Ruth chapter 4
When we left off from the third chapter last week, Naomi told Ruth that Boaz wouldn't rest until he had done all he was required, and all he could to make Ruth his rightful wife. We see as the forth chapter starts Naomi was right and Boaz follows the law and asks for the matter to be settled at the gate with elders. The same goes for what Christ did for us. He followed the law, then fulfilled it, that he might be the blameless sacrifice we needed for eternal life with him. There are no shortcuts to doing what is right, but if you get to work immediately, we'll find the time passes quickly.
Boaz stops the near kinsman (notice we never see his name, he is left off from history because he didn't want to take part) and asks him if to take his rightful inheritance. The man is all for taking the land, but he balks when he finds out that there is a woman involved where he will have to raise a child in another man's name. We can have eternal life, but it will cost us the world; we will have to live in Jesus's name and purpose and not our own.
Boaz purchases all that was Elimelech's and his family.Christ purchased all our sin debt and left nothing undone. Boaz declares to all what he has done and what his intentions are. We will have to declare with our mouth what Jesus has done in our hearts and lives. Boaz marries Ruth and Ruth conceives a son. This son would be the grandfather of king David. This gentile is brought into the fold and family of Christ just as we all are if we accept him.
The women of the city say something very profound to Naomi. They tell her that Ruth, this stranger from Moab is more of a blessing to her than seven sons. In that day and age, that is a staggering statement. Male children were everything to a woman. This goes to show, that no matter what the world may say, no matter what the world holds in regard, God lifts those up that seek his face regardless of their current state on this earth. Ruth is yet another story about the wonder of God's love for mankind.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Ruth - 3rd Chapter
Ruth chapter 3
When we last caught up with Ruth, she found favor in the eyes of Boaz. He wanted to make sure that she was treated well and got an extra part in the harvest. God treats us the same way. He offered his only Son, not some angel. He gave us his real Word and Holy Ghost that we might have a clear path and comfort. God made sure we have handfuls of purpose if we accept it.
Naomi wants what is best for Ruth and gives her the advice she feels is best. She wants Ruth to present herself in the best way possible, if not a little bold. It is easy to question the method that Naomi wants Ruth to use, but we see that because of Ruth's clean heart and Boaz's righteous demeanor, it turned out the way the Lord would have it. Before we think that she is too forward, there are two things on her side. One, she is not doing this secretly. She is in a place of harvest that has many people in it. Also, Jewish law had provisions for widowers so that the next of kin would marry the widower if possible.
The Lord will no doubt take us as we are and save us from sin and hell, but notice that Ruth washes and dresses up before she goes down to see Boaz. I think at the very least, we ought to wear something nice and clean when we present ourselves to the house of God. We would make sure we were dressed up if we were going out to a nice place to eat, or if we were going to a wedding. How much more important is the house of worship than a 'night out'? If God has blessed you with dress attire, where else should you wear it?
After Boaz was asleep Ruth laid at his feet. It frightened him awake and she told him who it was. She was straight forward telling him that she wanted him to take her for a wife according to the law. He wisely was worried about giving off the wrong impression, and he also knew of another kinsman that was closer to Elimelech by law than he was. He did appreciate that this young, hard working woman wanted Boaz and not someone else.
He tells her to leave so that people might not talk and speak more about the meeting than actually happened. He doesn't let her leave empty handed though, as he gives her another portion of the harvest. Jesus does not let us walk away from prayer if we stay long enough for his encouragement. Jesus will give us a worthy portion if we seek him long enough.
As Ruth returns to Naomi, Naomi is elated to hear about all that has happened. She encourages Ruth that Boaz will not rest until the matter is resolved with the nearest kinsman. When fellow saints come to us with a story, let us always try and be encouraging toward them if at all possible.
When we last caught up with Ruth, she found favor in the eyes of Boaz. He wanted to make sure that she was treated well and got an extra part in the harvest. God treats us the same way. He offered his only Son, not some angel. He gave us his real Word and Holy Ghost that we might have a clear path and comfort. God made sure we have handfuls of purpose if we accept it.
Naomi wants what is best for Ruth and gives her the advice she feels is best. She wants Ruth to present herself in the best way possible, if not a little bold. It is easy to question the method that Naomi wants Ruth to use, but we see that because of Ruth's clean heart and Boaz's righteous demeanor, it turned out the way the Lord would have it. Before we think that she is too forward, there are two things on her side. One, she is not doing this secretly. She is in a place of harvest that has many people in it. Also, Jewish law had provisions for widowers so that the next of kin would marry the widower if possible.
The Lord will no doubt take us as we are and save us from sin and hell, but notice that Ruth washes and dresses up before she goes down to see Boaz. I think at the very least, we ought to wear something nice and clean when we present ourselves to the house of God. We would make sure we were dressed up if we were going out to a nice place to eat, or if we were going to a wedding. How much more important is the house of worship than a 'night out'? If God has blessed you with dress attire, where else should you wear it?
After Boaz was asleep Ruth laid at his feet. It frightened him awake and she told him who it was. She was straight forward telling him that she wanted him to take her for a wife according to the law. He wisely was worried about giving off the wrong impression, and he also knew of another kinsman that was closer to Elimelech by law than he was. He did appreciate that this young, hard working woman wanted Boaz and not someone else.
He tells her to leave so that people might not talk and speak more about the meeting than actually happened. He doesn't let her leave empty handed though, as he gives her another portion of the harvest. Jesus does not let us walk away from prayer if we stay long enough for his encouragement. Jesus will give us a worthy portion if we seek him long enough.
As Ruth returns to Naomi, Naomi is elated to hear about all that has happened. She encourages Ruth that Boaz will not rest until the matter is resolved with the nearest kinsman. When fellow saints come to us with a story, let us always try and be encouraging toward them if at all possible.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
2nd Week of October Ruth Chapter 2
Ruth chapter 2
The first verse tells us that Naomi's husband had some rich people in it, and one of those was Boaz. Ruth tells Naomi that she is going to glean in the fields of other people and it says not by design but by happenstance she ended up gleaning in the field of Boaz. Now we know that God does not, nor ever dealt in luck, and this was guided by the very hand of God. If Ruth never would have made the effort though, there wouldn't have been a blessing.
Boaz comes in from Bethlehem and asks his reapers how the it goes with their work. A good and faithful servant of God is always looking out to see if any of God's people, or some lost soul needs help. Boaz is curious of the woman he sees gleaning and they servants tell him it is the Moabitess woman the daughter-in-law to Naomi.Ruth keeps her humbleness (as we all should) and does her part. Boaz seeing her eagerness to work and her contrite spirit tells her to go to no other field to glean. He then tells his servants to drop some handfuls of purpose that Ruth may pick them up. How often does God drop handfuls of blessings and purpose our way that we might enjoy them?
Ruth had a good report and it spoke to Boaz in volumes. He knew her heart not only by her actions, but also by the report of her. As Christians we should all have a good report. After Ruth comes home with such a great haul in her harvest Naomi is curious as to who's field she got such gain. Ruth tells that it is from Boaz's field and Naomi is over joyed at the working and care of God's great hand.
Notice as the chapter ends that Ruth is not immediately saved from her poor state. She works through not only the barley harvest but the wheat harvest as well. We ought to remember that the Gospel Way is long and has many hard days in it, but in the end, God's blessings far outweigh any price we might pay in his service.
The first verse tells us that Naomi's husband had some rich people in it, and one of those was Boaz. Ruth tells Naomi that she is going to glean in the fields of other people and it says not by design but by happenstance she ended up gleaning in the field of Boaz. Now we know that God does not, nor ever dealt in luck, and this was guided by the very hand of God. If Ruth never would have made the effort though, there wouldn't have been a blessing.
Boaz comes in from Bethlehem and asks his reapers how the it goes with their work. A good and faithful servant of God is always looking out to see if any of God's people, or some lost soul needs help. Boaz is curious of the woman he sees gleaning and they servants tell him it is the Moabitess woman the daughter-in-law to Naomi.Ruth keeps her humbleness (as we all should) and does her part. Boaz seeing her eagerness to work and her contrite spirit tells her to go to no other field to glean. He then tells his servants to drop some handfuls of purpose that Ruth may pick them up. How often does God drop handfuls of blessings and purpose our way that we might enjoy them?
Ruth had a good report and it spoke to Boaz in volumes. He knew her heart not only by her actions, but also by the report of her. As Christians we should all have a good report. After Ruth comes home with such a great haul in her harvest Naomi is curious as to who's field she got such gain. Ruth tells that it is from Boaz's field and Naomi is over joyed at the working and care of God's great hand.
Notice as the chapter ends that Ruth is not immediately saved from her poor state. She works through not only the barley harvest but the wheat harvest as well. We ought to remember that the Gospel Way is long and has many hard days in it, but in the end, God's blessings far outweigh any price we might pay in his service.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
1st Week of October Ruth Chapter 1
Ruth chapter 1
As we move from Judges to Ruth, the time frame is still the same. This all happens in the time of the judges in Israel. Within Ruth there are several promises about the coming king; not only David, but Jesus as well. Added to this, we have the hope of the Gentiles in these stories as well, because Boaz is the descendant of Rahab, and Ruth is a great-great grand mother to David. How gracious God is to include the gentiles into his grace plan.
We start off with a famine in Bethlehem-Judah. We don't know if the famine is in all of Israel, but it is where Elimelech lives. Elimelech takes his wife Naomi and his two sons Malhon and Chilion with him into Moab. Now that God has given his people a promised land, I doubt Elimelech is doing this with the blessings of the most high. If he is, why wouldn't God approve of all his people leaving and going to another land. This is not like Abraham and Issac who were only temporarily in the promised land.
Down to Moab they go, and their young sons take wives of the daughters of Moab which is definitely against their law. When you are around people for long enough, you start to become like those people, and that is exactly what happened here. Either by God's judgment or to show his great hand, Elimelech and not long after Elimelech's sons die. Now Naomi is left in a strange land with no means to support herself and two daughter-in-laws with mouths to feed. Knowing that she has a long hard road in front of her, and an uncertain future, she tries to discourage her daughters from going with her back to Bethlehem. Both the daughters out of fresh feelings and love say they want to continue with her. Naomi wants to make sure that they mean what they say. This is exactly how God may treat us in our lives. We may say that we want to serve him, and want what is best from him in our lives, but when pushed, sometimes we falter. To commit not only to Salvation, but to a life for Christ is not the easiest of roads. It is a road full of joy and fulfilled promises, but it is not always an easy road.
After further prodding, we discover that Orpah is more inclined to go back to her own people. Ruth though, in the 16th verse, says what every Christian should say in their hearts and openly. That they will serve God and follow his path no matter what may come. Ruth saw a glimpse of something in her mother-in-laws religion, and was not going to give it up for nothing.
Matthew Henry says something about this occasion that I really like. "It is an evidence of a discontented, distrustful unstable spirit, to be weary of the place in which God hath set us, and to be for leaving it immediately whenever we meet with any uneasiness or inconvenience in it. It is folly to think of escaping that cross which, being laid in our way, we ought to take it up. It is our wisdom to make the best of that which is, for it is seldom that changing our place is mending it."
When Naomi comes to Bethlehem, she is recognized immediately. She now wants to be known for sorrow and not pleasantness. Her life is now a shame to her, and she no longer lives in her former families' glory. Oh, but we find out what is to come to her and Ruth. God has riches untold for those that wait on him.
As we move from Judges to Ruth, the time frame is still the same. This all happens in the time of the judges in Israel. Within Ruth there are several promises about the coming king; not only David, but Jesus as well. Added to this, we have the hope of the Gentiles in these stories as well, because Boaz is the descendant of Rahab, and Ruth is a great-great grand mother to David. How gracious God is to include the gentiles into his grace plan.
We start off with a famine in Bethlehem-Judah. We don't know if the famine is in all of Israel, but it is where Elimelech lives. Elimelech takes his wife Naomi and his two sons Malhon and Chilion with him into Moab. Now that God has given his people a promised land, I doubt Elimelech is doing this with the blessings of the most high. If he is, why wouldn't God approve of all his people leaving and going to another land. This is not like Abraham and Issac who were only temporarily in the promised land.
Down to Moab they go, and their young sons take wives of the daughters of Moab which is definitely against their law. When you are around people for long enough, you start to become like those people, and that is exactly what happened here. Either by God's judgment or to show his great hand, Elimelech and not long after Elimelech's sons die. Now Naomi is left in a strange land with no means to support herself and two daughter-in-laws with mouths to feed. Knowing that she has a long hard road in front of her, and an uncertain future, she tries to discourage her daughters from going with her back to Bethlehem. Both the daughters out of fresh feelings and love say they want to continue with her. Naomi wants to make sure that they mean what they say. This is exactly how God may treat us in our lives. We may say that we want to serve him, and want what is best from him in our lives, but when pushed, sometimes we falter. To commit not only to Salvation, but to a life for Christ is not the easiest of roads. It is a road full of joy and fulfilled promises, but it is not always an easy road.
After further prodding, we discover that Orpah is more inclined to go back to her own people. Ruth though, in the 16th verse, says what every Christian should say in their hearts and openly. That they will serve God and follow his path no matter what may come. Ruth saw a glimpse of something in her mother-in-laws religion, and was not going to give it up for nothing.
Matthew Henry says something about this occasion that I really like. "It is an evidence of a discontented, distrustful unstable spirit, to be weary of the place in which God hath set us, and to be for leaving it immediately whenever we meet with any uneasiness or inconvenience in it. It is folly to think of escaping that cross which, being laid in our way, we ought to take it up. It is our wisdom to make the best of that which is, for it is seldom that changing our place is mending it."
When Naomi comes to Bethlehem, she is recognized immediately. She now wants to be known for sorrow and not pleasantness. Her life is now a shame to her, and she no longer lives in her former families' glory. Oh, but we find out what is to come to her and Ruth. God has riches untold for those that wait on him.
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