198. The Book of Ruth | teleiosbibleblogs

The Book of Ruth

Ruth 1

The book is named after one of its main characters, a young Gentile woman of Moab, who was the great-grandmother of David and an ancestress of Jesus.
Ruth was a Moabite. Genesis 19:30–38, the ancestors of the Moabites was Lot by incest with his eldest daughter.

Mat 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth;

Rth 4:22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

The book of Ruth is set at a time of peace between Israel and Moab.

It was at a time when Israel was ruled by Judges, before Israel had any king.
The date of the book of Ruth is not definite, nor is the author.
The days of the Judges were the times of such judges as Samson Gideon, Deborah who was linked with Barak.
Each of the judges that God raised up never ruled like a king but was brought into the history of Israel at a specific point in time and for a specific task.
They appeared and just as quickly disappeared into obscurity. However a record of some of these men and women found a place in the annuls of history and their names recorded in the Bible and the letter to the Hebrews.

Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

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1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion--Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.

3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.

5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.

7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each to her mother's house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

10 And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people."

11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,

13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!"

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law."

16 But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"

20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter

-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

The story begins with a man called “Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi”.
They dwelt in Bethlahem (House of bread). A very fertile area of Israel.
However there arose a famine in the land, V1 there was a famine in the land and Elimelech went to Moab with his wife and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion who were Ephrathites of Bethlehem.

a famine in the land.
God had promised that Israel would always be a land of plenty, provided Israel stayed true to Him. However whenever disobedience from the children of Israel happened, God showed His displeasure by famine.
Famine in our lives usually occurs when we are disobedient to the Lord.
It does not always show itself in lack of food for us but very often in a lack of fellowship with God.
A time of dryness in our Christian life, a feeling that God is distant from us.
It is only when we repent and turn back to Him that our fellowship is restored.

Two weddings, three funerals.

The text tells us that Elimelech died and his two sons married two Moabite women, Orpha and Ruth.
Again, this was an act of disobedience from the two men, as it was forbidden to marry outside of their faith.
After ten years we are told that both Mahlon and Chilion died. And the two Moabites were left widows.
Whether this was the judgement of God on these two men, we can only surmise.
However, the name Mahlon means “sick” and Chilion means 'pining,' 'wasting away'

Two sick Israelites. Read into that what you will.

I must admit, I love to look up the meaning of names. I do not believe that they are there by accident. I do believe that every name and number is there by design.
In our society, not much so, but in God’s economy, they are there for a reason.
Elimalech means “God is my king”.
Naomi means “pleasant” later, Naomi says don’t call me “pleasant” call me Mara meaning “bitter”.
Interesting that Israel is called the pleasant land.

Here they were, three widows, all childless, not a good situation for them, in a foreign land, with no relatives to help.

Naomi heard that God’s hand had been lifted from Israel and that God was now blessing Israel again and so she planned to return from Moab and go back to Judah.

V6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.

V7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

VV8 -11 Naomi tried to talk her two daughters in law to stay

in their own land of Moab and maybe find new husbands.

Naomi expressed thankfulness to the two women for sticking by her through the death of all three husbands.

8b The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.

In this culture, the normal thing would be that if a woman lost her husband, one of his brothers would step in and fill his role and take his sister in law to wife.

Since Naomi had no other sons, this was not possible.

11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,

The hand of the LORD has gone out against me:

It was obvious that Naomi thought that God had abandoned her. What she was saying is that their suffering was a result of God’s hand being against her.
Notice that Naomi wasn’t blaming God for any of this, she wasn’t even feeling sorry for herself. She was grieved for the girls.

The two women clung to her and wept.

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

We can tell from the text that there was a real good relationship here between a mother in law and daughters in law.

However Orpha chose to do as Naomi suggested but Ruth would not go.

17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."

What a great witness of a woman of God, that a pagan should recognise such love and want to stay with Naomi.
For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.

This sounds like a conversion to me, a turning from pagan gods to the God of Israel.
Ruth a Gentile and Naomi an Israelite and Ruth turning to the God of Israel.

If you have ever played a part in someone’s conversion to Christ, you will know this feeling.
You may have shared the Gospel with someone for many years and finally they believe your testimony and turn to Christ.

To think that someone may become a Christian because of the love that you showed to them in the name of Christ.

Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Ruth had never shown interest in God all the ten years in Moab but when Naomi took a stand and said, “I am returning to Israel and to my God”, Ruth made a decision to stand with her.

Sometimes it is when we are bold in our faith, not compromising with the world but standing for the things of God, that people take notice.

Naomi could not deny a plea like this.

Ruth 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

Ruth19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"

20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

This testifies to a repentant heart, she obviously felt that she was at fault.
The people were rejoicing to see her “ Is this Pleasant”, the meaning of Naomi.
Don’t call me “pleasant” call me Mara “Bitter”, the meaning of Mara.

I went to Moab full and came back empty.

Out of tragic circumstances, God had worked. The reason for going to Moab may have been the wrong choice, but God had gone before them and God had brought them back.
His timing is perfect.

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

The Kinsman Redeemer.

Ruth 2

The laws concerning Levirate marriage (Kinsman Redeemer) is a law in Judaism where if a man dies without an heir, it falls to his eldest surviving brother to marry the widow.

Deu 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

Deu 25:6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

However, if the man does not have a brother, the responsibility falls to the closest relative.

If the closest family relative didn’t have the financial means to step in and become a kinsman redeemer, then the duty fell to the next closest family member in line.
If that family member didn’t have the means, then the duty fell to the next closest family member in line and so on.

A Kinsman Redeemer basically had three roles.

A Carer provider.
To marry and care for his brothers wife.
The point here is that the Kinsman Redeemer was to impregnate the childless widow so that she would have a son who would carry on the NAME of the deceased husband, in order that the husband’s name and line would not be ended.

An Avenger.
The second role was to avenge the death of a brother or relative, if they are killed.
If a family member was “killed”, it was the duty of the kinsman redeemer to hunt down the killer and avenge his death.

A Saviour.
The third was to rescue a relative in need, if they had fallen in debt or for some reason lost their land, it was a kinsman’s responsibility to redeem that land back.

The Kinsman Redeemer didn’t get to keep the land he had redeemed, or if he had rescued a relative from bond servitude, the rescued family member didn’t then become the kinsman redeemer’s bondservant.
However, out of simply pure gratitude, the rescued relative could offer to stay under the authority of the Kinsman Redeemer who had paid for his freedom.

In this case, rather than donating money, the Kinsman Redeemer was donating his sperm.
And again, in every one of these cases, the Kinsman Redeemer gained nothing.
He didn’t gain land, a bond servant, or even a son.

1 There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.

2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."

3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, "The Lord be with you!" And they answered him, "The Lord bless you!"

5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the

reapers, "Whose young woman is this?"

6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

7 And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house."

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.

9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn."

10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."

13 Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants."

14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, "Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar." So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.

15 And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.

16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.

19 And her mother-in-law said to her, "Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you." So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, "The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz."

20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!" And Naomi said to her, "This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives."

21 Ruth the Moabitess said, "He also said to me, 'You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.' "

22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field."

23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.
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The second chapter of Ruth introduces the Kinsman Redeemer, Boaz.

1 There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.

On learning of the fact that Boaz was a relative, Ruth asked for permission to go and glean in the field of Boaz, to attract his attention and make her request known, to claim her right under the law.

Boaz was obviously an important man and was very wealthy.
We see from Naomi’s answer that she counted Ruth her daughter, she had through marriage to Naomi’s son, been adopted into the family.
So now, Boaz would be her relative also.

The tradition was, that after the harvest was cut, what was left behind was the residue and people would follow on and glean that residue for themselves.
This was a wonderful way of providing for the poor. It wasn’t just giving leftovers to the poor but a way of giving them the opportunity to work for the food.
Allowing them dignity in work, not just begging.

3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Notice, Ruth did not just sit back and wait for God to provide a miracle in her life.
She got up and moved forward, putting her trust in God.

There is an old adage that says, God helps those who help themselves.
Usually we can only see God’s hand on our lives when we look back, if we are walking in Christ, we can go forward, not knowing what the future holds for us but putting one foot in front of the other and trust that God will go before us and prepare the way for us.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

It didn’t take long for Boaz to notice Ruth.

5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?"

6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

The scriptures do not tell us what the appearance of Ruth was like, we know that her kindness was recognised but we can only speculate as to her looks.
However we read that it didn’t take long for Boaz to ask about her.
Also Boaz told his men not to bother her.
All we know is that Boaz was attracted to her.

God was already beginning to bless Ruth, going before her and preparing the way.

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.

10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and

said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"

Reading between the lines, it seems that there was an attraction between Boaz and Ruth.
Ruth recognised that Boaz was being kind to her, for she was not one of his maid servants.

Then he asked her to come and eat with him. Obviously he was singling her out.

13 Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants."

We see her kindness here in keeping some of the food back, obviously thinking of Naomi back at home.

We also see a little bit of preferential treatment here.

15 And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.

16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."

All in all Ruth had a pretty good day.

It is good when we walk in the will of God, we may not always see blessing but we know when we have blessed someone else and it can lift your spirit and make you feel good inside.
It may not be physical blessing that we receive but spiritual blessing that strengthens us in the faith and encourages us to press on in our Christian walk.

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.

Things are looking up. Naomi seemed to recognise the hand of the Lord on this situation.
She saw that Boaz was being a good relative, not neglecting his duty to the living and the dead.

20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!" And Naomi said to her, "This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives."

21 Ruth the Moabitess said, "He also said to me, 'You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.' "

22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field."
Whether this was Naomi recognising the hand of God, or just women’s intuition, she was stepping out in faith and

giving Ruth sound advice.

23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

If only our young people would take the advice of older people. People who have lived longer and maybe have experienced the hand of the Lord in their life, over the years.
People who have probably made wrong decisions and paid the price for them.
If we are not proud and listen to sound advice, we could save ourselves much heartache in life.
We are told many times in scripture of the wisdom of listening to good advice.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
Mark 4:24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

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The Threshing Floor

Ruth 3

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?

2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do."

5 And she said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.

7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.

9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."

10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you

are a virtuous woman.

12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you--good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning."

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."

15 Also he said, "Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

16 So when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

17 And she said, "These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.' "

18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."

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1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?

Naomi knew that Ruth would only be secure if she was married.
The word for security in Hebrew is “mânôach”. It means quiet, that is, (concretely) a settled spot, or (figuratively) a home: - (place of) rest.

This word was used when thinking of marriage, settling down, being at rest with a husband.
Naomi knew that if Boaz would take her in marriage, then Ruth would be secure.

“is he not our relative?” In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

You can see Naomi’s mind ticking over, if Ruth approaches Boaz, maybe this is God’s way of answering her plea.

3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Naomi being a good mother and knowing the law on Levirate marriage wanted Ruth in the correct place to receive God’s blessing.
This is not a case of a woman pursuing a man, using womanly wiles, as some have interpreted this passage.
Boaz had already told Ruth to glean in his fields.

Naomi’s suggestion to Ruth was rooted in a peculiar custom in ancient Israel – the meaning behind the Hebrew word goel.
Goel (the Go'el HaDahm) is a Hebrew term which comes from the word lig'ol ("to redeem"), hence the title kinsman"redeemer", which in the Hebrew Bible and the rabbinical tradition denotes a person who as the nearest relative of another is charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs.

We can see this in the next verse:

4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do."

The emphasis is on the one who will be the Goel (the redeemer).
This upholds the sovereignty of God, for He is the one who is going before Ruth and He is the one who is in complete control of this situation.

We see how Ruth in obedience to Naomi did what she was told to do.

5 And she said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.

7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

Uncover his feet, and lie down: At the appropriate time, Naomi instructs Ruth to go in, uncover his feet, and lie down.

Reading this, some might think this was Ruth on the advice of Naomi, acting in a provocative manner, that Ruth was told to make herself available to Boaz.
However, this was not how this would be understood in that day.
In the culture of that day, this was understood as an act of total submission.

On the contrary, this was a way of showing submission to Boaz.
Remember, Ruth was not doing anything that she did not have the right to do. It was her right to claim a goel, to claim her kinsman redeemer.
This was not a demand but a laying of herself at the feet of Boaz and showing that she was willing to put her trust in him as her kinsman redeemer.
All this is shown as true in what happened next.

8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.

9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."

Under your wing: Here, she boldly asked Boaz to take her in marriage. In the KJV, the phrase can also be translated as “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid”;

This was a culturally relevant way to say, “I am a widow, take me as your wife.”

In a Jewish wedding ceremony today, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirt or end of his “talith”, over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection. (Clarke).

“A Talith” is a prayer shawl.

In Ezekiel, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel:

Ezekiel 16:8 I spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the LORD God.

Boaz with total respect for Ruth says:

10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.

Boaz knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman, she did not go after the younger men but did what was right in the law.

Boaz also was a good man, although in a position where he could if he wanted, take advantage of this young woman but he did not. Not only that but he was also honest in that he knew there was a nearer relative to her than him.

12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

Here is a great example of a person in a prominent position in society, who has credibility and honour, someone who is genuinely interested in what is right and good.

A far cry to what we see in our societies today, with those in high ranking positions taking advantage of the masses.
Whether in government, business, education or church, we hear all the time of abuse of power, where people use their position for self interest.
No more so than in the established church where paedophilia has dominated the news for many years.

However, in this account there was nothing of this kind of thing.
Boaz shows that honourable behaviour is possible when your life is directed by God.

Nothing but the Word of God can keep a person or a nation doing the things that are right.
We can look back over the history of our nation and see the denigration of the Bible and its teaching.
Where once, the Bible was held in high regard, having its position in every pulpit, school, court room and home, today it is ridiculed, seen as an outdated book of fairy stories and myths.
However, where it is held in its correct place, we see how lives can be transformed and how its teachings can affect its readers, when put into practice.

When Israel kept the Law of God, they were blessed.
Where the Bible and its teachings are honoured, there will be blessing.

13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you--good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning."

Boaz would do God’s will God’s way. He knew that if it was really of the Lords will, then it should be done orderly and in a proper way.

We see how Boaz was concerned for Ruth’s reputation, he did not want to see her visit to him as something sordid.

We know how people can soon read in to a situation and twist it into tawdry gossip.

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."

This was not a case of Boaz hiding something that he considered scandalous but it could be seen as such. Or that he was trying to step in front of the lawful goel who was the nearest kinsman redeemer.

God’s purpose in progress:

Ruth had played her part in this situation, she now must patiently wait for the outcome.
Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well.

This is a good example of how true believers should cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mathew Henry says in his commentary:

Our strength is to sit still, Isa 30:7. This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Ac 9:6. He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.
End of quote.

15 NKJV Also he said, "Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

The Hebrew word "ephah" (means a particular measure for grain, and "measure" in general.
The Bible's ephah in modern terms is about 23 litres or 5.1 imperial gallons;
If you reckon it up, that is over 33 gallons of barley.

Whether this is a correct translation is debateable.
The King James Version does not say “ephah” but translates this “measures”.

Rth 3:15 KJV Also he said, Bring the vail 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.

A measure was a scoop, which sounds more plausible, as she would have to have been a very strong girl to carry 33 gallons of barley back to Naomi.

The significance is not in the weight but in the number “six”.
According to midrash, the hermeneutic based on Jewish tradition, it is said that there is a prophetic significance in this.
It is said, prophetically it refers to the six men that would come from Ruth, six men with six spiritual gifts: David, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and the Messiah.

Six spiritual gifts.

Of Him it is said in Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

The number six, according to EW Bullinger,

“…has to do with man; it is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ.” As he says, “it is certain that man was created on the sixth day, and thus he has the number six impressed upon him. Moreover, six days were appointed to him for his labour; while one day is associated in sovereignty with the Lord God, as His rest.”

Insightful as ever, Bullinger rightly tied the number six in with labors and that at the end of the labors there is the anticipation of “the Lord God, and His rest.” It is exactly what Naomi was seeking for Ruth, and thus implicitly, for herself through Ruth.” One cannot enter rest until the work is done.

And so Bullinger gives us one more thought to consider concerning the number six – “Six, therefore, is the number of labour also, of man’s labour as apart and distinct from God’s rest. True, it marks the completion of Creation as God’s work, and therefore the number is significant of secular completeness.”

Whatever the significance, there is nothing in the Word of God that should not be there. Every word, every name, every number has a meaning.

16 So when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

17 And she said, "These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.' "

18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."

This is again good advice from Naomi. Ruth had done all she could and now could only wait on God to unveil His plans and purposes.

It is very difficult sometimes just to sit and wait.
We would much rather be in control ourselves, however there are things that are not in our control and we must put our trust in the Lord.

Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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God’s Plan Realised

Ruth 4

1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, "Come aside, friend, sit down here." So he came aside and sat down.

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

3 Then he said to the close relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.

4 And I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.' " And he said, "I will redeem it."

5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance."

6 And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."

7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.

8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal.

9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi.

10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day."

11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman."

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.

14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!

15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him."

16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.

17 Also the neighbor women gave him 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.

18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron;

19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab;

20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon;

21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed;

22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, "Come aside, friend, sit down here." So he came aside and sat down.

The gate was a very important place in Judaism, it was something like our Town Hall. It was where all the Elders and leaders met, it was also where much business was done and decisions and judgements were made.

Boaz saw the close relative and said to him, “come and sit down” and he came and sat.
Very likely Boaz was someone of authority. Even the Elders did as they were told.

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

Boaz made it very clear to the man that he, being the nearer kinsman, was the one who had the responsibility to act as goel.

3 Then he said to the close relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.

4 And I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it;

In front of witnesses, Boaz was making it known publicly that this close relative was the one who should redeem Naomi’s land, if he so wished.

He did not have to do it, he could pass.
but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.'

What happened next may have been a shock to Boaz.

" And he said, "I will redeem it."
When Boaz put it in terms of purely a land transaction, there was no hesitation on the nearer kinsman’s part. Of course, he said, “I will redeem it.”

This may have been a shock or a letdown to Boaz.

Whether or not Naomi and Ruth were present at the gate it does not say, but if they had been you possibly would have seen their faces drop.
They would have heard the kinsman say that he would exercise his right as kinsman-redeemer, and that meant that he would gain not only the property in question, but also marry Ruth – instead of Boaz.

However we see Boaz was completely in control of the situation

Boaz knew exactly what he was doing, and he had the situation all under control.
Boaz then played his ace card.

5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance."

If you accept to be the goel, he told the man, you also must take Ruth as your wife.

This is what you call a checkmate in chess or a call in poker, either way, the nearer kinsman was put on the spot.

6 And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."

The nearer kinsman took off his shoe and handed it to Boaz.

8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal.

Notice: the shoe was not given to Ruth or Naomi but Boaz. Why?
Well Ruth could not redeem herself and Naomi could not redeem the land, it took a kinsman redeemer to do that.

What a wonderful picture of Christ our kinsman redeemer, who purchased us with His own blood.
What the law could not do, Christ could. What we cannot do for ourselves, Christ could.

Boaz stepped in as a type of Christ and redeemed his bride.

Boaz was a type of Christ, Ruth a type of the church and what of Naomi?
Naomi is a type of Israel.

Boaz redeemed the land also.
One good question jumps out here. Did Ruth replace Naomi, No. Neither did the church replace Israel.
The church and the nation of Israel are separate.

Boaz redeemed Ruth and he also redeemed the land of Naomi.
Here we see a prophecy of what God will do through Jesus Christ in the end times. He will redeem His bride the church and He will redeem the land of Israel.

10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day."

This prophecy truly did happen, for from this union came Christ. All this was written in the scriptures, long before it happened.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him."

16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.

17 Also the neighbor women gave him 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.

18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron;

19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab;

20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon;

21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed;

22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Boaz, Ruth, Obed, Jesse and David.

There is a very interesting chapter in Genesis 38. The book of Genesis, written by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shows that God is the author of the Bible and that every letter, name and number is there by design.
By the way, this happens many times throughout the Old Testament.

I must say, that this is not something that I discovered and I don’t know who did and as Chuck Missler says, whoever it was, they must have had a lot of time on their hands.

There is something called:
Equidistant Letter Sequence (ELS).

What this means is that at equal distances in a text, words are found that could only be there by design and are not random or coincidence.

In Genesis 38, using the Hebrew text, which is written from right to left. If you count 49 letters, (a multiple of 7), you will find that certain words become apparent.

These examples are taken from Koinonia House literature,
entitled “Treasures from the Bible”.

January 1st 2004.

For Example Gen 38:9, counting at 49 letters intervals we find the name Boaz.

Same again at 49 letter intervals we find the name Ruth.

We may think that this could be a coincidence or an accident.
Well lets carry on.
Go to verse 18. Again at 49 letter intervals we find the name Obed.

Then the same happens in V26 and this is the name of Yishay, which
is the Hebrew Jesse.
Finally we see at 49 letter intervals the name of David.

The amazing thing is that these names appear in chronological order.
Again, make of that what you will.

From the beginning of this story in the book of Ruth, we see God active in the lives of His chosen people.
We see God preparing the way before them. We see the sovereignty of God being made clear in the lives of these people.
We see God bringing about the end from the beginning.
Most of all we see a beautiful example of Jesus Christ being the goel, the Kinsman Redeemer, who purchases a Gentile bride and
restores the nation of Israel.

Doing what the law could not do, redeeming His church and redeeming Israel.

Romans 8:3-43 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.

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