Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Ruth is a short book that seems at first to be a diversion between the books of Judges and First Samuel. Judges establish the anarchistic form of government that Israel had fallen into. Everyone did what they pleased when there was no Judge from Jehovah in leadership. The books of Samuel introduce the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Ruth shows us that Yahweh is still working for what needs to happen even before we realize. This story was probably recorded in writing during the reign of King David. We will discuss that in the conclusion.

The little book of Ruth is a diversion. It is history, like Joshua and Judges. It is about a woman and she is a Moabite, not a Jew. It takes place during the time of the Judges. Let’s look at Ruth and why she is important in Hebrew history.

In the first chapter, Elimelek and Naomi move from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine. They had two sons, Mahon and Kilion. After the death of their father, the two boys marry women from the area. Their names are Orpah and Ruth. After about ten years, Naomi’s sons also die, and the women are left alone.

The matriarch determines to return to Bethlehem and the daughters-in-law are preparing to join her. Naomi tells them they are free to stay in their homeland and marry men from there. Orpah stays, but Ruth makes a statement that is used in many wedding ceremonies. “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.  Your God will be my God and your people, my people. Where you are buried, I will be buried.” This sentiment is wonderful for a couple being married.  But it was originally spoken by a woman to her mother-in-law. That tells us about both women.

More things to notice in the story are, Naomi changes her name to one that means bitter.  Naomi means pleasant, which she must have been, or these two women would not have hated to leave her. Often, outward circumstances affect our entire outlook on life. If we recognize that we are in a time of preparation for a great blessing, it can make the depression and sadness easier to manage.

It is also time for the barley harvest. At the beginning, this seems like an irrelevant statement. We will see just how important this is.

Boaz is introduced in verse one of Ruth chapter 2. Ruth goes into the fields to collect the grain that the harvesters leave. This practice is commanded in the book of Leviticus. When she returns to their home, her mother-in-law tells her that the owner of the field is a relative.

The property owner has made concessions to her that were not normally seen. He is impressed by her love for his relative. She does not understand his kindness. How often has this happened to you? Has anyone ever shown a kindness for reasons you did not understand at the time? Has your kindness been shown to a stranger for a reason they do not understand? Christians always have a reason to serve others. It is what He did for us. Stay tuned for the best part.

Naomi becomes a matchmaker in Ruth chapter three. She explains the kinsman redeemer as written in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Ruth goes to the threshing floor and lies at Boaz’s feet. When he wakes in the night, he enquires who is there. They discussed the possibility of marriage. He assures her that he will take care of her. His first step is to prevent the scandal that would be caused if she is found there with him. He also gave her grain as a gift for Naomi. What are your feelings about this conversation?

Ruth 4 completes the story and at the end we learn why this is part of the historical record of the Israelites. Boaz finds the other relative of Naomi’s husband. He tells him that the land is available for purchase. A wealthy man as well, he instantly agrees. The agreement includes producing an heir for Mahlon, the husband of Ruth. Any heir produced for a dead man, would also have a right to his own property. Boaz has no other children and does not see a problem with raising Ruth’s first son as an heir to his and Mahlon’s estates.

Ruth does become pregnant after the marriage. Her son, Obed, is the connection that puts this account in the Old Testament. He is the grandfather of King David. That makes Ruth the Moabite the great-grandmother of the greatest king to ever rule in Israel. She is also an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the Jews. Tomorrow the birth of the final judge of the Jews.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger