Ruth and Esther — Unit 3

Please open with a word of prayer.

Class 3 Notes – Ruth Chapters 1 and 2

Answers to questions from last week.

1.Questions regarding the Levirate Law: The brothers were forbidden from marrying a sister-in-law in all circumstances except in this circumstance. The law was strictly to provide an heir for the deceased brother, so presumably if the SIL already had male heirs then the Levirate Law would not take place. If the deceased brother had multiple wives it would only be done for one of the wives to produce an heir. In the event there were multiple living brothers the duty fell to the oldest first and then went to the next eldest if he refused. And the living brother could be married already and still perform the duty. If all brrothers refused a ceremony was performed that then released her to marry someone else.

2. Cling: to hold fast, cleave, to stick with.

3. Beauty for Ashes: Isaiah 61:3. As we’ve stressed in classes here we don’t like to rip things out of the context of their history. However here in Isaiah 61, we have a description of the Messiah. It is regarded as the 5th Servant Song found in Isaiah that describe the Messiah or Anointed One. 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12, and then this passage Do you remember from Tuesday’s class what the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading when Philip told him that the passage was about Jesus.

Observations:

Chapter 2

“A man of great standing” This isn’t just a financially rich man. This is a man who possesses excellence, valor, a good reputation.

In fact Boaz means Strength and Swiftness.

Ruth knows enough of Jewish law to ask to go glean in the fields behind the reapers. This is a right given in Jewish law to protect and provide for widows, orphans, and the poor.

She also is proving herself a woman of excellence who sticks by her promise to care for Naomi. She isn’t galavanting around looking for a husband.

“As it turned out,” or “She happened to come upon,” in verse 3: if you go back to the original Hebrew, this shows it was completely by chance — Divine providence — that she came upon Boaz’s field. She doesn’t know who Boaz is nor where his plot of land is. And she’s taking a big risk going out alone in such a time of lawlessness.

Just then Boaz shows up from Bethlehem. Coincidence?

Boaz reveals his dedication to God by his simple kind greeting to his workers. “The Lord be with you.”

Their kind response shows they respect their master, “The Lord bless you.”

Boaz happens out into his fields on the day that Ruth is there, and he notices her.

The overseer of the reapers knows she is a Moabite, knows she is with Naomi, and allows her to glean as she requests. What does this say of the overseer’s character? What do you think that this reveals regarding Boaz’s character and how he treats his servants?

Once he hears who she is, he knows her from reputation. Her excellence is known throughout the town.

Boaz treats her as his daughter, offering his protection. He also clearly trusts his servants not to harm her.

Boaz knows of the sacrifices she made to leave her home and gods and follow Naomi and follow the one true God in a land where she knows no one and is not respected.

Boaz knows his scripture, as demonstrated in his conversation with Ruth and in allowing her to glean and caring for her as God would. Deuteronomy 10:17-19. He knows God will bless her for all her sacrifices to be with Naomi and care for her. He also knows that God cares for his loved ones as an eagle cares for its young Deuteronomy 32: 11-12.

Boaz prays that God will bless her for her loyal love and kindness to Naomi (verse 12). Boaz uses a feminine descriptor of God, the same one used of God’s protection of the Israelites. His protective wings under which she seeks refuge. Basically, welcoming her into the Israelite fold. Stark contrast to Elimelech. Boaz recognizes God’s protection. Elimelech fled at the first sign of trouble.

When he feeds her at supper, she holds some back for Naomi.

Boaz allows to glean from the sheaves and even instructs his men to let some fall for her. He does this in secret without her knowing to not embarrass her.

She works until evening, beating out what she has gleaned.

When she goes home it is so much that Naomi takes notice. An ephah is 12 bushels or roughly 30 pounds, enough to feed them for 5 days.

Naomi learns that Ruth has gleaned from her relative’s field. She also blesses Boaz for his kindness and in calling him a close relative she is calling upon the name of kinsman redeemer.

“He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead” Miss Mara’s countenance has become pleasant and joyful again. She recognizes God’s hand, his covenant love” working in their lives.

“Lest others fall upon you” is a reminder that these are scary times.

Ruth gleans through the barley and wheat harvests. A period of 4 months from Mar-June.

Interpretations

Chapter 2

1. Ruth upholds her vow and God’s command to care for the widow when she herself is one. She goes out to work in the field for Naomi and herself.

2. Though we may not readily notice, God is working. Ruth happens upon and gleans in Boaz’s field and Boaz happens to be there when she is.

3. Boaz’s faith in God shows in his care for his workers and his care for Ruth. He goes above and beyond what is required as the owner of the field and crops.

4. Rather than treating her as a foreigner, both the workers and Boaz treat her with utmost kindness.

5. By Boaz’s allowing Ruth to continue to glean, but also helping her to glean more than normal, he allows her to keep her dignity. God is as gentle with us, allowing us to join Him in His work, though God’s gracious providence over us ultimately rules and wins out. I like how Tom Constable puts it in his notes: “By allowing her to work, Boaz preserved Ruth's dignity and reputation; by providing generously for her, he lightened her duties.” Isn’t that so like God and how he treats and cares for us. Matt. 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. "

5. Boaz recognizes God’s hand upon her and joins Him in his work in this woman’s life. Indeed, Boaz’s abundant grace reminds us of God’s grace towards us.

6. Ruth brings home a portion of her food to share with the widow Naomi. I love what this says about her character. She is honoring her promise to Naomi. It reminds me so much of the families I see here who bring the elderly into their home and tend to them with such loving care. Family is everything to them.

7. Boaz says or does nothing in front of Ruth that would cause her to feel shame. His instructions are in secret. God loves when good deeds are done in secret. Matt 6:1-4.

8. I Tim 5:18 says, “A Workman is worthy of his wages.” What does this say about Ruth Chapter 2:12. Ruth works sunup to sundown, only taking breaks to rest, drink, and eat.

9. It is good to equip ourselves with the knowledge of Scripture as Ruth did when she knew it was her right to glean in the fields according to Jewish Law.

10. Our behavior should always be respectable and kind if we are living our faith and trusting in God’s love for us.

11. Unlike Elimelech, Boaz trusts God for provisions. In a time of coming out of famine, he could have hoarded his grain. Instead he gives even more than is required.

12. Naomi is quick to give God the credit for turning her sadness into gladness, for providing for them in many ways.

13. Every prayer and prayerful wish in the book is for God’s blessings upon individuals and God answered every one of them.

Chapter 2 Applications:

1. Do I treat others in such a way that gives glory to God and reminds others of His love?Am I respectful and kind? Do I do good deeds in secret so as to not draw attention to myself.

2. Do I give more than required.

3. Get to know my Scripture better.

4.Trust God rather than hoard my belongings and wealth. Do not worry but trust in God. God gives us the strength we need for each day. Tomorrow belongs to Him. Phil 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.” Faith in the Lord should be active and evident in my life.

5. Never ever quench the Holy Spirit’s work in another human being. Treat foreigners and enemies with kindness or covenant love as God would. Pray God’s blessing upon them.

7. Work hard in doing God’s works and trust Him for the wages.

8. Where is God working near me and how can I join Him in that work.

9. How I treat others trickles down to those I come into contact with. If I want people to treat others with kindness, I must be an example of that kindness. In this world right now where hatred spews across the internet, I need to be the voice of kindness, grace, forgiveness, love, and generosity.

Chapter 3 Observations

Passage begins with Naomi seeking security for Ruth and ends with waiting on that security.

To be settled and secure in a husband’s home. She wants to make sure that Ruth is provided for. She still wants that rest for Ruth that she asked God for her at the beginning in chapter 1.

Customary for Hebrew parents to arrange marriages for their children.

She gives specific instructions for Ruth to follow. All are symbolic of expressing Ruth’s desire for a kinsman redeemer.

Put on your best clothes mean an outer cloak or mantle. This helps to protect her identity.

Uncover his feet is a literal and accurate translation and symbolic as we will see later.

Threshing and winnowing of the harvest is a great time of celebration especially after so long a famine. The threshing floor would have been one shared by the entire town.

Ruth obeys Naomi.

If Naomi was trying to secure the benefits of kinsman redeemer over her and Ruth, she would not have encouraged her to prostitute herself thereby bringing more shame upon her and her family. Plus, Ruth is an honorable woman and Boaz is likewise honorable.

Passage says that Boaz was in good spirits. Many commentators and people not considering the culture assume this meant Boaz was drunk. But consider this, would someone who needed to protect their grain from thieves throughout the night, want to be passed out drunk. Additionally, the words good spirits simply mean joyful, happy, glad all sentiments that would have made sense after a period of famine.

She uncovers his feet. This is a symbolic gesture. Please read Joshua 1:3 and 3:13. Stepping on something means to take possession of it. Look also at Ruth 4:7 for more immediate context. Her uncovering of his feet was requesting him to be her kinsman redeemer, to take back the lands to possess the lands, belonging to her family and to take her as his wife.

Maid literally means servant. Subjugation.

Ezekiel 16:8 “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[b] of our family.” Specific to kinsman redeemer. Remember it was Boaz who commended her for seeking refuge under God’s wings. By asking him to spread a corner of mantle over her she is asking him to cover her with his wings. Corner means wings. She is asking him for his protection in the role of kinsman redeemer. Boaz had commended her seeking refuge under God’s wings, and now Ruth is asking Boaz to be the answer to that commendation I can’t help but think she was smiling at that moment.

Vs 10 kindness is once again loyal or covenant love. Her last kindness is better than her first. This last kindness shows that she is turning to him who is much older to be a kinsman redeemer for her and for Naomi rather than going after younger men.

Daughter emphasizes the difference in their ages.

All the people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Same description used of Boaz. They are made very much alike in their excellence and perfect for one another.

He protects her identity probably to keep the gossips at bay but also to protect her reputation so that the other possible relative will have no excuse not to redeemer her.

The fact that Boaz knew of another relative shows he had done his research already on her behalf.

His payment to her is not for her prostituting herself but a sign of an oath to Naomi that he will resolve the KR issue.

Naomi understood that sign completely for she says and believes wholly that Boaz will not stop until he has done this duty before the close of day.

Requirements for being a kinsman redeemer:

• Near kinsman
• Willing to be
• Able to be
• Free himself
• Able to pay the price

Chapter 3 Interpretations:

In seeking a redeemer for Ruth, Naomi is seeking to repay Ruth with the like kindness that Ruth has shown her.

She is staying attentive to God’s leading and the law of kinsman redeemer would be perfectly within God’s will.

Ruth completely trusts Naomi and does as she instructs.

Naomi, Ruth and Boaz all behave honorably when at so many different points in this passage they could have chosen the less honorable path. Boaz could have taken advantage of Ruth under cover of darkness. Ruth could have prostituted herself much as Tamar did. All did what was according to the law as respects a kinsman redeemer. All acted above reproach.

Boaz could have become drunk on wine at a time of great celebration yet he remained sober.

Kindness, covenant love, God extends it to us and He means for us to extend it to others, through self sacrifice, through seeking someone else’s good above our own. “They will know we are Christians by our love for one another.”

In a time of the Judges when everyone is seeking their own gain, when anarchy, murder, selfishness, and rape are common place, those who remain kind, who stay attentive to God, and trusting in Him will find refuge under His wings. There is no need to take matters into our own hands, but act according to Scripture.

Requirements for Kinsman Redeemer sound familiar? Only Jesus could meet these requirements for redeeming us.

Chapter 3 Application

1. Am I guilty of often seeking my own gain and taking control of things instead of trusting God for His provisions?

2. Help us to treat others with kindness and self-sacrifice.

3. We live in anxious times, are we actively waiting on God and claiming His incomprehensible peace that is ours for the taking. Phil 4: 6-7 “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your heats and minds in Christ Jesus.”

4. Trust that God has us under His wings and that is the safest place to be.

5. At all times am I living a life that is above reproach?

6. Boaz had already done his research regarding a closer relative. Am I prayed up and studied up when I am preparing for a task that God has called me to?