I was a little nervous about Boaz’s actions. He seemed genuinely interested but also seemed to play the kinsmen-redeemer. Not sure what his real thoughts or motivation at this point.
As I finish Ruth, I wonder why it is included in the Bible?
- Love?
- Friendship?
- Caring for others?
Ruth and Boaz seem to be model citizens but I don’t have a real sense of their faith. The town people had elders which would lead me to believe that the town must have been obedient to God. It is tough for me to understand the level of obedience the people in this story had to God’s word but I get the sense that they were true, obedient followers of the LORD.
The genealogy in Ruth 4 gave me insight into why the book is in the Bible in my opinion. Ruth was part of the David lineage — she bore Obed, father of Jesse, father of David.
Application: Am I showing others love? Friendship? Do I have a servants heart or am I looking for others to serve me? I need to show others that I care for the, genuinely.
Naomi loves her daughter-in-law, Ruth, and wants to take care of her. She instructs Ruth to go to Boaz. Once again, Ruth shows her faithfulness to her mother. Boaz also shows his strong character by telling her that he will redeem her if another gentleman will not.
Ruth returns home and tells Naomi everything that happens. Naomi confirms that Boaz will keep his word and she will know what is to happen by end of day.
I am continually reminded of Ruth’s obedience to her mother in this passage. She is faithful to the letter. I wonder if Naomi demonstrates such a faithful character that Ruth feels compelled to not only love this woman but to be just like her! That would be the perfect picture of living a Christ-centered life. Naomi doesn’t just instruct her daughter — she lives by the same instructions.
Boaz also continues to impress me. He certainly could take advantage of the situation whereby Ruth has shown up late and is laying at his feet. Again, he is a gentleman to Ruth and cares for her. Coming from the previous stories where men wanted to have relations with other men and then raped women, this is such a beautiful picture of a man. I like to think that all men should strive to be the gentleman that Boaz is in this passage. Instead of having thoughts of lust or sin in our (or my) mind, we should be focused on the LORD and the eternity we will spend with Him.
Application: Am I living my life as an example to others? Is Christ on the throne of my life or do I place myself there with Christ at my feet? I want to live a life that people comment on regarding my faithfulness, my strength of character, etc. In my current life, I live three different lifestyles — home, church and work. Home and church is joining much closer, day by day. However, my walk at work is still far from where it should be. Perhaps the LORD will want me to change jobs one day? Perhaps I haven’t accomplished His goals for me in this company? Either way, I have to remember that it is not acceptable as sin to God is repulsive. I don’t want to be repulsive to my best friend. I have to consider that every minute of the day…
Once Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem, Ruth went out into the fields to help harvest the wheat. When she was out there, Boaz took notice of her. Instead of being disrespectful to her, he was polite and courteous. Seeing as she was a foreigner of his land, she expected him to be much more harsh to her and certainly not to bless her. Instead, Boaz was incredibly gracious, loving and kind. He told her to stay close so that she could be protected, he told her to take from his fields and he asked her to eat with the reapers at supper.
The kindness and love that Boaz showed Ruth was just like the kindness and love Ruth showed Naomi. Ruth is finding that she is being rewarded with the same compassion that she showed her mother-in-law. This is an example of the LORD being faithful to those who are obedient to His word. Ruth, a non-believer as far as I can tell thus far, has exemplified Christian behaviors in her love for Naomi. Because she is living her life in accordance with God’s word and His will, she is receiving the LORD’s blessings.
Application: God does not require me to do anything that is unreasonable. He wants me to show others the same love that Christ showed everyone else. When I try to put myself before others, I am not living a Christ-centered life like God has called me to live. I need to put others needs before my own. Am I saying these words idly or am I truly willing to live up to them? Am I willing to give up everything to live in accordance with God’s commandments? I can’t just say I am.
Elimelech was apparently fairly well known and respected in Bethlehem. He left to flee from the famine and ended up in the land of the Moabites. Once there, Elimelech died and Naomi’s two sons took Moabite women for their wives. It should be noted that these women were probably not going to followers of the one true God but practiced idolatry. After only ten years, both of Naomi’s sons died. She decided to go back to Bethlehem. She asks the two daughter-in-laws to go home to their own people, their own gods. Orpah ends up going home but Ruth does not. She makes a decree that Naomi’s people will be her people and Naomi’s God will be her God. She tells Naomi that only death will separate the two of them.
Naomi and Ruth are visions of wonder after the tells of Judges 20-21. Naomi is respectful and caring towards her daughter-in-laws. Ruth is dedicated and loving to Ruth — her mother-in-law. Naomi feels that the LORD has afflicted her for some reason. I am not compelled to believe that Naomi has rejected the LORD (after all, that is not possible!) However, she is certainly struggling with the events going on in her life. Only time will reveal how wonderful all of these things were as gifts from God in part of His overarching plan.
Application: Do I show others love and kindness? Friends and co-workers may look to me for mercy, grace or a servants heart — do I give it in return? I try to be a friend to people but I struggle sometimes because of my nature. I am not always the most compassionate person. For this reason, I see things from a different perspective quite often. I really struggle in this area with regards to my wife. Am I always treating her in a way that she should be treated? She has always shown me a great deal of love and friendship. Do I return that gift to her? God has given me my wife for a very specific reason. I am truly blessed to have her. I need to show her, and tell her, how much I appreciate her. I also need to thank God for her as another one of the miraculous gifts He has bestowed upon me.