The
Kraig Josiah Rice
Devotional Bible Commentary On
written by
Kraig J. Rice
www.7-star-admiral.com
An Introduction to this Bible book of Ruth
1)
A Look At Chapter One
3)
A Look At Chapter Three
2)
A Look At Chapter Two
4)
A Look At Chapter Four
Who wrote this book?
What are some things that we know about the bible book of Ruth?
When and where was this book written?
Why was this book written?
What was the historical setting in those days when this book was written?
The theme of this book:
The Bible book of Ruth has four chapters:
A Few Opening Remarks:
What is this true story about?
Moabites were descendants of Lot (Gen 19:37), so they were distantly related to the
Israelites. Satan was worshipped through the god, Chemosh, who demanded child sacrifice
and ritualistic murder. The god, Baal, was also worshipped there.
Because of this fact the Israelites were to have no formal
relations with these people and it was forbidden by scripture:
Henry H. Halley had this to say:
He also had this information to share with us:
"In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab"
We do not know when this true story took place but it was sometime during the days when the judges ruled. You can read more about those times by reading the bible book of Judges.
This is a story of destiny. God did His part and certain folks, with free will, did their parts in laying the foundation (with their lives) for the eventual coming of Jesus Christ to the town of Bethlehem. And why is that significant? Because Bethlehem was the birth place of our Savior, our Kinsman-Redeemer. The story of Boaz and Ruth, and the Christmas story are linked by destiny.
You and I have a destiny to fulfill. Do not ever think that your life is meaningless and without purpose. You and I have a purpose on this earth and we have a purpose when we get to Heaven. We need to fulfill our destiny here and there.
"The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth"
God elected Ruth to be an ancestor of the Lord Jesus. She was a beautiful non-Jewish
woman. God led her to Bethlehem and gave her to Boaz to be his wife. There is an old
saying that "marriages are made in Heaven."
"Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. See, Naomi said to her, your sister-in-law
has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.
But Ruth replied: Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go
wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people,
and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there.
May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!
So when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped
urging her. So the two of them continued on their journey...to Bethlehem"
God controls circumstances and leads individuals to where He wants them to go. And He
controls the timing of these events. There was famine in Israel, so God led them to
Moab where there was food. They might have lived in a Jewish community there for 10
years or so. The Moabite girls in this story did not mind marrying Jewish men. In the
course of time, all 3 men in this family died- leaving 3 widows. There is a time to be born and a time to die
"But Ruth replied: Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever
you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God
will be my God"
Ruth confessed her faith in God. She was born again. People in those days were saved
before the cross of Christ just the same as people today are saved after the
cross of Christ. Sometimes, the results of sorrow can be beneficial:
How did Ruth get saved? Naomi and her husband loved the Lord. They did not say one thing
and do the opposite. God was prayed to and the bible was read and talked about in that
family. Their two sons and their wives were presented with the gospel truth.
Ruth learned to worship God in the home of her married life. Her faith sprang from
a love for God that she saw modeled by her husband and his family. The fact that Ruth
gives a confession of faith in God (your God is my God) is a tribute to the faith of
Naomi and her late husband.
Have you ever thought that you and I are missionaries to our own children- that we are
missionaries to our neighbors, our friends, and our relatives? Let us plant as many
gospel seeds that we can. You never know when such a seed will start growing in a
fertile heart. However, God will not grow gospel seeds that are never planted.
There is an old saying: "taste the Lord and see how sweet He is." Ruth tasted the
Lord and made Him her Savior. This was through the influence of her godly husband.
She had good character. She didn't just have the talk but walked the walk of
virtue, honor, and integrity. She is well spoken of even to this day and serves as a great role model.
Her godly husband died but they had no children. This must have been a horrible time
of pain and loss for her- a real time of trial. Her faith was being tested.
She decided to leave her country. This probably meant leaving her mother and other
family members behind. This must have been hard on her. She went to live in Israel
with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
"...for it grieves me very much..that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!"
"Don't call me Naomi (pleasant), she told them. Instead, call me Mara (bitter),
for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord
has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to
suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?"
Have you ever studied the bible book of Job? In that book we can understand that Satan took away from Job his
children, his possessions, and his health. Many believe that his trial lasted about
10 years. A Job's trial is an exclusive club that not everyone can join. You or I
have to be hand-picked by God for a trial like that. In one sense, it is really an
honor to be chosen by God for such a difficult challenge. God has to really trust you
to allow you to be tested to that degree.
Naomi knew from studying the book of Job that Satan could not destroy her or her family
members unless God allowed it. That is probably why she blamed God for the loss
of their finances, their health, and for the loss of her husband and 2 sons.
Satan was to blame and Satan may have lied to her- telling her that it was God who
did it to her. I doubt if she believed any of Satan's lies.
I believe that Naomi went through a Job's trial. She lost everything but her integrity.
I have been through one of these kinds of trials. It lasted 9 years and I lost
nearly everything that I owned. I call it a Job's trial or an extended duration trial.
This kind of a trial can be for a male or a female. All you have left is your integrity.
I fought Satan all the way through it and at the end of this trial, God allowed me to
personally face Satan- face to face. I have written a web page on how to get through
such a trial- in case you find yourself facing such a trial:
But God was working out a plan in Naomi's life that she
could not see. She was happy and secure towards the end of her life and blessed by
God. Job's life ended the same way with him receiving twice as much as what he originally started with.
Taking A Look At Chapter Two
"One day Ruth said to Naomi: Let me go out into the fields to gather leftover grain
behind anyone who will let me do it. And Naomi said: All right, my daughter, go ahead"
Naomi and Ruth were desperately poor. Ruth volunteered to go to work gleaning grain.
Gleaning was part of the Law of Moses that provided for the care of the poor
"So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it so happened,
she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of
her father-in-law, Elimelech"
Sometimes Christians talk about a Holy Spirit coincidence or a divine coincidence.
Ruth had one of these as she was guided by invisible hands to a field owned by Boaz.
She was directed by the will of God into the right field. How does God do those things?
We know that God the Holy Spirit does guide His prayerful children in answer to prayer.
Sometimes His ways are mysterious to us.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"
I remember my first year at Bethany Bible College (1967-1968). I did not like living in a
dormatory room with 3 other men- I just had gotten my honorable discharge from the U.S.
Navy after I had to live with 40 other men in cramped quarters aboard a World War Two
aircraft carrier. I prayed about this situation, however, it was the policy of the
administration not to let a single male student live by himself, especially off
of campus. Then God opened the doors for me to live off of campus. An 80 year old man,
who lived in Santa Cruz, California, wanted any college student to come and live with
him. He was having strokes and needed someone to stay close to him. Someone in the
administration offered me this opportunity and waived all restrictions.
I knew that this was the leading of the Lord, so I stayed with this man during the
spring semester- off of campus. The point is- God is quite capable of placing His
children where He wants them to be. God can and will use open and closed doors to
accomplish His will.
"Then Boaz asked his foreman: Who is that girl over there?"
There is an old saying: "a woman is as old as she looks, but a man is not old until he
stops looking!" Boaz saw a pretty girl and he was definately interested! She captured
his attention. There was chemistry between them. I asked a person one time: "what
do you think body chemistry is like?" The person replied: "that is when you
get "goose bumps" when around a person you are interested in."
"Boaz went over and said to Ruth: Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with
us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the
women working in my field"
Boaz was praying for a wife. Ruth was praying for a husband. God may have spoken to him
and told him that she was the one and only. Or, God may have spoken to her and told
her that he was the one and only. Or, God may have spoken to each of them.
I knew a man at bible college who was praying for a wife. God gave him a vision that he
would push open the cafeteria doors while he was going in there to eat. These doors would
swing inward and knock the books out of the arms of the lady he was to marry as she was
exiting the cafeteria. A short time later the incident really happened just the way he
saw in his vision. Oddly enough, the woman's name was Ruth and this couple eventually
got married. After he met her he went around in a love daze with his feet 3 meters off
of the ground, so to speak. He really had it bad. It was love at first sight for him.
Many of us students jokingly renamed our school Bethany Bridal College rather than
Bethany Bible College. I wonder if Boaz and Ruth had a similar experience happen to them?
"...I have warned the young men not to bother you..."
Was Boaz flaunting his power over his workers in order to impress her?
Was he beating his chest in pride, letting his workers know what he had and what they
were missing? I do not think so. I think that he was just a genuine nice guy doing a
genuine good deed in wanting to protect her.
When an unbeliever accepts Christ:
"So she...said to him: Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should take
notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"
Love breaks down all racial and national barriers.
Why did Ruth find grace? We can ask God that same question. Why did you and I find His grace?
God loves us and He proved it to us when He died in our place on the cross of Calvary.
He extended His grace to us. That is the basis on which he saves you and I today.
In other words, we approach God on His terms and He accepts us.
Ruth was a gentile and considered to be an outcast. At one time you and I were considered
to be outcasts from God's grace because of our sins. Ruth had to ask Boaz to accept her.
And we had to ask Christ to accept us. Did Boaz turn her down? Did Christ turn us down?
No. Boaz put his cloak around her shoulders and brought her, a despised gentile, into the congregation
of Israel. And Christ put his robe of righteousness around our shoulders and brought us,
as unworthy sinners, into His family of the redeemed. Ruth's story reveals what the
grace of God can do in the life of a believer if the believer will let Him do it.
"How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of Your wings"
"At lunchtime Boaz called to her: Come over here and help yourself to some of
our food. You can dip your bread in the wine if you like. So she sat with his
harvesters, and Boaz gave her food- more than she could eat"
Ruth and Boaz ate lunch together and got to know each other a little more intimately.
They were bonding and seeing if they got along with each other. They did!
"...He (Boaz) is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband.
That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers..."
What is the difference between atonement for sin and redemption from sin? Atonement
covered sins and was used in Old Testament times via the blood of certain clean animals.
In New Testament times we have redemption from sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Redemption means to pay a high price so that the one who is redeemed may go totally free.
The Kinsman-Redeemer in the book of Ruth is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died to redeem us. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer.
Boaz is a good example of a kinsman-redeemer in the bible. He loved Ruth and that was the
motivation for his actions. Boaz reveals the love side of redemption and that is why he
fits in so well in this bible book. Now, Christ did NOT have to redeem us.
Each individual is a lost sinner. That is why He came to redeem us as our Kinsman-Redeemer.
He loves us and that is His motivation. Christ could have called thousands of angels
to come to His rescue during His period of suffering (His Passion)
"Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her: My daughter, shall I not seek security
for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he
is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he
has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he
lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do"
Ruth had certain rights as a widow, but to lay claim to these rights, she would have to do
the responsible thing and ask Boaz to redeem her. She would have to lay claim to her
kinsman-redeemer. According to the custom of that time, she would have to be the
aggressor. I liken it to going to small claims court to file a claim. If you
are not the aggressor, fill out the paper work, and pay the fee then you are not going
to be heard. Also, for Ruth, it was also about the same thing as asking him to marry her.
"After Boaz had finished his meal and was in good spirits, he lay down beside
the heap of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet,
and lay down. Around midnight, Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was
surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! Who are you? he demanded.
I am your servant Ruth, she replied. Spread the corner of your blanket
over me, for you are my family redeemer"
The agricultural workers in those days would sleep next to their grain piles to keep
thieves from stealing sacks of grain to sell for personal profit. Boaz was not alone
on the threshing floor but there were his other workers, as well. They slept with
their clothes on and used a blanket (mantle or covering) or two for sleeping.
Today we can use the same thing or a sleeping bag when away from home, roughing it.
There was nothing evil or deceitful in her actions.
A male in the marriage relationship, in Old
Testament days, was referred to as being "a covering" for his wife. As such,
his role was to provide and protect her in every way possible. That is why Ruth
uncovered the feet of Boaz. She had to take the blanket
off of his feet. As such, she was telling him that he needed to be covered up again.
And, when he covered up again, she asked that she be included in that blessing. In other
words, she wanted him to be her "covering" as her husband and to fulfill
his role to provide and protect her. Those were some of the customs of that day.
The prophet Ezekiel's wife was "the desire of his eyes"
Another custom, in those days, was for the one wanting to be redeemed to ask for it.
Ruth laid down at the feet of Boaz in the dark. I doubt if she got any sleep that entire
night as she was probably filled with anxiety. I can just imagine her kicking his
feet at midnight to wake him up. It worked. He asked her what she wanted and she told
him that she wanted to take him to court. If he agreed, he would place his blanket
over her shoulders. By so doing, he was promising her his love and protection
throughout her life. And in return, she was offering him her love and devotion.
He placed his blanket over her shoulders.
Ruth asked Boaz to redeem her. Today, as sinners needing redemption, we have to ask
Christ for it. Christ is always delighted to grant redemption to any sinner asking for
it. Boaz was delighted to offer redemption to Ruth. There was total trust in God in this action.
Christ will be glad to place His blanket of love and protection over you and me.
Our redemption can also be a legal affair because God has promised to redeem us if
we come His way. His promise will hold up in the court of Heaven. And we are
expected to respond with love, obedience, and devotion to Him.
Ruth communicated with Boaz that she wanted him to be her kinsman-redeemer. Good
communication in any relationship is essential. And Boaz wanted her as his wife.
God was dealing with each of them. When one Christian person is dating another, it is
important to know that God is dealing with each of the individuals to accomplish His
will. What does that mean? If God deals with one person and not the other person, then
it is NOT His will for that relationship to succeed. The relationship is off of
spiritual balance. One time I dated a young lady and I was praying for God's will
concerning the relationship. Then, one day when I was with her, I felt "a check" or
"a block" in my inner spirit. It was nothing she said or did and it was nothing I said or
did. It was just one of those "God things." God was letting me know that this relationship
was NOT His will. So, what did I do? Did I rebel against God and marry her anyways?
Did I argue with God about her? Did I throw a temper tantrum and demand my own way
with God? No. I broke it off with the girl. Why? Because I trusted God. I knew He only
wanted the best for me and was acting in my best interests. As a Friend, He gave me
His advice that I asked Him for. As a Father, He was loving and protecting me.
Later on, I met and married the girl that He approved of and we had a wonderful marriage
together. Put God first in your life. Ask Him for His guidance and direction and He will be faithful to help you.
"Then he said: Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown
more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich"
The holy scriptures also declare:
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord
will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise"
"And now, my daughter, do not fear. I (Boaz) will do for you all that you request, for all
the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman"
Respect comes before love. It appears that Boaz is in love with Ruth by this time and his actions prove it.
"A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown..."
"So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize
another. Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor"
Did any one of them get any sleep that night? I doubt it. There was too much anxiety.
They might have stayed up and talked all night long. Maybe they ate some sandwiches and drank hot coffee.
Was there secrecy because they had sinned against the Lord? No. These actions were
prudent to avoid any false accusations and scandal from mindless gossip.
"We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else
to know we are honorable"
"Then she said: Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn
out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day"
I imagine that Boaz had communicated with Naomi about Ruth, especially since they were
related and living in a small town. Naomi knew how Boaz felt about Ruth and anticipated
the actions of his heart.
"And Boaz said to the family redeemer: You know Naomi, who came back from
Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.
I felt that I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you
wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses.
But if you don't want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line
to redeem it after you. The man replied: All right, I'll redeem it"
Why does the transfer of land in those days appear so confusing to us? The confusion
come about because of their culture and regulations in those days. The land was supposed to stay permanently in
the hands of family members. If somebody sold their land they could buy it back soon
or on the year of Jubilee (every 50 years). Naomi sold her land and moved to Moab
with her husband and two sons. About 10 years later she came back with Ruth. She
didn't have the money to buy back her land herself but she had a relative who could.
His name was Boaz. Boaz bought back her land for her (redeemed the land). So this made
Naomi happy and gave her security
"Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses (at the gate)"
The city gate of a small town was the normal place for the transacting of business and politics
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land"
"Then Boaz told him: Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also
requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way, she can have
children who will carry on her husband's name and keep the land in the family"
Why do these marriage rules appear so confusing to us? The confusion comes about because
of their culture and regulations in those days. There was no way a widow could make
a living in those days if her husband died because he was her cloak or covering.
A cloak or covering cloth, in figurative language, was a security blanket.
In other words, she was out in the cold if her husband died. Because of God's great
love, He did not want to see any of His children in want or in need. So, He arranged
for family members to take care of one another
"Then I cannot redeem it, the family redeemer replied, because this might
endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it"
The nearer relative did not want to marry Ruth because he was probably already married.
To raise up his own son in the name of another relative would confuse the question of the inheritance of his estate.
"Therefore the close relative said to Boaz: buy it for yourself and he
took off his shoe"
The custom of removing one's shoe:
"So Boaz married Ruth and took her home to live with him. When he slept with her,
the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son"
"Lo, children are the inheritance of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward"
If a man loves his wife and treats her well then she will respond to him. If a woman loves
her husband and treats him well then he will respond to her. But, if one treats the other
harshly, critically, and cruelly, the victim will become cold and indifferent, and love will die.
But was not Boaz forbidden to marry a Moabite woman? Yes. But there was an exception made
in her case. Who made it? She was accepted as a citizen of Israel by the
representatives of the city who considered her to be a proselytite (a convert to God and Israel).
Let us take a brief look at this genealogy (family tree names):
"...Obed...became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
"Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed,
Obed was the father of Jesse"
"Salmon was the father of Boaz (his mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (his mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David"
Rahab was a Canaanite and Ruth was a Moabite.
Let us take a brief look at Rahab, the great-great grandmother of King David.
As a hobby, I traced my family genealogy many years ago. When looking at my
great-great grandmother's records for Elizabeth Wilson, I can easily cover
a period of 200 years of time. Assuming that this was relatively the same period of
time for King David's great-great grandmother, then Rahab from Jericho
Assuming that Rahab of Jericho was King David's great-great grandmother, then it can
be seen that a mixed marriage between Nahshon and Rahab had transpired with great
success before the one with Boaz and Ruth. What made these folks successful in their
personal lives and in their marriages was the fact that they all loved the Lord and
were obedient to Him. These ladies, as repentant gentiles, are in the blood-line of Jesus Christ.
Boaz probably knew his grandmother, Rahab, really well. He did not have any stigma
against marrying a non-Jewish person if that person really loved the Lord.
I knew each of my grandmothers in Texas really well and asked each of them detailed family
tree information and spent some quality time with each of them. They were both from
German descent and it was interesting to learn some of their customs from the old
country. For instance, my grandmother (Schulz) Rice was to marry a man in Texas that her
parents picked out for her (an arranged marriage). She eloped with my grandfather Rice,
instead. I asked her why she married him. She replied, "Because I loved him."
God always welcomes repentant sinners into the family of the redeemed.
Rahab, a Canaanite, was a repentant sinner who God accepted, so it does not matter what
race of people you come from or the color of your skin- you are welcome and invited to
feast at the Lord's table if you come to God in repentance as a needy sinner
needing grace and forgiveness.
Bonus Material:
The meaning of some of the names in the bible book of Ruth:
Judah means praise
God's Plan of Redemption (Salvation):
What is God's simple plan of redemption in brief?
Christ is a gift to you and I. And the redemption that He purchased for you and I is a
gift. He has done the work of redemption for us, and you and I are
invited to enter into His rest of redemption by grace through faith because it is finished.
Christ finished His work of redemption
Theologically speaking, it is on the basis of His work upon the cross for you and me,
and it is our acceptance and our receiving Him into our hearts that saves us. All we
have to do is to accept His free gift to us- the free gift of salvation. Christ purchased
our salvation and each of us has to either trust Him or not trust Him. Each of us has
free will to accept or not accept Him- He did not create any robots that have no free
will. You and I cannot earn our salvation. When you and I claimed Christ as our redeemer,
that is all that He asked us to do. The work of redemption is His work.
If you have not yet invited Him to come and live in your heart then you have an
opportunity right now to do so. Go to Him in prayer and ask Him to forgive you of your
sins and wrongs. Ask Him to take your sins away. Tell Him that you repent of your sins-
that you are sorry for having sinned against Him. Just to talk to Him from the sincerity
of your heart. If you need more help click this link:
The true story of Boaz and Ruth is a love story that has a happy ending.
No one knows who wrote the bible book of Ruth.
Is there any justification for thinking that King David wrote this book? No- only
speculation. Why? Because he wanted to prove that his family was linked
to the tribe of Judah. The bible book of Ruth proves this connection via the
genealogy that is listed. How? Because his great-grandfather, Boaz, married Ruth,
the Moabitess. And why would he want to prove that? King David had to prove
that he was from the tribe of Judah in order to be made King over Judah at Hebron
(2 Samuel 2:4). All truth is proved by verification. David also wrote a number of songs (psalms).
In the modern bible, the book of Ruth is located after the book of
Judges because this true story took place sometime during the rule of the judges
of Israel 1225-1020 B.C.- possibly during the reign of Gideon or Jephthah.
Every year it was read out loud to the people of Israel at the feast of Pentecost.
when and where was this book written? It was written from somewhere in Israel
(possibly Hebron) about 1010 B.C.
Why is the book of Ruth in the bible? Did God place it there for the genealogy because
this book proves that the royal house of David is connected to the tribe of Judah? Possibly.
Did God place it there because it is a beautiful love story between a man and a woman?
Possibly. Did God place it there as an allegory to help reveal a message of one kind
or another? Possibly. I think that God placed it there because it helps explain
the doctrine of redemption. Why? Because it is in the plan of God and He wants us
to know about it. God was planning on sending to mankind a Kinsman-Redeemer for the
purpose of redeeming the human race from sin. Boaz is a type of kinsman-redeemer
who helps us to understand the true Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Jewish
Messiah. Jesus Christ came to earth in bodily form for that reason. Jesus Christ is
our Mediator and through His selfless act of love provides a redemption for sin with
His own blood for each repentant sinner who comes to Him by grace through faith.
It is a story that shows God's redemptive love in action for the saved folks of
Israel then and the church today.
There had been a shortage of food in the land of
Israel but there was food in the land of Moab. Israel and Moab, neighbor nations,
peacefully tolerated each other politically in those days. After 10 years or so,
there was food available in Israel once again.
Redemption is a romance of love. Because God loves us, He redeems us.
Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer.
1) Chapter 1 Ruth's faith in God helps her make the right decision
(after terrible loss and suffering in a trial).
2) Chapter 2 Ruth shows great character by her actions.
3) Chapter 3 Ruth follows God's will for her life.
4) Chapter 4 Ruth is blessed by God (Job was blessed at the end of his trial).
Briefly speaking, this story starts at a peaceful time during the days of the judges of Israel. One family
from Bethlehem of Judah migrated to the country of Moab. Each of the two sons married
Moabite women. All 3 of the men of the family died, so Naomi returned to Israel with
one of her daughters-in-law, named Ruth. Ruth married Boaz and from this lineage came
the ruling dynasty of Israel that started with King David. Ruth was also an ancestress of Christ.
"No Ammonites or Moabites, or any of their descendants for ten generations, may
be included in the assembly of the Lord"
(Deuteronomy 23:3).
Amos, God's prophet, foretells Moab's complete destruction later on in time
(Amos 2:1-3). But God can make exceptions when He wants to. God elected Ruth
to be an ancestor of the Lord Jesus. She was a beautiful woman, on the inside and outside.
She kind of reminds me of the virgin Mary, who was also beautiful on the inside and
outside. She was a special rare flower that only comes along once in awhile.
"Under the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, there is
a room in which, it is said, Jesus was born. An old tradition says that this same room
was part of the ancestral home of King David, and before David, of Boaz and Ruth. Thus,
according to this tradition, Boaz took Ruth to be his bride, and started the Family that
was to bring Christ into the world, in the Very Same Room in which, 1100 years later,
Christ himself was born."
"According to Jewish tradition, about two kilometers (1 mile) east of Bethlehem is the
Field of Boaz where Ruth gleaned, and close to it is the Shepherd's Field where the
angels announced the birth of Jesus. Is it just a coincidense that these 2 fields are
linked to each other? The romance of Ruth with Boaz, her redeemer, can be linked
to the church, with her Redeemer- even though these happenings are about 1,100 years apart."
(Ruth 1:1).
(Ruth 1:4).
(Ruth 1:14-19).
(Ecclesiastes 3:2). So, Naomi and Ruth go to Bethlehem where Ruth marries Boaz. Their son
is in the ancestry of King David and also in the ancestry of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, God
works out long range plans of destiny through our lives that you and I are not aware of.
We may not know the whole story until the Lord reveals it to us in Heaven. I am sure that
Ruth, at the time, had no idea what the power of her destiny would eventually bring.
The decision of destiny was made as to whether or not Jesus Christ would be born in
Bethlehem or not. This destiny began unfolding one thousand years before it happened.
Do you have any proof for that, preacher? Yes. Take a look at what the Apostle Matthew wrote:
"King Herod...called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious
law. Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born? he asked them.
In Bethlehem, they said, for this is what the prophet wrote:
O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah,
for a Ruler will come from you who will be the Shepherd for my people Israel"
(Matthew 2:4-6).
(Ruth 1:16).
"For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek
salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow..."
(2 Corinthians 7:10). NLT
(Ruth 1:13).
(Ruth 1:20-21).
(Ruth 2:2).
(Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22). Ruth had great character. She posessed energy, honesty
of purpose, and loyalty.
(Ruth 2:3).
(James 5:16). "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delights
in his way"
(Psalm 37:23).
(Ruth 2:5). NLT
(Ruth 2:8). NLT
(Ruth 2:9).
(Ruth 2:10).
(Psalm 36:7).
(Ruth 2:14). NLT
(Ruth 2:20).
(Matthew 26:53). It was NOT iron nails that kept Him hanging on the old rugged cross but His love.
Because of His great love for you and me, salvation by redemption through His blood, is
a love story. God is using the bible book of Ruth as an illustrated sermon to whoever
wants to be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb today. Accept Him today and experience His great love for you.
(Ruth 3:1-4).
(Ruth 3:7-9).
(Ezekiel 24:16).
(Ruth 3:10). MKJV
(Proverbs 31:30-31).
(Ruth 3:11).
(Proverbs 12:4).
(Ruth 3:14).
(2 Corinthians 8:21).
(Ruth 3:18).
(Ruth 4:3-4).
(Leviticus 25:25-28).
(Ruth 4:2).
(Genesis 23:10 & 18).
(Proverbs 31:23).
(Ruth 4:5).
(Deuteronomy 25:5-12). And it was considered a disgrace for one family member not to
help another (she was to spit in his face). Are we supposed to help needy family
members today? Well, the principle of love is in place but the practice falls too short in many instances.
(Ruth 4:6).
(Ruth 4:8).
1) The shoe symbolized the right of the owner to set foot in the promised land.
2) Removing the shoe symbolized the act of ceding the rights of possession to another.
(Ruth 4:13).
(Proverbs 127:3).
This is their family line beginning with their ancestor Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David"
(Ruth 4:17-22).
(1 Chronicles 2:11-12).
(Matthew 1:5-6).
(Joshua 2:1) could have been his ancestress- that is if one accepts the possibility
that the period of the time of the Judges was from 1225-1020 B.C. That is only a
period of time of about 200 years. However, some biblical scholars want to increase the
time for the period of the Judges to 1400-1050 B.C. That would put this
period of time at about 350 years. That would mean that David's Rahab was a
different person from the Rahab of Jericho.
Naomi means pleasant one
Bethlehem means house of bread
Elimelech means my god is a king
Obed means worshipper or the serving one
Mahlon means unhealthy, sick, or sickness
Mara means bitter
Chilion means wasting, puny or pining
Orpah means deer
Boaz means in Him is strength
Ruth means beauty, companion, and personality
(John 19:30). He paid the penalty for your sin and my sin. When we trust Him as our
Savior He will give us a wonderful peace that surpasses all understanding. He will
take your guilt away. He will change your heart by giving you a new inner nature of the spirit.
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As of January 30, 2012