Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. I see a lesson in each one.
Ruth: She goes to Boaz and lays at his feet. This reminded me of the story of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, sitting at the feet of Jesus. She cleaned herself up and dressed nice to go into the presence of her redeemer. What a message for us. We should take time to come into God's presence, to sit at the feet of Jesus. But when we do we shouldn't do it casually. Clean ourselves up, confess our sins, give Him our full attention, set aside our valuable time and just be with Him.
Naomi: The empty bitter Naomi now sees the hand of God at work and she becomes Ruth's counselor. She advises her and Ruth faithfully obeys. Ruth showed kindness to Naomi and now Naomi returns the kindness with her wise counsel. A new Christian or a seeker may need someone to show them the way to Jesus. On the other side we can all benefit at times from wise counsel even when it comes unexpectedly from the one you thought you were blessing.
Boaz: Boaz is the redeemer. When he spreads his garment over Ruth he takes her under his care and changes her life forever. When he goes to the next of kin and offers to pay the price for the land and accept Ruth along with it he became her kinsman-redeemer. Without a redeemer Ruth and Naomi would have lived a life of poor widows. Because of her redeemer Ruth will become a mother of kings. Having a redeemer changes everything. Jesus is our redeemer. Having Jesus redeem us changes everything.
The name Ruth means Mercy. This is the story of a merciful God.
May the Lord bless you as you study his word and live it out.
Your fellow student.
Dave Morris
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So if Ruth got married at 15, she would be 25 when headed back with Naomi...and her sister in-law, about the same. Why no kids? 10 year of marriage, and not children. Yet, Naomi's concern is that they need husbands...to have kids, to carry on the name, but wouldn't one give up hope after 10 years of infertility? Yet, the lind of David and Jesus would come from a seemingly barren Ruth. At Naomi's prompting, Ruth makes it known to Boaz that she would choose him over younger men. He is flattered and becomes Naomi's redeemer, and Ruth gives birth in short order to the grandfather of David. God has a plan, and we are definitely a part of it.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too. Apparently both Ruth and Orpah had no children. Infertility is a common subject in the Bible. Sarah was childless her whole life until she had Isaac in her 80's. Hannah was childless until he had Samuel. God did have a plan and he opened Ruth's womb at the right time.
ReplyDeleteI believe that even after all her suffering Naomi recognized the hand of God was at work and that God would bring a child from Boaz and Ruth.
There is more than one way that God can use infertility. Infertile couples often end up adopting children who need to be in a home with a Mother and Father who despirately want them. Neither unfertility or unplanned pregnancy are good things in themselves but: "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Just another random thought. Just because a couple is infertile doesn't mean the woman is "barren". Maybe Mahlon and Killion were shooting blanks???
Some good thoughts on Ruth. I just wanted to let you know I found the site and think it is a great addition to our ABF's I hope others are reading it as well.
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