Sunday Evening Bible Study

December 23, 2001

Introduction

The book of Ruth takes place some time during the period of the Judges, perhaps somewhere around 100 years before King David. Even though the period of the Judges was a dark time in the history of Israel, the book of Ruth offers a glimpse of hope and light. As the book begins, a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech takes his family to Moab in order to survive a famine that has hit the land. While in Moab, Elimelech dies, his two sons marry Moabite girls, and then they too die, leaving the mom, Naomi, and her two Moabite daughter-in-laws. When Naomi decides to go home to Bethlehem, one of the girls stays in Moab, but the other, Ruth, wants to go with Naomi. Though Naomi tried to persuade Ruth to stay in Moab, Ruth wouldn’t hear of it –

(Ruth 1:16-17 KJV) And Ruth said, Entreat 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: {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.

When Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem, Ruth goes to work to support her and her mother-in-law, gleaning in the fields. Gleaning was a practice in ancient Israel where the poor were allowed to go into a field and pick up whatever the harvesters didn’t gather as they harvested the crop. Just by coincidence, Ruth ends up in the field of Boaz, a wealthy man who also happens to be a close relative of Naomi. Boaz treats Ruth with kindness and suggests that she stay in his field when she gleans.

(Ruth 2:23 KJV) 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.

Warren Wiersbe writes about the book of Ruth:

“The Book of Ruth reminds us that God is at work in our world, seeking a bride and reaping a harvest; and we must find our place in His program of winning the lost. The events in the Book of Ruth occurred during the period of the Judges, a time not much different from our own day. If you focus only on the evils of our day, you’ll become pessimistic and cynical; but, if you ask God what field He wants you to work in and faithfully serve Him, you’ll experience His grace, love, and joy.”

Ruth 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?

rest – manowach – resting place, state or condition of rest, place; NAS “security”, NIV “a home”, NLT “a permanent home”

it may be well – yatab – to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad

Naomi does not pursue a husband herself. She feels she is too old to get married.

(Ruth 1:12 KJV) 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;

Naomi decides that it’s time to have things move on a little between Ruth and Boaz.

Lesson

Marriage ought to be a place of “rest” and “well” for us.

That’s God’s idea of marriage.

(Gen 2:18 KJV) And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

As a result, God created woman. Marriage is good.

The Real 50-50 Marriage

A young man saw an elderly couple sitting down to lunch at McDonald’s. He noticed that they had ordered one meal, and an extra drink cup. As he watched, the gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, until each had half of them. Then he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife. The old man then began to eat, and his wife sat watching, with her hands folded in her lap. The young man decided to ask if they would allow him to purchase another meal for them so that they didn’t have to split theirs. The old gentleman said, “Oh no. We’ve been married 50 years, and everything has always been and will always be shared, 50-50.” The young man then asked the wife if she was going to eat, and she replied, “Not yet. It’s his turn with the teeth.”

:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

our kindred – mowda‘ath – kindred, kinship

winnoweth – zarah – to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow. After being reaped, the grain was taken to the threshing floor where it was walked over by the oxen to loosen the grain from the chaff. Then the grain was tossed into the air to allow the wind to blow the chaff away while the kernels fall back to the ground. This was usually done in the evening or at night after the gentle west wind off the ocean began to pick up.

threshingfloor – goren – threshing-floor. A clear space set aside for winnowing. Usually located near the fields. Perhaps on a nearby hill where the wind would be stronger.

:3 Wash thy self 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.

wash – rachats – to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe

anoint – cuwk – to anoint, pour in anointing. Perhaps the idea of putting on perfume.

thy raiment – simlah – wrapper, mantle, covering garment, garments, clothes, raiment, a cloth; NLT – “dress in your nicest clothes”

Naomi doesn’t want Ruth to bother Boaz until after he’s had his supper. After all, guys can be pretty cranky if they haven’t had their 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.

uncover – galah – to uncover, remove

Apparently the idea is simply that of gently waking Boaz up and letting him know that Ruth was there.

Ruth is to let Boaz decide what comes next.

I think it’s nice that Ruth isn’t going to put Boaz on the spot in front of others.

Lesson

Make a move

You never know what might happen unless you try.

I think that sometimes in relationships we have this idea that the other person must be able to read our minds and that we shouldn’t make a move to let someone know we’re interested in them.

The difficult part is that sometimes the other person isn’t interested, and that can be hurtful.

Loving people at all levels of relationship requires risk.

:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

Lesson

The submissive heart

This is one of the beautiful things about Ruth. She has great respect for Naomi.

Jesus had a submissive heart.

(Luke 22:42 KJV) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Lesson

Sometimes older people know better

I think that’s one of the threads woven into this story. People in Ruth’s day had a respect for their parents’ generation. They realized that these people knew a little more than they did.

Illustration

Growing Opinions of Dad

4 years: My daddy can do anything.

7 years: My dad knows a lot, a whole lot.

8 years: My father doesn't know quite everything.

12 years: Oh, well, naturally Father doesn't know that, either.

14 years: Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned.

21 years: Oh, that man is out-of-date. What did you expect?

25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.

30 years: Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks.

35 years: A little patience. Let's get Dad's assessment before we do anything.

50 years: I wonder what Dad would have thought about that. He was pretty smart.

60 years: My Dad knew absolutely everything!

65 years: I'd give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss that man.

:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

bade – tsavah – to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order

She didn’t just say she’d do it, she did it.

: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.

and drunk – shathah – to drink; the way it’s phrased here doesn’t mean that he is drunk. He’s just had something to drink.

heart – leb – inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

was merry – yatab – to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad

This Hebrew phrase doesn’t necessarily mean that Boaz was drunk. The phrase is used to simply describe someone who is in a good mood, like someone who’s had a hard day of work and has had his fill of supper and is in a good mood (Judg 18:20; 1Ki. 21:7; Eccl 7:3)

he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn – This was to make sure that no one came during the night and stole the results of all his hard labor.

softly – lat – secrecy, mystery, enchantment; secretly

There is nothing impure happening here. Ruth is simply taking the covers off of Boaz’s feet so he’ll get cold and wake up. She then lies down near his feet.

Note: This wasn’t Ruth’s idea, this was Naomi’s idea. Naomi knows that Boaz is a man of integrity, a man of purity. She knows that she can trust Boaz with Ruth.

:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

afraid – charad – to tremble, quake, move about, be afraid, be startled, be terrified

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night to have one of your children standing next to your bed silently staring at you? It makes you jump!!!

turned – laphath – to twist, grasp, turn, grasp with a twisting motion

Boaz can’t make out who it is in the dark and it startles him.

: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.

handmaid – ‘amah – maid-servant, female slave, maid, handmaid, concubine; of humility (fig.)

spread – paras – to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces

skirt – kanaph – wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt; skirt, corner (of garment)

The Hebrew phrase seems to be used in at least two different ways.

It is used to describe the cherubim spreading their wings over the Ark of the Covenant (Exo. 25:20; 37:9; 1Ki. 6:27; 2Chr. 3:13)

Earlier, Boaz had used a similar phrase when he said to Ruth:

(Ruth 2:12 KJV) 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.

wings – kanaph – wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt

trust – chacah – to seek refuge, flee for protection

It is used to describe marriage, the spreading of the “skirt” (Eze. 16:8)

JFB: To spread a skirt over one is, in the East, a symbolical action denoting protection. To this day in many parts of the East, to say of anyone that he put his skirt over a woman, is synonymous with saying that he married her; and at all the marriages of the modern Jews and Hindus, one part of the ceremony is for the bridegroom to put a silken or cotton cloak around his bride.

Note: These are Ruth’s words, not Naomi’s. Naomi simply told Ruth to uncover his feet and do whatever Boaz said.

But Ruth was there when Boaz said that Ruth was trusting under the wings of the Lord.

So Ruth now transfers that picture of trusting in the Lord to saying she wants to trust in Boaz, to have a relationship with him.

She’s asking Boaz to marry her.

near kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

Lesson

Coming to the Redeemer

There are some very interesting parallels in this story with that of how we, like Ruth, come to be married to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

She just “happened” to land in the Redeemer’s field (2:3)

The Redeemer saw that she was taken care of (2:15) – God’s continual kindness towards us, drawing us

Wash thyself (3:3), washed in His Word.

Anointing (3:3), the Holy Spirit

Clean clothes (3:3), put off the flesh, put on the new man

Lie at His feet (3:7), submit to Jesus

Who art thou (3:9), we can’t see Him, but we can hear His voice

:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

kindness – checed – goodness, kindness, faithfulness

Boaz is mentioning the fact that there seems to be an age difference between he and Ruth. He seems to have expected Ruth to have paid more attention to the younger men rather than an old geezer like him.

: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.

virtuous – chayil – strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

This is the same word that Solomon uses –

(Prov 31:10 KJV) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Lesson

Faithfulness can overcome the past

Though Ruth initially was known as “the Moabitish damsel” (2:6), she has proved her faithfulness through her hard work to the point where everyone knew her integrity.

Sometimes we acquire a bad reputation. Sometimes we deserve a bad reputation because we’ve done things to hurt others. Sometimes we haven’t done a thing, but people just don’t like us.

Sometimes hard work, faithfulness, and diligence pays off.

Boaz promises Ruth that he will do his best to take care of her.

:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

near kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

a kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

nearer – qarowb – near; of place; of time; of personal relationship; kinship

Note: Boaz’s response here is kind of interesting. Even though he’s told himself that he was too old for her, he’s apparently pursued the idea enough to have looked into it and has come across the problem of the other relative.

: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.

Tarry – luwn – to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide

perform unto thee the part of a kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

let him do the kinsman’s part – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

not do the part of a kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

will I do the part of a kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

Before Boaz can take a step to be Ruth’s “redeemer”, he has to allow the other relative a chance to redeem the family. But if the other fellow doesn’t want to follow through, then Boaz promises that he will “redeem” Ruth and her family.

: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.

Boaz doesn’t want rumors started or people to get the wrong idea about what has been happening. He doesn’t want the gossip mill going crazy.

:15 Also he said, Bring the veil 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.

veil – mitpachath – cloak

measured – madad – to measure, stretch

six measures of barley – “measures” is not in the Hebrew. NLT has “six scoops”. NKJV has “six ephahs” – this would be too much since an ephah of barley weights 30 pounds, this would be 180 pounds, a bit too much to carry.

It has been suggested that this “measure” was the seah, equivalent to 1/3 of an ephah, or about 10 pounds of barley. This would mean that the load Ruth was carrying was about 60 pounds.

:16 Who art thou, my daughter?

Some translations have this coming out as, “How did it go my daughter”?

But actually, the King James is translating this exactly as the Hebrew. Perhaps what Naomi is saying is, “Are you still Ruth the Moabitess, or are you the prospective Mrs. Boaz?”

: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.

Boaz was sending a message to Naomi that he was VERY interested in Ruth.

: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.

sit still – yashab – to dwell, remain, sit, abide

Naomi hears what Ruth has told her and is convinced that Boaz is going to act.

Lesson

Be patient

There’s a time for action, as when Ruth followed Naomi’s advice and went to Boaz at night.

But there’s also a time to be patient and wait.

(Psa 46:10 KJV) Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

be still – raphah – to sink, relax, sink down, let drop; to “take your hands off and relax”

We need to learn when to let go of things and let God take care of them.

(Psa 37:1-9 NLT)  Don't worry about the wicked. Don't envy those who do wrong. {2} For like grass, they soon fade away. Like springtime flowers, they soon wither. {3} Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. {4} Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. {5} Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. {6} He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. {7} Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. {8} Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others-- it only leads to harm. {9} For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

Ruth 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 gate – a roofed area without walls near the entrance of a city. This was where the marketplace was and where business transactions were made. The old men of the city, the elders, would gather there and serve as a type of court.

the kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

This is the relative that has first place before Boaz to redeem the family. He would be Boaz’s relative as well.

Ho, such a one! – literally, “Whoa you certain somebody!”

(Ruth 4:1 NIV) "Come over here, my friend"

Apparently this became a catch phrase in Israel. The Rabbinic writings used the designation for an unknown “John Doe.”

Why don’t we know this relative’s name?

His name is kept from us on purpose. He lost his chance to be forever known as a redeemer in Israel, and so his name is not recorded.

He didn’t take his chance.

Lesson

You won’t make a name by playing it safe

Sometimes you have to risk a little.  Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone.

Illustration

When the army of Israel was being threatened by a nine-foot tall giant named Goliath, a call went out for someone to go head-to-head in battle.  For forty days the challenge was made, and no one stepped forward.  Until the day when a young man came to visit his brothers.  When he found out about the challenge, he jumped at the chance.  What was his name?  David.  Why do we know his name?  Because he didn’t play it safe.

Illustration

“It is not the critic who counts, not the person who points out where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the devotions, and spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt

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

Two or three witnesses were enough to witness an agreement, but it was usual to gather ten elders if the matter was really, really important such as with a marriage, divorce, or purchase of property.

: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:

the kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

brother – ‘ach – brother; brother of same parents; half-brother (same father); relative, kinship, same tribe

The word used doesn’t mean that Elimelech was necessarily a full brother of either of these men, perhaps just a close relative.

selleth – makar – to sell

a parcel of land – This “redemption” was going to be about two things, land and people.

Boaz first brings up the land issue. With the land, the idea was to keep the land within the family.

(Lev 25:23-28 NLT) And remember, the land must never be sold on a permanent basis because it really belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenants living with me.

No sale of property was to be considered permanent because God was considered the real owner.

{24} "With every sale of land there must be a stipulation that the land can be redeemed at any time.

Every time a sale took place, it was under the condition that it could be bought back by the original owner.

{25} If any of your Israelite relatives go bankrupt and are forced to sell some inherited land, then a close relative, a kinsman redeemer, may buy it back for them.

If you sold your land to someone outside the family, a kinsman redeemer could by the land back at any time.

It is possible that Naomi has already mortgaged this property, and what Boaz is doing is buying it back from the one who mortgaged it, like buying it from the bank.

{26} If there is no one to redeem the land but the person who sold it manages to get enough money to buy it back, {27} then that person has the right to redeem it from the one who bought it. The price of the land will be based on the number of years until the next Year of Jubilee. After buying it back, the original owner may then return to the land. {28} But if the original owner cannot afford to redeem it, then it will belong to the new owner until the next Year of Jubilee. In the jubilee year, the land will be returned to the original owner.

The year of Jubilee came every fifty years. Even if you sold your land and were unable to buy it back, it would still come back to be yours at the year of Jubilee. Because of this, land was pretty cheap the closer you got to the Jubilee.

The prophet Jeremiah was also involved in a property “redemption” (Jer. 32:6-12)

An interesting thing about Jeremiah’s “redemption” was that when he made the purchase, he wrote out a deed and sealed it.

(Jer 32:10 NKJV) "And I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales.

:4 And I thought to advertise thee …If thou wilt redeem it … he said, I will redeem it.

to advertise – two words - galah – to uncover, remove /‘ozen – ear, as part of the body

buy – qanah – to get, acquire, create, buy, possess

redeem (5x) – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

When Boaz brings up the subject of purchasing the land, the other relative is willing to do his part.

: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.

By the way …

There’s a catch in the deal. You have to take the girl with the land.

Lesson

Treasure in the field

I don’t think Boaz really wants the field. He wants the girl.

He is willing to buy the field in order to get the girl. This reminds me of a parable of Jesus –

(Mat 13:44 KJV) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Jesus thinks you are a treasure. He purchased the whole world with His blood in order to get you.

:6 I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance

It is thought that this relative may have already been married with children of his own. If he takes Ruth and has children by her, there would be another child to divide his inheritance among. Or, perhaps his wife didn’t like the idea of him taking another wife! Perhaps the man didn’t think he wanted to have to take care of two poor widows. Perhaps he didn’t want to be associated with a Moabitess. Perhaps he was afraid that if he married Ruth the Moabitess, he’d die like Mahlon.

Whatever his excuse was, he missed out on the treasure.

:7 a man plucked off his shoe

It seems this is coming from the Levirate Law –

(Deu 25:5-10 NLT) "If two brothers are living together on the same property and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Instead, her husband's brother must marry her and fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law. {6} The first son she bears to him will be counted as the son of the dead brother, so that his name will not be forgotten in Israel. {7} But if the dead man's brother refuses to marry the widow, she must go to the town gate and say to the leaders there, 'My husband's brother refuses to preserve his brother's name in Israel--he refuses to marry me.' {8} The leaders of the town will then summon him and try to reason with him. If he still insists that he doesn't want to marry her, {9} the widow must walk over to him in the presence of the leaders, pull his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. She will then say, 'This is what happens to a man who refuses to raise up a son for his brother.' {10} Ever afterward his family will be referred to as 'the family of the man whose sandal was pulled off'!

The idea of taking a shoe off seems to be that of reducing a person to the status of a slave. It was to be a humiliation.

:8 he drew off his shoe

The kinsman will be spared the complete humiliation of Ruth spitting in his face. Perhaps this is because they really don’t have a desire to humiliate the man, they just want him cleared out of the way so Boaz can step in.

:9 I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

bought – qanah – to get, acquire, create, buy, possess

:10 Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife

the wife of Mahlon – here’s where we find out which brother Ruth had been married to. She was married to the “sick” one (Mahlon means “sick”).

purchased – qanah – to get, acquire, create, buy, possess

Lesson

Redemption

Definition of Redemption:   To set free from bondage by paying a price

Prerequisite for redemption:  Bondage

Ruth and Naomi were in bondage

They were unable to pay their debts.  A picture of death, they were unable to have any offspring because their husbands were dead.

We were under bondage to sin and need a redeemer.

(John 8:33-34 KJV)  They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? {34} Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Qualifications for a redeemer

a. He has to be a “near kinsman”. Jesus took on human flesh at Bethlehem in order to become our “near kinsman”.

(Heb 2:14-15 KJV)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

b. He has to be willing to pay the price. Unlike the anonymous “relative”, Jesus WANTS to pay the price for us.

(Heb 12:2 KJV)  who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

c.  He has to be able to pay the price

It’s not just enough to be “willing”, but you have to be “able” to pay the price.  Is there enough money in the account?

(1 Pet 1:18-19 KJV)  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:

Illustration

A beggar stopped a lawyer on the street in a large southern city and asked him for a quarter.  Taking a long, hard look into the man’s unshaven face, the attorney asked, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” “You should,” came the reply.  “I’m your former classmate.  Remember, second floor, old Main Hall?”  “Why Sam, of course I know you!” Without further question the lawyer wrote a check for $100.  “Here, take this and get a new start.  I don’t care what’s happened in the past, it’s the future that counts.” And with that he hurried on.

Tears welled up in the man’s eyes as he walked to a bank nearby. Stopping at the door, he saw through the glass well-dressed tellers and the spotlessly clean interior.  Then he looked at his filthy rags. “They won’t take this from me. They’ll swear that I forged it,” he muttered as he turned away.

The next day the two men met again. “Why Sam, what did you do with my check?  Gamble it away?  Drink it up?”  “No,” said the beggar as he pulled it out of his dirty shirt pocket and told why he hadn’t cashed it.  “Listen, friend,” said the lawyer.  “What makes that check good is not your clothes or appearance, but my signature.  Go on, cash it!”

When it comes to redemption, it’s not up to us to be good enough to be forgiven.  It’s up to Jesus having enough to pay our debt.

Lesson

Final redemption

An interesting parallel to the things we’ve seen in the book of Ruth is found in the book of Revelation, chapters 4-5.

Just as in Ruth, the events take place at the “gates”, but here at heaven’s gates.

(Rev 4:1 KJV)  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven

Instead of having ten elders to witness the transaction, there will be twenty-four.

(Rev 4:4 KJV)  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Remember the two elements of redemption in Ruth?  Land and people.

The redemption of the land is seen in the seven-sealed scroll. When Jeremiah bought his cousin’s field, it was recorded on a “sealed scroll” (Jer. 32:10).

(Rev 5:1-5 KJV)  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. {2} And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? {3} And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. {4} And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. {5} And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The idea of being “able” to take the scroll is the idea of being qualified to “redeem”.  Just as Boaz was qualified to “redeem” Naomi’s field, Jesus is the ONLY one qualified to redeem the earth.

As Jesus takes the scroll in Revelation 5 and begins to open it, the events of the Tribulation period begin to unfold, taking the planet through the process of Jesus buying the field for His own.

We see the redemption of people having already been accomplished –

(Rev 5:9 KJV)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

We are getting very, very close to the time when these events will take place.  Are you ready?  Will you be able to say with those in heaven, “You have bought me”?

How can I be redeemed?

(Ruth 3:9 KJV)  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.

Just as Ruth asked Boaz to be her redeemer, ask Jesus to be yours.

:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses.

we are witnesses – ‘ed – witness

:11 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, and be famous in Bethlehem:

like Rachel and like Leah – this was the usual bridal blessing. Rachel and Leah were the two wives of Jacob, Israel. These people were all descendants of Israel. Rachel was Jacob’s barren wife, who eventually was blessed of the Lord with children. Ruth had been married, but had not yet had children.

Ephratah – the ancient name of Bethlehem (Gen. 35:19).

:12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah

First, all these people are of the tribe of Judah, descendants of Judah.

Secondly, Tamar was the daughter-in-law to Judah. She was originally married to Er, Judah’s oldest son. When Er died, the next son, Onan, was supposed to marry her to give her children. This was the first recorded example of the Levirate law. When Onan also died, Tamar came up with a plan and disguised herself as a prostitute. She then enticed her father-in-law Judah to get her pregnant and she ended up having twins, Pharez and Zarah. It was from these twins that most of the tribe of Judah were descendants of. Pharez was the son from which the people in Bethlehem descended from (1Chr. 4:1-4).

The people are blessing this marriage and asking that the children be as special as that of Tamar and Judah’s.

:13 the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

gave her conception – herown – physical conception, pregnancy, conception

: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.

left – shabath – (Hiphil) to cause to cease, put an end to; to exterminate, destroy; to cause to desist from; to remove; to cause to fail

kinsman – ga’al – to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman

may be famous – qara’ – (Niphal) to call oneself; to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

That the redeemer’s name might be called out. May Boaz’s name be famous.

Lesson

Women blessing women

I like the example here. Women in the book of Ruth are NOT unimportant. They are what the book is all about.

Here the women pronounce a blessing on Naomi.

:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age:

be unto thee a restorer – shuwb – to return, turn back; (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back; to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment; to bring back, refresh, restore

This is apparently in reference to the baby, that the baby would bring restoration to Naomi.

a nourisher – kuwl – (Pilpel) to sustain, maintain, contain; to sustain, support, nourish

Lesson

God restores

Many of you have gone through tremendous difficulty.  Some have gone through great loss.  God can restore.

(Joel 2:25 KJV) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Think of the life of Joseph in the Bible.  He lost his family and his home when his brothers sold him as a slave into Egypt.  He lost his reputation and his job when his boss’ wife tried to seduce him and he refused.  He could have lost hope when the baker and the cupbearer forgot about him after he interpreted their dreams.

But there came a day when it was all worthwhile.  God brought restoration.  You see it in the naming of his children:

(Gen 41:51-52 NLT)  Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father." {52} Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering."

Be patient.  Let God work.

:15 for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.

which loveth – ‘ahab – to love; human love for another, includes family, and sexual

better to thee than seven sons – The women of the city have seen how Naomi has been so greatly blessed through her Moabite daughter-in-law.

Lesson

Don’t miss the treasures

Remember Naomi’s attitude when she first came back from Moab?

(Ruth 1:20-21 KJV) And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (“pleasant”) , call me Mara (“bitter”) : for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. {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 had tried to talk Ruth out of coming back to Bethlehem. She had reluctantly allowed Ruth to accompany her.

But if it weren’t for Ruth, Naomi would be in a pickle. Boaz offered to marry Ruth, NOT Naomi.

Are there treasures in your life that you’ve been ignorant of? Are there people around you that you’ve taken for granted?

:16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

became nurse – ‘aman – to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish; foster-mother, nurse

(Ruth 4:16 NLT) Naomi took care of the baby and cared for him as if he were her own.

Illustration

Ready to be a Parent?

Preparation for parenthood is not just a matter of reading books and decorating the nursery. Here are some simple tests for expectant parents to take to prepare themselves for the real life experience of being a mother or father.

Women: To prepare for maternity, put on a dressing gown and stick a beanbag chair down the front. Leave it there for nine months. After nine months, remove 10% of the beans

To discover how the nights feel, walk around the living room from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds. At 10 p.m. put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep. Get up at 12 a.m. and walk around the living room again with the bag until 1 a.m. Put the alarm on for 3 a.m. Since you can’t go back to sleep, get up at 2 a.m. and make a pot of tea. Go to bed at 2:45 a.m. Get up again at 3 a.m. when the alarm goes off, sing songs in the dark until 4 a.m. Put the alarm on for 5 a.m. Get up. Make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

Get an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a can of paint, turn it into an alligator. Now get a toilet paper tube. Using only scotch tape and a piece of foil, turn it into a Christmas tree. Last, take a milk container, a ping pong ball, and an empty packet of cocoa Puffs and make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower. Congratulations, you have just qualified for a place on the play group committee (or to teach Sunday School!)

Get ready to go out. Wait outside the toilet for half an hour. Go out the front door. Come in again. Go out. Come back in. Go out again. Walk down the front path. Walk back up it again. Walk down it again. Walk very slowly down the road for 5 minutes. Stop to inspect minutely every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way. Retrace your steps. Scream that you’ve had as much as you can stand until all the neighbors come out and stare at you. Give up and go back in the house. You’re now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Hollow out a melon. Make a small hole in the side. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side. Now get a bowl of soggy Fruit Loops and attempt to spoon it into the hole of the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane. Continue until half of the Fruit Loops are gone. Tip the rest into your lap, making sure that a lot of it falls on the floor. You are now ready to feed a 12-month old child.

:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name … they called his name Obed

The neighbor women name the baby.

Obed – ‘Owbed – “serving”. Obed will be the grandfather of King David.

:18-22 Now these are the generations of Pharez … Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

This shows us that the whole point of this story was to show us a peek into the lineage of King David.

There was apparently 380 years between Salmon and David. Apparently not everyone is listed in the genealogy.