Introduction
-style:
"a series of intimate glimpses" vs. (mostly) historical accounts in
Judges
-Goethe's
"the loveliest work on a small scale"; "best of all
mother-in-law stories"
-in the
period of the Judges
-Bible not
always chronological, but here-- a nice fit
-1:1
begins Ruth with "in the days when the judges ruled" and 4:22 ends Ruth with
"David" (I Sam 16)-- period of the Kings
-"a
period marked by weak faith and irresponsible conduct"
-->
God as always faithful....the Q: what about his people?? here-- yes: "a
bright spot in a sea of degeneracy"; "faithfulness amid
infidelity"; "like a beautiful pearl against a jet-black
background"
-GCM's
"God has never left himself without witness"; even in the darkest
hours, God is still at work
-to
show how three people remained faithful and true to God even when the society
around them was falling apart
-other
themes
-three
excellent examples of the self-giving love that fulfills God's word: Ruth
--> Naomi, Boaz --> Ruth; God --> Naomi/Ruth/Boaz
-"a
story of love thriving in suffering, of hope in difficult circumstances"
-"hesed"
(Hebrew) (3x-- 1:8, 2:20, 3:10's "kindness"):
loyalty born out of love and kindness toward those to whom a person is
"responsible"
-redemption
and protection (various forms used 20x); Boaz as a Christ-figure
-suffering
and “happy endings” (here and ultimately, in Job) vs. not so much (in Hab)
--> not
about wars, victories, idolatry, etc. (as with Judges)-- but the affliction and
comfort of Naomi, the conversion and trust/obedience of Ruth, the love and
grace of Boaz, the providence of God and the ancestry of Christ
Ruth 1
-1's
famine
-prob.
punishment from God; indicative of Judges (Lev 26:18-20; I Kings 17:1)
-1's move
to Moab (origins in Gen
19:36-37, related to Lot)
-trying to
escape (a provincial) God's judgment? (or just trying to get food?)
-w/
app. to trying to run away from problems
-took his
family away from God (the Promised Land) as well-- leadership??
-concerned
with physical over spiritual; not satisfied with leaner menu
-vs.
calling out to God (no record here)
-Moabites
had given the Israelites trouble before-- not let them pass through on their
way thru Wilderness, on the way to Promised Land (Josh 24:9, Num 22-25)
-going
to the wrong place to solve problems; us as well (Jer 2:13)
-went “for
a while”—not so much (w/ app.)
-4's
marriage to Moabite women
-not
Canaanites, so not explicitly condemned but perhaps unwise/risky (1:15; II Cor
6:14's "unequally yoked"; Dt 23:3?!)
-5's
picture of three widows-- how rough!
-1’s famine,
but 21’s full; now, alienation, death/abandon (husband and in-laws, but then
death and no grandchildren) à nothing
and nobody
-8-9's
wanting the best for them (she can’t provide for them physically), avoiding
possible guilt-trips, offering a gracious exit without guilt—giving them a
valid choice
-mention
of God x 2 (apparently not out of the ordinary); pleasant (cultural) send-off;
hope for husbands
-but
Naomi's request despite that it would make faith in God more difficult &/or
unlikely
-Elimelech's
leadership/influence revisited; material vs. spiritual concerns
-her
place on the spectrum of faith: faith in God in the midst of a spiritual valley
vs. God is in control, but not for me vs. mere platitudes (see: 1:11-13)
-was
embarrassment about them a factor?
-was
embarrassment about God a factor? when experiencing grief within one’s walk,
harder to recommend that to others! (Acts 26:29)
-w/ app.
to handling trial, loneliness, etc. well
-11-13's
Naomi as a bit insensitive, angry with God, and despairing of her future—despite
her faith (1:8-9, 1:20-21, 2:20; Habakkuk/Job)
-13's
Lord's hand as heavy on her (Job 2:10
vs. 13:21,19:21)
-accepting
judgment and taking responsibility vs. big pity-party, blaming God
-still
has hope for them and doesn’t want to drag them down; amazing focus despite her
circumstances
à but she
doesn't rip into others (see: Israelites grumbling and threatening to stone
Moses)
à what was Naomi like before the 3 deaths? before
Elimelech took her to Moab?
prob. solid faith (by cultural standards), but largely untested until here (w/
app.)
-potentially
losing both daughter-in-laws; Orpah returns, but Ruth remains (contrast)
-emphasis
on choice; Orpah's presence as a foil for Ruth's decision
-Orpah
loved her, but not enough to leave her country and family (“her people”),
religion (“her gods”) or to lower probability of marriage and 9's rest
-and
Orpah apparently feels little connection to Ruth (sisters-in-law)
-Orpah
as a picture of bad seed (Mt 13:19,22)—excited as they begin the trip, but...
1:16-18
-Ruth's
vow-- an emphatic reply-- puts an end to the debate
-despite
Naomi's (previous) valid points and 15's use of peer pressure
-acknowledging
God as her own
-Ruth
makes the big decision-- in faith; God wants the best for her...and He delivers
(later)
-in
contrast to Moab's
origins and its tradition of idolatry
-as
a contrast to Israel's
depravity
-understands
(or hopes for) grace—seemingly no doubt that God will accept her
-despite
expectation of no marriage/kids, decides to care for Naomi
-Ruth
gives up her land, her religion/gods, her security; see: Abraham's break from
culture/family and almost-sacrifice (Gen 12:1-4, 22:2)
-but
here, without direct word from God or any promises, and despite strenuous
discouragement --> tremendous faith
-Ruth and
Naomi as unlikely friends
-applies
to marriage but context is family by family and friendship
-a
generation apart, mother-in-law?, different ethnicity
-on
mothers-in-law, at least hope/pray for this type of relationship
-different
religious backgrounds—apparently, before and ironically, now
-lost
everything when their husbands died; only had each other and God—but grief can
drive people apart
à Ruth's unconditional love for Naomi (more in
1:19-22)
à difficult circumstances and God's living presence
in a relationship overcome differences that might otherwise create division;
adversity and trial (here, mutual, repeated grief) can bring people close
together as friends
-importance
and availability of unity in Christ (w/ app.)
-Ruth’s
friendship despite Naomi’s attitudes and problems; Ruth needed support as well,
but found little in Naomi at that time (but perhaps previously)
Ruth 2
-Ruth's
humility, courage, industry (I Thess 4:11-12, II Thess 3:10-12), initiative,
regard for mother-in-law, reliance on God's providence (3's “as it turned
out...”); God’s P and her P
-4-5’s Boaz's
character/faith and active in works: treatment of employees, concern for
strangers, voluntary/charity
-knew his
employees well enough to be able to pick out a plain-looking stranger among
many other harvesters
-greetings,
laudable behavior between employees and employers (Eph 6:5,9)
-10's
Ruth's response: respect, humility, excitement, recognizes and accepts (extent
of) grace
-as
relationship begins—a picture of J
-13's “may
I continue to find favor...”
-understanding
and embracing grace—as relationship continues (S)
-Boaz
concerned for her physical (16's help) and emotional (15's
"embarrass") needs; subsidizing hard work with his sacrifice (not
just gleaning-- what was required by the law)
-wage
subsidy vs. minimum wage
-an
individual and voluntary solution; MH's "the poor that are industrious and
willing to take pains are fit to be encouraged"
-17's
until evening—could have “called it a day” earlier; working while she can-- in
favorable conditions (Pr 6:6-11; Mt 9:36-38, Jn 4:38's grace, Jn 9:4)
-20's
kinsman-redeemer responsible for protecting needy members in extended family
-could
marry brother's widow (Dt 25:5-10), redeem land or person (Lev 25:23-28,47-49)
and avenge a death (Num 35:19-21; Josh 20)
à requirements: blood relative (Lev 25:48), able to
fulfill all duties (Ruth 4:1-6), willing to fulfill all duties (Lev 25:47, Ruth
4:6)
-Christ as
our k-r: goal-- to restore inheritance &/or redeem person; means-- blood
relative willing and able to redeem (I Pet 1:18-19; Gal 4:4-5; Rev 5’s scroll
representing land in contemporary Rome)
-Boaz
as a picture of Christ
-with
Boaz, hope awakens/enters for Naomi-- indirectly encouraged
-recognizes
possibilities-- theoretical and practical, given Boaz's character and apparent
interest in Ruth
-emerges
from her self-pity
-vs.
lack of gratitude for the gift
-focus
on God (“the Lord bless him”)
-k-r
could have been hers &/or Ruth/Boaz might change Ruth/Naomi
-comfortable
in risking with Ruth who sought her best interests-- no need to be redeemed
directly
-Naomi
could have felt threatened/jealous vs. gives space and hopes the best for and
rejoices with Ruth
-->
the old Naomi?? is this what brought Ruth to saving faith?
Ruth 3
-4's
bizarre instructions-- too forward??
-apparently
not (3:11)
-in
accordance with Israelite custom for servants
-Naomi
trusting Ruth and Boaz's character
-a risky
and aggressive strategy—esp. since threshing floor not usually a place for
women (3:14) at night, and given festivity of harvest
-laying at
the feet of the one who could redeem—as us, with Christ
-12's
caveat; open to God's will; not pushing the timing—willing to do the right
thing; God’s law and her interests come first for Boaz
-apparently,
once a "k-r from a distance" is invoked, other closer potential k-r's
must be given the opportunity
-literary
device builds tension
-->
redemption assured, but by whom?
-given 3’s wash/perfume, ironic that Ruth
uses her feminine charms in a non-conservative manner!
-“Driving
home this point, (Harold) Ellens cites the Old Testament
stories where women, most notably Ruth
and Esther, employ their feminine charms to seduce men for the furtherance of
God's aims (and their own). Far from
being condemned, these women earn nothing but praise from the biblical authors.
It's ironic that Ruth is upheld as a
role model for conservative Christian girls today. Instead of "waiting on
God" for a husband, she spotted a good man, followed him home from a
party, and jumped into bed with him—violating three "Biblical Rules for Dating" at once.”
à
interesting, pro-active obedience!
Ruth 4
-Boaz's
good reputation in 3:18-- a man of his word and of action in 4:1
-1’s fail
to mention the other k-r's name
-divine
justice; not wanting to risk = no reward
-3’s redeeming
land (Lev 25:23-25, Jer 32:6-7)
-Naomi
poor and forced to sell it-- mortgaged to buy food OR had been sold earlier by
her husband
à literary
tension; Boaz’s cleverness (on B and C)
à why not step up?
-too poor
to maintain wife and land; the relative as a type of the (provisions of the)
Law which cannot redeem!
-wives
might fight (see other Biblical stories)
-feared
marrying a Moabite (legalist); focus on externals vs. internals (Pr 31:10,
21:9,19; 19:13-14,
27:15-16, 12:4)
-worried about impact on his name
-stated
reason: feared that his only son would be Ruth's and his inheritance would go
to her family
-same
risk as Boaz? Unlikely that he was or had been single his whole life; if so—again,
the contrast highlights his grace
à in any
case, 5-6's revealed motives: willing to take B’s, but not C’s
-Perez as
Boaz's ancestor
-Judah/Tamar—another
“levirate marriage” (Gen 38)
-Ruth's
honorable approach and Boaz's response vs. Tamar's disguise and seduction in
response to Judah's
sin
-->
but without both, line from Judah
to David/Christ would have been broken (Mt 1:3,5)
4:13-17
-as with
1:1-5, compressed history in same number of words (71 in Hebrew)
-but here,
fullness vs. earlier emptiness; death vs. life
-13's
conceive as God's grace (1:6) and providence (no previous children within 1:4’s10-year
marriage made this whole episode easier...and a son)
-Ruth had
children when time was right (Gal 4:4)
-10 rough
yrs in Moab
vs. blessings begin immediately and here, culminate within a year
-Mt 1:5
tells us Rahab (from Joshua) was ancestress/mother of Boaz (James 2:25)
-Josh 2’s
Rahab and scarlet cord; Ruth 4’s Ruth and kinsman-redeemer; Mt 1’s Mary
Closing
themes:
à all this in contrast to
faithlessness, impatience, etc. in Judges
à all relatively ordinary stuff—everyday life vs.
miracles, revelation, apocalypse, except for God’s providence and his people’s
faithfulness
-Boaz as a
Christ-figure
-MH's
"At a vast expense, he redeemed the heavenly inheritance for us, which by
sin was mortgaged and forfeited into the hands of divine justice. Christ
likewise purchased a peculiar people, whom he would espouse/marry to himself,
though strangers and foreigners like Ruth, poor and despised (Rom 5:6-8)...He
ventured the marring of his own inheritance (Phil 2:6-8, incl. Boaz taking the
chance)...He put honor upon Ruth, showed that he was not ashamed of her, her
parentage and her poverty."
-Ruth in
comparison to Esther (other Biblical book with female in title)
-see also:
comparison of Esther to Daniel
-both
stories of faith amidst Israelite unbelief
-Gentile
married to Jew vs. vice versa
-former
used to perpetuate the line of the Messiah; latter used to preserve Israel
-God's
name as very evident vs. MIA
-in
Ruth, 8x God's activity, 3x prayer petitions, 5x blessing requests, 3x misc.
-Ruth goes
from a poor Moabite widow to the lineage of David/Christ (Ps 113:7-9)
-see also:
Tamar, Rahab/Ruth, Bathsheba (Mt 1:3,5a,5b,6)-- all Gentiles (Gal 3:28; Mt 3:9!)
-not
a matter of birthright, but belief (Rom 1:5; Acts 10:34-35)
-faith
of formerly "pagan" Gentiles
-foreshadowed
full inclusion of Gentiles after Christ
-no
different for us... (Is 54:1-5)
-"a
picture of how we come to Christ. We begin with no hope and are rebellious
aliens with no part in the kingdom
of God. Then we risk
everything by putting our faith in Christ. God saves us, forgives us, rebuilds
our lives, and gives us blessings that will last through eternity"
-"...blessings
that will last throughout eternity"; living lives of eternal consequence;
see: obedience in the small things and participating in God's
providence
-without
(Ruth or us) knowing the consequences...
-"Just
as Ruth was unaware of her larger purpose in life, we will not know the full
importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of
eternity. We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind...Because
of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant, even though
she couldn't see all the results."