210912 Ruth 5

 Ruth 5                                                                                             210912

The story of Ruth begins as a growing tragedy and moves forward to an amazing triumph. Within 10 years Elimelech, Malon and Chilion died leaving the widows without a man. One day Naomi heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had restored Israel.

 This period in history was extremely hard. The record of the Judges concludes by telling us, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25). Prejudice is a malicious social disease that destroys any opportunity to build a strong community.

Naomi was in no mood to trust God in her situation. She had been on hand when Elimelech had trusted God, moved to Moab, and died!

Ruth was determined to be loyal to Naomi. She said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (Ruth 1:16-17). This testimony shows her conversion to the family of the living God, Yahweh!

When the two women arrived in Bethlehem they were the talk of the town! In reply to the question, “Is this Naomi?” She answered, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ²¹ I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:21).

“Naomi” means “Pleasant” and “Mara” means “Bitter”.

Ruth’s confession of faith had included a rejection of the Moabite god, chemosh! Ruth surrendered her life to Naomi and the one true God, “Yahweh”.

Naomi was in so much pain that she could not imagine Ruth as an asset. God is often blamed when things seem to go “wrong”. Man takes the credit when things seem to go “right”!

Chapter one ends with a hint of how they might survive, “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” (Ruth1:22b) There were two things Naomi and Ruth had to have in order to survive: food and family. They had gleaned for food in the fields of Moab. So they knew how to “get by” for food but there was certainly no future in that.

Chapter two begins with, “Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. (Ruth 2:1) Ruth and Naomi may have discussed their closest relatives but they would not have known which relatives had survived.

Naomi’s comment, “I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty,” (Ruth 1:20) certainly indicates she could not see anything positive in their situation. Yahweh Himself was Ruth’s and Naomi’s only real asset. But Naomi did not give Ruth any consideration. Apparently she did not trust Yahweh! So Ruth takes it upon herself to provide for their needs. She asked Naomi’s permission before she went out to gather what grain she could. God’s unseen hand reached out.

Ruth just “happened” to come to the field being harvested by Boaz, one of their kinsman redeemers!

Now I don’t believe in chance or luck. I do believe in providence!

God had provided for gleaning in the Law of Moses. One of the laws of compassion allow for the poor to glean after the harvesters. “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:19).

When she set out that morning Ruth was not looking for Boaz’s field she was just looking for food for her and her beloved Naomi. I do not think Ruth planned to arrive in Boaz’s field. I believe God guided her there. This was not a scheme by the two widows to trap a man. It was part of a long-term plan arranged by God with a specific goal. Look at the evidence of Boaz and his crew showing their common faith. Ruth arrived just as, “Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” (Ruth 2:4) It just happened that Boaz arrived while Ruth was gleaning in his field. I believe God’s unseen hand guided her to family, food and a future all wrapped up in one package. A package named Boaz. When he arrived on the scene he did not ask, “Who is the young woman?” He asked, “Whose young woman is this?” The difference is subtle. Boaz did not want to know who she was as much as he wanted to know if she was free and if not who did she belong to. 

Boaz checked in with his crew and gave them instructions then he approached Ruth. Boaz had instructed his crew, male and female, to keep Ruth from harm and to make sure she had all she needed. He also told the young men to leave plenty of grain for her to gather. She was to be allowed to drink from the workers’ water jars. She knew that this was not common practice. And she was bold enough to ask, “Why”?

Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:11-12) Ruth’s loyalty had paid off in real dividends. She could see that she was being treated like one of his servants and not like a poor foreigner.

Boaz went a step further. At the end of the day he and his crew ate together. He invited Ruth to join in the meal. He even served her with his own hands. At the end of the day Ruth beat out the grain she had gathered. Naomi was excited about the size of Ruth’s harvest. Obviously, someone had blessed her. I am not sure Naomi was ready to recognize God’s hand. But we know that God was her benefactor. Just as Boaz had said, “The Lord repay you for what you have done.”(Ruth 2:12) Barley harvest usually began about mid-April and wheat harvest extended to mid-June—a period of intense labor for about two months. This generally coincided with the seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost.

For a couple of months Ruth had worked in the fields of Boaz alongside his young women. During that time her reputation was growing. Later, Boaz would call her a worthy woman. That same phrase is used to describe the excellent wife beginning in Proverbs 31:10. No doubt he was smitten by her and did not know exactly what to do about it. I believe he was older than she and had likely given up on having a wife and family. He may have been too busy bringing his business through the famine. This may have been one explanation of why he was not already married.

Of course he was not married! God was holding him in reserve to become the great-grandfather of David the King. Meanwhile, “She lived with her mother-in-law.”  (Ruth 2:23b) As soon as Naomi heard the name, “Boaz” she knew what to say and do. “Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. ³ Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” ⁵ And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” (Ruth 3:2-5).

The scene was set. Most of the servants of Boaz would have the day, or certainly the evening, off. Winnowing was a man’s job. The female servants brought in the harvest and the men would have separated the grain from the chaff. The fact that Boaz was there working alongside of his crew in doing the work speaks well of him.

Ruth had bathed and put on perfume. I expect she had, up till then, been dressed in the clothes of a widow. She would have put the “widows weeds” aside and, with her clothing, shown that she was ready to lay aside the past and get on with life. She went to the winnowing floor and let the darkness protect her identity. Following Naomi’s instructions she watched Boaz very carefully. She did not want to approach the wrong man when she moved into action. She watched where he lay down and waited until she was certain he was sound asleep.

Then she softly moved to his feet and turned his robe back and lay down. In our world that would have been a very provocative act. In their world this was acceptable. I believe at least one of Boaz’s servants was awake and aware of what was happening. That servant would have been very loyal to his good master. His duties would have included maintaining a fire and watching over the gathered grain. He would have also known Ruth was worthy and to be trusted.

That would have been who Boaz spoke to when he said, ““Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” (Ruth 3:14)

In the middle of the night Boaz was awakened and he uncovered Ruth. He asked, “Who are you?” Her reply would have settled all of his doubts about her and their future.

The word she used for covering might be translated “wings”, “skirt”, or “hem”. It was the same word Boaz used when referring to her relationship with the God of Israel. Ruth was serious about her relationship with Boaz. She said, “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” ¹⁰ And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

(Ruth 3:9b-11). Then Boaz revealed that he had been considering exactly what Ruth proposed. He had done his research but he had kept quiet about what he knew.

He said, “And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. ¹³ Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.” (Ruth 3:10-13), Ruth wanted there to be no doubt in Boaz’s mind. Naomi had given her instruction to let Boaz discover her and then follow his directions. “But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” (Ruth 3:7). Ruth did not stop with the unveiling she added to Naomi’s words.  “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

(Ruth 3:9b) Boaz was a man of honor. He would make sure Ruth’s reputation was secure. He would also make sure there was no time for the “closer redeemer” to hear about the scene at the threshing floor.

At the same time, he would protect her physically by having her stay until morning twilight to go home. Also he gave her an abundance of grain so Naomi could no longer say God brought her back empty. Then he promised to settle the matter immediately. He must not let too much time pass. The whole community would have known what was going on soon enough. If the nearer redeemer had time to work out the nuances of Ruth and the property she represented he would have found a way to make it work. So, Boaz is ready to strike while the iron is hot! Before his cousin (at least I think they were cousins) realized there would be a way to add to his land, father a male heir, and still keep his estate separate. ********

 

In the meantime, Ruth came to their apartment in the city with a story to tell and a large supply of barley. Naomi assured Ruth, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” (Ruth 3:18).

In his excitement Boaz hurried to the city gate. He had, had little sleep and lots of anticipation. I believe he knew what time each day what’s his name would pass through that gate. I expect Boaz had watched what’s his name going through his daily routines long enough to act on the information he had gathered. When the unnamed redeemer arrived at the gate he found Boaz ready to close the trap.

Boaz quickly organized a 10 man quorum (I believe he had already “packed the court”) and now he presented his case.

Boaz began with a simple statement of facts. Notice, he did not begin with a mention of Ruth. He began with Naomi. She would have been the person having ownership. When Elimelech took his family to Moab he did not sell his land. In fact he could not sell it because he really didn’t own it. God did! Land was very important! God had laid down property law based on Leviticus 25:23-24, “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land.” God intended to maintain ownership of the land forever. The people were simply leaseholders.

Besides all that, there would not have been a market for land in a time of famine. I believe there would have been a hut on their plot of land and nothing else. Aside from the unseen direction of God’s hand, Elimelech’s land would have been nearby. The land plan of God was to keep families and clans together. That would maintain a safe and secure community.

Boaz reports to what’s his name that Naomi wanted to turn her inherited land into cash. Now that he had the kinsman’s attention, “he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. ⁴ So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” (Ruth 4:3-4).

Without thought, the kinsman immediately said, “I will redeem it.”

Now was the time for Boaz to toss in a little complication. “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” (Ruth 4:5). I believe there would have been legal ways to unravel the complications raised by bringing Ruth into his household. Boaz had taken the time to research the possibilities. What’s his name would not have done the research and may not have been aware of Ruth. Perhaps Boaz could have married Ruth some other way. Whatever the complications may have been they were enough to stop the deal with the unnamed kinsman.

Upon hearing about the marriage inheritance part of the deal he said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. ⁸ So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. (Ruth 4:6-8)

For whatever reason what’s his name could not see a path that would allow him to be the redeemer. Probably the property was all he was interested in. The ten man jury heard his affirmation and saw the exchange of a sandal.

This was a very agreeable experience. We will look at the record of what might have been. It is recorded in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

⁵ “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. ⁶ And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. ⁷ And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ ⁸ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ ⁹ then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ ¹⁰ And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.”  

The record of law assumed a hostile setting where there was no willing kinsman redeemer. What’s his name was never revealed by the writer. We do not know his name or his relationship. I suspect he was a first-cousin and Boaz was at least one step removed. Boaz immediately pressed his claim and made clear his intention regarding the property of Elimelech and his direct heirs. The most important part of the transaction was this along with the property he would take the widow. The first boy baby would be recorded as the son of Mahlon and would then inherit the property that would have been held in trust for him.

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. ¹⁰ Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” (Ruth 4:9-10)

Boaz fulfilled an important role in the history of the land that was Elimelech’s. The perpetuation of the family name was as important as the recovery of the land.

There was rejoicing in Bethlehem that day. The broken family relationship would be restored for the land and the inheritance assured.

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, ¹² and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

Ruth had been kept from conception because God had plans for her. She had become a follower of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now she would take her place in the genetic line that would bring an anointed messiah into the world to be the kinsman redeemer of all who will put their faith in him.

 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. ¹⁴ Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! ¹⁵ He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” ¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. ¹⁷ And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17).

The shortened genealogy was included to show future generations what this story is really all about.

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, ¹⁹ Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, ²⁰ Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, ²¹ Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, ²² Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (Ruth 4:18-22).

 

Boaz personifies Jesus who, “had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17), Jesus redeemed those who were slaves to sin. “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:15–18)  Jesus redeemed those who had lost all earthly privilege in the Fall and had been alienated by sin from God. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Boaz stands in the direct line of Christ. This turn of events marks the point where Naomi’s human emptiness (Ruth 1:21) begins to be refilled by the Lord. Her night of earthly doubt has been broken by the dawning of new hope.

Have you recognized your need for a redeemer? One who can buy you back from the fields of this age and allow you to work alongside those who are servants of the King of the Universe? See how a citizen of a foreign nation can become a member of the people of God? Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord?

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society..