CSSA 1-2-17 - RUTH

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42. RUTH

"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God"

Aim

To show that God will bless those who give humble, faithful service to Him

Synopsis

The book of Ruth belongs to the times when the judges ruled. It was a time when Israel had no king and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). However, we know that there are always a few people who are faithful to God, even when everyone else is wicked. In the book of Ruth we learn of some people who served God even in the time of the judges, when so many had departed from His way. This book shows how a Gentile woman became part of the nation of Israel and shared in their blessings. It is particularly interesting, because Ruth became the great-grandmother of king David, in whose family line Jesus was born.

Ruth 1; 2:1-12; 4:9-22

RUTH - THE MOABITESS: Ruth 1

During a time of famine, Elimelech, a man of Bethlehem, left his home and crossed the Jordan to live in Moab. He took with him his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. After they had been settled a while in Moab, Elimelech died, and Mahlon and Chilion married Ruth and Orpah, two Moabite women. During the next ten years, both of Naomi's sons died, and she was left with her two daughters-in-law.

When Naomi heard that the famine had ended in her own country she decided to return home and set out with Ruth and Orpah, who evidently loved her very much. As they went along the way towards Judah, Naomi advised her daughters-in-law to go back to their own people, for she had nothing to offer them. They both said they would not part from her, but later Orpah was persuaded to return to her own family in Moab. Ruth, however, still refused to leave Naomi, and pleaded to be allowed to go with her. "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..." (vv16,17). "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" (v22).

GOD DIRECTS RUTH: Ruth 2:1-12

Ruth realised that on their return to Bethlehem she would have to look after Naomi, because they were very poor. God, in His goodness, had made provision in the Law of Moses that poor people might gather enough to eat from those who had plenty (Deut. 24:19-21). The reapers were to leave enough in the fields for the poor to gather - "thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest ... thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger" (Lev. 19:9-10).

Ruth asked Naomi to let her go and glean corn in the fields. (To 'glean' means to gather corn or barley that the reapers left.) Now she happened to go to a field belonging to Boaz, a rich relative of Elimelech. Boaz was a good man who loved God and gave thanks for his bountiful harvest. He questioned his reapers about the young woman who was gleaning in his field. When he heard who she was, he spoke kindly to her and told her not to go anywhere else to glean. Ruth was very grateful, and could not understand all this, seeing she was a stranger. Boaz explained kindly that he had heard all she had done for Naomi, and of the new life that she had chosen with a people unknown to her. Graciously he saiid,"Yahweh recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of Yahweh God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust" (v12). The blessing of the God of Israel had rested on Ruth and directed her steps to the field of Boaz.

BOAZ MARRIES RUTH - A HAPPY ENDING: Ruth 4:9-22

This story had a happy ending in the marriage of Ruth and Boaz. In due time a baby boy was born and they called him Obed. Obed later became the father of Jesse, who was King David's father (v22). A long family line can be followed on from here, and hundreds of years later the greatest man who ever lived was born into this family. His name, of course, was Jesus Christ.

LESSON FOR US

This is a beautiful story that seems to shine like a light in the dark days of the judges. It is full of love and kindness. Such a love we see in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was descended from the family of Ruth and Boaz. He gave His life that we might live. Paul speaks of love in I Cor. 13. It suffers long and is kind; it does not envy what others have; is not impatient and it thinks of others. These qualities in Ruth attracted Boaz to her. Such love, one toward another, will develop a character which the Lord Jesus Christ will be pleased to see.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Once again, the merciful provision for the poor and those who had been widowed was shown in the Law which God gave to Moses. If a man died and had no children, his brother or nearest relative was to marry the widow of that dead man, so that children would be born to take his name and keep his inheritance. In that way, the man's name would not be forgotten and the widow would be cared for (Deut. 25:5-6). God is our Heavenly Father and He is the one we look to (besides our earthly fathers) for protection. The children of Israel were God's children. So the Law of Moses taught them to be thoughtful and kind towards one another. The poor could always look for help to their close relative (their redeemer).

You must have guessed by now that Boaz could be called the "redeemer" of Ruth and Naomi. He was their rich relation who could help them with their problem. There was however, a nearer relation who had the right to marry Ruth, but he did not wish to. So the right to do this was given to Boaz. He was in a position to marry her and have children, so that there would be someone to carry on the family name. In Israel this was called the Law of Redemption. Boaz grew to love Ruth and they were married.

Such is the story of the Gentile woman, Ruth, who came to love the God of Israel. She was cared for and protected by her redeemer, Boaz, who became her husband. In turn, they looked after Naomi, who had great joy in her grandson, Obed.

QUESTION

Short Answers

Why did Elimelech and his family leave Bethlehem?
What happened to Elimelech and his sons in the Land of Moab?
Who stayed with Naomi when she journeyed back to her own land?
At what time of the year did Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem?
Who owned the field where Ruth went to glean in the barley harvest?
Who directed Ruth's steps to that field?
What did Ruth do in the field of Boaz?
A son was born to Ruth and Boaz. What was his name?
Can you name some of the great people who came from the family of Ruth and Boaz?

Detailed Answers

1. Why did Elimelech and his family go into the land of Moab?
2. What happened to them while they were there?
3. Why did Naomi decide to go back to Israel?

What lovely words did Ruth say to Naomi after Naomi had old Ruth and Orpah to return home to Moab?
1. How did Ruth care for Naomi when they arrived in Bethlehem?
2. What did Boaz think of Ruth?