Chapter Nine                                  the week of March 18

There was a famine during the time of the Judges of Israel. Elimelek, a descendent from Ephraim and Joseph from Bethlehem along with his wife Naomi and their two sons moved to the other side of the Jordan into the foreign land of Moab.  Naomi’s husband died as did her married son’s ten years later. Three widows, Naomi the Israelite and two daughters-in-law, Moabites went to live in Israel.

P 122  Recognizing there would be hardship for these kin, Naomi sent the women back to their own kin in Moab. Going with Naomi, they would likely remain unmarried with no future. Naomi was giving them a way out. Orpah took the offer and returned to her people. Ruth was steadfast in staying, telling her famous line: I will go where you go, your people are mine, your God is my God. What is the significance of this momentous confession? Have you ever heard anyone say this (beyond a wedding service)?

P 122-4  Upon returning to Bethlehem, Naomi sent Ruth out into the fields to glean grain. A generous owner gave protection and provision for Ruth. Boaz had recognized what Ruth had sacrificed by accompanying Naomi back home. Have you ever been recognized for doing something that you did not think as special?

P 124-5  Ruth reported the conversation to Naomi. Naomi saw the possibility of something more permanent. She gave Ruth a script of what to say and do, which she did to the T. Boaz recognized the significance of this personal service. Ruth was open to be redeemed to be his wife. Boaz told that he would try to redeem her but that it was not totally up to him. What a risk each of them took: Ruth by expressing she would want to be redeemed, Boaz by telling he would want to do so. This is a very good illustration of both people asking each other to be engaged. For those who are presently married, which one of you asked first?

P 125-6 Ruth told Naomi the story, who said that Boaz would resolve things that day. He went to the next in line to Elimelek and called the town elders together. They discussed the purchase of Elimelek’s land. And oh, by the way, the widow Ruth comes with the deal. This man chose not to redeem because it would endanger his estate: read, he already had a wife. So, Boaz purchased the land and married Ruth. What movie does this amazing chain of events remind you about?

P 127  Imagine the shock that Naomi and Ruth experienced? They went from hungry and destitute to protected and loved. And when Ruth had a baby, Naomi became a grandmother! They both praised God. There are many applications for us. What does this say about God loving all peoples? About God causing ALL things to come together for good? About our hope in God alone? About our taking initiative and risks to follow God? About the fact of God’s sovereignty? Did we mention that Ruth, the foreign woman, was the great-grandmother of King David? She was part of the line of David and the line of Messiah Jesus. God continues to love all peoples.