The Book of Ruth
Student’s Study Guide
The Romance of Redemption
Christ and the Church in the
Book of Ruth
The
Romance of Redemption
Human Author: Unknown, perhaps Samuel
Divine Author: God the Holy Spirit
Date of Writing: c. 990 BC
Key Thought: The Romance of Redemption
Key Verse: Ruth 3:13
“….then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth…”
Ruth 1
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the
judges ruled [judged], that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man
of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of
1:1 The story of Ruth is one of the great stories in human
history. The drama begins with a famine in the
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his
wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of
Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the country of
1:2 During this difficult period, a
1:2
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left
of her two sons and her husband.
1:3-5 Once in the land, more tragedy struck. Elimelech died
suddenly and without warning. Naomi was left with her two sons and a depressing
future. For a little while, life returned to normal for the two sons came of
age and married. Naomi was able to find some female companionship in her two
daughters in laws, Orpah and Ruth. Then great tragedy came again. Mahlon and
Chilion also died. It is possible that these men were never in the best of health
as their
names
indicate. They left behind weeping wives and a distraught mother.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that
she might return from the country of
1:6 Those who have been to the graveside
of a loved one know the sorrow that grips the soul. Life does not seem to be
worth living. Nevertheless, in some wonderful way, Naomi found the inner
strength needed to make basic decision about the future.
·
She would leave
·
She would return to
·
She would go home.
The
basis for these decisions was practical. Naomi had heard how the Lord had
visited His people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two
daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of
Judah.
1:7 The
spiritual lessons of this section are precious.
First, the Lord is ultimately in control of nature. While there are Laws of
Nature, the Laws are simply the manifestation of Divine faithfulness. God can
and does sovereignly supply, or withholds, the forces that govern the affairs
of man. Agricultural prosperity should be attributed to the blessing of God.
Famines too are part of His sovereign control as He uses natures to change
individuals and their dwelling places.
Second, the Lord will visit His
people. God has a "people." It
is a humbling truth, but from the sea of humanity, God has a chosen people that
He calls His own. According to the gospel message the people of God are not
according to race but regeneration. The regenerate consists of all who have
received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour because of electing love.
The
doctrine of election is one of the great truths of Scripture and is part of the
dogma of the church. The Baptist Confession of 1689 teaches “By the decree of God, for
the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated or
foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Scripture can be cites to support the teaching
of election.
·
Elect men. Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world:
·
Elect Angels. 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe
these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by
partiality.
The purpose of electing
souls to salvation is “to the praise of His glorious grace.” Ephesians 1:5-6
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Third, the gifts of divine grace
and the doctrine of election are designed to draw individuals to the Lord, not
drive them away. Naomi wanted to go home when she
has heard how the Lord has visited His people and she remembered to whom she
belonged.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her
mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead,
and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the
house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and
wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy
people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me?
Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
1:11 Naomi tried to persuade her daughters to turn back if they so desired by reminding them that even the Levirate Law would not apply. This Mosaic law required a man to marry the widow of a brother who died with no male heir. The term levirate means "husband's brother." The purpose of the law was to provide an heir for the dead brother, thereby preserving his name and protecting any estate. The law also was designed to provide for the welfare of the widows (Deut 25:5-10).
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an
husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also
to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them
from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes
that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
1: 8-13 Initially, both Orpah and Ruth decided to go with Naomi
(Ruth 1:10). However, as the journey progressed, Orpah had a change of heart.
The thought of leaving her extended family and friends was too much. She would
remain behind. Besides, as Naomi reminded her, it was not practical (Ruth
1:11-13). So Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and departed.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her
mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her
people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
1:15 In one fateful moment Orpah made her decision. She turned away from the true God to return to her idols. Let the church warn others about turning back. Rather, let sinners turn their eyes upon Jesus.
“O soul, are you weary
and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn
your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Helen H. Lemmel
~*~
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from
following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou
lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God:
1:16 They God, my God. The conversion of Ruth
to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was essential for her entrance back into
the Land of Promise to live among the people of the Covenant. By Law no Hebrew
was to marry a Gentile (Deut. 7:2,3). And no Moabite was to enter into the
congregation of the Lord (Deut. 23:3).
The Law shut Ruth out, but grace took her in.
In this way Ruth reflects the converted Christian, shut out by the Law and
contemned but given salvation by grace. Romans 8:3 For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
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.
1:16-17 Because Ruth had grown
especially close to Naomi she was determined not to leave her. Ruth's decision
has given rise to one of the greatest expression of friendship love in the
world.
“A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift,
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.”
~*~
Jesus is
a faithful Friend.
A friend of Jesus! O what
bliss
That one so vile as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
O what blessèd, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
A Friend when other
friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend Who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!
A Friend when sickness lays
me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!
A Friend when life’s short
race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!
Jospeh C. Ludgate
~*~
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass,
when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and
they said, Is this Naomi?
1:18-19 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to remain with her, the journey continued. It was a long journey of 100 miles, on foot, over barren treacherous land. Some of the mountains that had to be crossed were over a mile high. Finally, the journey ended. Bethlehem was in sight. But the spirit of Naomi did not rejoice. Her heart had
grown hard with the difficulties of life. Disillusioned and distressed, Naomi instructed her former neighbors to call her Mara, which means bitter (Ruth 1:20-22).
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, 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?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with
her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in
the beginning of barley harvest.
1:20-22 A spirit of bitterness now saturated Naomi’s heart. She no
longer found faith in God. She was a very angry woman reflected in the words
she spoke and the change in her name. In contrast to the bitterness of Naomi is
the blessed response of Ruth to the adversities of life. There is no record
that she became bitter but she did become a source of blessing to her
mother-in-law by sharing in her life. Ruth was not just a daughter in law, she
was a friend.
“A friend is one who
helps you bridge the gaps between loneliness and fellowship, frustration and
confidence, despair and hope, setbacks and success.” Ruth was a friend. She was a
blessing to others.
The Book of Ruth
1. Where is Moab located and
why did some Hebrews go there?
Answer.
2. What three basis decisions
did Naomi make?
Answer.
3. Why did Orpah turned aback
from going to Judah?
Answer.
4. What name change did Naomi
request and why?
Answer.
5. What was the Levirate Law?
Answer.
1. Do you consider yourself to
be among the “people” of God? If so, on what basis? If not, why not?
2. Do you enjoy a faithful
friend such as Ruth was to Naomi? Would you like one? How strong are most of
the friendships you have?
3. Do you believe Orpah was
saved? Was Ruth converted? Defend your answer for each.
4. Was the Levirate Law
practical and beyond that was it moral and ethical?
5. Have you ever been bitter
with God? If so, please share why.
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 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.
Ruth 2
1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
2:1 Boaz (in him is
strength) is a fitting type of Christ as Ruth is a lovely picture of the
Church.
2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field,
and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And
she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
2:2 The characteristics of a virtuous woman discussed in Proverbs 31:10-31 are demonstrated by Ruth.
The Virtuous Woman
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price
is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so
that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all
the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with
her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from
afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her
household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the
fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with
strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is
good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh
herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband
is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She
maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant 25
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her
blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done
virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is
vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the
fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap [chance] was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
2:3 Hap. While many events seem to happen by chance the Bible reveals the sovereign God works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). For the Christian there are no accidents in life, only incidents.
“Thy works, O God! Around us
lie
In varied grandeur, earth
and sky
Proclaim Thy love, Thy
wisdom tell
And say, ‘Thou doest all
things well.’”
~*~
Kalai, Molokai
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The
LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
2:4 Here is a wonderful public greeting to be used socially among God’s people.
Salutation: “The Lord be with you.”
Response: “The Lord bless thee.”
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose
damsel is this?
2:5 The heart of love is thoughtful and inquisitive.
It seeks to know as much about the object of its desire as possible. Christian
husbands are commanded to dwell with their wives according to knowledge “as
being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered”
(1 Peter 3:7).
6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is
the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers
among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until
now, that she tarried a little in the house.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and
go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch
thee? And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which
the young men have drawn.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
2:5 As Ruth was astonished at the great grace shown to her so ever person who has been the object of redeeming grace stands amazed that salvation has come to their soul and that while yet a sinner Christ died (Rom. 5:8).
“O boundless love divine!
How shall this tongue of
mine
To wond’ring mortals tell
the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell,
should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come! “
~*~
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me,
all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine
husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land
of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
12 The LORD recompense [repay] thy work, and a full reward be given
thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
2:12 The LORD recompense thy work.
Being in the geographical will of God and doing the
work He has ordained may be hard. It may not be glamorous, but it will be
rewarded properly. God does not forget faithfulness in the lowest and most
humble of His servants. For every pastor of a small congregation, forever
Sunday school teacher of a few children, for every faithful godly mother
struggling to rear the children, may “the Lord recompense thy work.”
“Working in the
vineyard,
Working all the day,
Never be discouraged,
Only watch and pray;
Do your duty nobly,
Heart and hand unite,
Minding
the watchword,
Stand by the right,
Minding the watchword,
Stand by the right.”
~*~
13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that
thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine
handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
2:13 The proper response to love and grace is gratitude. So the Christian serves the Lord Jesus in an attitude of gratitude understanding the security the soul enjoys. Salvation is never a license to sin but freedom to serve.
14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the
bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and
he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and
left.
1:14 The reapers were the most important people during harvest. They received the focus of attention as they moved with skill to cut down the golden grain. In contrast the gleaners represented the poor and the stranger and the widows. With aching backs and chapped hands they picked up the left over stalks. Only in grace would a gleaner be allowed to “eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar”. But that is exactly what grace does for the believing sinner. Grace allows fellowship with the Savior. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young
men, saying, Let her glean [pick up grain] even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
2:15 Reproach her not.
Ruth was not to be reprimanded for gathering grain even among the sheaves or
stocks that had been freshly cut. So great is the love of Christ for the church
that He does not allow anyone to harm her or reproach her. When Satan desire to
have Peter, Jesus prayed for him and protected him. A grand statement has been
proclaimed throughout the universe. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge
of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is
Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom 8:33).
16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her,
and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
2:16 Handfuls of purpose. As the great drama
unfolds the great grace of Boaz is displayed. Having found the object of his
heart’s desire he makes every provision for her needs— and more. The church is
reminded of the super abounding grace of Christ. Listen to Paul as he writes, “my
God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus” (Phil 4:19).
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had
gleaned: and it was about an ephah [1.1 bushels] of barley.
18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law
saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had
reserved after she was sufficed.
2:18 One of the greater virtues of the church is
that she share her resources with others. The wealth of the world is not to be
horded but to be redistributed to those who are weak and in need thereby
reflecting the grace of God. Freely we receive; freely we give. The parable of
the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37 reminds Christians to help those in need.
Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts
20:35).
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? And where wroughtest [worked] thou? Blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought [toiled], and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the
LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And
Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next
kinsmen.
2:20 When Naomi came home she was depressed and
bitter thereby demonstrating that anger turned inward and self pity are the
root causes for depression. When she turned her thoughts away from herself to
the Lord and to the goodness of others her thoughts changed and so did her
state of depression. The best medication for the heart is the gospel. Psa.
42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health f my
countenance, and my God.
21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep
fast [stay close] by my young men, until they have ended [finished] all my
harvest.
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my
daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any
other field.
23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of
barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother
in law.
The Book of Ruth
1. What does the name Boaz mean
and of whom is he a type?
Answer.
2. Define the following: hap,
recompense, wrought
Answer.
3. Compare the “gleaners” from
the “reapers”.
Answer.
4. What is one of the greater
virtues of the Church (Ruth 2:18)? What did Jesus teach about giving?
Answer.
5. What are two roots causes
for depression and what is the biblical cure for spiritual depression?
Answer.
.
1.
Can you write down at least five ways Boaz would be a type of Christ
and five ways in which Ruth would be a lovely type of the church?
2.
Looking back over the years can you see some divine “handfuls of
purpose” in your life? Please share at least one incident.
3.
Do you have a heart of covetousness or do you live out the teaching of
Christ, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? Would your income
tax return support your answer?
4.
Husbands, do you love your wives and dwell with them according to
knowledge as Boaz knew and loved Ruth? Wives, do you respect and honor your
husbands as Ruth respected and honored Boaz?
5.
Have you ever been depressed? What brought you out of the depression?
Drugs and medication? The promises of God? Please share.
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Ruth 2: 15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean [pick up grain] even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
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?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou
wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:2 Winnoweth. After the corn had been
threshed by oxen on the open floor (cf. Deut. 25:4), it was winnowed by
throwing it up with forks or shovels against the evening breeze, which would
blow away the chaff. The heavier grains fell on the ground in a heap.
3:2 Threshing floor. The threshing
floor in Palestine were nothing more than level places in the field stamped
hard under the open sky. These areas were about 50 feet in diameter.
3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3:3 Wash thyself. It was good and practical
counsel Naomi gave to Ruth. She must make herself presentable to her future
husband. In like manner the church must be careful to cleanse itself. “But
as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”(1 Peter 1:15).
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.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
3:5 Young people are wise to listen to and obey the counsel of those who are older and more mature in matters of the heart, money, custom and culture.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her
mother in law bade her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
3:8 As Ruth laid herself in a helpless and hopeless
condition before the feet of her kinsman redeemer so the sinner comes to Christ
who said, “him that cometh to me I will no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
Oh cast yourself upon His grace. Make no other claim than the cry of mercy and
thou shalt be saved.
“Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know.
Could my tears forever flow,
These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou Alone.”
~*~
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.
3:9 This was a legal request not a vulgar sensual suggestion. Ruth was within her rights to ask Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer (Deut. 25:5,6). Boaz acknowledged the propriety of the moment for he accepted his responsibility.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou
hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as
thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
3:10 Motives are important. Had Ruth been unduly ambitious she might have made herself available to someone just as rich and young than Boaz. But she was content to be with him. The Christian must be careful to be content with Christ and not seek fame or fortune or self interest at His expense.
All to Jesus, I
surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I
surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I
surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I
surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus, I
surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I
surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!
~*~
W. Van DeVenter
:
“The song was written while
I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, in the home of George
Sebring (founder of the Sebring Camp meeting Bible Conference in Sebring,
Ohio, and later developer of the town of Sebring, Florida). For some
time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art
and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of
my life came, and I surrendered all
A new day was ushered into
my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent
hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a
tender chord, He caused me to sing.
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.
3:10 A past reputation for virtue can serve a person well if and when a questionable situation arises.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there
is a kinsman nearer than I.
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.
3:13 Boaz makes a wonderful commitment and a promise. In like manner Jesus has made a commitment to His own saying, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee ” Heb. 13:5). The promises of Christ are precious.
“Precious promise God
has given
To the weary passerby,
On the way from earth to Heaven,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”
Philip P. Bliss
~*~
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.
15 Also he said, Bring the veil [cloak] 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.
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou,
my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
3:16 Who art thou.
The purpose of this question was to discern if Ruth had returned back to Naomi
the betrothed bride to be of Boaz, and indeed she had. If the question came to
you in spiritual terms, “Who art thou?” would you be able to say, “I
am a Christian. I belong to Christ and He belongs to me?” “Have you spent the
night with your Savior Lover in close but holy intimacy?”
“Bride of Christ, whose
glorious warfare
Here on earth hath never rest;
Lift thy voice, and tell the triumphs
Of the holy and the blest;
Joyous be the day we hallow,
Feast of all the saints on high,
Earth and Heav’n together blending
In one solemn harmony.”
John B. de Comtes
~*~
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
3:17 Sit still. There is a time to act and
there is a time to sit still. Patience is a great virtue. Hebrews 12:1 tells us
to “run with endurance” the race set before us. George Matheson wrote, “We
commonly associate patience with lying down. We think of it as the angel that
guards the couch of the invalid. Yet there is a patience that I believe to be
harder—the patience that can run. To lie down in the time of grief, to be quiet
under the stroke of adverse fortune, implies a great strength; but I know of
something that implies a strength greater still: it is the power to work under
stress; to have a great weight at your heart and still run; to have a deep
anguish in your spirit and still perform the daily tasks. It is a Christ-like
thing! The hardest thing is that most of us are called to exercise our
patience, not in the sickbed but in the street.” To wait is hard; to do it
with good courage is harder! (Our Daily Bread)
The Book of Ruth
1. Define the process of
winnowing.
Answer.
2. Why was it not immoral or
improper for Ruth to lay herself at the feet of Boaz in the middle of the
night?
Answer.
3. Explain the unusual question
of Ruth 3:16, “Who art thou?”
Answer.
4. How is the position of Ruth
before the feel of Boaz like the sinner before Christ?
Answer.
5. Are motives important in
relationships?
Answer.
1. Do you believe that Naomi
had the best interest of Ruth in her heart (Ruth 3:1) or were there ulterior
motives that she exploited?
2. Who art thou? To whom do you
belong? Is there any convincing evidence that others may see who you really are
and to whom you belong?
3. Have you ever closed with
Christ to the point that you can claim Him as your Kinsman Redeemer? When did
that happen, if you can remember?
4. Are your motives for
ministry pure in the sight of God? Are your motives for going to church,
giving, reading the Bible and witnessing just and honorable? If the
answer is no what steps will you take to change your motives?
5. Are you a patient person?
Would your family and friends agree or disagree with your self-evaluation? Cite
at least one example of your patience.
Special
Note.
In the area of personal evangelism the Christian must be extremely patient with
the unconverted. According to a traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting
outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and
journey, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited
him into his tent. There he washed the old man’s feet and gave him food and
drink. The old man immediately began eating without saying any prayer or
blessing. So Abraham asked him, “Don’t you worship God?” The old
traveler replied, “I worship fire only and reverence no other god.” When he heard this, Abraham became incensed,
grabbed the old man by the shoulders, and threw him out his tent into the cold
night air. When the old man had departed, God called to his friend Abraham and
asked where the stranger was. Abraham replied, “I forced him out because he
did not worship you.” God answered, “I have suffered him these eighty
years although he dishonors me. Could you not endure him one night?”
Hiding
God’s Word in My Heart
Ruth 3: 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.
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.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down
here. And they sat down.
4:2 Because he was a just man Boaz had to resolve this matter legally. He had to do right to all the parties involved while directing the events to a desire and even predetermined outcome. While no one’s will was violated Boaz achieved his goals completely.
If men can achieve their goals through the
power of persuasion how much more can the Creator direct the affairs of His
creation without doing violence to individual wills?
“Make me a captive, Lord,
and then I shall be free.
Force me to render up my sword,
and I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms
when by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms,
and strong shall be my hand.
My heart is weak and poor
until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
it varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
till Thou has wrought its
chain;
Enslave it with Thy matchless love,
and deathless it shall
reign.
My power is faint and low
till I have learned to
serve;
It lacks the needed fire to glow,
it lacks the breeze to
nerve.
It cannot drive the world
until itself be driven;
Its flag can only be unfurled
when Thou shalt breathe from
heaven.
My will is not my own
till Thou hast made it
Thine;
If it would reach a monarch’s throne,
it must its crown resign.
It only stands unbent
amid the clashing strife,
When on Thy bosom it has leant,
and found in Thee its life.”
George Matheson
~*~
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:
4 And I thought to advertise [inform] thee, saying, Buy it before
the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it,
redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I
may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am
after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
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.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I
mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
4:6 I cannot redeem it. According to the law the redeemer had to meet specific qualifications.
· The redeemer had to be a near kinsman (Deut. 25:47-50).
· The redeemer had to be willing to act on behalf of another. There was to be no coercion.
· The redeemer must be able to pay the redemption price.
In this situation Boaz, a type of Christ was a near kinsman, he was very willing and eager to pay the redemption price (Ruth 3:13) and he had the resources to pay (note. Ruth 2:1).
In like manner Jesus was made flesh (John 1:1, 1:14), was willing to lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:18) and He was able as the Lamb without spot of blemish (John 1:29).
“Christ our Redeemer died on
the cross,
Died for the sinner, paid all his due.
All who receive Him need never fear,
Yes, He will pass, will pass over you.
When I see the blood,
when I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
I will pass,
I will pass over you.”
John G. Foote
~*~
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning
redeeming and concerning changing [transferring ownership], for to confirm all
things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and
this was a testimony in Israel.
4:7 Man plucked off his shoe. This
custom arose from the fact that property was claimed as a possession by walking
upon the land. To take off the shoe and hand it to another was symbolic of the
transfer of a possession or right of ownership. Psalms 60:8 Moab is my wash
pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
Also of interest is the
custom that a man who would not redeem his kinsman's wife had his shoe plucked
off by the widow who could then spit in his face. Deuteronomy 25:9 Then
shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose
his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So
shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
8 Therefore the kinsman [relative] said unto Boaz, Buy it for
thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to
be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the
name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of
his place: ye are witnesses this day.
4:10 The book of Ruth is the story of redemption.
·
The land was redeemed. There was the redemption or the buying back of a
lost land and possession (Lev. 25:23-25).
·
Naomi was redeemed. There was the redemption of Naomi to a position of
social standing.
·
Ruth was redeemed. There was the redemption of a widow turned servant
girl, the Moabitess, Ruth. Though outside the covenant blessings of God by
birth she was brought into the covenant by grace so she would not have to live
as a slave in poverty and disgrace.
In like manner, ever person born a slave to
sin and Satan can be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and brought into a
covenant relationship with God. Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember, that
ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by
that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at
that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in
the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made
nigh by the blood of Christ.
“Redeemed, how I love
to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
~*~
Fanny Crosby
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders,
said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine
house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and
do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
4:11 Boaz made certain the great transaction of redemption was done in public for all to witness. In matters that involve the property of others, especially family members and relatives, there should be no secrets but an open account of all transactions.
Boaz was interested in protecting his character and so he walked in the light. He did not engage in legal transactions in secret and demand that others just assume he was righteous and decent and honorable.
Respect can
be commanded but it cannot be demanded.
Respect has to be earned and the only way it can be earned is by an honest and open accounting in the presence of independent witnesses.
The spiritual lesson is also
valid. Jesus lived His life in public for all to witness that He was honorable
in all ways and without sin. He also died in public. Because He subjected
Himself to public scorn and shame the Lord has a right to insists those who
follow Him not be ashamed of Him. “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of
me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall
the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the
holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
4:11 Rachel (ra'-chel; lamb) was the
younger daughter of Laban, the second wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph
and Benjamin. The line of David and from him the line of the Messiah passed
through Leah and her son Judah, not Rachel.
4:11 Leah (le'-ah; wearied), was the
eldest daughter of Laban. Through a trick by her father she became the first
wife of Jacob. The Lord gave her six sons: Reuban, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Issachar, Zebulon. She also had one
daughter named Dinah. Leah was buried in the
cave of Machpelah (Gen. 49:31).
4:11 Ephratah, Ephrath (ef'-rat-ah; fruitful), refers to the ancient name of
Bethlehem, a city of Judah (Gen. 35:16).
4:11 Bethlehem (beth'-le-hem; house of bread), refers to a village of Judah located about 6 miles S of Jerusalem. It was originally called Ephrath (Gen. 35:19).
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto
Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
4:12 House of Pharez. It was from
Perez that the ancestors of Boaz came (1 Chron. 2:5).
4:12 Tamar (ta'-mar; palm tree), was the wife of Er and Onan, the two sons of Judah (Gen. 38:6-30). She deceived Judah in retaliation for his neglect to give her his third son Shelah as a husband. The result was twin sons one of whom was Pharez (Perez).
Together these individuals tell a sad and sordid story. The story is sad and sordid because there is a reminder that a child was born out of wedlock. The law had a severe penalty for such children. “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD “ (Deut. 23:2). Pharez was such a child.
But wait. The story does not end for ten generations later there is the birth of David, the first king with the right to sit upon the throne following God’s judgment upon the house of Judah.
· Pharez
· Hezron
· Ram
· Amminadab
· Nahsbon
· Salmon
· Boaz
· Obed
· Jesse
· David
Where sin abounds grace does much more abound. Therefore the seed the Lord gave found fertile fulfillment in the days to come in David and then in the Messiah according to the prayer of Ruth 4:12.
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto
her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
4:13 Boaz took Ruth. Throughout this
narrative the focus of attention is not upon Ruth but upon Boaz. He is the
kinsman redeemer. He is the one who provided for Ruth. He is the one who called
the legal council together. He is the one who paid the purchasing price. He is
the one who persuaded all others towards a predetermined end. He is the one who
took Ruth as his wife.
In modern society all the attention is
traditionally focused upon the bride. For her a bridal shower is given. For her
the song is played, “Here Comes the Bride”
For
her the father is present to give her away. For her all eyes are focused to see
what she is wearing. This contrast is pointed out because in Scripture, both in
type and anti-type attention is focused upon the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ the
righteous One—and rightly so for the Person He is and the Price He paid has no
equal in all the universe.
“In loving kindness Jesus came
My soul in mercy to reclaim;
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.
He called me long before I heard,
Before my sinful heart was stirred,
But when I took Him at His word,
Redeemed He lifted me.
From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to plains of light,
Oh, praise His name, He lifted me!”
~*~
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which
hath not left thee this day without a kinsman [redeemer], that his name may be
famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a
nourisher [supporter] of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth
thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
4:15 Seven sons. Seven is used to
denote a large number of sons of a mother who has been blessed of God (1 Sam.
2:5). Seven sons could provide strong support to their mother and could ensure
continuance of the family name.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse
unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
4:17 Obed (o'-bed; worshiper), was the
grandfather of David. He was born to Ruth and Boaz near Bethlehem. Naomi, the
mother in law to Ruth took care of Obed during his early years.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
The Book of Ruth
1.
Why did Boaz call public witness to judge his case?
Answer.
2. What were the qualifications
for the kinsman redeemer?
Answer.
3. Explain what it means to
pluck off the shoe.
Answer.
4. What as eventually redeemed
by Boaz?
Answer.
5. What is the significance of
the references to Pharez, Tamar and Judah.
Answer.
Personal Application and Reflection
1. Are all of your legal
transactions as open and above reproach as Boaz? If not then will you like
Zacchaeus committee yourself to make right what has been done wrong even to the
paying of restitution?
2. Do you demand respect from
other people or do you seek to command respect by honest actions and open accountability?
Do you get angry when others doubt appearances of impropriety because of a
perception there has been no effort made to give a full and honest reporting of
events? Why or why not?
3. Has anyone ever loved you as
Boaz loved Ruth? Do you know that Jesus loves you in this way?
“No one
ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's
no other friend so kind as He.
No one
else could take the sin
And
darkness from me;
O how
much He cared for me.”
4. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and
then answer this question. Did Boaz love according to gospel terms? Do you love
according to gospel terms?
5. Do you know of any personal
modern love stories that would equal this Biblical account?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Ruth 4:
14
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee
this day without a kinsman [redeemer], that his name may be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher
[supporter] of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which
is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
1. There are many matters to become
bitter about. Money issues can be the root of great
bitterness as people have different ideas of who should get what and how money
should be spent. When Esau discovered that his father had given the family
blessing to Jacob, he screamed with a bitter cry over his loss.
Genesis 27:34
And when Esau heard the words of his
father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his
father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
2. Social injustice leads to
resentment and bitterness. The lives of the Jews in Egypt
were made bitter with hard work.
Exodus 1:14 And they made their
lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of
service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with
rigor.
3. God is aware of those experiences
in life that can leave the soul bitter. Often He is
moved to show mercy.
2 King 14:26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
4. A bitter spirit will lead to bitter
words. Sometimes, the innocent are the object
of bitter words.
Job 13:26 For thou writest bitter
things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
Psalm 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to
shoot their arrows, even bitter words.
5. A bitter spirit will only lead to
more bitter experience in life unless this emotional disorientation of the soul
is brought into captivity for Christ. What a person
sows they will reap. In the area of immorality the writer of Proverbs saw the
end of loose living for both men and women.
Proverbs 5:4 “But her end is bitter
as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
Eccl 7:26 And I find more bitter
than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands:
whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the
sinner shall be taken by her.
6. Sin is essentially a very bitter
experience. Sometimes people think God is punishing
them in a personal way when the reality is that the natural consequence of evil
is punishment enough.
Jeremiah 2:19 Thine own wickedness
shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and
see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy
God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Jeremiah 4:18 Thy way and thy
doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it
is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
7. Christian husbands are warned not
to become bitter with their wives.
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your
wives, and be not bitter against them.
8. The tongue is to be guarded so that
it does not try and produce both sweet and bitter words for that cannot be
done.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send
forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
The rhetorical question demands a negative answer. No matter how hard a person may try to be sweet or silent if there is bitterness in the heart over some issue it will surface and find expression.
9. The person who has bitterness in
the heart should not be proud of that fact.
James 3:14 But if ye have
bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.
10. All bitterness in the heart of the
believer is to be put away and not ventilated.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and
evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.
11. A
person knows if there is bitterness in the heart. .
Proverbs 14:10 The heart
knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
12. If bitterness is allowed to remain
in the heart and is not arrested and dismissed it will spring up and defile
many.
Hebrews 12:15 Looking
diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
13. Ironically the word of truth can be
very bitter.
Rev 10:9,10 And I went unto
the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me,
Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in
thy mouth sweet as honey. 10:10 And I
took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my
mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
The only way to
make the Word of Truth sweet again is to redirect the thoughts so they are
godly thoughts and consistent with the mind of Christ and reflect the fruit of
the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness and meekness.
The Romance of Redemption
Christ and the Church in the
Book of Ruth
1. The name Ruth appears at
least 12 times in the Bible.
·
First Reference. The marriage of Ruth to
Chilion [pining] Ruth 1:4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab;
the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled
there about ten years.
·
Second Reference. The faithfulness of
Ruth to Naomi. Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to
return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where
thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
·
Third Reference. The journey of Ruth to
Bethlehem. Ruth 1:22So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter
in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to
Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
·
Fourth Reference. The willingness of Ruth
to labor for herself and for another. Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said
unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in
whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
·
Fifth Reference. The first words Ruth
heard from Boaz. Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my
daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide
here fast by my maidens:
·
Sixth Reference. The report of Ruth to
Naomi. Ruth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou
shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
·
Seventh Reference. A word of exhortation
given to Ruth. Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It
is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee
not in any other field.
·
Eighth Reference. The boldness of Ruth
towards Boaz. Ruth 3:9 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.
·
Ninth Reference. The cleverness of Boaz
on behalf of Ruth. Ruth 4:5 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.
·
Tenth Reference. The marriage of Ruth to
Boaz. Ruth 4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I
purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance,
that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the
gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
·
Eleventh Reference. The birth of a son to
Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when
he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
·
Twelfth Reference. Ruth in the genealogy
of Jesus. Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed
of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
2. The name Ruth means, “friend.” Initially Ruth was a friend of
the world as a Moabitess until she became the friend of a godly young man from
Israel and then she became the Friend of God. In like manner those who make up
the church were once a friend of this world until they met the Master.
·
Eph 2:1-2 And you hath he
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye
walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the
power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our
flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature
the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his
great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
·
John 15:15 Henceforth I call
you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have
called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made
known unto you.
3. In the providence of God it
seemed Ruth was left helpless and hopeless in a hostile world as the church
sometimes feel to be left helpless and hopeless in a hostile world (Ruth
1:4-5). Her only hope was in the Lord.
·
Psalm 142:4-5 I looked on my
right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed
me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my
refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
4. In her darkness hour God was
still looking after Ruth and guiding her. “Behind
a frowning providence smiles the face of God.” The Lord Jesus will never leave the church
especially in her darkest hour.
·
Hebrews 13:5 Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
·
Acts 23:11 One desperate night the
Lord stood by Paul and said, Be of good
cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear
witness also at Rome.
5. Ruth heard from her
mother-in-law Naomi how that the Lord had visited His people the Jews in giving
them bread in Bethlehem. The church should listen for and believe in the word
of the Lord. The Lord will visit His people (Ruth 1:6).
·
Hebrews 13:5 Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6. The heart of Ruth was
encouraged by the word of the Lord as the heart of the church should be
encouraged in the word of the Same.
·
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are
thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
·
Psalm 118:9 It is better to
trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
7. Ruth was willing to go and
be geographically were she thought the Lord was; the church should be willing
to move in the direction they believe the Lord would have it to go to meet with
Him (Ruth 1:7).
8. Ruth was discouraged from
going to Israel but could not be dissuaded. The church is sometimes encouraged
to go in a different direction then it should. The church should be steadfast,
tenacious, and resolute like Christ who set His face like a flint towards
Jerusalem and Calvary (Ruth 1:16-18).
9. Once Ruth embraced the God
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, once Ruth embraced the rules and regulations of
Judaism, once Ruth accepted the hope of the Messiah she was loyal to the end.
The church should be loyal to Christ.
10. When she was geographically in
the will of the Lord and in the Land of Promise Ruth was willing to work (Ruth
2:2). The Church should be willing to labor knowing the time will come when
that will not be possible. Jesus said, “the
night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).
11. Ruth did not fully
comprehend that all that would “hap” to her (Ruth 2:3) was rooted in the
sovereignty of God. All that happens to the church is rooted in the One who
worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11).
12. In the providence of God,
Ruth was in the service of the One would find her first, see her, love her,
provide and redeem her (Ruth 2:4ff). The church is seen and loved, provided for
and redeemed by Christ (Rev. 1:4).
13. All the words of Ruth were
reported to Boaz (Ruth 2:7). All the words of the Church are reported to the
Lord and of them the church will be held accountable to be condemned or praised
(Matt. 12:36).
14. The character of Ruth
emerges to be one of great humility in both words and deeds (Ruth 2:7). The
conversation or manner of life of the believer is to be characterized by
humility. The words of the church are to be seasoned with grace.
· Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
· Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
15. When he first meets Ruth the words of Boaz are
designed to show his concern for her safety (Ruth 2:8). When Christ first comes
to speak to the soul of the church it is about her safety, “Repent!” (Matt. 5:17).
16. Boaz plainly tells Ruth he
has already to undertake on her behalf great provisions (Ruth 2:9). Christ has
told the church He has already undertaken great provisions on her behalf (John
14:1ff).
17. The men in the world were
prevented from touching Ruth in an inappropriate way (Ruth 2:9). No one and
nothing can touch the church apart from the will of the Lord (Rev. 3:10).
18. The heart of Ruth towards
Boaz was one of complete submission reflected in an attitude of gratitude and
worship (Ruth 2:10). Knowing how easy it is to forget the goodness and grace
shown the Lord has commanded the church to remember His death until He comes (1
Cor. 11:24-25).
19. Ruth obeyed Boaz in every
particular instruction he gave. The church must strive to obey the Lord in
every particular instruction He gives.
·
Luke 6:46 And why call ye
me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
20. Boaz provided for every need
Ruth had. He anticipated her needs and made provision for them. Christ has
provided for every need of His bride. He has anticipated all that will make her
happy.
·
Philippians 4:19 But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
21. Ruth was astonished that
Boaz would notice her (Ruth 2:10). The church should be astonished that Christ
would notice her for by birth and by choice she was once a stranger to him.
·
Romans 5:8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.
22. There were many maidens that
worked for Boaz but his special love and affection was set upon Ruth (Ruth 2:5;
2:8ff). There is a special love that Christ has for the church.
·
John 15:16 Ye have not
chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of
the Father in my name, he may give it you.
·
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands,
love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
23. In the normal activity of
living out her life Ruth gain a godly reputation (Ruth 2:11). In the normal
activity of living out the Christian life the church will gain a reputation.
·
Romans 1:7-8 To all that be
in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
24. Boaz a type of Christ was
submissive to the Father and understood that all of creation is also under His “wings” (Ruth 2:12). The church rejoices
in this truth.
·
Psalms 36:7 How excellent is
thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under
the shadow of thy wings.
25. Humility of mind characterized
Ruth (2:13). The church is to cultivate a mindset of lowliness.
·
Philippians 2:1-3 If there
be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil
ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
26. Not only did Ruth have the
resources of grace at her disposal but she used them and enjoyed them (Ruth
2:17). The church must not just be surrounded with the gifts of God’s grace but
must use the provisions of God to advance His kingdom.
·
Luke 12:48 …For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have
committed much, of him they will ask the more.
27. When Ruth returned home Naomi was curious as
to how she did in the field that day (Ruth 2:18-19). The church must remember
that others are watching her.
·
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man
despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
28. The spiritual prosperity of
one part of the church can spill over to others. There is a principle of
blessing by association (Ruth 2:20). Christ would have His people to look after
others and be a source of blessing to them.
·
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
29. Material prosperity flows
from gospel obedience. Christ taught the church this truth in the Sermon on the
Mount.
·
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
30. Boaz as a type of Christ was
a near kinsman to Naomi. In like manner Christ was made flesh in order to be a
kinsmen for His bride the church.
·
John 1:1 In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. 14 And the Word
was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
31. As Ruth remembered in every
detail the words of Boaz (Ruth 2:21) so the church should remember the words of
the Lord.
·
John 14:26 But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
32. Naomi reinforced the wise
counsel of Boaz (Ruth 2:22). The church should always reaffirm and reinforce
the instructions of Christ to one another. In principle it is not wrong to
exhort others to do what they were going to do already or exhort them not to do
something they had no intention of doing. Ruth was not going to move contrary
to the wishes of Boaz yet Naomi says to her, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in
someone else's field you might be harmed" (NIV). Ruth needed no
convincing on that point. She had heard the same words from Boaz himself (Ruth
2:8,9). Words of exhortation may be irritating and they may even be worded
badly but the concept of exhortation is biblical.
·
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one
another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin.
33. Ruth worked hard in the
fields of Boaz for herself and for another while being obedient to the wishes
of her master. In all matters she was satisfied with divine providence. The
church is reminded to give thanks, to be content with the providence of God and
to labor to help others.
·
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In
every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
·
Matthew 5:42 Give to him
that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
·
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole
steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing
which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
34. As Boaz knew the Ruth so
Naomi knew Boaz (Ruth 3:2). The church should give herself to finding out where
the Lord is and what He is doing.
35. Having the best interest of
Ruth in her heart Naomi gave some wise counsel in accordance with social
customs (Ruth 3:4). The church is wise to seek counsel of others and to listen
to that counsel (study Acts 15).
·
Proverbs 15:22 Without
counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are
established.
36. As Ruth obeyed Boaz so she
obeyed the counsel of Naomi (Ruth 3:6). Those who comprise the church are
commanded to be in submission to one another.
·
1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye
younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth
the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
37. By making herself available
to Boaz (Ruth 3:9) Ruth pleased him. In like manner the Lord is pleased when
the church pursues Him with passion and devotion. Isaiah made himself available
to the Lord and was blessed.
·
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the
voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said
I, Here am I; send me.
·
Song of Sol 5:8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my
beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
38. The heart of Ruth was pure.
She was not consumed by inordinate lusts for she was a virtuous woman (Ruth
3:10, 11). The Lord would have His bride to be virtuous.
·
1 Thess 4:3-5 For this is
the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the
Gentiles which know not God.
39. Ruth was told to fear not
because Boaz would be faithful to her (Ruth 3:11). The Lord does not want His
bride to worry.
·
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little
flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
40. Ruth had power with Boaz
because of her hard work, humility, virtue and willingness to love (Ruth 3:11).
The Lord is pleased to do all that we ask in as far as we meet gospel terms.
·
Matt 7:7-11 Ask, and it
shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to
him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if
his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he
give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him?
41. While Ruth rested at the
feet of Boaz all through the night he planned how he might be able to help her
as a kinsmen redeemer (Ruth 3:12-14). While the bride of Christ rests she can
be assured that her Kinsmen Redeemer is working on her behalf day and
night.
·
Romans 8:34 Who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is
even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
·
Hebrews 6:19-20 Which hope
we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth
into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even
Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
42. Boaz was always concerned
about the reputation of Ruth (Ruth 3:14). Christ cleanses His church so that
she will be without spot or wrinkle.
·
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love
your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
43. Before the day’s work began
Boaz poured out new mercies upon Ruth (Ruth 3:15). The mercies of Christ
towards His bride the church are renewed each day.
·
Psalm 89:1 I will sing of
the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy
faithfulness to all generations.
44. Ruth spoke well of the
mercies of Boaz to Naomi (Ruth 3:16). The Church should be ready to praise the
Lord and testify to what He has done on her behalf.
·
Psalms 107:2 Let the
redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
45. Ruth was not allowed to go
home empty (Ruth 3:17). The church will never go away empty after being in the
presence of Christ. The church shall never hunger or thirst.
·
John 6:56-57 He that eateth
my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living
Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he
shall live by me.
46. Understanding the character
of Boaz, Naomi gave counsel to Ruth to rest that day in the work of another
(Ruth 3:18). The church is invited to rest in the finished work of Christ.
·
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me,
all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
·
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour
therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of
unbelief.
47. Having received the grace of
God Boaz was a man of grace reflected in part by the words he spoke (Ruth 4:1).
The church is reminded to be gracious like her Lord to others especially in
conversation.
·
Colossians 4:6 Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that
ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
48. In working on behalf of
Ruth, Boaz proved to be wise and harmless (Ruth 4:1). Christ is wise and
harmless, gentle as a lamb. The church is to reflect these virtues of the
Savior.
·
Matt 10:16 Behold, I send
you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents,
and harmless as doves.
49. Boaz wanted witness to the
dialogue with the nearer kinsmen than he (Ruth 4:2). The Lord has cautioned his
church to be careful in certain transactions.
·
Matt 5:37 But let your communication
be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
50. With plain language and no
deceit Boaz shared the situation as well as his intentions (Ruth 4:3-4). Christ
would have His church live and speak with no deceit.
·
1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore
laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all
evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that
ye may grow thereby.
51. While Boaz spoke plainly,
honestly and openly with his fellow citizen he was able to guide the situation
through persuasive speech and a willingness to act (Ruth 4:5-6). Christ would
have the church be a moral influence by persuasive words and a willingness to
act.
·
Matt 5:13-16 Ye are the salt
of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be
salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be
trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a
bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the
house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
52. Boaz made a legal transaction
in order to obtain Naomi’s land and win the hand of Ruth (Ruth 4:7-10). In like
manner Christ made a legal transaction to redeem His bride the Church.
·
Acts 20:28 Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood.
·
Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
53. Boaz was determined that
neither the seed of his kinsmen or his own seed be cut off from among the land
of the living (Ruth 4:10; 4:13). Christ is determined that there be many
descendents in glory.
·
Hebrews 2:10 For it became
him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
54. There were many witnesses to
the righteous actions of Boaz (Ruth 4:11). A faithful cloud of witness
surrounds the church when she acts righteously.
·
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; 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.
55. Boaz received a blessing from those who
witnessed the legal transaction of grace and mercy (Ruth 4:11-12). The church
shall receive a blessing from her Lord when she shows grace and mercy.
·
Matthew 25:34-36 Then shall
the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I
was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye
clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto
me.
56. Boaz showed love and
kindness to many men and women but he had a special intimate love for Ruth
(Ruth 4:13). There is an intimate relationship that exists between Christ and
the church.
·
Romans 8:28-30 And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified.
57. The principle of blessing by association is
established again in that Naomi had a much-loved grandson through Boaz and Ruth
(Ruth 4:14-16). Christians are blessed by their association with Christ and
then by association with others of like mind and faith. The church of Corinth benefited spiritually
and financially because of the labors of Paul in their midst.
·
1 Cor 4:15 For though ye
have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in
Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
58. Ruth became the great
grandmother of David (Ruth 4:17). The spiritual legacy of the church has yet to
be completely told.
59. The genealogy of Boaz is
traced backwards and forwards. The genealogy of Christ is traced in the gospels
backwards all the way to Adam but in the Epistles backwards and forwards to
eternity. In like manner the church as the Bride of Christ shall enjoy the life
of Christ which is eternal.
·
Hebrews 7:3 Without father,
without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of
life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
·
John 17:1-3 These words
spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is
come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given
him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou
hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
60. The Lord God of the Old
Covenant is the Lord God of the New Covenant. As the Lord gave Ruth the ability
to conceive to bear a son (Ruth 4:13) so every good and perfect gift comes down
to the church from the Father above. We are born of God according to sovereign
grace.
·
James 1:17-18 Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own
will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of
first-fruits of his creatures.