Day 97, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ruth; 1Chronicles 2:3-16
A Light in the Darkness
The need for hope
Two destitute grieving women (a mother and her daughter-in-law) leave their place of residence hoping for a better life. Will God be gracious to them this time? Can they find food and help? The Book of Ruth is a story of love and redemption, a light of hope in the dark days of the Judges.
At the time of this drama, a famine plagues Israel (Ruth 1:1-7). Judah, with its desert wilderness, languishes. Elimelech, a prominent Israelite, moves his family away from Judah to Moab; perhaps there he'll find better business opportunities. This is a faithless act, for Moab is enemy territory.
While his family is in Moab, his sons marry Moabite women, which violates God's law. When Elimelech and his sons die, Naomi (his Jewish wife), and her two daughters-in-law soon become destitute. But, when Naomi hears God has provided food for Israel, she returns.
Orpah and Ruth, Naomi's two daughters-in-law, begin the journey with her. However, Naomi thinks it's best if they return to their own country and re-marry. Orpah departs, but Ruth insists on staying. Ruth is a Moabite, but she shows love for her mother-in-law by leaving her country, her people, and her gods to be with Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17, 20-21).Her experience is a picture of salvation—it means we leave our gods of things, money, and our sinful lifestyle and turn to the true God for a new life. Naomi's God becomes Ruth's, and the Israelites become her people.
Naomi returns to her people with Ruth, but she is bitter about her situation, having lost a husband and two sons. We can sympathize with her. However, in the grace of God, she gained two loving daughters, one of which refuses to leave her. The LORD is gracious, even during dark and difficult times.
God provides
Ruth seeks to provide for her mother-in-law. She's industrious and has an outstanding reputation for her kindness and loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 2: 2-3,11-12). How do we behave with our in-laws?
In the biblical account of Ruth, it's harvest season. The place Ruth gleans “just happens” to belong to Boaz. He's a near relative and a rich landowner. Boaz is kind to Ruth, although she is a foreigner. He protects her from being molested and provides for her.
When Naomi discovers it's Boaz who has been kind to Ruth, she praises God because Boaz is a near relative and can buy them back as a redeemer. What is a kinsman-redeemer? According to Leviticus 25:23-28if an Israelite is poor and wants to sell his property, the nearest relative may buy it and everything associated with it. In this way, the family name, clan, and tribal stewardship of the property will continue. All the land belongs to the LORD, but the Israelites are stewards of it. The nearest relative who purchases the property and its possessions, he is the kinsman-redeemer.
Naomi recognizes the advantage of Boaz being a near relative. Perhaps he could marry Ruth, buy their land, and provide for their needs. This man is a devout and well-respected, wealthy landowner. It's obvious he cares for Ruth; he's so kind to her and Naomi. Naomi instructs Ruth to
Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do. (Ruth 3:3-4, NIV)
In the middle of the night, something startles the man, and he turns and discoveres a woman lying at his feet.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:8-9, NIV)
Ruth is asking Boaz to spread his garment of protection over her; she's asking Boaz to fulfill his role as a kinsman redeemer and marry her. Boaz is eager to do it! One man is a closer redeemer than he, however, but if he doesn't take the opportunity, Boaz will step into his place.
We might question the wisdom of Ruth sleeping in the same place as Boaz at night. However, there was probably no sexual relationship between the two because they were both people of high integrity. He spread part of his garment over her feet, and she stayed for a time. She left in the wee hours of the morning so she could protect his reputation and hers. He provides her with more grain and sends her home.
The next day, Boaz meets with the town council at the gate of the city. He meets there with the nearest relation and offers him the opportunity, but when he discovers he will have to marry Ruth as part of the deal, he refuses it. He takes off his sandal and hands it to Boaz.
Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel. (Ruth 4:7, NIV)
“The passing of the sandal symbolized Boaz's right to walk on the land as his property." Boaz takes the offered sandal and becomes the kinsman-redeemer. He marries Ruth, and she becomes the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17). She is also an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
Like Ruth the Moabitess, we may be foreigners to the God of Israel. Here is the news: If we turn from our life of sin to God for salvation, we can receive his mercy and grace (more). Jesus Christ is our kinsman-redeemer. He became one of us in the flesh, i.e., he became human (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-7). He paid the redemption price for our sin, not with money, but by the shedding of his blood on the cross of Calvary. The Apostle Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV).Christians, knowing we have a kinsman-redeemer and we are now part of God's family with a new inheritance, how are we living? Are we eager to do what is right? Are we reflecting Jesus, the light of the world, in the darkness of our culture? (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16). Are we merciful and gracious to the poor, widowed, and orphaned?
Watch a video of the story of Ruth
Focus Verses
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Discussion
What lessons might we learn about Elimelech taking his family away from Israel during the famine?
How is God’s grace shown in the story of Ruth?
The story of Ruth can inspire husbands and wives. In what ways is this true?
What lessons can we learn from the book of Ruth and especially about our Kinsman Redeemer?
End Note: insights from The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.427
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Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Like a light bulb needs to be removed and replaced so there will be light again, sometimes this is necessary with leadership. Find out more in our next lesson.
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