89 - Ruth & Boaz

The Summer (Ruth and Boaz)
Nicolas Poussin 1660

Kathleen's thoughts
Ruth 2,3,4
Judges 4

The story of Ruth is such a lovely story of how she supports her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law speaks over her.

Ruth goes to gather the fallen grain in Boaz's fields and he notices her and has compassion and tells his workers to leave the the extra grain on the ground for her to pick up and he gives commands to the workers to protect her as well as tells Ruth to only pick from his harvest. Boaz also invites her to eat lunch with the workers and himself.

Naomi asks Ruth where she is gathering her grain and when Naomi finds out she tells Ruth he is a family member of her husband now known as a redeemer.

Naomi gives instructions to Ruth to put her best clothes and perfume on as the evening will be a winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Naomi says to Ruth "When he lies down, notice the place where he's lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do"

Ruth obeys her mother-in-law by doing exactly what she was told to do. Boaz woke to find Ruth lying at his feet asking who she was . "I am Ruth your slave,' "Spread your cloak over me, for you are a family redeemer" Boaz said to Ruth May the Lord bless you , my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor. Now don't be afraid, my daughter I will do for you what every you say. because the people in town say you are of noble character.

Boaz also tells Ruth that there is another family member who is actually her redeemer and will confront him in the morning and this he did but this family member when discovering that he would be landed with Ruth on the purchasing of Naomi's property he declined in front of the elders who were witnesses to this who was sitting with Boaz. And so Boaz took over the purchase of property as well as marrying Ruth.

Ruth then bore him a son naming him Obed who is the father of Jesse,the father of David.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse Matthew 1:5

Naomi took this child and looked after him.

Judges

During this time there was a prophetess named Deborah the wife of Lappidoth who was judging Israel at the time. It was custom for her to sit under the palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her for judgement.

She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and asked him has not the Lord, the god of Israel commanded you , Go deploy the troops on Mount Tabor to fight Sisera and this he did along side Deborah and Sisera was defeated.

It's wonderful when one sees that when you listen to the Lord you shall prosper in all things.

Psalm 37:23 A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.

Blessings
Kathleen.

89 - From Gleaner to Wife and Mother

Ruth and Boaz
Gustave Dore

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today continues the story of Ruth.
• Ruth goes to glean food in Boaz's fields.
• Boaz gives her his blessing and instructs her to glean in his fields.  He tells his harvesters to look after her and feed her.
• As was their custom Boaz was the family redeemer and Naomi encouraged Ruth to stay with the woman in Boaz's fields for protection.
• Naomi instructed Ruth to go to Boaz after the winnowing of barley. She did as Naomi said and Boaz acknowledges his duty to her as redeemer.
• Boaz spoke to the family redeemer at the gate who refuses his inheritance at the city gates.
• Boaz redeemed Naomi and Ruth and married Ruth.
• The Lord blessed Ruth with Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ]. Ruth 4:17.
• During this time the Lord anointed and appointed Deborah and Barak as the fourth and fith judges of Israel.
• Barak was a man of fear too and would not go as the Lord said unless Deborah went with him.  She warned him that because of this he would receive no honour for the Lord would deliver Sisera into a woman's hand.
• Sisera was defeated ...all the army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a man was left. Judges4:16

As I read the story of Ruth today my thoughts were about how Naomi's husband moved to make a better life for his family yet he and his two sons both died.  When you look at this situation in the flesh it looks hopeless and yet God's design was to graft a non believing nation into Israel.  Not only that she was the mother of the grandfather of King David from whom the Messiah was born. She who's heart was faithful and obedient was rewarded with a book in the bible named for her and she is mentioned in the linage of Jesus. I think I forget to often that The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Psalm 37:23

Blessings
Chareen.

A Triumphant Love Story.

Available to purchase from: Amazon, Koorong, Word and Fishpond.

88 - When all seems lost He is quietly working

by P Calderon CA1800

Chareen's Thoughts

• Israel is at war.  Many from the tribe of Benjamin have died.  It took months before they gained a victory but it cost them dearly.
•  The tribe of Benjamin has been desecrated. There is great mourning and heartache. There is however a remnant. The remnant are given Jabeshgilead to live in and wives from Shiloh and virgins from Jabeh-gilead.
• After Ehud, Shamgar became the Judge of Israel and deliver them from the Philistines.
• Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and were then sold into the hand of Jabin.
• Today begins the journey of Ruth and Naomi.  Two woman on a journey to become the mother of the grandfather of King David from whom the Messiah was born.
• Elimalech has left Israel to try and find something better because of the famine in the land.
• He has two sons who marry moabite woman. Him and his two sons both die. Ruth is left with her two daughters in law in a foreign land and no husband.
• She decides to go home to Israel. At first both daughters in law follow but eventually she persuades Orpah to go home but Ruth is determined to support and stay with Naomi.
• Naomi returned home bitter and empty. They arrived back in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

 As an immigrant myself I read this story with compassion for this family.  It is not an easy thing to pack up and move and leave all that you have loved and known behind.   I felt her heartache and desolation at loosing all that she loved.  I am amazed at how the Lord chose to graft Ruth into the lineage of Jesus and how the story unfolds.
I begin to realise that when all seems lost He is quietly working His good plan for us.
Blessings
Chareen

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