Destiny in Arms Lesson 10

Destiny in Arms

Lesson 10

Ruth 4:13-22

Links that joined a chain of gold

Designed by the Master craftsman

With skillful hands

Holding three strands,

He braided Naomi, Ruth and Boaz.

A small part is all she played

But cast in a prominent role of greatness one line that would

Join the lifeline of promise

When such a time would be marked

And the moment love triumphed

Death would lose.

Before time began

History was recorded

The seed of woman

Would bring its fulfillment.

The deception of Eve

Passed through ages

Until the day

One lovely maidservant would say

“Let it be to me

according to your word.”

In faith we, too,

Recognize the grace of God

Who chose us as part of His plan

To carry the baton

To the next generation.

Links that join

The chain of purpose

To usher in the kingdom.

God’s Story

 God’s Story is different than our story. He is bringing the whole plan for all of humanity. He is bringing a legacy to Naomi. We wonder if we will have enough money for the light bill. We are not sure if or how we could ever have a legacy or if it is that important. God’s story is on a bigger and higher plane than the light bill.

While we wait, God is working.  As a people we do not know how to wait. The longer the wait, the greater the blessing. A day to God is a thousand years. When God acts he will act in the moment. He left them 10 years in Moab but when they returned to Bethlehem, they were ready to be completed. God acted in the time of harvest. When the harvest had come to completion 7X7+49 plus 1 – The one is the day it took to bring it to pass.

Today, He says is the day of salvation. This day, Today will work for the completion of harvest. We can afford to wait.  

Boaz’s Story (Kinsman Redeemer)

As a picture of Christ, he gave up everything to marry Ruth. He knew he had to appeal to the flesh of the close relative. Boaz married for love. Christ died recognized us as his bride.

The Devil came to Jesus and tried to appeal to his flesh, to his hunger, his pride of life and his eyes. Luke 4. Jesus did not act in the flesh but in the spirit and came to redeem His bride who was lost from before the beginning of time. Now Boaz is counting on the flesh of the man to refuse his offer. A paradox and yet the perfect story for all mankind.

Naomi’s Story

She felt responsible for bringing Ruth to her country. She felt it was her obligation to do something.  Was it her obligation?

Ruth’s Story

Ruth knew this country was better than hers. She had lived in luxury and the brutality of man and the god of Chemosh who had no feelings. She understood that Naomi’s God did not change and his laws were for the people’s protection and benefit.  

Principles and Relationships:

1. Every day we are closer to the end of our story. Are we beginning to see the whole story around our lives?

2. Are we willing to wait for the right answer?

3.     Do we understand due process? Every day counts to get us to our day.

4.     God chose the right man to do the job. Do we believe that God chose the right man for our husband?

5.     Can we trust God for whatever decision our husbands make? Even if it seems wrong to us?

The Cameo – The Story.

“Peloni almoni,” Boaz said as he approached the gate.  Boaz had been talking about the closer relative. He knew he was helter-skelter and he was counting on Peloni almoni to make the decision according to his own benefit.

The closer relative had always been caught up in the pleasure of the season and the current market for opportunity.

The more Boaz had talked to Ruth that very night, the more his heart yearned to marry Ruth. Love had captured his heart. He knew he would be giving up his name sake and his land to another man’s memory and name, but he didn’t care.

Just to have and hold Ruth would warm his bed at night. Boaz lost his wife many years before and the night Ruth lay at his feet, he was jolted into remembering how it felt to have the touch of a helpmate, a wife who cared for him.

Boaz continued to think of how he would redeem Ruth and Naomi. He needed to appeal to the relative’s flesh: the pride of life, the lust of the eyes. He would present the land first for buying and he knew he would accept that offer. But then he would bring up the Moabite’s name. He agonized in the garden of his own soul for the outcome. 

Five hundred years before, Lot, Ruth’s forefather, chose the green and beautiful plains of the Jordan, leaving the rest to Abraham.  Lot had chosen the well water lands of the Jordan, now he was counting on the relative to deny Ruth for the same choice.  The lust of the eyes and the pride of life would be bigger than he was.

If the close relative gave away his name and seeds and land, he would not have anything to show for all he had worked for.

The relative would lose everything to Naomi’s name. He was also married. Boaz couldn’t wait until he reached the gate where the leaders of Jerusalem ruled the city.

Ten in count awaited for the two men. Ten being the number of completion, two being the difference of a man of spirit and a man of flesh.

If he was to marry Ruth and if they had a child, Ruth’s child would inherit everything leaving his own children out of the picture.

So it happened, Boaz and Ruth married and a child was born for Naomi.

Chapter Ten – Workbook

Destiny in Arms

1.     According to Isaiah 43: and John 10:1-3, how are we called?

2.     Read John 20:10-18. At what point did Mary finally recognize Jesus after His resurrection?

3.     We all have a name and history. When Jesus vowed to redeem us, bless us, do er really believe He would take all of us?

4.     Boaz married Ruth out of a selfless act. Boaz realized that the first child born to Ruth and Boaz would own Elimilech’s family property and keep him and his sons alive in association with it.

Does Jesus redeem everything we have gone through and brings to our own name honor?  How does our flesh profit in all of this?

5.     Ruth’s marriage to Mahlon represents a fleshly marriage. Yet by Boaz marrying Ruth, he brought honor to Mahlon. How does that work in our lives?

6. Look at Tamar’s story in Gen 38. What did it say about Perez and his unique birth 38:8:27-30? How does it line up with Ruth’s story?

7. Look at Rachel and Leah in Gen 29:14-20:24. Ruth was playing a part in the society and legacy of Rachel and Leah.

1.     Look at Judah in Tamar’s story. Judah was the father of the tribe of Judah from which both Elimilech and Boaz descended. Judah had a son named Perez by a woman named Tamar, who played an important part in the line of Judah.

2.     The pay-off –Ruth ascended from a Moabite, to a stranger and foreigner to Boaz’s wife and an Israelite. Have we also come from who knows who to becoming the wife of Christ, the Son of God?

3.      A gentile is one who has turned to a pagan god and is turned away from God. When did Ruth became an Israelite?

4.      Now the off spring of Ruth carries the Seed of David to sit on the throne. Now as united to Jesus, we produce in our witness the off-spring of many for the glory of Jesus.

12. Our legacy? Proverbs 17:6 says that grandchildren are the crown of grandparents that parents are the glory of their children. What do we live for? It will tell in our hearts.  

Head and Heart - Lesson 9

Head and Heart

Lesson 9

Ruth 4:1-10

Rules of right and wrong

Etched in stone

Ten elders stood as judge.

Two kinsmen of choice

One of head

One of heart

The first counted loss

The second gain

The first could not give

The second must give.

Shortsighted and temporal,

He held his eyes

The second,

Eternity held his heart.

Different motives

Divided their fate

Head of stone, heart of flesh

The higher law is love.

God’s Story

Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman. God, as the shepherd of this earth, brings to remembrance John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

Before the foundation of the world, the lamb was slain. God bought back the earth before the fall. He answered before anyone called. God’s story covers the universe. “The heavens are not pure,” Job says.

God’s story encompasses everything above the earth, under the earth and on the earth. God’s answer comes through His people Israel and the seed of Abraham.

The near kinsman is the fallen man, the one who was given the land, by default lost it to the evil one. The fallen man still operates in the nature of the evil one, who he gave over all in the garden.

The fallen man is the one who robs us today. He is the hireling. He wants all that appeases his flesh who has come under the domain of Satan.

The near kinsman, our flesh, must be subdued by love. It is God’s love which has bought us back.

Jesus lays down his flesh, but takes back to heaven in resurrection power, the title of The Son of Man, who sits on the throne of the universe and will reign and co-reign with redeemed man. Flesh and blood can not enter into heaven, but the Son of Man entered and took the title to the throne of God.

Boaz’s Story

Boaz, as the kinsman redeemer, had to put his own flesh down for the betterment of the Seed for Elimelech. He understood the law of Israel, He was a very wealthy man, a man of authority and power but willing to mediate for Ruth and Naomi and use his wealth for them.

Ruth’s Story

Ruth, as the church, as the resurrected church comes into place out of her faith and obedience. She enters into God’s story by the way of her faith in Naomi’s God and people.

In the Gate

The Law sat inside the gate. They were the ten men of the elders of the city.

They became witnesses to the decision between Boaz and the near kinsman.

Who becomes the witnesses and the influence in the gate of the Christian?

Nearest Kinsman

In the day you purchase the land from the hand of Naomi, you will also acquire Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, etc.

“I can not”. The Targum seems to give the proper sense of this passage: ‘I cannot redeem it, because I have a wife already; and it is not fit for me to bring another into my house; lest brawling and contention arises in it; and lest I hurt my own inheritance.

The near kinsman was not a brother, but a relative, a kinsman; and the shoe was not pulled off by Ruth, but by the kinsman himself. The Targumist, instead of his shoe, renders his right hand glove, it probably being the custom, in his time, to give that instead of a shoe. De 25:7-10

The witnesses Gen 23:16-18, Je 32:10-12, Is 8:2,8 Mal 2:14, He 13:4

Principles of Relationships

In any relationship there is more than meets the eye. There will always be influence for the people around that relationship.

1.     Do we understand the power of a relationship?

2.     Do we understand any relationship is bigger than the two involved?

3.     How does two people stay in closer relationship?

4.     What happens when we disobey what the Word says?

5.     Is the nearest kinsman always talking to us?

6.     What is he saying?

7.     How can we trust Jesus’ words?

The golden chain: the gate: De. 16:18; 17:5; 21:19; 25:7, Job 29:7, 31:21; Amos 5:10-12, 15. The kinsman 3:12 Is 55:1, Zec 2:6. The elders Ex 18:21,22; 21:8. De 29:10:31, 1King 21:8. Pr. 31:23. La 5:14. Ac 6:12

The Story – The Cameo

Ruth wept. She had not expected such kindness. As Ruth turned her head, her chin quivered as Boaz moved his hand cupping her face in his hands. Holding her, he leaned down and kissed her. A kiss that drained all the resistance from her, leaving her weak and helpless.

“Boaz,” Ruth whispered.

Boaz held her close for a long time, and then he took his garment, laying it over Ruth, he told her to lay down until sunlight. “Will you marry me, my love.”

“Yes, I will.”

   

As Boaz and Ruth talked, Boaz was more determined to do whatever it took to redeem Ruth and Naomi. He understood the ramifications, but his heart led.

Boaz was determined not to lose this opportunity. “There is someone standing between you and me, it is Naomi’s closest relative. I must go to the gate of the city tomorrow and before witnesses I will approach your near kinsman. I will not rest until I have found an answer for us.”

“No matter what he asks for, are you willing to pay it?”

“Whatever he ask I will pay,” Boaz reassured Ruth.

Boaz drove a hard bargain. By the end, the kinsman reclined to his life, his wife, children and land with a handsome price. He gloated in the bargain. He gladly took the money before the witnesses and took off his shoe to seal the agreement.

“And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. May your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”

Boaz hurried as he entered the field. “Ruth, come quickly.” Boaz pulled Ruth aside outside of the ears of the reapers. “Let’s go to Naomi. I have word for her.”

“Boaz, what did they say? What is our outcome?”

“When we see Naomi, then I will make it known what has been determined. It is Naomi’s field which I had to purchase from the other man.”

Entering the little house, Naomi was on her knees praying. “Naomi, Boaz has word for us.”

Boaz took Ruth into his arms and said, “I would like to marry Ruth. We will give you an heir for Elimelech.” The three of them wept.

Workbook Lesson 9

Head and Heart

1.     Why was it important for this relationship to happen?

2.     Do you understand how important your marriage is also? You are not carrying the Christ Child, but you are carrying Christ.

3.     What can we learn from this?

Heart's Shared - Lesson 8

Ruth

Study 8

Ruth 3:14 – 18

Hearts Shared

Goodness is shown

Out of a heart of love

No strings attached

No questions asked

Giving from a full heart

Into a shawl bursting forth

Of plenty.

Pure hearts knit together

With integrity and friendship

Binding souls together as

A piece of fabric.

The hand of God

Intricately weaved hearts

And eyes to want no other

And one day speak an oath

As husband and wife.

God’s Story

God in the beginning made man and saw he was not good without a wife. Out of God’s heart came Adam and his union with Eve. Before the fall, God had already set in place redemption.

Every law He set, every person He chose, was to bring about redemption. He made man to love; man was made in His image. He will use the Gentile to bring about the wife He lost, Israel.

God uses Boaz to show Israel that her seed would be grafted in through a Gentile believer.

God's redemption came at a time when no one expected Him and his second coming to redeeming this earth will come the same way, without any one expecting. God takes his wing and spreads it over the redeemed one, the same picture when God came to Mary and Mary invited Him to "To do to her according to His Word." The Holy Spirit came over Mary and see conceived God's Son. 

The word refuge meaning to trust and faith in OT is the same as to trust, to roll on or roll over. He is asking us to come under his wing, his protection. 

When the Woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she knew one touch would bring her under His wing, his protection.

Boaz and Jesus’ Story

Boaz knew the law and he came under the law, just as Jesus was born under the law and obey it. He understood what he was giving up, just as Jesus knew what He must go through and leave in order to secure the glory of heaven.

Boaz was not a man of slowness. God knew he would make the right decision. Boaz would be giving his seed to Elimelech’s name, his wealth and promise. Jesus knew He would become the Son of Man and give His life for man. He was the Son of God but did not hold to it.

He knew that man would become the joint-heir of Christ and will rule on the throne with Him. He also knew that in His death, the seed of promise would permeate the human soul and they would become one in the spirit. 

Boaz's Story - Boaz tells Ruth to tarry the night, in the morning he will approach the officials in the gate, 10 officials (God's complete number) and present to the near kinsmen a solution for Ruth. Boaz (fleetness and swift). Naomi told Ruth, Boaz will not wait a day until he makes a decision. Boaz's mother is Rahab. He understood crossing of lines.

Ruth’s Story

She was drawn to the field; she followed the instructions of Naomi and knew there was a risk.



Ruth's Story - Ruth has come under the wing of Boaz. She came to his feet, he spread his tailif over her, signifying his protection of her. God forbid Israel to take foreign daughters  because they would turn the heart of Israel away from Him, but Ruth had already turned to God. She was one of them.  

Full Reward – 1 Sam 24:19 enemies show kindness

Ps 19:11 – keeping the commandment, great reward

Hebrew 11;26 – Moses looked to great Reward

Principles of Relationships:

Can we trust Jesus to make deals with whoever for us?

Can we trust Jesus to do in the perfect time.

When Jesus goes to the Father and is the advocate for us. How is He pleading our case.

How did Boaz plead Ruth's case?

What did Boaz have to lose?

What would was the kinsman  who was nearest in kin, have to give up?

Principles and Relationship

1.     Was Ruth looking for a relationship?

2.     She was doing it for Naomi

3.     Boaz was doing this for Naomi

4.     Could she trust Boaz?

5.     Why do you think she could trust him?

Chain of Events: Isaiah 32:8 – generous man will stnd

Gal 6:10 – an opportunity

Ruth 3:18 – sit still

Six seahs – a seah – 2 ½ gallons

Ps 37:3-5 Sit still

Isaiah 28:16 – will not act hastily

Ps 32:22 said in my haste, no innocent is haste

Ps 31:15 – my times in your hands

Redeeming the Land –Lev 25:25, Numbers 36:9, Numbers 78:8-11

The Cameo (The Story)

“I’ve done a great evil to you, Ruth. I begged you not to come,” Naomi said as Ruth came to meet her in the field.

“It is true, I am not use to working so hard, but I’ve stayed close to the women in Boaz’s field as Boaz instructed me.  They seem jealous of me.”

“I am sure they do. They hate you because you are beautiful.”

“But look, I gleaned a whole ephah of barley today.”

The next morning Boaz rode through the fields where the reapers were busy working, and the women were gleaning after them. Boaz’s eyes were drawn to the slender, graceful figure.

“She must glean only in my field,” Boaz told his worker.

As Ruth drew near Boaz, she bowed.

“Don’t bow to me, You are in Israel now, not in Moab. Are you thirsty?

Ruth nodded “No.”

“When you are thirsty, drink of the clear water that my harvesters have drawn.”

“Thank you.”

Naomi was waiting by the well when the reapers came from the field at sundown. She looked for Ruth. Ruth was following behind the other women.

“Tonight, I want you to wash and anoint yourself. You will be following the custom of my people. Boaz has a little place in the wall beside the old wine press.  Tonight I want you to go to him. He is our next of kin and he has the right to redeem my land.”

Ruth fretted making herself ready as Naomi said. “What if he rejects me? What if he thinks I am too forward?”

“Ruth, it is our custom, he will understand why you have come.”

“He was kind to me today when he rode his fields.”

“Yes, and he will be kind to you this evening.”

“I noticed other men were looking at you in the field today.”

“I haven’t noticed. The women are jealous of me and I do not want to give

them any reason for thinking I am there for any other reason than gleaning.”

“Boaz spoke to me this morning. He said I was like the morning star; I was brighter than all the others. I am not sure what he was saying.”

“Ruth, what else did he say?”

“Nothing, we just looked at each other. His eyes met mine and he didn’t seem to notice the other reapers. They were standing close by. They might have heard him.”

“Naomi, I have never looked at anyone else except Mahlon that way.”

“I know, my child, but Mahlon is our past, we must look towards the future.”

“Now quickly go. When Boaz has eaten and drunk and is full of joy, he will lie down by the winnowed grain. He does that nightly during harvest season in order robbers do not steal his grain.”

“Softly lay at his feet and uncover his feet. Trust the words you will say. He has taken note of you in the field, he knows your heart. He knows you have not gone after the other men in the field.”

Ruth obeyed Naomi’s words. It was all so unfamiliar to her. Their customs, their respect for each other. In her country, she would be termed a harlot with such action. And men would take advantage of her and think she was asking to be seduced.

Ruth entered the winnowing shed and moved easily at Boaz’s feet. He sighed and turned in his sleep. She stopped, moved closer. Ruth kneeled at his feet; she could not bring herself to lying down beside him. Then Ruth gently took the end of Boaz’s skirt and crawled under it.

Ruth lay there which seemed like hours, but only a few moments had passed. Boaz moved and pulled the cover around him, when at once he woke, startled and starred at Ruth. “Who is it?”

“It’s Ruth, my lord.”

“Ruth!” he whispered, “Ruth!” Boaz looked down on her. His heart stirred. He had not lain beside a woman for years, since his own wife had died.  There were many young men in the field she could have gone to, but why him? Boaz in his seventies and Ruth just in her forties seemed generations away, yet their hearts met in that whisper.

Ruth pulled back, her heart pounded, she panic with shame and humiliation. She shouldn’t have listened to Naomi.

Boaz sat up, “Ruth, don’t be afraid. I understand. There has been a movement of the wind between us since I looked on you in the field. You have stirred my heart which has been lonely for years.”

Ruth understood Boaz’s words. She felt those same feelings when Mahlon sat across the fire and wrote on his parchment. Ruth was curious then as to the things he wrote. Years later, Mahlon read his words to her. They spoke of how a man’s heart feels when he encounters a woman who turns his heart.

She saw the same fire in Boaz’s eyes. Boaz reassured her again. “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”

"There is someone else closer as kin, I must talk to him."

Workbook Lesson 8

1.     How do we acknowledge Israel’s customs with our place of salvation?

2.     Who draws who? Why pursues who?

3.     When you came to the Lord, can you see how the Holy Spirit brought you in?

4.     Was it a whisper, what did you sense? Did you feel uncomfortable as if it was a foreign thing you were doing?

5.     When Boaz called her a virtuous woman, what was he saying?

6.     Could we ever have the title, a virtuous woman?

Hand in Hand - Lesson 7

Lesson 7

Hand in Hand

Ruth 3:7-14

Linking hearts together

each would stand

without reason,

players would have missed their cue

and rhythm missed its beat

making different music.

A song with precise words

sounts with certain beats

set the music that

would be heard throughout eternity.

Take the hand held out

Its purpose is designed for you.

Your answer is held

by the outstretched hand.

The one standing beside you 

needs your life to share.

Holding back will only hold

God's grace from you.

God’s Story

The pivoting point of God’s story is Bethlehem

Bethlehem: of bread: A town in Judah located about 6 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The birthplace of King David and later of Christ.

Parable of the Landowner – Matthew 21:33-44 – Ruth – (Gentiles) becomes the vs 41 lease to another vinedresser who will render to him the fruits in their seasons. 43: Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.

Boaz – His name means swiftness or fleetness.   He saw that Ruth was a virtuous woman (Proverb 31:10-31)

One of strength and wisdom. He saw her exalted above all the other women.

Ruth 3:13-15 – A close relative who owned the land was between Boaz and Ruth. Romans 5:14-19 Adam’s disobedience brought death, now Jesus’ obedience brought many to righteousness.

Ruth Story – She took refuge in Boaz’s field, now she is entering into his chambers.

Ruth’s faith brought her to this moment. Out of obedience, she served.  Naomi, out of obedience of Boaz’s words brought her to the next step.

Naomi’s Story –

She is obeys Naomi’s Words. Naomi understood the law and the conditions and the rewards. Ruth is told to cleanse and anoint herself and wait until it was time.

Principles of Relationships:

Who stands in our way of blessing?__________________

Do we believe what God says will turn out for our good? ________________

Do we have a Naomi in our lives? ______________________________

How does Naomi (as Israel) speak to us? _________________________

Is Ruth looking for anything but what Naomi is speaking to her? ______

Do we obey for reward or out of obedience? ______________________

Trust and the signs will follow (Jesus tells the Nobleman) John 5

Can we stand on God’s word and know in our hearts that it will all turn out right? _______________________________________________________

Ruth is told to cleanse and anoint herself? What does that mean? _________________________________

Are we patient enough to wait for Boaz to answer?_________________

Was Ruth worried about her reputation? _________________________

Did Boaz protect her reputation? _______________________________

Where is it in one of our studies where Jesus comes with swiftness? ___

Chains of Events: Ezekiel 16:1-8 -  I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the Lord God.

“

Cameo – The Story

“Naomi!” Boaz called “Welcome back to Bethlehem. God bless you.”

“God be with you, Boaz,” Naomi said.

“Where are Mahlon and Chilion?”

“”They are dead. In Moab, we left them buried in Moab.”

“Dead”? Boaz moved to compassion for Naomi. “My workers said you were back and a young girl came with you.”

“God punished us for going to Moab. We should have stayed.”

“My daughter and I have come back. We do not speak of our loss.”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes, Mahlon’s wife.”

“My men said a Moabite was in my field and recognized her as coming with you.”

“Ruth has been my comfort. She has stayed faithful to my son’s memory. “

“A woman faithful even to the memory of her husband? But you must send her back, The people are bound to hate her and if she stays there may be trouble.”

“Ruth was my safety. I could not have come back on this long journey without her. We walked for days through her country and she protected us. Her heart told her to come. Ruth is the best friend I have in the world.”

“I have nothing against a Moabite woman. I only speak to you as a friend.”

In the weeks that followed Boaz visited the field, curious about Ruth. It was Boaz’s custom to go the field in the middle of the morning when the harvesters were at work. He had instructed his reapers to leave heads of barley behind. It is the least he could do for Naomi.”

Boaz walked across the cut field to where Ruth was picking some of the barley. He motioned to her. Ruth did not look up, but continued to glean the field.

“I’ve been told that you came back with Naomi. Why did you do that? Come over here and sit on this rock and drink. You must be thirsty.” He took her by the arm. “I heard that Chilion and Mahlon were dead.”

“Naomi wanted to come back to Bethlehem.”

“And you came with her of your own will?”

“Yes. My husband was Naomi’s son. I love him and I love her.”

“Mahlon has been dead for many months.”

“But he is not dead in my thoughts or in my memory. All that I believe and all that I know is what I learned from Mahlon.”

Ruth continued, “Mahlon taught me that the Lord said that the stranger that dwells with you shall be unto you as one born among you.”

“You must have loved Boaz very much.”

“I did. He fills my life.”

Boaz watched Ruth. Admiration and envy shown on his face. He had once loved and lost. Now he was alone.

Ruth excused herself and continued to work. One of the reapers came to Boaz, “Do you want me to send her away?”

“No, I want her to stay in my field. She must go to no other field than mine,” Boaz said sharply.

“As you say, but there is a lot of envy among the other reapers.”

“Is it because of her diligence, her beauty or youth?”

Boaz instructed the reaper, “Let her drink from the water the other harvesters have drawn.”  

Naomi came to the field that evening and watched Ruth work. The other workers were leaving the field, laughing and bandying with the other women workers. Ruth followed behind. She was tired.

Ruth looked at Naomi, “The women hate me because I am a Moabite.”

“No, they hate you because you are beautiful. Do you know you are beautiful?”

Ruth looked startled. The thought had not entered her mind since the days when Mahlon looked at her across the fire and she knew she delighted him. Oh how she missed Mahlon.

The next morning Boaz could hardly wait to visit the field. As he suspected, Ruth was looking to the ground for every barley head that fell from the hands of the reapers.

Boaz’s eyes light up when he saw Ruth. She was so young, beautiful and her slender body moved with the movement of the grass.

Boaz moved toward her, “Have my workers been kind to you?” Boaz felt a little self-conscious. The other workers stopped to look at the two in the field. This would definitely cause gossip among the others.

“Have you gathered plenty?”

“Oh yes,” she said and the pink in her cheek rose to the surface. She felt something move in her.

That evening Naomi approached Naomi. “I need to seek security for you. Boaz is our relative. The law protects the widow. Tonight I want you to go to the winnowing house where he stays during the harvest time. Wash and anoint yourself and put on your best garment.”

Ruth did not want to tell Naomi the conversation she had with Boaz earlier in the day or the look in his eyes. Naomi might feel that Ruth was unfaith to Mahlon’s memory.    

As Ruth readied herself she knew this could be disastrous. What if Boaz turned her away? What would she do? Ruth understood she was going in hopes of securing Elimelech’s land for Naomi. Ruth did not understand any more than that. She knew she needed to submit to Boaz as a servant”

Ruth obeyed Naomi’s words. She needed to wait until Boaz had finished eating and drinking and when he lay down. Ruth came softly and uncovered Boaz’s feet and was lying at his feet.

Boaz jumped. It startled him that someone might be on the threshing floor. “Who are you?” He asked.

“I’m Ruth your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing for you are a close relative to Naomi.”

“Blessed are you, my daughter for showing so much kindness towards Naomi. I have watched you among the young men. You have not gone after them like the other young women in the field.”

“You are a virtuous woman, You not only show strength of character but wisdom. I am not the closest relative, but I will talk to him. Perhaps he will buy Naomi’s field back. Wait until morning. I will go quickly to him, and if he refuses, I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives.

Chapter 7 Study Lesson

1. What can we learn from this story?_____________________________

2. How does Jesus act towards us?_______________________________

3. Do we need to be afraid that we might be turned away?_____________

4. Was there anything improper about Ruth’s proposal? ______________

5. Did Ruth know what she was asking or what the law was giving her?

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