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
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
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
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 be with you, Boaz,” Naomi said.
“Where are Mahlon and Chilion?”
“”They are dead. In Moab 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
“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?
_________________________________________________________
“
No comments:
Post a Comment