I am on my husband's iPad so bear with me...the book of Ruth.....whew! This takes place in the time of Judges....not such a great time in Isreal's history....people were doing as they saw fit...the purpose of this book is to show how three people remained strong in character and true to God even when society around them was collapsing...
We meet Naomi an Isrealite who loses her husband and her sons. Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Isreal from Moab....Ruth loves Naomi and decides to go with her....this is the way that a Moabite woman finds the one true God...Naomi's God. Naomi is bitter at her losses but shows a real relationship with her God...He can take her disappointment and real feelings.
We see the practice of gleaning which was a law in Leviticus 19:9, 23:22 so that widows and the poor can eat. Boaz is kind and happens to be a relative of Naomi's.....(there are no coincidences you know) and Naomi decides to find a home for Ruth and tells her what to do to get Mr. Boaz.
The kinsman-redeemer law comes into play....Boaz can find someone to marry Ruth or marry her himself...a closer relative is in town and can marry Ruth, but the relative did no want to complicate his inheritance situation by marrying the Widow Ruth....Boaz becomes husband to Ruth and it seems that it isn't just convenience but genuine affection...Obed is born.....very big deal because he will be the father of Jesse who is the father of David (just you wait Bonnie; this is an important biblical figure) Oh by the way... Boaz is a descendent of Rahab the prostitute.....Isn't God cool....
Sylvia, I totally get your questions....she was not of the tribe of Isreal...she was from Moab an enemy.....apparently if he can use prostitutes He can use people from Moab...as it relates to Naomi...I think God knew her heart and understood that she felt like she was getting a bum rap but loved God all the same......good question about the name of Obed....I haven't found anything yet but wonder if it is a first name and the last name was carried on by Ruth 's late husband...
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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Ruth seems to be a sweet lady...she stuck by her mother in law when times were tough for her and very loyal. She seems like someone I would like to know. My Bible has a section "Answers to Life's Questions" and says that many people have inscribed her words on bracelets and pendants. "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. Where you die, i will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me."
ReplyDeleteBecause of Ruth's loyalty, she was reward with a loving husband, a son, and in the family line of Jesus Christ.
Loyalty is a wonderful trait to have. Loyalty demands trust, honesty, and responsibility.