Ruth - 4th Chapter

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.

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.