lord telling us not to go to any other god; I’ll take care of you.
Boaz knew she was much younger than him, because he calls her daughter instead of sister.
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
He tells the young guys not to mess with her, he gives her special protection.
She had no right to the water, which had to be brought from the well; it was for the workers, but he gave her permission to drink also.
The other gleaners are thinking who is this young woman, that she gets this special attention?
We can see that Boaz has falling head over hills for Ruth.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
This is exactly what we should have done to Jesus when he offered us the grace of salvation.
She falls down to the ground, as Orientals before their superiors?
He knows how she as followed her mother-in-law in the Lord, and did not return to her past life, and has excepted this new way of life
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
Boaz is saying, I know how you left everything, and how good you have been with Naomi, and how you have come to a new place to live that you know nothing about.
12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Boaz sees and how she has committed herself to the refuge and protecting wings of Jehovah God
13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
Let me be accepted by you, for you have been very good to me, he sure has and we know why.
Ruth believes that she is still a Moabitess and doesn’t realize that she is like them now
14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Boaz has invited her to lunch, and even waited on her until she was full.
Matt 15:27 “yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.”
Now she eating at the table were before she was picking up left over, and it was enough.
Can you picture this?
Here’s a dark skin, beautiful young girl, but she looks poor, her hair is not fixed up all pretty, she doesn’t have make up on and this rich older man can’t take his eyes off of her.
15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Boaz said let her pick up right up with his workers, and make sure that you drop plenty for her, not only what she needs, but more.
And he tells them not to give her a hard time.
Again he was showing love at first sight.
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
She had picked about 50 lbs, which was a lot for one day
18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
And she brings the corn to Naomi after getting plenty; she even brought leftover food from lunch to give her.
Isn’t this just like the Lord, when you’re walking with him, doing what you are suppose to be doing, how he blesses. Amen.
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
Naomi couldn’t believe how much she was able to pick, and wanted to know who was so good to her.
And she says blessed be the one who did this, again the Lord recognizes the ones who work, it was the Lord spiritually and then Boaz physically.
And she told her it was Boaz.
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Naomi was delighted that the Lord led Ruth to the field of Boaz.
She explains that he is one of their nearest kinsmen.
Can you see where this is going?
21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Remember this story is a type of Jesus to us.
He tells us to stay close to his (men of God, the preachers, teachers) until he comes for us.
Just the way he has told Ruth to do, so he can take care of her.
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
Naomi tells Ruth to stay with the workers of Boaz, and don’t go to other field.
To do so it would show that his field isn’t good enough.
Again the Lord tells us to stay with his people, because going to another field is dangerous.
Elimelech went to other field and look at what happen.
If he would have trusted in God even dought they were getting a spanking the Lord would have taken care of him just like he did with Boaz.
23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
This chapter shows a great love story, and he takes care of her for a season, that’s good, but they need more than that.
And this is what churches do, they take care of the widows for a while, a help here a help there.
This not Gods way, and we’ll see that.
Before I start the next chapter I need to explain something to you.
In Deut
Deut 23:2-3
2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord.
3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:
To us the word bastard means a baby born out of wed-lock
Here biblically it means if you were a Jew and you married someone who wasn’t a Jew and they were from another nation not of God, then your babies were bastards.
I’m not going to teach on it but we become Jew when we get born again.
And that is what happen to Ruth who was a Moabite, she became a Jew by getting born again.
Remember I taught you that Abraham was a Syria, got born again and became a Jew.
Congregation doesn’t just mean church, here it means the nation of Jews.
Chapter 3
1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Believe it or not, but there are some that teach that they are errors in the bible and this is one of them.
They say Ruth was not a daughter of Naomi, why didn’t they read what it said before calling her a daughter, it says “Naomi her mother in law”.
The same when it says that Jesus was the son of David, but we who have common sense know it’s meaning great etc, grandson.
We do this today some mother in laws call their daughter in law daughter.
Naomi says that she needs to find rest for Ruth, what does that mean?
Back in ch 1:9 “The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”
Marriage was arranged by parents, and it was fitting that Naomi should start looking for a husband who can provide security for Ruth
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
She points out Boaz as kindred, and she thinking about what it says in Deut 25:5-6
“If a brother dies without a son to carry on his name, then the brother or next of kin should carry on this responsibly and give her a son, and the first son she has will be considered the son of the dead brother, so his name want be forgotten”
It was tradition for the owner of the fields stay that night, as a celebration
3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
What do women do when they’re trying to impress a man, she’s been working and I’m sure she was dirty and maybe stinky.
But don’t let him see you until he finish with supper.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
Now after he’s done with supper, watch and see where he lying down, so when you go in later that night, you’ll know that you’re lying down next to Boaz.
This was the custom back then, and the reason she would uncover his feet, because eventually it would wake him up, and he would notice her, and then he would take it from there.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
This is what you call submission, she didn’t ask any questions, she just said yes and did it.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
She uncovered his feet, because that would wake him up.
He awakes at midnight and is surprise that there’s a woman at his feet.
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
She answers and says I’m your servant Ruth.
Naomi has taught Ruth many things and this was one of them.
“Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid” she was speaking symbolically of marriage
Ezek 16:8 (this is the Lord speaking to Israel) Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
The first kindness he’s speaking about is taking care of her mother in law.
Now she’s showing her kindness by going to him instead of a younger guy.
He knows he’s much older than her, but he also knows he’s family.
He also knows that Naomi has been teaching her the ways of the Lord.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Boaz knows what to do now; he’s speaking about being a redeemer
He knows and the people in town know that she is a virtuous woman.
Prov 12:4 A virtuous wife is her husband’s joy and crown, the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does.
She’s not married yet, but they’re calling her a virtuous woman, because of the way she is taking care of Naomi.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
He is saying, yes I’m a kinsman, but there is one nearer than me, he doesn’t have first choice.
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.
He tells her, go ahead and stay the rest of the night, and in the morning I will see if the nearest kinsman will do what’s right.
If he doesn’t than I will.
“as the Lord liveth” he saying, I swear to God.
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
It doesn’t say they slept together, she lay at his feet; remember these are two Christian people.
So before anyone can wake up and see them, she left.
Even dough they are Christians, the devil loves to start rumors that will make us look unchristian or bring Christians down.
Another reason he wanted her to leave early was that he didn’t want anyone to know that she bypass the first kinsman.
3 reasons why Boaz didn’t approach her first
1) Legally he couldn’t
2) He was much older, he is about 100 years old and she’s about 20 (me and Jody, I was afraid of being let down)
3) Naomi is nearer kin than Ruth, same problem as Boaz, but we’ll see that she wave her claim on him.
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
He’s still taking care of her; he sends her home with food.
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
It’s not that Naomi doesn’t recognize Ruth, because she says “my daughter”.
What she is saying, are you Miss Boaz or not.
How did things work out?
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Ruth now had to wait patiently at home.
Naomi is telling her, don’t worry he will do all he can legally to have you for his wife.
Boaz is doing the same thing here that the Lord has told us in:
Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
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Chapter 4
1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
The city gate were legal matters were decided and the business of the town transacted.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
These elders were there to witness.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
We see that this man is a kinsman.
Boaz tells him that Naomi has return from Moab.
Things are getting rough with Naomi and Ruth, because they have to sell some land.
When he says brother he’s meaning they’re of the same tribe.
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
Boaz gives him the custom of being a redeemer, and asks if he wants to follow it, and if he doesn’t then Boaz is saying he will because he’s next in line.
But the kinsman says OK.
He’s thinking that he just has to take care of the land, but then Boaz tells him more.
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
Oh by the way when you redeem it, you must also purchase Ruth the Moabitess as your wife, to rise up the name of the dead.
Remember earlier in the teaching I showed you:
Deut 25:5-6
“If a brother dies without a son to carry on his name, then the brother or next of kin should carry on this responsibly and give her a son, and the first son she has will be considered the son of the dead brother, so his name want be forgotten”
In verse 4 this kinsman has no problem redeeming the land, but he didn’t know about Ruth.
We‘re going to see that this changes everything.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
The reasons he changed his mine.
If he was to marry Ruth there would be a problem, because in:
Deut 21:17 He must recognize the rights of his oldest son, the son of the wife he does not love, by giving him a double portion. He is the first son of his father's, and the rights of the firstborn belong to him.
He didn’t want to lose his property to the first born of Ruth, then he has the right to get half.
So he waves his right has near kinsman to the next kinsman which is Boaz.
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
Today we have papers to sign to get a bill of sale, back then the bill of sale was not papers, it was your shoe.
The elders heard the next of kin pass on to Boaz the right of redemption, but to complete the transaction the symbolic ceremony of “handing over the shoe” had to be performed.
Deut 25:8-10
8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;
9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's (Ki-lee-ons) and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, (f-re-da) and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, (fair-rez) whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.
Ruth becomes the bride, he has redeemed her, she is no longer a gleaner, but the fields are hers now.
This is like the Lord to us:
Eph 1:14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Verse 11 the people said, “We are witnesses” they were pronouncing a blessing of fertility on Ruth, to be like Rachel and Leah, who had 12 sons between them, they helped build Israel.
They also gave their blessing to Boaz that he would increase his family, and he would be like (fair-rez) who was in the blood line of Jesus.
And when it says: “of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman”
Boaz seed will also be in the blood line of Jesus through Ruth.
And that his name would be famous, in the bible the name is very important of whom you are.
Here we have 2 men, one showed that he would go so far, the other showed he would go all the way.
That’s like us today, we’re OK with the easy part of God’s word, but when we run across something we don’t like, we stop right there and make excuses why we can’t do it.
Remember what Naomi said in 2:20 "May the Lord bless him!" Naomi told her daughter-in-law. "He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband.
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Who gave Ruth the child? “The Lord gave her conception”
We don’t make babies, we just have intercourse.
Abortion is killing what God gave.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
This book easily could have been called The Book of Boaz, so I would say that he is famous (remembered).
15 And he (Jesus) shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Remember back in verse 12 who the seed is “Jesus”
Not only does the Lord redeem us, he also restores us, gives us our life back.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it 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.
She was the great grandmother of King David.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: (fair-rez) Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat A-min-a-dab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, (Nash-shon) and Nahshon begat Sal-mon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
You’re thinking wasn’t his name suppose to be after Mahlon (Ma-lawn) to rise a son after him?
It is, his name is Obed of Bethlehem par Mahlon.
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
We’ll see that David was the father of Jesus:
Matt 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Remember I said that we are Ruth in this story.
She was a lost person, but a good person, the story says, lost but good.
Remember what it says in:
Titus 3:55 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Just as we had to be redeemed by Jesus, so he could take care of us.
Widows are to be redeemed by a male kinsman to take care of her.
One of the reasons God has man taking care of the women is because what it says in:
Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
The one that takes care of us, is the one we need to take care of.
Also:
1 Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Another reason we take care of the women.
1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (Worse than an unbeliever, because he knows the will of God, were the lost don’t)1 Cor 7:32-3332 In all you do, I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.
33 But a married man can't do that so well; he has to think about his earthly responsibilites and how to please his wife.
Women has we’re taking care of you, this is some of the things the Lord wants you to do.Prov 31:10-1210 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She contributes to his content and satisfaction, he doesn’t need to be griping and scraping to make it, as those who have wives that are proud and wasteful at home, wanting things they don’t need.
And maybe the wife doesn’t think the husband is good enough.
Matt 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
For the women who don’t know what Gods will is for you, here it is.
1 Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
This way you are in Gods will and others can’t say bad things about you.
Now we can understand how we (man) become the savior of the body