The Book of Ruth

[Diplomat]

Anybody read it recently?

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Yup! I even have a tape by Mike Murdock, entitled "31 Secrets of an Unforgettable Woman" using the book and story of Ruth as a guide.

Why do you ask?

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

I happen to like Mike Murdock(sp) and his wisdom keys, but I did not know he had a "21 Secrets of an Unforgettable Woman" tape out. For him to figure that out, the guy probably has the wisdom of Solomon [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Why do you ask?

I finished studying this book and thought it was rather fascinating. This is simply a love story that found its way into the scriptures, and I did wonder if anyone who read it had any ideas why it was so significant that it became a part of God's word.

I also found it interesting that back then, Naomi's instructions to Ruth to make herself seen of Boaz would be considered by some today to be a bit too forward. In fact, I think some young ladies would rather die that take those instructions, yet out of the union of Boaz and Ruth, came Obed the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, from whose lineage came Jesus! It also fascinated me that Boaz's mother was Rahab who was a harlot, which means that in Jesus' family tree was a prostitute.

A bit more fascinates me as this book is said to be a type of Christ and the Church. Have you heard that?

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

In the six tape series, Mike Murdock uses Ruth's actions to point out wisdom keys...he pointed out the 2 or 3 wisdom keys based on the particular chapter of Ruth throughout the entire tape. I've had the tape series for about 5 years and loaned it to a friend, when I got it back one of the tapes were missing so I bought it again last year when he visisted my church.

I also found it interesting that back then, Naomi's instructions to Ruth to make herself seen of Boaz would be considered by some today to be a bit too forward.

You're right as to what some today may think. We've had heated discussions on the same topic. A friend of mine who is anti-chasing a man so to speak always says "I'm waiting for my Boaz" last night on a road trip, I told her, but Ruth practically threw herself at her Boaz, are you willing to do that? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I got this reaction ----> DWL!

I have another friend who doesn't care for Ruth at all! called her actions "cheap" Incidentally, the action of laying at Boaz feet on the thresing floor per Naomi's instructions was one of the secrets used by Mike Murdock to highlight some significant things in his tape series.

A bit more fascinates me as this book is said to be a type of Christ and the Church. Have you heard that?

No I haven't, but I've heard that of Gomer and Hosea.

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Pardon me, the title of the tape series (and now a book) is 31 Secrets of an Unforgettable Woman (not 21)

Product Description:
Do you have big dreams? Are you willing to invest in those dreams? the story of Ruth in scripture is one example of a woman who was willing to invest in her present in order to have an extraordinary future. In this book Dr. Murdock teaches how a woman can predict the success of her man.. What attracts wrong people in your life... Recognizing the personality flaw guaranteed to destroy your marriage... and much more!!

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by Queen:

We've had heated discussions on the same topic. A friend of mine who is anti-chasing a man so to speak always says "I'm waiting for my Boaz" last night on a road trip, I told her, but Ruth practically threw herself at her Boaz, are you willing to do that? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I got this reaction ----> DWL!

I take it that your friend has never read the book of Ruth? <laughing>. Frankly, if she is waiting for her Boaz without taking a page or two out of Ruth's book, she is going to have to wait a long time. Ruth was not just content to pray and wait for God to do something, but she put legs to her faith and moved as counseled by her godly mother-in-law. No wonder Boaz called her a couragous woman.

I have another friend who doesn't care for Ruth at all! called her actions "cheap".

I take it your friend does not understand the significance of Ruth's marriage to Boaz? I did not read anywhere that God was displeased with Ruth or Naomi.

Incidentally, the action of laying at Boaz feet on the thresing floor per Naomi's instructions was one of the secrets used by Mike Murdock to highlight some significant things in his tape series.

Now you have aroused my curiosity.

I will share more later on how the book of Ruth and her marriage to Boaz mirrors Christ and the Church.

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

MIke Murdock, if I can remember correctly, talked about Ruth's laying low for a season, her working diligently in the fields, her wisdom in her timing and following Naomi's instructions, her courage in leaving her family and all things familiar to follow her mother-in-law to a strange land and a different and living God, and so much more. It's an awesome tape series. One that I've listened to over and over again.

Unfortunately, I just checked his website and couldn't find the series, I only saw a book with the title.

I will share more later on how the book of Ruth and her marriage to Boaz mirrors Christ and the Church

Looking forward to it.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

You have to get started with these verses from Ruth 4:

Then went Boaz 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 here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
2  And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3  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.
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.
7  Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8  Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 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 Judah, 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.


This entire exchange and the redeeming process is very fascinating. Will be back after lunch. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Lunch time noh done yet?

Anyway, I read the verses and am waiting for you to shed light on the exchanging and redeeming process. Will be interested to see how that correlates to God redeeming us unto HImself.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Goodness, didn't anyone tell you that patience is a virtue? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Anyways, from my study of the book of Ruth, I came across some interesting things. The book was included in the five scrolls which were read in the synagogues on five special occasions during the year which suggests some liturgical purpose. Their order placed Ruth in the second position, where it was related to the feast later known as Pentecost, the second of five Jewish festivals.

Since the book of Ruth represents a practical picture of the the Kinsman-Redeemer and his marriage to the bride whom he has redeemed, the Christian significance of Pentecost becomes obvious! Christ is now the Redeemer who has come to purchase His bride, and on the Day of Pentecost, the Church begins! As Boaz would come forh from Bethlehem to take a Gentile bride, so Jesus would also come forth from Bethlehem and take His gentile bride; i.e. the church.

According to "The Complete Bible Commentary", the story of Ruth is a pastoral story. The PRACTICAL purpose of the book is to teach the providence of God in blessing His children (even in find the right mate). The story reveals the love of God towards women, as well as men, and makes it clear that God has a special and unique purpose for the family. The THEOLOGICAL purpose of the book is to teach the biblical concept of redemption. The Kinsman-Redeemer serves as a picture of the person and work of Christ on behalf of His bride. The gaw-al' (redeemer) could redeem a widow, an orphan, or a slave. In order to meet the qualifications of the levirate and gaw-al' he had to be 1)related to the individual; 2) free; 3) able to pay the price of redemption; 4) willing to pay the price; 5) prepared to marry the widow.

In a very similar sense, Christ became our kinsman after the flesh through taking on a human nature by which He became related to us. He was free from sin which had bound us. His shed blood was the price of our redemption; and He alone, by His sinless life, was able to pay the price. In the Garden of Gethsemane He made it clear that He was willing to pay the price, and the result of His redemption was His marriage to the Church, His bride.

As I said, fascinating. To me anyways [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] .

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Since the book of Ruth represents a practical picture of the the Kinsman-Redeemer and his marriage to the bride whom he has redeemed, the Christian significance of Pentecost becomes obvious! Christ is now the Redeemer who has come to purchase His bride, and on the Day of Pentecost, the Church begins! As Boaz would come forh from Bethlehem to take a Gentile bride, so Jesus would also come forth from Bethlehem and take His gentile bride; i.e. the church.

Very interesting point. Since you mentioned it, I was trying to figure out the redemtpion process as it relates to Christ and the church, however I was thinking too much into it as I couldn't figure out the laying at Boaz's feet scene had to do with anything...Well come to think of it, that scene may represent our humility and surrendering to Christ. Wow! The Bible can be such a mystery with a bunch of hidden clues/answers, if only we would look a little closer and allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes at times.

Anyway thanks for this shedding light on the story of Ruth this way. Something I will share with my friends.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Well, regarding Ruth laying at Boaz's feet until morning, the commentary has this to say:

"Since Boaz was impressed with her virtue, he certainly would have been reluctant to send her back alone in the middle of the night, or even to escort her himself. It is unlikely that they were there all alone. Evidently, he felt that there was less question about her remaining there until early morning than attempting the return during the night. In most ancient cities, only women of ill repute were ever out alone at night."

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

In most ancient cities, only women of ill repute were ever out alone at night."

Gee, I wonder what they would think of me heading out at 11:00 p.m. to go grocery shopping.

[coffeegyal]

Re: The Book of Ruth

The stories of Ruth and Esther were my two favorite Bible stories growing up...probably still. You know, as a child you don't read these things with theology or philosophy in mind...you don't try to analogize. I just loved them as stories of women acting with courage and faith--a faith I no longer share, but I think the two still stand as good examples of women taking action and trusting that what's supposed to happen will, whether or not one shares their faith.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

coffegal: That much is true. The poetry of Ruth's emotions as recorded in Ruth 1:16,17 has become a cornerstone in some Christian and non-Christian marriage ceremonies.

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:
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.

Absolutely wonderful!