Bible Character Studies: Ruth. Pt. 4 Ruth is under Jehovah's tender care.

Good morning,

Joshua 24:15  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Have a blessed day everyone!

Image result for threshing barley

The photo above shows barley being threshed. 

Ruth tells Naomi about Boaz.

Ruth 2:17-19 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed. 19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

Ruth's busy day working in the fields of Boaz drew to a close and she happily returned home to Naomi. She gleaned an ample amount of barley that could be used in bread or soup for their needs. Naomi naturally asked Ruth about where she worked that day. Ruth told Naomi that she has worked in the fields of Boaz.

Naomi praises Jehovah for His gracious provision.

Ruth 2:20-23  And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21  And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 22  And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 23  So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. 

As soon as Naomi heard that Ruth worked for Boaz she began praising Jehovah for His loving kindness to widows. Then she informed Ruth that Boaz was a near kinsman to to them. The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who according to the law of Moses had  responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need.

The law of caring for a widow.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10  If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. 6  And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. 7  And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. 8  Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; 9  Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. 10  And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed. 

The text above is the specific law God gave to Israel to provide for a widow. Her husband's brother was mandated to take her to wife and/or perform the duty of a husband to the widow. This means providing the necessities of life like food, clothing, shelter and protection. 

You see that there is a judicial process to follow if the brother or nearest male kinsman does not want to perform the duty of a brother to a widow. This is exactly the process that Boaz will follow in order to take the responsibility of caring for Naomi and Ruth.

Naomi acts to secure a better future for Ruth.

Ruth 3:1-4  Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2  And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 3  Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4  And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 

Naomi also knew the law Jehovah established to care for the widows and her love for her daughter in law motivated her to "seek rest" for Ruth. She let Ruth know that Boaz was a close relative to them and she gave her instructions on what to do when the work on threshing the harvest was done for the day. She ended by telling Ruth after following her instructions that Boaz would tell her what to do next.

This law and the narrative that is unfolding is a tender and beautiful picture of how Jehovah provides for the poor and the widows among His people. 

Points to Ponder...

  • Ruth had a happy heart because she was able to work to provide for both Naomi and Ruth's needs. 
  • Ruth did not know that Boaz was a close relative of Naomi's but Jehovah guided her to the right field.
  • Naomi immediately recognized the hand of God in all that happened.
  • Naomi told Ruth about Boaz and that she would seek "rest" for her beloved daughter in law.
  • Jehovah was glorified for putting provision for widows in His law.

Ruth is a great example of cheerfully working hard or doing all things heartily as unto the Lord. Do we honor God with our work ethic?

Ruth had no idea that Boaz was a kinsman of Naomi or that God was directing her steps to his field. Do we trust the Lord enough to allow Him to guide our lives?

Naomi praised Jehovah for His goodness and lovingkindness in providing for their needs. Do we stop to give thanks for all that God does for us and how He supplies for our needs?

Naomi sought to secure a brighter future for Ruth according to God's law because she loved her like her own daughter and because Ruth loved Naomi selflessly. Do we love our family members enough to show them the love God has for them through Jesus Christ?

Bob 

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