The Book of Ruth

[jedi]

Re: The Book of Ruth

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

Or it could represent laying our burdens or sins at the foot of the cross.

(((CEW))) One thing that is obvious though is her obedience to first of all follow her mother-in-law back to her homeland, and to go along with the plan. Obedience is the hallmark of this story, which is what is required of the church before Christ.

On a more practical note however, would that all of us had mother-in-laws such as Naomi who just happened to have unmarried relatives available for the picking. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I have always admired this story however, and somewhere in there you must realize that Boaz must have been acceptable in Ruth's eyes for her to even go so far with the plan that Naomi had, afterall the woman had a mind of her own. This is not so simple a story when you look at it from all angles, and though the appeal may be for women to take action one must still take these things into consideration. Don't overlook the facilitator in this story either which I believe is Gods Holy Spirit, moving on the hearts of the people involved. Picture Boaz's reaction had it been any other woman but Ruth found lying at his feet! So obviously there is another force at play here. We see this come to fruition later on as Christ would be the decendant of this union.

Being that as it is I am more inclined to seek the source which is at play in bringing all of this together which is God. So I am going to stick with my attitude of waiting on the Lord to show me the right one at the right time for I believe this is most definitely yet another case of "when it pleased God to move." Of course the "fervent effectual prayers of the righteous availeth much", so that prayers in that regard should be ceaseless. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Israelites]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb]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.

[/qb]

It's because it became the story for the feast of Purim! Of course the church would rather celebrate it's man-made holidays instead, so by skipping God's holidays, then we can leave out entire books from His word. Oh yeah, it already happened in the protestant church, at least the Catholics have one good thing going for them, the book of the Maccabees is the story of Chanukkah!

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Don't overlook the facilitator in this story either which I believe is Gods Holy Spirit, moving on the hearts of the people involved. Picture Boaz's reaction had it been any other woman but Ruth found lying at his feet! So obviously there is another force at play here. We see this come to fruition later on as Christ would be the decendant of this union.

Excellent point Jedi. I've never thought about Boaz's reaction per chance another lady was found laying at his feet besides Ruth...Thanks for pointing that out. God's plan in all of this is even more clear to me now. I wonder though, the reaction Ruth may have received from the other harvesters. Here she is, the new kid on the block finding favour with the boss and in a short while becoming his wife. Amazing.

Like Coffegirl, the story of Ruth and Esther are two of my favorite stories in the Bible. There are some other fascinating stories of relationships, hopefully we can discuss those in another thread....like Gomer & Hosea, Samson & Delilah(sp?) The plot of David, Bathsheba and Ahithophel (sp?)

Any one of you Bible wiz want to point some truths out in any of those stories? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[jedi]

Re: The Book of Ruth

I wonder though, the reaction Ruth may have received from the other harvesters. Here she is, the new kid on the block finding favour with the boss and in a short while becoming his wife. Amazing.

Like Coffegirl, the story of Ruth and Esther are two of my favorite stories in the Bible.

Well we understand that there was actually another relative that had legal rights to first dibs on Ruth before Boaz. See here it says:
Ruth 3:12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."
So we see that in actual fact Ruth was eligible to marry one of the men of honor among the tribe of Judah, so that it should have come as not surprise to anyone if she did. She was no ordinary servant girl in other words just a victim of hard times.

This story always causes the hairs to stand on the back of my neck. Have you read this mans words? Sweet lord is he a man of character or what? Check this out: Ruth 3:
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."
15 He also said, "Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out." When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he [2] went back to town.


See I really feel that there are tons of Ruths and Esthers particularly amongst black women, but to find a Boaz that is the rub. You know what, that is what we need to look for in a man CHARACTER... period.

Oooh!!! let me catch my breath...yes so umm!!! where was I lets see. Oh yes if one was to take this at a glance and to look no further than the surface it is understandable how one could come to the hasty conclusion that it is best to take things into ones own hands. But without the Holy Spirit's guidance in the affairs of the heart, how many men's feet would a woman have to lie at before sniffiing the correct pair? Ever thought of that? And just think in reality of how many women both Christian and non-Christian alike have cast themselves quite literally at the feet of undeserving dogs only to get a SWIFT KICK in return. Oh no! the Spirit of God must take the lead in this as was the case of Boaz and Ruth.

Notice another thing here he noticed her in the fields even before she laid at his feet see here: Ruth 2: 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!"
"The LORD bless you!" they called back.
5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?"
6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter."
8 So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled."
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-a foreigner?" See Naomi being a wise old woman knew that men are creatures of sight and obviously Ruth was not homely. So she sent Ruth out and just as she figured Boaz SAW her, but notice her words, "why have I found such favor in your eyes?" Why? Well here is the answer.

He was not only attracted to her physically but before he even knew her he was also taken with her characteristic obedience and kindness. Ruth 2:11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

So we see that the stage was already set for Naomi's next move or should I say for Ruth's next move. His words here are only too prophetic [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD , the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
God was rich towards her indeed and so likewise for us the key is found in these words
"May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Under His wings we are safe He makes provision for all our needs there, even to the planning of our future unions. Let us be careful not to stray from under His wings in pursuit of happiness. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

One union that has always facinated me is Abigail and Nabal and David . Now here is a case of Godly wisdom leading to unexpected redemption! May the Lord make us truly wise enough to trust Him even in the worst of circumstances, for He is able to redeem us and give us the victory if we wait upon Him in obedience, applying Godly wisdom to our lives.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Very interesting discussions on this topic. I was doing some additional reading and thought I would share the insight of reknowned Bible Scholar and Commentator Matthew Henry, into the events of Chapter 3.

On the matter of Ruth laying at Boaz's feet until morning (verses 1-5):

"The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advise their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, De 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it."

On Boaz's surprise at finding her there and his reaction (verses 6-13):

"What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged."

On Ruth's return to Naomi (verses 14-18):

"Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isa 30:7. This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Ac 9:6. He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also."

[jedi]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Okay all things considered there is just one thing that remains with me. Here it is.

1. There was another man who had first rights to Ruth and surely Naomi knew this, why did Naomi set her mind on Boaz for Ruth?
If her only intention was simply to find a husband for Ruth why not just cut to the chase and go for argument sakes to bachelor #1 instead?

2. Why was the ritual of sending her to sleep at his feet necessary, it is obvious that she had a right to one of the men, why not just simply confront him and say "Hey Boaz here is my widowed daughter-in-law she needs a husband will you consider her for marriage?

3. If it was customarily acceptable for a woman to ritualistically sleep at a man's foot to show her intentions of wanting to marry him (and I am not saying that this is not true) then why did Boaz warn Ruth not to let anyone know that she had been in the threshing house?

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Jedi for questions 1 and 2 you've stated the answer in another one of your post:

Don't overlook the facilitator in this story either which I believe is Gods Holy Spirit, moving on the hearts of the people involved

See 'twas all in God's plan.

For question 3. Boaz wasn't the first in line as Ruth's kingsman redeemer. I can't remember the order of the story right now, but maybe his request for the sleeping on the threshold to be kept a secret had something to do with Boaz's intention of bidding to get her hand in marriage and not wanting to mess things up with the other relative and to risk spoiling his (Boaz's) name in the process. 'Twas all in the plan. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by Queen:

For question 3. Boaz wasn't the first in line as Ruth's kingsman redeemer. I can't remember the order of the story right now, but maybe his request for the sleeping on the threshold to be kept a secret had something to do with Boaz's intention of bidding to get her hand in marriage and not wanting to mess things up with the other relative and to risk spoiling his (Boaz's) name in the process. 'Twas all in the plan. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Maybe, but bear in mind that Boaz was a man of God, and as such his first concern would be one of propriety. How would it appear to others if it was found out that Ruth slept in his bedroom?

I love the story as recorded in The Message Translation:

1 One day her mother-in-law Naomi said to Ruth, "My dear daughter, isn't it about time I arranged a good home for you so you can have a happy life?
2 And isn't Boaz our close relative, the one with whose young women you've been working? Maybe it's time to make our move. Tonight is the night of Boaz's barley harvest at the threshing floor.
3 "Take a bath. Put on some perfume. Get all dressed up and go to the threshing floor. But don't let him know you're there until the party is well under way and he's had plenty of food and drink.
4 When you see him slipping off to sleep, watch where he lies down and then go there. Lie at his feet to let him know that you are available to him for marriage. Then wait and see what he says. He'll tell you what to do."
5Ruth said, "If you say so, I'll do it, just as you've told me."
6 She went down to the threshing floor and put her mother-in-law's plan into action.
7 Boaz had a good time, eating and drinking his fill--he felt great. Then he went off to get some sleep, lying down at the end of a stack of barley. Ruth quietly followed; she lay down to signal her availability for marriage.
8 In the middle of the night the man was suddenly startled and sat up. Surprise! This woman asleep at his feet!
9 He said, "And who are you?"
She said, "I am Ruth, your maiden; take me under your protecting wing. You're my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers--you do have the right to marry me."
10 He said, "GOD bless you, my dear daughter! What a splendid expression of love! And when you could have had your pick of any of the young men around.
11 And now, my dear daughter, don't you worry about a thing; I'll do all you could want or ask. Everybody in town knows what a courageous woman you are--a real prize!
12 You're right, I am a close relative to you, but there is one even closer than I am.
13 So stay the rest of the night. In the morning, if he wants to exercise his customary rights and responsibilities as the closest covenant redeemer, he'll have his chance; but if he isn't interested, as GOD lives, I'll do it. Now go back to sleep until morning."

We discover a couple of things from this rendition:

1) Naomi was old and Ruth was a foreigner in the country so it stands to reason that Naomi would have Ruth's best interest at heart to find her a husband and a good home.

2) Naomi knew that according to the law and custom, Boaz - who was godly, rich, and single - had the "right" to take Ruth as his wife. However, Ruth had to win the heart of Boaz by herself, hence the instructions.

3) Ruth also knew the custom, hence her "You're my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers--you do have the right to marry me." Makes a lot of sense that she would take this route seeing she was a foreigner in the country who would not have found a suitable husband under other conditions.

Now, once Ruth returned home and reported to Naomi what had happened, listen to what Naomi said: ""Sit back and relax, my dear daughter, until we find out how things turn out; that man isn't going to fool around. Mark my words, he's going to get everything wrapped up today."

The story gets even juicier in Chapter 4, where Boaz was so full of integrity, he was not going to take short cuts. He went into the town and with the other relative "... gathered ten of the town elders together and said, "Sit down here with us; we've got some business to take care of." And they sat down." Now, check out the rest of the story:

3 Boaz then said to his relative, "The piece of property that belonged to our relative Elimelech is being sold by his widow Naomi, who has just returned from the country of Moab.
4 I thought you ought to know about it. Buy it back if you want it--you can make it official in the presence of those sitting here and before the town elders. You have first redeemer rights. If you don't want it, tell me so I'll know where I stand. You're first in line to do this and I'm next after you."
He said, "I'll buy it."
5 Then Boaz added, "You realize, don't you, that when you buy the field from Naomi, you also get Ruth the Moabite, the widow of our dead relative, along with the redeemer responsibility to have children with her to carry on the family inheritance."
6 Then the relative said, "Oh, I can't do that--I'd jeopardize my own family's inheritance. You go ahead and buy it--you can have my rights--I can't do it."

So it wasn't that he did not want to mess things up with the other relative. He was simply following the law and custom by meeting with him regarding redeemer rights. Cool, huh? Better than any soap opera, I tell ya [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

CEW, If Boaz didn't meet with the relative in line for the Redeemer rights and had gone ahead and married Ruth, don't you think there would be a big problem of resistance from that relative? In asking her to sneak out and not tell anyone (avoiding the appearance of evil), he was protecting his good reputation as a man of God ....just like I said [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Also when I mentioned that Boaz wanted to protect his name , it's the same as saying the following:

Maybe, but bear in mind that Boaz was a man of God, and as such his first concern would be one of propriety. How would it appear to others if it was found out that Ruth slept in his bedroom?

Stop paraphrasing me [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[jedi]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Wrong, wrong both of you. He was not concerned about his integrity at all, but HERS . Remember his fore father Judah in a similar pridicament. OOoooooooh I just love these men............*sigh* [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Of course he already saw the woman and took to her in the fields and now this! You darn right he was going to move on it expediently...but wait first one must attend to the finer details, being a man of solid character he goes out and inquires of the man who had first rights for Ruth.

Off to the side a bit...can you imagine this conversation between a man of less character than Boaz and the kinsman....

Boaz - Man you know that by right this chick has to be married right, it is custom it has to be done but maaan she is ugllleeeeee!!! She came to me first but am I glad that you have first call so what at do you say man you want her or not.

Kinsman - Uh...ummm naw man...ah mean to say it's aight you go right ahead. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by Jedi:
[QB] Wrong, wrong both of you. He was not concerned about his integrity at all, but HERS . Remember his fore father Judah in a similar pridicament. OOoooooooh I just love these men............*sigh* [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Just another perspective as we are all engaging in conjecture. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] BTW, I did not say he was concerned about his integrity, but rather that being a godly man, his first concern was that of propriety, meaning for them both.

Of course he already saw the woman and took to her in the fields...

Did it cross your mind that she stood out because she was a foreigner? According to the commentators, the supervisor's response, "...It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.", was an insult that hightlighted that very fact.

[jedi]

Re: The Book of Ruth

BTW, I did not say he was concerned about his integrity, but rather that being a godly man, his first concern was that of propriety, meaning for them both.
(((CEW))) According to what you said I got the strong impression that it was your opinion that he was a noble man with his image to protect I may have been wrong. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] But he may well have taken Ruth that night, with not so much as loosing a breath. The fact is that she was a foreigner and that he was not under any obligation to honor her virtue, that fact being highlighted when he warned the men the previous day not to touch her, that should tell us that it was well within the realm of possibility for her to have been misused. That was a calculated risk that she took but one that was taken because Naomi knew the man that she had set her eyes on for her daughter-in-law. He was a man of honorable character.

Did it cross your mind that she stood out because she was a foreigner? According to the commentators, the supervisor's response, "...It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.", was an insult that hightlighted that very fact.



Nope! Simply because of what he said to her afterwards! 8 So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled. "
So even though yes being a moabitess might be something for the men of Judah to look down upon, he certainly wouldn't have responded to her in that manner if that was uppermost in his mind. Remember that one of the things that also drew him to her was her dedication to her mother-in-law which he had heard of beforehand. Listen to what Ruth had to say in response."10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-a foreigner?" That tells me that the man was drawn to her from even before he met her, and SEEING her only confirmed his likeness for her even more. Naomi deliberately placed Ruth where she could be seen by the man. What if she had nothing going for her in the looks department, would Naomi had sent her out to glean in the fields where she could be seen visibly by Boaz if her moabitishness was the only issue here? I think not. However Naomi knew (I asked this before BTW couple of posts up) that first of all Boaz did not have first rights to Ruth, but she selected Boaz for her because of all that we have already discussed and mostly because she was confident that he was a man of Godly character and integrity and he would not compromise her in anyway. Now what she planned was for a more natural occurence to take place, namely he would fall in love with her on SIGHT and then from there they (Naomi and Ruth that is) would proceed to the next phase which was to have her go and lie at his feet. Notice what he said about taking her as his bride that night "But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it." I don't think he only wanted to marry her because he admired her goodness to her mother-in-law and his tribe alone, he didn't have first claims and he certainly did not have to marry her. Naomi was depending on the natural occurence of LOVE to push things to the next phase. And it did as we see that he went to settle claims with the first in line.

Something else made him want her enough to want to settle claims with the other kinsman, he had fallen in love with the woman plain and simple. The act of laying at his feet only moved his heart and tilted the balances even more so in their favor.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by Jedi:
[QB] BTW, I did not say he was concerned about his integrity, but rather that being a godly man, his first concern was that of propriety, meaning for them both.
(((CEW))) According to what you said I got the strong impression that it was your opinion that he was a noble man with his image to protect I may have been wrong. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Your "strong impression" was very wrong and though I can see how you would have come to that conclusion, that was not what I had in mind [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] .

On the subject itself, I was doing some reading on the weekend about the spin we sometimes put on the scriptures and I can see how tempting it is to see Ruth's story solely as a really romantic thing with Boaz as Prince Charming and every single woman's dream man [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] . I however was looking at a deeper understanding and as such, what I tried to do was to apply some of the basic rules of exegesis; 1) Every scripture must be understood in its immediate context; and 2) Any interpretation of scripture must be understood in the context of all other scriptures.

Do allow me some prudent observations:

But he may well have taken Ruth that night, with not so much as loosing a breath. The fact is that she was a foreigner and that he was not under any obligation to honor her virtue, that fact being highlighted when he warned the men the previous day not to touch her, that should tell us that it was well within the realm of possibility for her to have been misused. That was a calculated risk that she took but one that was taken because Naomi knew the man that she had set her eyes on for her daughter-in-law. He was a man of honorable character.

I do not dispute your perspective, however we need to understand a couple of things, including the role of the kinsman, to understand Boaz's actions. Bear in mind that Boaz was related to the family of Elimelech and this formed the basis of his kinsmanship to Naomi through her marriage. It was also this relationship that placed him at the front of the line - so to speak - as it related to Ruth. Boaz would have known of his relationship to Naomi, and would have been very aware of the kinsman-redeemer responsibilities.

During the time of the judges, the role of the kinsman "was primarily one of care and protection of the childless widow and the possibility of voluntary exercise of a Levirate". In effect, he was "acting as an agent of Yahweh by demonstrating his covenant loyalty to the purpose of God among his people." As one commentator pointed out, "in the actions of Boaz as Kinsman, we see foreshadowed the saving work of Jesus Christ, his later descendant. Boaz had the right of redemption and yet was under no obligation to intervene on Ruth's behalf, so it is with Christ." While you are right that there was no obligation to redeem Ruth, what I find fascinating is what God intended through this story. A clear picture of the the church's redemption. Boaz - being a type of Christ - was a godly man whose desire first and foremost was to please God. He would not have taken disadvantage of Ruth as the Spirit of God would not have allowed that to happen, moreso in the context of what was being demonstrated.

As for Ruth being a foreigner, this is a significant part of the story. To the Jews, she was a Gentile. She however was a gentile of much character - sticking by Naomi, a hard worker - and most importantly, had accepted the God of Naomi. The fact that she offered to glean - an activity guaranteed to the poorest of people who would follow reapers in the fields and pick up remaining scraps (Lev. 19:9)- in a field owned by a landowner with whom she hoped to find grace (favor), led her - by divine appointment I think - to the field of Boaz. According to the commentators, when Boaz enquired: "Whose damsel is this?", it was not a question of attraction, but one similar to 1 Sam 17:55, meaning he was enquiring of her legal right to be there in relation to which family she was from. The response of the servant suggests that the only reason he allowed her was because she worked hard, noting she tarried only a little time in the house (Ruth 2:4-7).

On the natural, this seems like starry-eyed love at first sight [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] , however in the divine scheme of things the rest of the story unfolds showing Boaz as a type of Christ, the bridegroom from Bethlehem, and Ruth as a type of the Church with nothing with which to commend her to her master. Once Boaz was told Ruth was Naomi's daughter-in-law, he knew she was also a part of family (clan), and that could also explain his favored treatment towards her.

She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-a foreigner?" That tells me that the man was drawn to her from even before he met her, and SEEING her only confirmed his likeness for her even more.

Boaz indicated that he was willing to show every kindness to Ruth because of the kindness that she had shown to her mother-in-law, the widowed and now childless relative of Boaz. Remember, being a gentile she had no reason to expect kindness from a Jew! The Hebrew word translated kindness (chesed) indicates the personal expression of godliness on the part of one servant of the Lord to another, yet in the natural, I would agree with you on the possibility that Boaz allowed her to remain in his field so he might keep an eye on her not only for the purpose of protection - which is why he warned the other guys to back off - but also because he knew that by becoming a believer in God, she was a partaker in the blessings of the covenant community, and as such he was now able to see her as an object of his affection. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

This is a bit of a dual story; one of love and romance, yet my fascination with it lies not so much in that aspect of it, but just how God demonstrated His redeemer's rights, to bring us Gentiles into His family. There is nothing wrong with the way you are looking at it. I just took it one step further [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] .

[Queen]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Cool, so we've discussed Ruth & Abigail. Can we discuss another woman in the Bible....I just love talking about and studying the women in the Bible.

Please Sir CEW, I'm not trying to take your thread off course o.k. so no throwing stones at me. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I actually came here so you can start a thread on another woman or couple in the Bible...Thanks [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: The Book of Ruth

Originally posted by Queen:
[qb] Cool, so we've discussed Ruth & Abigail. Can we discuss another woman in the Bible....I just love talking about and studying the women in the Bible.

Please Sir CEW, I'm not trying to take your thread off course o.k. so no throwing stones at me. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I actually came here so you can start a thread on another woman or couple in the Bible...Thanks [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [/qb]

You are funny [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] . Have you guys finished discussing Abigail? There are a couple of other women that fascinates me and I'll start a thread on one tomorrow.