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RUTH, THE HEATHEN WOMAN
(MBC - Wednesday PM, June 15, 2022)
     
     Everyone needs to have connected and be a part of certain things.  Are you a part or belong to certain group? Every person belongs to a family, to a church, to a country, to a team, to an organization or a club?
Please enumerate the things to which you belong: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
The things that give meaning and purpose to the life of a person, are the things that a person belongs to.
We will know about the problem of belonging in the book study of this book of Ruth.

I - Life changing Decision

Read Ruth 1:1 "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons."       

  • The events recorded in this book take place when? Check the correct answer.
a. (      ) during the days of the kings. Like David and Solomon 
b. (      ) during the days of Joshua   
c. (      ) during the days of Judges     
d. (      ) during the days of Moses     
  • Bethlehem is the town where Elimelech and his family came from. Give the name of the two people born in Bethlehem and would make Bethlehem a very famous town? To know the answer, you can refer to Luke 2:4 and Luke 2:11
Luke 2:4 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”
Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
1.  ___Joseph___
2. ___Christ____
  • Elimelech and his family leave Bethlehem and give the reason why? Put the answer on the blank, Ruth 1:1 “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a _famine__ in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”
  • When the Elimelech and his family leave Bethlehem because of famine, where did Elimelech and his family go, find the answer in Ruth 1:2 “And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of _moab__, and continued there.”
  • Where is the country of Moab located on a Bible map: (Refer to the map at the back of the Bible).

Moab was the district east of what sea? __Dead Sea__ in what is now west-central Jordan, it was bounded by Edom and the land of the Amorites. The length of the territory was about 50 miles and the average width about 30. It is a high tableland, averaging some 3,000 ft. above the level of the Mediterranean and 4,300 ft. above that of the Dead Sea. It is also about a 50 mile journey from Bethlehem.

  • Refer to Ruth 1:4 “And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.” Is Ruth a Jewish woman or Philistine woman like Delilah? __No__ Ruth was a woman of __Moab_ . Ruth was a Gentile and therefore she was a heathen or pagan woman which means she was a person who is unsaved and from a nation which do not worship the true God of heaven, the God of the Bible. The Moabites were closely related to the Israelites, they were of Semitic stock and of kin to the Hebrews, as is indicated by their descent from Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Genesis 19:30-37), and by their language which is practically the same as the Hebrew. The Moabites and Israelites were frequently in conflict, in fact, the Moabites were not welcome in the land of the Jews. Is Moabites were excluded from the congregation of Israel? Find out in Deuteronomy 23:3-6 “An Ammonite or Moabite shall _not      _enter__ into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: 4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. 5 Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee. 6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.”
  • Read Ruth 1:3-5 to know who died in the land of Moab.

Ruth 1:3-5 “And _Elimelech__ Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And __Mahlon___ and  __Chilion__ died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”

  • When her husband and her two sons died, Naomi decided to return to her homeland after the famine was over according to Ruth 1:6-7 “Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might _return_ from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to _return   unto the land of Judah.”
  • Naomi persuades her two daughters in law, Orpha and Ruth to return to their respective families in Ruth 1:8 “And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, __return__ each to her mother's _house__: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.”
  • Decision of the two daughters in law of Naomi:
1. The decision of Orpah in Ruth 1:14-15 “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone _back__ unto her __people__, and unto her __gods__: return thou after thy sister in law.” We see that Orpah decided to return to her people and to her false gods. In other words, Orpah return to the dead religion and foolish worship of idolatry of the Moabites.
2. The decision of Ruth in Ruth 1:16-17 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” Ruth decided not leave her Mother in law Naomi, Ruth wanted to stay like “until death do us part”.
Based from Ruth life-changing decision, would you enumerate some of the things that Ruth decided to change?
1. “thy people __shall be my people__”
2. “thy God __my God__” 

II – Law of Saving the dead Brother’s Name

  • The Book of Ruth will be understood if we understand the law found in 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.”
  • Based from the law mentioned in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, answer the following questions:
Did Ruth’s husband died? __Yes__ (v.5) (See Ruth 1:5)
Did Ruth and her husband have any children? _None__ (v.5) (See Ruth 1:5)
Did the law in Deuteronomy 25 says the brother of the dead husband can marry the woman his sister-in law? Yes_ (v.5)
Did the first-born son of the brother of dead husband and the wife would bear the name of the dead husband?Yes (v.6)
Did the first-born son of the brother of dead husband and the wife would receive the man’s inheritance? _Yes_ (v.6)
Did the brother of the dead husband have to marry the widow sister-in law or could he refuse to marry her?_he could marry or he also could refuse_(v.7-10)
  • Read Ruth 1:11-13 “And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.”
  • Based from Ruth 1:11-13, answer the following questions:
Did Mahlon the dead husband of Ruth have a brother who was still alive and could marry Ruth? _None__ (v.11-12)
Did the close relative of Elimelech, the husband of Naomi could also apply the law of Deuteronomy so the name of Mahlon, which is the dead husband of Ruth would no longer active or existing? _Yes__ (See Ruth 4:10)
Ruth 4:9-10 “And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.”
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III– Leading to find the right partner

  • There was a close relative of Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, who can qualified according to the law specified in the Deuteronomy 25:5-10. What was the name of that close relative of Naomi’s husband? __Boaz____
Ruth 2:1 “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was _Boaz_.”
  • Ruth decided to went out to glean in the fields and she ended up in the field of this wealthy man, the close relative of Ruth’s father-in-law.

Ruth 2:2 “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

  • From the view of many people it may seemed like a lucky, happenstance or it was an accident that Ruth ended up in this particular field, but no, God planned it all and there is no accident when it comes to God, it was in God’s plan that the right woman came to the right field at the right time as we notice of the word “hap” in verse 3, signifies the occurrence, it was God who allows it to happen. It was a perfect time to a perfect place for a perfect partner. It was God who does all things well.

Ruth 2:3 “And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her _hap_  was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”

  • The term “glean” means to gather grain left by the reapers in the field. Listen, in those days, it was usually the poor who would glean and pick up the “left-overs.” Ruth was a poor woman from Moab who are among those allowed to glean or gather grain in that field. We will not understand this particular activity of poor gleaning unless we understand the law back then. (Refer: Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19).

Leviticus 19:9-10 “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 23:22 “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 24:19 “When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.”

  • Notice the welfare system of God in this particular setting. The grain was to be leave by the farmer in the corners of his field and the farmer was not to make a cleanharvest of his field. Why? Because the farmer was to leave ample grain to be gleaned by the poor. See that is how much God cares for the poor. However, the poor had to learn the importance of hard work, the poor still had to go into the field to gather to left-over grain, but the grain was there for the poor to take. That is different from today’s society welfare system, where the reward and free hand-outs were often given to those lazy people who are unwilling to work. Rewards should not be given freely to those irresponsible people. II Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The Bible is so clear that those who are unwilling to work should not eat.  
  • Notice how Boaz showed Ruth great kindness (Ruth 2:8-9).

 Ruth 2:8-9 “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.”

  • Ruth responded to with wonderment to that kindness shewn to her by Boaz. What is that thing that Ruth found in the eyes of Boaz?

Ruth 2:10 “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found __grace__ in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?”

Ruth wondered why she found grace in the eyes of Boaz, since was nothing but a foreigner as a Moabite woman who does not really belong. It seems she was asking "Why have I found grace in your eyes? I’m nothing but a foreigner. I’m a Moabite woman who doesn’t belong, how can you be so good to me?" Remember, Ruth came to this land of the Jews looking for GRACE and for the GOD OF GRACE and she found what she was looking for. Ruth found that grace.

  • All the good deeds that Ruth did for her mother-in-law Naomi was heard by Boaz. (Ruth 2:11)

Ruth 2:11 “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.”

  • We learned from Chapter 1, that Naomi was old and her husband Elimelech died and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion also died when they are still in the land of Moab, and one of her sister-in-law Orpha went back to her mother’s house, and remain to her own people of Moab, and gone back to her false gods of Moabites. But, Ruth was willing to do all she could for mother-in-law, Naomi.
  • Not only Boaz heard what Ruth did to Naomi her mother-in-law but Boaz also realized that it cost something for Ruth to come to the land of the Jews.
  • Read again Ruth 2:11, and give some of the things which Ruth had to leave:
Ruth 2:11 “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.”
1.  __father and mother__
2. __land of nativity____
  • Now, we need to learn a lesson in our life, that in order to belong to somethings that is very important and very good, it is often necessary to leave something else. That is the way Ruth had to do. Ruth had to leave everything that belong to her old life in order to gain everything belonging to her new life. She leaves everything in Moab and came to Jewish land to gain everything for her new life in God.
  • In the New Testament, how much Peter left to follow Jesus? (Matthew 10:28).   Peter once said to Jesus, Matthew 10:28 "We have left _all_ and have followed thee".
  • Innumerate some of the things which Peter left (Mark 1:16-20)
Mark 1:16-20 “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.”
1. __forsook their nets__
2. __left their father____
  • Peter left many things but he also gained many things.
  • How about in this life, Did Peter gain anything now? Name those things?
Mark 10:29-30 “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
1. __houses__
2. __Brethren__
3. __sisters___
4. __mothers__
5. __children__
6. __lands___
  • How about in the next life to come, did Peter gain anything then? Please identify what is it?
Mark 10:30 “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
1. __eternal life___
  • Let us lean in the case of Moses. What are some things that Moses left?

Hebrews 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

Hebreo 11:24-27 “Sa pananampalataya, nang nasa hustong gulang na si Moises ay tumangging siya'y tawaging anak ng anak na babae ni Faraon, 25 na pinili pa ang mapasama sa kaapihan ng bayan ng Diyos, kaysa magkaroon ng pansamantalang kasiyahan ng kasalanan. 26 Kanyang itinuring na malaking kayamanan ang magdusa alang-alang kay Cristo, kaysa sa mga kayamanan ng Ehipto, sapagkat kanyang pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang gantimpala. 27 Sa pananampalataya ay iniwan niya ang Ehipto, at hindi natakot sa poot ng hari, sapagkat siya ay matiyagang nagpatuloy na tulad sa nakakakita sa kanya na hindi nakikita.” FILIPINO VERSION
1.  __pleasures of sin__
2.  __treasuews in Egypt__
  • Look carefully the text given in Hebrews 11:24-27, then give your answer, did Moses’ gain anything? _____
  • Go back to our study in this chapter 2, we see that Ruth left much that part of her old life in Moab and she gained something very precious and very wonderful. Boaz understood this. Boaz knew well that God could give Ruth what was far better than everything that Ruth left in her old life. Ruth had made the decision the best she could make and that is to trust in the God of Israel.  She had decided take refuge under God’s protective wings (Ruth 2:12). That is the way we ought to be, to trust everything in God’s protective hand. God knows and plans for our best.
Ruth 2:12 "the LORD God of Israel, under whose _wings_ thou art come to _trust__."
Psalm 91:4 “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
  • Like a hen that gathers her young chicks under her wings so she can protect them from any harm, likewise God protects those who come to Him to be as their refuge. Is everyone want to be under God’s protective wings? Know the answer and complete the verse (Matthew 23:37).

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and _ye_ _would_  _not_!”

  • However, Ruth wanted to belong to the living God and Ruth trusted the God of Israel, she believed in the Only One True Living God, in spite she came from her old belief of the false paged gods of Moabites. The True and Living God of Israel is always ready to receive those who will put their trust in Him. Ruth become a believer of God.
  • Now, Boaz continued to show cares and kindness to Ruth.
Ruth 2:14-17 “And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. 15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.”
  • The widow mother-in-law of Ruth, Naomi was very pleased with the success that Ruth enjoyed in her new found life. God leads Ruth to find the perfect partner, in perfect time according to God’s perfect plan. Who is Boaz? Please give the reason why Boaz is a man that Ruth found grace. Give the answer to know who is this man Boaz? (Ruth 2:18-20).
Ruth 2:18-20 “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. 20 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_.”
Do you believe that Boaz could be the right man for Ruth? ________                                                        
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IV– Longing for Kinsman Redeemer

  • Another way of saying that Noemi wanted to seek to work out a marriage for Ruth is the way that Noemi wanted to seek for Ruth for what? The answer is according to Ruth 3:1 “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?” In other words, Noemi was hoping that Boaz would be willing to be the Kinsman-Redeemer, because Boaz is the relative of Mahlon who is the first husband of Ruth and a relative of Elimelech the husband of Noaimi and father-in-law of Ruth, so Boaz is the one who would fulfill the law found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
  • Ruth did something to Boaz that for us might be very peculiar. While Boaz was lying in a certain place and Ruth quietly went to that place, she removed the cover from Boaz feet and then Ruth lay down. Refer to Ruth 3:4-7“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. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came _softly__, and _uncovered__ his feet, and __laid__ her down. For most of us it seems a foolish act, but Boaz knew what the lying of Ruth signifies. Instead of kicking her out from that place where he laid, what Boaz did is that he placed a corner of his garment over Ruth as a sign that Boaz would seek to marry her. What this scene all about? Ruth was inviting Boaz to be a Kinsman-Redeemer (Read and know what it meant in Ruth 3:9 “And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine __handmaid__: spread therefore thy __skirt__ over thine handmaid; for thou art a _near__    __kinsman__.”
  • Now, you could know the response of Boaz if he accepted that Ruth invitation as recorded in Ruth 3:10-13 "And he said, Blessed be thou be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more _kindness_ in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou _followedst_ not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will _do_ to thee all that thou _requirest_: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a _virtuous_ woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy _near_ kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will _I__ do the part of a kinsman to _thee__, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.”
  • From the time that Ruth left Moab and arrived in Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi, after her husband Mahlon died and her father-in-law Elimelech died, Ruth had an excellent or very good testimony among the people in Bethlehem. Now based in verse 11, would you describe what kind of woman is Ruth? Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a _virtuous__ woman.” To find the word “virtuous” and what it meant, please look Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Since Boaz called her a virtuous woman, therefore, Ruth was a strong in virtue and goodness and rightness. According to what Boaz said, the love and goodness of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi was witnessed by all people in Jerusalem, again in Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for _all__ the city of my _people__ doth _know__ that thou art a virtuous woman.” Was the whole city of Jerusalem was impressed by the testimony of this Moabite’s woman? ___________. How about you, what can the whole people that surround you can say about your testimony?
  • Boaz did not want to do anything that is proven wrong because he himself was also a virtuous man. Very possibly that if people will know the presence of Ruth at the threshing floor, people might not understand about this and Boaz wanted Ruth to get away before this was known by everybody, read and complete Ruth 3:14 “And she lay at his _feet__ until the _morning_: and she rose up _before__ one could _know__ another. And he said, Let it _not_ be known that a woman _came_ into the floor.” We must conclude that Boaz did no wrong the whole night and Boaz did not even want anyone to think and condemned him that he had done wrong. Read I Thessalonians 5:22 and answer the word missing to know what the God commanded every Believers in I Thessalonians 5:22 “_Abstain__ from all _appearance_ of evil.” It is clear that Believers are to abstain from evil and also to abstain from all which means to get away or avoid every kind of evil.
  • Now, notice that although Boaz wanted and willing to marry Ruth, but there was one problem, Boaz needs to consider. Boaz knew that there was one man who was even a closer relative to Mahlon who is the first husband of Ruth. And if the law of Deuteronomy 25:5-10 need to be followed, this man more closer relative to the dead husband of Ruth that Boaz is talking about should get first choice, to learn this, Read Ruth 3:12-13 “And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit _there_is a kinsman _nearer_ than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will _perform_ unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; _let_ him do the kinsman's part: but if he will _not_ do the _part_ of a kinsman to thee, then will _I_ do the part of a kinsman to _thee_, as the _Lord_ liveth: lie down until the morning.”
  • This problem was worked out and will show us how in the last chapter of this book.

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V– Lord’s rich blessing upon Ruth

     Boaz have important transaction in the city gate with the kinsman whom Boaz had mentioned (Ruth 4:1 "Then went Booz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down down, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down."). In that city, is the place where Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city to sat down and be witnesses of the said important transaction (Ruth 4:2 “And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down”).
     The kinsman whom sat down with Boaz and had transacted, who was a closer relative than Boaz was given an opportunity to redeem the land and marry Ruth (Ruth 4:3-6 “And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: 4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. 5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.  6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it." In spite of the opportunity to redeem the land owned by their relative Elimelech and chance to marry Ruth, the replied decision of the man who was a closer relative is very interesting in Ruth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem.” This reminds us of what the law cannot do: The law cannot redeem a person. The law cannot bend and cannot compromise. This also reminds what the law can do: The law can only put a man under a curse (Galatians 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”) But only Jesus Christ can redeem a sinful man (Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”). The law could only keep Ruth out or could not enter into the congregation of the Lord forever (Deuteronomy 23:3 “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:” Likewise, the law can only keep out sinners of heaven. The law serves as a mirror that can tell the sinner how sinful he is in Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin”, but the law cannot set a person free from sin. The law pictured like a mirror, and what a mirror can only do is to show a person how dirty his face is, but a mirror cannot help the person clean his face (Romans 8:3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” This verse shows us that what could not do, God could to by sending His own Son who manifests in the flesh and crucified for man’s sin as a substitute.
     The kinsman who is a closer relative than Boaz refused the opportunity to marry Ruth, therefore, Boaz who was the next close relative to Elimelech was then free to marry Ruth (Ruth 4:9-13 “And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. 11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: 12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judath, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.”). For God to fulfill the earnest prayer which Boaz had prayed, he was used by God in a very special way (Ruth 4:12 “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.”). Ruth was blessed and rewarded by the Lord in a very meaningful and significant way.
     We see the Lord’s rich blessing was upon Ruth as we come to the end of chapter 4. What was the name of Ruth’s first son? __Obed_ (Ruth 4:17 “And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”). What was Ruth relations to king David? __great-grandmother_ . Ruth a Moabite woman marries a relative of the Bethlehem family, Boaz, and their son Obed become David’s grandfather. In other words, Ruth the Moabites is the great-grandmother of king David which automatically makes Ruth a direct ancestor of Christ. Ruth became a part of the great Messianic lineage because out of Ruth would eventually come the Lord Jesus Christ, so Ruth was the mother of the Messiah. What verse in Matthew chapter 1 can you find the name of Ruth in the great genealogy of the King, the Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ _verse 5_ .  
     Matthew 1:1,5-6 “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;”
     Ruth gain everything after she left everything as a pagan in Moab. Ruth belonged to a lot of things: Ruth belonged to a virtuous man Boaz, Ruth belonged to a great nation Israel, Ruth belonged to the royal line of King David, and most of all Ruth belonged to the One, True Living God – the Lord Jesus Christ. 

VI– Life's problem of belonging before a person is saved

     Imagine if Ruth did not left her paganism life in Moab. If Ruth was not redeemed from his old state of life, there is no way she will belong to a lot of blessings that she gain. She will not belong to a virtous man Boaz, she will not belong to a great nation Israel, she will not belong to the royal line, and most of all Ruth will not belong to the only One, True God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, likewise, imagine what life we will have if we are not redeemed by the precious blood of Christ from our sinful condition of our lives.  If we are not redeemed by the blood of Christ: we are of our father the devil not of God, we follow the course of this world lead by Satan the prince of the power of the air, we are called the children of disobedience or children of wrath  not sons of God, we are of the world for we are not translated to the kingdom of Christ, we are no hope, without God, without Christ, far from God, but thank God, He sent His dear Son to redeem us by His blood to bring us to God. Amen!
     In various passages of John 8:44; Ephesians 2:1-3; I John 3:8, 12, find out to whom and to what does a person belong before he is saved? Please complete the verses to give us the answer who are we and to what does a person belong before he become a Christian.     
     John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the _devil_, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
     Ephesians 2:1-3 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this _world_, according to the _prince_  _of_  _the_  _power_  _of__  _the_  _air_, the spirit that now worketh in the  _children     _of   _disobedience_ : 3 Among  whom also we all had our conversation in _times__  _past__ in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the _children__  _of_  _wratch_, even as others.”
     I John 3:8, 12 “He that committeth sin is _of__  _the__  _devil__; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”
     In various passages of John 17:14, 16; I John 3:1; Colossians 1:13, find out who do they belong to when a person is saved? Then Please complete the verses to give us the answer who are we and to what does a person belong after he come a Christian. 
     John 17:14, 16 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are _not__ _of__   _the__ _world_, even as I am not of the world. 16 They are _not__  _of_   _the__   _world__ , even as I am not of the world.”
     I John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the _sons__  _of__  _God__: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
     Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us _into__  _the__  _kingdom__  _of__  _his__  _dear__ _Son_ .
     We have a very much the same condition like of Ruth. The Bible says, we are separated from God spiritually (Ephesians 2:11-12 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past _Gentiles__ in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were _without__  _Christ__, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having _no__  _hope__, and _without__  _God__ in the world:”). For more further knowledge of our past condition before we got saved Read Ephesians 2:13 and complete the verse.
     Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made _nigh__ by the _blood__ of Christ.”
     Peter writes why Christ died and suffered for our sins, who were once very far away from God, please complete what he said in I Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to _God_,”.

VII – Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Redeemer

     Anyone who read the book of Ruth will be reminded of the Great Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we thought of Ruth we are reminded of the life of the believer.
     Truths that reminded us the connection of the Kinsman – Redeemer and the Great Redeemer:
     1. The Kinsman – Redeemer must be a blood relative based to their law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
     To redeem sinful men according to Hebrews 2:14, what did Christ partake?
Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of _flesh_ and _blood_, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
     To become a man according to Hebrews 2:17, to whom was Christ made to be like into?
Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his _brethren__, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
     Hence, Jesus Christ became our near relative because He partakes of flesh and blood and became a man to redeem us sinful men.
     2. The Kinsman – Redeemer must have enough money to be able to buy the land. (Ruth 2:1)
     Jesus Christ was able to pay the price of the redemption of our souls (I Corinthians 6:20)
I Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are _bought__ with a _price__: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Jesus Christ paid the price of redemption by His own blood when He laid down His life for us (I Peter 1:18-19).
I Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious _blood__ of _Christ_, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
     Hence, God owned the believers for two reasons: By creation (God made us) and by Redemption (God bought us by the blood of His Son).
     3. The Kinsman – Redeemer must be willing to redeem (Ruth 4:9-13).
     Jesus Christ was willing to do the will of God to redeem us from all our sins.
Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but _thine__ be done.”
Hebrews 10:7 “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy _will__, O God.”
     4. The Kinsman – Redeemer should have a love for the one he is to marry. (Boaz love Ruth – Ruth 4:13)
     God loves sinners, He sending His Son to the world, that whosever believe may have eternal life (John 3:16)
     God loves and desires all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth – I Timothy 2:3-4
I Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have (desires) all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
     God great love to us was evident when Christ lay down His life for us – John 15:13; I Timothy 2:6
John 15:13 “Greater _love__ hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
I Timothy 2:6 “Who gave himself a ransom for all,”
     God commendeth His love toward us, Christ died for all sinners – Romans 5:8
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his _love__ toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
     5. The Kinsman – Redeemer must be willing to marry. (Boaz was willing to marry Ruth - Ruth 4:4).
Every believer is married to Christ – Romans 7:4; II Corinthians 11:2
Romans 7:4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be _married__ to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
II Corinthians 11:2 “for I have _espoused__ you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to _Christ__.”
Conclusion: Every believer can show by our walk and say by God’s Word that the grace of God redeemed him and now accepted and owned by God. (Colossians 1:12-14; Ephesians 2:8-10; Psalm 107:2).   
Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”

Let us proclaim that we are redeemed people and forgiven by God through the precious blood of our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!