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The Beauty of Ruth
Making a Living in Bethlehem
Ruth 1:19–2:7
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A. Let us review what has happened thus far in this book of Ruth
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A quick review – the introduction
A. A family left Judah to go to Moab; why?
1.Because of a famine in the land
B. What were the names of this family?
1.Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion
C. What happened to Elimelech?
1.He died
D. What happened to Mahlon and Chilion?
1. They married, and then died without children
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A. Some simple questions to bring us up to date
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A quick review – from last week
A. What were the names of the two Moabitess wives?
1.Orpah and Ruth
B. What did Naomi decide to do and why?
1. To return to Judah
2. God had visited His people with food; there was nothing left to keep her in Moab
C. What did Orpah and Ruth decide to do?
1. First they were both going to accompany her to Judah
2.Then Orpah went back to her people, but Ruth persisted
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A. And a few more
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The Character of Three Women
A. What did you decide on the character of Naomi?
B. What did you decide on the character of Orpah?
C. What did you decide on the character of Ruth?
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A. Now … let’s think back to what we learned about three characters
1. Naomi, the widow of Elimelech
2. Orpah, the widow of Chilion
3. Ruth, the widow of Mahlon
B. These had much in common, much to admire in each, but were quite different
C. Let us go on with the verses that follow
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Naomi Feels Bitter — Ruth 1:19-22
A. In these verses we read of
1.The Homecoming to Bethlehem
2. The Discussion with her friends
3. A résumé and introduction to what follows
B. The meaning of “(El) Shaddai”
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A. 19 And both of them went on until they came to Bethlehem; and it came to pass as they came to Bethlehem, that all the city was in a stir over them, and they said, ‘Is this Naomi?‘ 20 And she said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi (pleasantness), call be Mara (bitterness), for Shaddai has caused it to be very bitter for me. 21 I was full when I left but Yahweh has caused me to return empty. Why do you call me Naomi when Yahweh has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?‘ 22 So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who had returned from the Plains of Moab; and they had come to Bethlehem at the beginning of the harvesting of barley
B. Unger’s Bible Dictionary: how God revealed Himself to the Patriarchs (Exodus 6:2–3) from root, shadad, “to be strong or powerful; ruin, deal violently with, despoil” – sometimes LXX pantokrator – Jerome in Vulgate translated it omnipotens – rabbinic:. El Shaddai, the Self- Sufficient; other possibility, from Shadah, “to pour forth” … God as the rain-giver, provider
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Naomi Feels Bitter (cont’d)
A. What is the tone of voice – what is implied – by the question, “Is this Naomi?” and the stirring of the city? What attitudes would she encounter?
B. What does Naomi’s request for a change of name reveal about her condition and attitude?
C. What one thing does Naomi seem to forget?
D. Where did they live?
E. What key fact is introduced?
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A. The years had gone by, at least 10,
1. Elimelech’s family had not been forgotten
2. Though called a “city,” in our terms of reference, it was a small village
3. A note of incredulity, a note of surprise
4. Implication of a startling contrast between the family that had departed and that which returned
a. A family left, two widow women returned
b. Naomi had more than aged, but showed the marks of hardship
c. Reduced circumstances (came by foot with what they carried)
B. She had everything, now she has nothing
1. Loss of family; loss of independent means (we will see this soon)
2. Lays responsibility on God, on Providence, who now is not doing so
C. At this point, there is no expression of gratitude for Ruth’s fidelity
D. Maybe owned a house or Deuteronomy 15:11 some humble provision would be made. Centuries later another young woman would come into Bethlehem and find a humble lodging.
E. The Barley Harvest; at Passover Exodus 9:31-32, Lev 23:10-14
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Ruth Goes Out to Work – Ruth 2:1-3
A. In these verses we read about
1.Boaz introduced
2.Ruth’s industry
B. What important information do we learn from the introduction of Boaz at this point?
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1. 1 And Naomi had a kinsman to her husband, a man, a mighty man of wealth of the clan of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
2. 2 And Ruth, the Moabitess, said unto Naomi, ‘Let me go, I pray, to the field, that I should gather in ears in order that I may find grace in his eyes [or, “after whomsoever in whose eyes I may find grace”],’ and she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.‘ 3 And she went, entered and gleaned in the field after the reapers.. And her chance was to happen in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.
B. Boaz introduced due to his importance to the story as it unfolds; in their circumstances, Naomi would certainly discuss this man with Ruth. Both he and the nearer kinsman were men of substance and this suggests Elimelech had not been a poor man
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Ruth Goes out to Work (Cont’d)
A. Boaz has not yet helped Naomi and Ruth …what reasons could account for this?
B. What facets of Ruth’s character are found here?
C. Leviticus 19:9-10
1.How does Ruth qualify for this provision by God?
2. How do you determine if something is left for gleaning?
D. What do you think of Ruth’s “chancing” on the field of Boaz? What do we learn about God’s grace?
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A. Possible reasons
1. Naomi had not asked for help (he was her husband’s relative, not hers; his exalted position)
2. Boaz didn’t know their straitened circumstances (we find him later a kind and generous man)
B. Industrious, enterprising, self-starter; respectful to Naomi, asking permission, Naomi’s response shows their need as well as affection; she is not Khallothay (my daughter-in-law) but Battay (my daughter)
C. Leviticus provision
1. Both needy and foreign
2. When the harvesters have left the field (so to follow after the reapers was a privilege rather than allowed by this provision)
D. Romans 8:28 … the hand of God (these words deny that there was any scheming on the part of either Naomi or Ruth) – El Shaddai, the Almighty (or the Provider) is now setting out to provide for two widows (and for a world of lost sinners)
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Boaz Notices Ruth – Ruth 2:4-7
A. In these verse we learn about
1.The character of Boaz
2.The deportment of Ruth
B. How does Boaz come across in these verses to you: as a younger, older or ancient man?
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A. 4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, ‘Yahweh be with you;’ and they said to him, ‘May Yahweh bless you.‘ 5 Then Boaz said to his servant, who was set over the reapers, ‘Whose is this damsel?‘ 6 And the servant who was set over the reapers replied and said, ‘She is a Moabitish maiden, who returned with Naomi from the Plains of Moab. 7 and she said, “Let me glean, I pray, and let me gather among the sheaves after the reapers.” And she went and took her stand from the time of morning even until now; and her resting in the house has been little.‘ – ie., she’s been her feet almost all day
B. Remember that the genealogy only lists 4 generations covering the period of the judges which was about 320 years … yet we saw that the way the Bible uses the term ‘begat’ it could omit the names representing some of the intervening generations/ To me – and I am a romantic! – he sounds like an older man (with authority) but also in the prime and vigour of life
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Boaz Notices Ruth (Cont’d)
A. What do we learn about the character of Boaz in these verses?
B. What do you conclude from their respective greetings?
C. The word, “damsel” suggests a servant relationship; what things would kindle Boaz’ interest in asking this question as to who she was?
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A. Boaz’ character
1. He took a personal interest in harvest of his land (more of that to come later)
2. Humility and consideration: came to his workers with a blessing (and received the same … may have been just respect or politeness)
3. Was observant, seeing one who was not part of his “gang” and yet was following them (another indication that this went beyond the customary gleaning of the corners of the field, etc)
B. Their greetings
1. Yahweh Immakhem (cf., Immanuel) – the rejoicing that Yahweh had visited His people; expanded, Boaz’ words convey “The Lord be with you, prosper you, and give you health and strength, and preserve you from any disaster.“ (MH)
2. Yahweh bless: the acknowledgement that all the crops came from Yahweh who had punished during the time of famine but had returned to bless His people; “The Lord bless thee, and make our labours serviceable to thy prosperity.“ (MH)
3. They are jointly dependent upon Yahweh’s Providence
C. “Damsel” is the female counterpart of the word, “servant”, which identifies the one whom Boaz is asking this question. The servant had responsibility for who was working in the field. Here was a worker that Boaz did not know. Was she working for him or for someone else? But the word also implies one who is young and of marriageable age. What would she be doing out in the field.
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Boaz Notices Ruth (Cont’d)
A. How well had the young servant carried out his responsibility? What does his answer reveal about himself?
B. What do we learn of Ruth’s character?
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A. The servant’s words
1. He had checked out this ‘invader in the fields”
2. Though he did not give her name, he had determined the
3. That he had given permission is implied and shows he knows his master, Boaz, well enough that this would be acceptable to Boaz
B. Ruth
1. She did not take for granted the provision made for those who glean but asked permission
2. She laboured long, continuously and hard — persevering
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A. Next week
1. Are you beginning to see what brought these two people together?
2. Do you see some of the allegorical lessons on salvation in what is happening?
3. Ruth 2:8—17 – Boaz’ Care for Ruth
