All Rights Reserved. Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David and the daughter-in-law of Naomi. God will not necessarily stand in your way. Whether youre dating or married, your man is flesh and bones. But it was Ruths love for Naomi that made her willing to leave her country to return to Israel. We can learn a lot from the relationship of Ruth and Naomi, and loyalty is among the lessons. One of the most important Naomi and Ruth relationship principles is to trust God. . This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. This tells us that Boaz had a good relationship with his employees. Copyright Feel The Words 2023. Even though Naomi knew that a new marriage for Ruth would change their relationship, she still played an important part in arranging the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. If we were to explore them all, this post would never end. Bible Study: Book of Ruth Chapter 4. The Hebrew word Boaz used to describe Ruth means some one of moral strength, sound integrity and courage. 33 Short Bible Verses About . Although Boaz was in love with Ruth, he never pushed or pressured her to commit to him. Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. There was another kinsman who had more right than Boaz to claim Ruth. Everyone loves in a different way and has a unique relationship that cannot be replicated or reproduced. The characteristics of Ruth in the Bible also include her being a hard worker, and someone who takes care of those around her. Note that he addressed her as daughter. She was so thankful, especially considering her status of widow which made her automatically become a part of the lowest class in society, right there with beggars, orphans and people with disabilities. For Ruth and Naomi, they needed sovereignty and in essence a fresh start. Ruths faith was rewarded with a wonderful husband. The indescribable passion and struggles that accompany love is displayed in the Book of Ruth and these actions personify our own struggles that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis. Examining the second chapter of Ruth. But there is a lesson in the book of Ruth. In that instant, she decided, Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.. Sometimes were afraid that sharing our questions and doubts and disappointments will turn other people away from God, when actually, sharing about our relationship with God openly can bring more intimacy to our relationships and help draw other people to their own faith. Ruth could have waited on the benevolence of stranger to come to her door but she did not. Ruth laid aside her pain, left her home and family, and turned her face to the future with hope as she journeyed to a new place with her mother-in-law. We know that the other kinsman did not want to marry Ruth because he didnt want to divide his inheritance even further among his existing children. The Book of Ruth provides five lessons on what it's like to be a true leader. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They were both young women who had both lost their husbands. Boaz invited Ruth to eat with his employees. She was free to go back to her gods and free to search for a new husband to take care of her. This is an important truth for us today. Ruth was a Moabite and a widow. He also added that she stood out in the community for this quality. In case you have been frustrated and despondent with finding your Boaz, know that God is interested in giving you the companionship you desire. Boaz was considerably older than Ruth. Remember to thank and recognize your partner each day. Even though Ruth wasnt a Jew and was a Moabite, God didnt allow those titles to change His love for Ruth. I will not talk much about Naomi here as I have dedicated an entire post to her. Whether youre going through a break-up or divorce, there is a reason for all of the pain. But there is a question for you to ponder: Are you the kind of woman who Boaz would be drawn to? But what you do see is an ordinary and challenging life shaped by faith and guided by the God she believes in, and today we can look back and see the mighty way her life was used. Ruth had a whole lot to learn. At the beginning of the Book of Ruth, we meet Ruth, who is a Moabitess. It takes great courage to leave everything you know and love to start a whole new life. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. The book of Ruth found in the Old Testament is one of the few Bible . She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. Its four chapters . There is Always Hope. Ruth's and Naomi's journey from heartbreak to hope offers an Old Testament glimpse into God's redemptive power as He transforms a bitter widow and a former idolater into a family legacy . Naomi became a mentor to her, teaching her the ways of the Hebrew people and walking with her through the process of securing Boaz as her kinsman (more on this later). In fact, Ruth's sister-in-law, Orpah, chose to leave: When we are going through some of our toughest struggles, he often brings us to the mindbarthis is where he gives us strength. Despite the pain, Naomi chooses to stand by her daughter-in-laws side and continue their relationship. Love is organic and the Book of Ruth is just one of the best examples to portray these ideal. Ruths diligence was being observed without her knowing it. Through Naomi and Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, were able to see the heavenly presence that takes place because of love. He owned land and servants. Love is a very interesting concept. Ruth 1-4 | Lessons 1-12: Getting to Know God Through Old Testament Stories and Genealogies. She said the well-known words, "Whither thou goest, I will go" ( Ruth 1:16 KJV ). Rahab, the prostitute who escaped Jericho was Boazs mother. I hear people say, Gods got Made with by India A place where world feel the words. Even though it may not make complete sense during the time its taking place, its important to recognize how God has and continues to change your life on a daily basis with His actions. . Be clear about what you want for and in your relationship. But, according to the practices of the time, Boaz was free to take another wife, especially since he was a kinsman. It doesnt matter if youre a male or female, God cares about everyone the same. 5) God has a Redeemer in place who can rescue us from the devastation of our own sin. a. This is an outstanding characteristic of Ruth in the Bible because this world has become so full of ungrateful people who are never satisfied and complain about everything. With love does come heartache this can is seen through break-ups, divorce, or even death. Looking at the bigger picture of the Book of Ruth its evident now to see how the famine, Naomis relocation to Moab, the return to Bethlehem, Boazs blood line, and several other events had a hand in the overall plan for Ruths life. Boaz was always ensuring Ruth had food. Boaz meant that she was a valiant woman of great moral integrity. When John the Baptist was born, Zacharias was speaking in the future about the work of Christ, announcing: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. (Luke 1:68). The Book of Ruth provides many relationship lessons that perpetuate the meaning of true love. The first lesson from the Book of Ruth is that there is always hope. Well, there is a lot to be said about her. When life brings trouble on us it is not easy to still hope on God for better days but this is exactly what God wants us to do. After moving to Moab with her husband and sons, she loses her husband and becomes a widow. Anyone who looked at this foreign widow would have never guessed that God would choose her bloodline for the line of the promised redeemer Jesus. One day you will find your true love and all of the obstacles that you had to overcome will provide you with the strength for that love to withstand the test of time. After they had lived there about . Boaz knew that he had every right to be Ruths kinsman, so he could have demanded her hand in marriage whether Ruth wanted to or not. 1. Ruth abandoned his family and journey with Naomi back home . Ruth was willing to go harvest in the fields daily. And thats why when youre dating you should probably spend lots of time outdoors or around other people. Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth decided to move back to Bethlehem in Judah because they were heartbroken and lost. The Midrash points out that Ruth would only go to the fields with the permission of her mother-in-law. Just ensure that like Ruth, you are showing up in faith and doing your work with excellence. Woven throughout, God's lovingkindness shines in each detail. Love is a very interesting concept. i. Naomi already felt that God had dealt very bitterly with her, yet she continued to hope. Its a popular saying: Im waiting for my Boaz. She moved to a foreign land where she knew no one but her mother-in-law. After moving to Moab with her husband and sons, she loses her husband and becomes a widow. Sermon by Mr. Ken Frank (dve882). 3: Ruth appeals to Boaz to be the kinsman-redeemer. Kenneth Way September 26, 2016. In the book of Job, Job declares, I know that my Redeemer [goel] lives. While Boaz was a kinsman redeemer, when Jesus comes to earth as a man, he becomes our kinsman redeemer in the flesh, and Hebrews 2:11 it says that he is not ashamed to call them brethren.. No matter what, work with excellence, even if the work is boring and you hate it. Sell, buy or rent Meditating in God's Word Judges and Ruth Bible Study Series | Book 1 of 1 | Judg 9781953930200 1953930204, we buy used or new for best buyback price with FREE shipping and offer great deals for buyers. The Book of Ruth is a fantastic example that exemplifies the rollercoaster ride that love can take us on. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. God is always in the business of rewarding the faithful. She pictured responsible living - 1:9-10, 14. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. Then she had to do the work to make it into barley flour. Naomi loved Ruth, but she was willing to let her go back to her family. Chances are that he thought he would have had time to go back. She is known for her faithfulness, loyalty, virtue, and love. Just look at the five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. But tragedy struck the family. Required fields are marked *. It seems that Naomi's entire life crumbles in those years. The story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz ( Ruth 1-4) is one of the most moving accounts in the Bible. Boaz described Ruth as a woman of noble character. 1. Naomi, later on, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. It seems that Naomis entire life crumbles in those years. Lesson 1: Sometimes, the right choice requires immense sacrifice. Because thieves were commonly known to break in and steal grain, Boaz slept at the threshing floor to protect his property and his produce. The story is a mirror opposite of Israel's depressing journey from triumph to tragedy that is presented in the book of Judges. Listen To The Advice of The Wise. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Related: How to Choose Faith . When the meeting was done, Boaz publicly declared and celebrated his relationship with Ruth. The truth is that this other kinsman should have already come forward to claim Ruth and help to get settled. At that stage of his life some things were of little consequence to him. Id say yes but they were definitely not in her control. Boaz was attracted to Ruths character. They struggled with poverty. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 . No matter what devastating situation comes into play, love will conquer all because it is ultimately what brings people together. Ruth had no family in Bethlehem so Boaz did not have the opportunity to know about her through their eyes. No matter what, they see it all and because they are there each day its easy to get lost in that safety net. Their choices do not mean that one is better than the other. When you least expect it God provides His children with the things they need in life. Others, like Naomi, remain in the relationship out of necessity instead of loving devotion. People can be great pretenders. We often feel like we need to keep our questions and thoughts about God to ourselves within a relationship. He died leaving his wife and sons among ungodly people. Stressful. The story of Ruth is set during the time of the judges. But he didnt do that. When he tells them to allow more stalks to fall for Ruth to pick up, they do it. She took action. Lesson 2 - Obedience Brings About Breakthrough. So he put plans in place to ensure no harm would come to her. She was allowed to take from the gathered ones also. Instead couples should have equal say on what happens within a relationship and each voice should hold the same value. Inside the Core this week, many students are reading the book of Ruth in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. But thats not what she did. Ruth 3:10. Men and Women should respect each other equally. As a widow myself, Im drawn to the story of Ruth again and again. And she took on a religion that she knew very little about just like Abraham. God had every intention of Ruth being part of the story for the lineage of Jesus. He wanted to make sure she was ok. Look for a giving, unselfish man. The same things that turn on a worldly man are the same things which will excite your man of God. Dear Lord, He was a wealthy landowner and he earned his keep with his own sweat. However, if we look forward and allow our compassion for one another fuel our outlook then we will see how love can flourish. There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. Its easy to judge others and caste your own beliefs and judgment upon the way theyre living their life; however its important to be able to see both sides of the fence. The book of Ruth begins by looking at the life of Naomi. The saying that there is a light at the end of the tunnel is very true. . ( Ruth 2:2). 6 Relationship lessons from the book of Ruth . And guess what, Ruth was consistent. Also, there was a considerable age difference between them. Communication is one of the hardest things for human beings to accomplish. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. God bless you. The book of Ruth is packed with so many lessons about, life, love and faithfulness. It's loaded with life lessons; it teaches you about the importance of being at the right place, being ready for change, hope, determination, wisdom, generousity, strategy, kindness, favour, being at your best, the list is endless. Like Abraham, Ruth left her life of false worship, a life surrounded by a predictable routine and people she knew. "I would like to go to the fields ". So Boaz had to be out there in the rain and sunshine with his workers. Everyone lives their lives the way it best suits them therefore, others shouldnt judge love. Answer. This would mean marrying the widow of the deceased and making children. Your past is not your final destination when you make a choice in faith. But even when her sister-in-law chose to go back, Ruth made a different decision. Naomi planned to return to Israel and encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab and return to her mother's family. Can the same be said of you? His father was Salmon, an Israelite prince. What you are looking for is consistency. Lesson 4 - Remaining Humble While Being Favored. However, Naomi stayed committed to her daughter-in-law and wanted her to follow the God of Israel. Now the way was clear for him to marry Ruth. Thats not to say he didnt already have a wife though. These blessings point out how God works in the . Elimelech of Bethlehem departs the country for Moab, taking his wife Naomi and their two sons along. Naomi therefore had no idea that the hardships she was preparing to endure did not have to be her reality. And yet it was that sharing and intimacy that was the foundation of the deep relationship these two women shared. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. In the Book of Ruth, both Naomi and Ruth are continuously blown away by others who thank and recognize them for what they did rather than what they may have done incorrectly. The choice is always yours. As you read through the book of Ruth, you wont find any places where Gods voice thunders down to her as you might in other Bible stories. The world is not kind to widows today, and being a widow was even more difficult back then. . There is no bitterness or hostility that shadows over their relationship. You see, we are all desolate as a result of our sinful natures. Soon, Naomi becomes aware that Boaz has a thing for Ruth. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible is one of the most romantic in Scripture. Because of the famine in Bethlehem he decided to move his family to Moab. When you least expect it God provides His children with the things they need in life. Mahlon was married to Ruth while Chillion was married to Orpah. Naomi even extends thanks and recognition to Ruth for providing her with a beautiful blessing. We all must understand the importance of being thankful and recognizing others that make a difference within our life especially within our relationships. You will be surprised at how much growth will take place in your life and how much less the struggle to your next level will be. When the timing is right, the outcome of the conversation is likely to be more favorable. There are really so many lessons we could draw from this epic true love story. The past is the past. While there are many things to learn from the story of Ruth, here are seven powerful lessons from this tiny book that stood out to me. Ruths story is one that exemplifies the reality that so many of us are thrown at every day death, love, heartache, falling into love and even compassion for others that share love. But life was actually worst. All rights reserved. Quite often foreigners are not treated well, not even today. Thank you xo much for all the lessons you have scooped out for us from the story of Ruth. Thanks for sharing some of it. Do they stay in the land of their birth where the God of heaven wasnt worshipped? Both women had the very same struggles and the same decision to make. Lesson #4 - Sharing Openly About Our Relationship with God Brings Intimacy to Relationships The story of Naomi and Ruth are woven together closely that their stories are nearly inseparable. It was later in the story that any signs of romantic love were expressed. . Naomi told her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find new husbands. And when you think of how friendship was all Ruth and Naomi had during a time of serious grief and . The book of Ruth does not always get the respect it deserves. Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse. 1. Talent vs. Faithfulness: What is God Looking For? The book of Ruth presents the inspiring journey of God's people from tragedy to triumph. So well only look at a few. One of the major lessons we can deduce from the book of Ruth and Ruth's story is that choosing to serve God requires faith and determination even in uncertain times. Boaz was one such person but there was another who came before Boaz. The book of Ruth offers an entirely different perspective on this often maligned relationship. Despite the pain, Naomi chooses to stand by her daughter-in-laws side and continue their relationship. No enemy does all this: Israelites do it to each other. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The reality that Ruth experiences is relatable to couples in love today. There was a law that provided this opportunity. Blessings occur seven times in the book of Ruth, from Naomi blessing both her daughters-in-law (1:8) and Boaz (2:19-20), to Boaz's casual blessing of his workers (2:4) and deeper blessing of Ruth (3:10), and climactically to the women blessing the Lord for the birth of the child (4:14). In fact, when she returns to Bethlehem, she tells everyone: Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. Who only wants to go out at night even when there are opportunities to go out during the day. As we see in Ruth 1:16, Ruth chose that she will serve the God of Naomi even to the point of death as she had fully resolved and purposed in her heart. She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. They confess their undying devotion and love for each other and in a fairytale theyd live happily ever after. He was wealthy. Boaz rescued Ruth from the brink of poverty and enslavement like Jesus did for us. When Ruth and Naomi got back to Bethlehem, they had to fend for themselves as they were both widows. She had married the son of an Israelite family while they were living in Moab, but at some point her father-in-law, her husband, and her husband's only brother died. 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