. But one thing is sure: Boaz didnt add to Ruths stress. relationship between God and his people and vice versa." Without the reality of erotic conjugal love, our knowledge of God's love would be so much the poorer. Ruth shows pure, boundless love to her mother-in-law. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. Her commitment to journey on with Naomi was a beautiful, selfless act, and a stunning example of the love of Christ the same Christ who would be of her bloodline years later. You have your identity when you find out, not what you can keep your mind on, but what you can't Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. Their sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Anissa McClain November 1, 2014 English 280 Penny Riggs The Case of Winnie Ruth Judd Winnie Ruth Judd was born in 1905 and raised in Darlington, Indiana, by her parents Reverend and Mrs. McKinnell. It is this famine that forces Elimelech to take his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chillion, to leave Bethlehem and live in Moab, a pagan community. It means to refuse to rush or settle with someone who does not meet Gods approval. She was freshly widowed and scrounging for food. Elimelech was trying to escape hard times by leaving Bethlehem to a pagan country. Boaz knew that he had every right to be Ruths kinsman, so he could have demanded her hand in marriage whether Ruth wanted to or not. THE BOOK OF RUTH Lesson 3: Chapters 3:6-4:22 Boaz Becomes Ruth's Blood Redeemer Previous Ruth Lessons List. No machines existed. Providing your significant other with gratitude will show them that you genuinely care and want to make this relationship last forever. Ruth had no idea that millions of people would read her story. Ruth was no Hebrew but God used her to continue the family line through which Jesus would be born. The same things that turn on a worldly man are the same things which will excite your man of God. And yet, his fingerprints are all over the events of Ruth. Ruth means friend or companion. Communication is one of the hardest things for human beings to accomplish. The Book of Ruth provides us with a great story about love. It doesn't matter if you're a male or female, God cares about everyone the same. The book of Ruth is a beautiful piece of sacred literature, applauded by many for its literary excellence. The book of Ruth shines like a beautiful diamond against this bleak background. By Boaz, the man who could and would make her life a whole lot better. The love story of Ruth and Boaz can be found in the book of Ruth. Boaz was willing to claim Ruth publicly. Boaz saw the beauty in love and accepted Ruth for who she was. In a place where many would have thought shed be ostracized, she found love with a man named Boaz. "Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge.". God is always in the business of rewarding the faithful. It's loaded with life lessons; it teaches you about the importance of being at the right place, being ready for change, hope, determination, wisdom, generousity, strategy, kindness, favour, being at your best, the list is endless. As the kindness of Boaz increased, Ruth was invited by Boaz to eat at the table he prepared for his workers. To some extent, she might be considered naive. Ruth was willing to go harvest in the fields daily. Boaz was a type (prophetic symbol) of Christ and His redemptive work in our lives today. Be wary of men who are uncomfortable with your relationship being public knowledge. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. Naomi was essentially empty and devastated after she lost her husband and sons. which revealed that our heavenly father do not differentiate. Ruth had no family in Bethlehem so Boaz did not have the opportunity to know about her through their eyes. It was later in the story that any signs of romantic love were expressed. Now the way was clear for him to marry Ruth. This book is the story of a young widow named Ruth, whose heart had been broken by her husband's death yet healed by faith in the God of Israel. The Book of Ruth is a fantastic example that exemplifies the rollercoaster ride that love can take us on. Freedom was a key aspect of their friendship. These blessings point out how God works in the . (NLT). Boaz therefore went to a meeting in which he was able to win Ruth from that family member. Look out for a man who is willing to wait for you without pressure. She wasnt hired but he invited her to partake of those provisions. Ruth is a traditionally feminine name with Hebrew roots and origins in the Bible which means "companion" or "friend." Ruth was "of the women of Moab" but was related to Israel . Dear Lord, It tells of a relationship between two women-Naomi, the senior of the two, and her daughter-in-law Ruth. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of David (cp. Look out for a man who is proud to call you his own. Its evident that Naomi understands that God wants her to continue her relationship with Ruth and she expresses these feelings with thanks and recognition. Painful. Doing the right thing isnt always easy. Her best days were ahead. The Book of Ruth, the second of the Tanakh's five scrolls to be read on Shavu'ot, turns on at least one of these mandated forms of charity. But he didnt do that. God had an amazing plan for Ruth. They had hope for their future. This redemption comes in the form of a relative of Naomi named Boaz. And wasnt she quite the friend to her mother-in-law Naomi? We all must understand the importance of being thankful and recognizing others that make a difference within our life especially within our relationships. Their choices do not mean that one is better than the other. But thats not what she did. Looking at the bigger picture of the Book of Ruth its evident now to see how the famine, Naomis relocation to Moab, the return to Bethlehem, Boazs blood line, and several other events had a hand in the overall plan for Ruths life. This is an important truth for us today. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. Naomis husband had died but he died leaving two sons. As women, we can look up to Ruth as an example of goodness and someone worth emulating. Id say yes but they were definitely not in her control. Their relationship offers a beautiful model of a good relationship a stunning look at a blending of lives. He died leaving his wife and sons among ungodly people. It is HIS story. Boaz took interest in her and increased his kindness. So, Ruth and Naomi both return to Bethlehem. In the end, everyone lived their life and love prevailed. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 . The story of Naomi and Ruth are woven together closely that their stories are nearly inseparable. As Boaz observed Ruth in the fields everyday, working and interacting with the others, he compared what he saw with what people in their tiny town had to say about her. But Boaz was different. How a Man Should Treat a Woman According to God. On the other hand, Ruths husband had died leaving her without children and she was still young. Although Boaz was in love with Ruth, he never pushed or pressured her to commit to him. Be Blessed. Ruth was one of those women. No enemy does all this: Israelites do it to each other. It was an enemy nation, and Israelites tended to look down on the Moabites. She left behind her family to go with Naomi back to Bethlehem. God bless! Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And looking at the book of Ruth, we can see that even when we cant see beyond our pain to his plan, we can have hope that our story isnt over better days are coming. Through Naomi and Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, were able to see the heavenly presence that takes place because of love. "I would like to go to the fields ". Make the stories of your life good stories so that even if you die, you will leave a legacy of faith and obedience to God. Clearly, the exalted nation of Israel, God's chosen people, has lost its sense of direction. He was a wealthy landowner and he earned his keep with his own sweat. Be Blessed. Look out for a man who brings freshness to your life. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. Ruths story is ordinary. After they had lived there about . Look for a man who is attracted to your heart and character just as much as he is attracted to your body and beauty. Everything that she did showed her character, and because of that character, she was honored by God. Love is a very interesting concept. The indescribable passion and struggles that accompany love is displayed in the Book of Ruth and these actions personify our own struggles that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis. He is still working. With love does come heartache this can is seen through break-ups, divorce, or even death. Obviously, the author was familiar with Israels greatest king. Lesson 1 - The Power of Loyalty. Even though Ruth wasnt a Jew and was a Moabite, God didnt allow those titles to change His love for Ruth. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman. Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth decided to move back to Bethlehem in Judah because they were heartbroken and lost. Elimelech had intended to go back home. She stepped out and took advantage of what was available to her. While Judges is about breaking covenant and leaving torah, Ruth is about keeping covenant . God is the perfect match maker. Even though Ruth wasnt a Jew and was a Moabite, God didnt allow those titles to change His love for Ruth. In fact, Ruth's sister-in-law, Orpah, chose to leave: Boaz is a type of Christ, meaning, he had many characteristics of Christ and foreshadowed what Jesus was going to do for humanity. Don't miss the rest of our series on loving your in-laws! So Boaz had to be out there in the rain and sunshine with his workers. This chapter also displays the gracious provision and protection . Ruth and Naomi's friendship starts off with grief-stricken Naomi deciding to move back to her hometown of Bethlehem after the . She was bending over all day long to pick up grain. Naomi was from Bethlehem and moved to Moab with her husband Elimelek and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Ruth lived out her name for sure. But even when her sister-in-law chose to go back, Ruth made a different decision. Character its who you really are when no one else is watching. For this reason, she was at a disadvantage. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Instead, Boaz brought relief to her life. Its easy to judge others and caste your own beliefs and judgment upon the way theyre living their life; however its important to be able to see both sides of the fence. Lets face it, no one is perfect! He owned land and servants. February 10, 2023. Everyone makes mistakes and no one should judge the other for their past actions as a man or woman. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible is one of the most romantic in Scripture. I. She was a convert to Judaism and she knew very little about Jewish rules. Ruth and Boaz got married and had a child they named Obed. God heard her cries and helped her feel complete again. In the Book of Ruth, both Naomi and Ruth are continuously blown away by others who thank and recognize them for what they did rather than what they may have done incorrectly. Ruth and Orpah made two different decisions. Talent vs. Faithfulness: What is God Looking For? If there was ever a Hallmark-worthy story in the Bible, this is it. The truth is that this other kinsman should have already come forward to claim Ruth and help to get settled. The reality that Ruth experiences is relatable to couples in love today. Boaz listened to the voices of those who also observed and interacted with her. He was all too willing to do so. No matter your past, you still have a purpose. The Book of Ruth is a fantastic example that exemplifies the rollercoaster ride that love can take us on. Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. Its a popular saying: Im waiting for my Boaz. Therefore, Boaz would need to marry her instead of Naomi. This was backbreaking work. We also see the freedom in their relationship. Throughout the Bible, we see previews of Christ. She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. The Book of Ruth provides many relationship lessons that perpetuate the meaning of true love. Lesson #4 - Sharing Openly About Our Relationship with God Brings Intimacy to Relationships The story of Naomi and Ruth are woven together closely that their stories are nearly inseparable. Naomi already felt that God had dealt very bitterly with her, yet she continued to hope. About Us | Contact US | Privacy | Disclaimer | Back to Top. And through humility and dependence, Ruth begins to grow in grace. To become a star is the beginning of the end, I have to convince other Democrats and Republicans, What is the recipe for successful achievement, In commendably seeking to protect freedom. Application: God had a wonderful plan for Ruth. She took action by going to the fields everyday day to glean. Through Ruths story, we learn that God uses the most unlikely people for his purpose. Here are three lessons from the Book of Ruth for all believers: 1. Lessons from the book of Ruth. Everyone makes mistakes and no one should judge the other for their past actions as a man or woman. After moving to Moab with her husband and sons, she loses her husband and becomes a widow. We dont know what happened to Orpah but we know how God showed up for Ruth. Ruth kept some of the food to take home for Naomi. She was letting him know she was ready for the next stage. Everyone lives their lives the way it best suits them therefore, others shouldnt judge love. So he put plans in place to ensure no harm would come to her. The first concerns the happy accident of Ruth's Every week you will receive a devotional and a free printable PDF that will help you dive deeper into our Ruth Bible Study. Ruth followed Naomi into the unknown. Naomi became a mentor to her, teaching her the ways of the Hebrew people and walking with her through the process of securing Boaz as her kinsman (more on this later). We dont usually share our unedited feelings and thoughts about God with friends or family members. (6-7) Ruth lays down at Boaz's feet. A man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem-Judah, left his hometown when a famine struck. But it is important to consider that at that time and in that society, it is very likely that he already had a wife. While the two women have several things in common, they are different in some respects. But she didnt. The saying that there is a light at the end of the tunnel is very true. Many interpreters read Ruth as a happy-ending romance featuring Ruth, the beautiful young Moabite widow who captivated the heart of the older wealthy landowner Boaz. Even though it may not make complete sense during the time its taking place, its important to recognize how God has and continues to change your life on a daily basis with His actions. Introduction. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Naomi hatches a "plan" to join Ruth and Boaz for "good" ( Ruth 2:22 ). Related: How to Choose Faith . Moral Lesson 1: The Value Of Making Wise Choices. When Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi, this was a massive life transition. 5. In the Book of Ruth, Orpah and Ruth chose different paths because that was best for them. : .. Who only wants to go out at night even when there are opportunities to go out during the day. It has really helped me to still have hope even in difficulty times. Through Naomi and Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, were able to see the heavenly presence that takes place because of love. Naomi even extends thanks and recognition to Ruth for providing her with a beautiful blessing. However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. Where in the Bible does it talk about Ruth and Boaz? They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. In case you have been frustrated and despondent with finding your Boaz, know that God is interested in giving you the companionship you desire. And what a bountiful blessing she reaped! The Book of Ruth enables readers to view, in a small-scale way, the foundational biblical story of the exodus. It might mean he was old enough to be her father. Elimelech of Bethlehem departs the country for Moab, taking his wife Naomi and their two sons along. 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