Read it.
Sandj
Sorry, issues with posting again... I hope this doesn't continue, but if it does, I just keep posting as it allows me to.... sorry for this inconvenience. :)
Chapter 1: verse 1-2... there were a lot of famines back then, I think... anyway, in keeping with the ideas discussed in the "Invitation" part, it appears that the Isrealite man (who had an Isrealite wife) had a good reason for moving to Moab? Ok, a total side note, I really like to say "Elimelech"... I think that is one of the funnest names in the Bible! :)
verse 3-4... interesting that they married the Moabite women after their dad died... was that due to age, custom, or because their dad would have not allowed it while he was alive? just wondering...
verse 5... crazy... alone... in a foreign place... with 'foreign' people... without anyone she came there with... crazy how our plans don't always go as we had planned... that has me thinking... anyway, thankfully God is faithful and trustworthy, though.
verse 6-7... Yeah! God is back in the picture and the people are once again saved. :)
veres 8-10... such sacrificial love!... another way that this book points to Jesus, I think... makes me think of Romans 5:7 ("Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.")... these women were willing to give their lives to the mother-in-law that they loved... just like Jesus, in all the surrounding verses in Romans 5, gave his life for us... and He did so when we were "of no use whatever to Him" (as it says in the Message translation of Romans 5:8)... just like Ruth gave her life to serve her mother-in-law even though it was not beneficial to her (verse 16-18).
verse 11-13... ok, I know this is a touching, and sad moment, but the idea of the baby sons and all is kind of funny... important historical points are here I am sure, though, as the study notes strategically question "Without husbands or sons, what crisis is Naomi facing? In a male-dominated, pre-welfare age, how important would male relatives be for widows?"... also, 1 Timothy addresses this very issue, too, and Ruth is right in line with what is taught there, especially as this book goes on (see 1 Timothy 5:3-16)
veres 14-15... interesting that Naomi has lost such confidence in God that she is encouraging her daughter-in-laws to go back to 'their gods'... do we ever give up on the truth of God's character because of hard times in our lives? how do we stay focused on God despite these difficulties, despite the times when we 'cant see Him'? I think some of the answers can be found in: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18, 2 Corinthians 4:6-18, Matthew 5:45... David sings about these things in many of his Psalms: Psalm 40, and 71 are two of my favorites.
verse 16-17... this would be a great vow to say at a wedding, I think. :) Also, I think that this is a confession of faith that is similar to what we say when we accept Jesus... we give up all our old ways and devote our lives completely to following Jesus... we tell God that He will be our God... that we accept His gift to be His child, and that we will allow Him, and only Him, to direct our path in life.
verse 18... makes me think about how sometimes we have to have conviction in what we know is right, because without conviction in our own lives, we cannot hope to pursuade others of what we know is right.
verse 19-21... kind of reminds me of the Prodigal son (Luke 15), only in reverse... in the Prodigal son, he returned and there was joy, but here, Naomi returns, but she comes back with a heavy heart... I think that this is similar to our lives... sometimes, we turn to God because we are repentant, and want to be restored... and sometimes, we turn to God because we have no where else to go... even when we are still hurting, God accepts us back... we do not have to be 'all set right' before we can go to Him... God meets us where we are... He accepts us as we are... because He knows we can't change in and of ourselves, anyway... if we could, we wouldn't have needed Jesus to come (Galatians 2:21)... so, we need not be afraid to turn to God, even when we are totally a mess, unable to feel joy, saddened beyond belief, and not certain of the why of it all... God does not expect us to put on a happy face and entertain Him with our wit and charm... He understands that we need to grieve sometimes... He understands our need to release frustration and anger... He will not break because of it... Even if we are angry with Him or hurt because of things He allowed... Even if we do not understand and we don't see the big picture... God will hold us and love us and we cannot break Him... He created emotions, and He will allow them to help us be restored back to Him... in time, with His help, we will heal. Footnotes say that "Naomi" means "pleasant" and "Mara" means "bitter".
sandJ
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Read it. Will comment soon.
ReplyDeletesandJ
Info on book of Ruth (according to Seredipity "Invitation" section):
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Unknown
Date: "The date of composition is difficult to fix, though it was probably written during the period of the Isrealite monarchy (c 1000-722 BC). An early date is likely, as suggested by the fact that the geneology is 4:17-22 ends with David." [So this book might actually coincide with 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel?]
Theme: "Divine providence and human loyalty in the life of one family. The legal procedure of kinsman-redeemer also serves to illustrate the larger biblical theme of redemption." [Good stuff! This book helps add to the lineage of Jesus, too, I believe.]
Historical Background: "The action of thie book of Ruth is set in the tumultuous period of the Judges (c 1100BC)." [Oh, apparently it was written during the time of the events of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, but the book itself takes place prior to that?] "It may be that the book's original intention was to provide a politically important geneology for David (4:17-22). The story goes to great lengths to legitimize his Moabite connections. This was important since Moabite women were considered immoral by many in Isreal (see Genesis 19:30-38; Numbers 25:1-2)." [Boy, the guys who analyze these things are so smart! That makes a ton of sense!] "Modern readers of Ruth, unfamiliar with the background to the 'kinsman-redeemer' motif, will also want to read about the plight of bereft widows and disenfranchised poor people, and how the next of kin was obliged to extend the family name (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10) and redeem their lost property (see Leviticus 25:23-28)."
Characteristics: "This book does not drive home its points, but subtly weaves them into the form of a story. In style, with its condensed action and plot twists, the book of Ruth is like a modern short story. The author has taken the changing forturnes of a single family and created a work of art. The book is interesting for its contrast to the Book of Judges. Though set during the time of the Judges, the story of Ruth does not present the dramatic acts of God; in fact, God is not often mentioned in the book. Nonetheless, implied throughout is the quiet, tangible presence of God superintending the action of the story. Above all, this is a book about a loving and righteous woman. The author takes an outsider of questionable background, Ruth, and shows her to be a person about whom God is vitally concerned."
So, it sounds like the Book of Ruth is really like a parable of what God does in the life of each of us, as sinners. God takes each of us, who have no real value, no inheritance, no right to His Kingdom, and then, He redeems us and makes us His own (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 2:9-10). God takes the 'immoral' and makes us 'righteous' (2 Corinthains 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18). I think this book is also a look at how a life live for Christ, can point to God... I'm thinking of the words of Saint Francis Assisi, "In all ways speak the Gospel, and if necessary, use words."... but also the words in 1 Peter 2:12 ("Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.")... yes, we should tell others about God, afterall that is what Jesus commanded us to do in the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8), but are we not also to ACT upon what we know and talk about?... our lives can sometimes speak louder than our words, right?
Chapter 2: verse 1-5... there are no coincidences with God.
ReplyDeleteverse4-7... Boaz sounds like a very kind and well liked man. He also apparently stays well aware of things if he knows a stranger in his field when he sees one. And Ruth must have been pretty (or at least different looking) if she stood out like that, plus she is polite/respectful (which probably helped her get permission to glean since being a Moabitess would hinder her here) and she is also hard working.
verse8-12... amazing how her good character proceeded her and produced grace for her... but this was due to her decision to follow God... following God's will always brings blessings, and God always provides the needs of His children.
verse 13... humility and thankfulness, also characteristics we should display in Christ.
verse 14-18... I like how Ruth is not selfish, but instead works hard to help her mother-in-law and cares for her in so many ways. I do wonder if Boaz is doing so much for her because he knows of her relation to Naomi and his duty as their kinsman, or because of Ruth's character and his feelings for her?
verse 19-21... I can almost see Naomi's eyes get their sparkle back at this good news.... both for their immediate food needs, and also for the possibility for match-making. :)
verse 22... I find it interesting that Naomi doesn't provide Ruth with this warning before she went out the first time... is she able to focus on this as a possiblity now because her mood has improved and she is no longer self-pitying, or does Naomi have alterior motives for her cautionary words?
The study notes give the following verses for reminders about gleaning and kinsman redeemers: Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Leviticus 25:47-49, Leviticus 25:25-28, and Numberse 35:19
Chapter 3: verse 1-8...I don't understand all the reasoning behind the instructions Naomi gave Ruth, but it must have been good advice since it worked....I wonder if the feet thing was a way of showing servanthood and humilitiy in her request?... the study notes say it may have been a way of ensuring that he woke up that night since he would have gotten cold feet.... I don't know, but either way, I wonder if Ruth understood the whys behind all the things she was asked to do? Either way, she shows great faith and courage in being so bold and in following Naomi's instructions even though they could have gotten her in trouble (see verse 14).
ReplyDeleteverse 9... the study notes say that this request signified a request for marriage and an offer of protection... so by agreeing, Boaz was saying he would do both.
vesre 10... Boaz must have been old, I guess... I don't understand why this is a kindness, but maybe becuase it was a complement to his ego, or maybe because by marrying a young woman he would be assured more children, so this would increase his household, which was apparently an important thing back then?
verse 11... her "noble character" was quite a complementary remark considering she was a Moabitess and the Isrealites hated the Moab people... she must have been an extraordinary woman to make such a positive change to the thinking of the Isrealite people.
verse 12-13... Boaz is a noble man himself in that he wants to follow the law of being a kinsman redeemer... but I do wonder why he wants her to stay there... maybe because he wants to fulfill the duty out of more than just requirement and he enjoys her company?
verse 14... I wonder why he says this since she was allowed in there... surely she didn't hide out the whole time until everyone fell asleep?
verse 15... was this like a bride-price or good faith offering or something?
verse 18... awww... kind of romantic... Boaz is taking care of business for the woman he cares for. :)
Chapter 4: verse 1-4... what is up with the offering of land? Did land come with a bride? Did Boaz mention this first so that no one could accuse him of trying to take Ruth just to get the land by sneaking it or something? Or maybe it was to save him from being the known as the "Family of the Unsandled"? (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10)
ReplyDeleteverse 5... funny how when Boaz doesn't get the answer he had hoped for, he adds the "dead man's widow" into the picture... he doesn't paint a great picture of her, on purpose I think... maybe this is because he was a good business man, who knew that in order to get what you want you don't act excited about the proposition... but all this makes me think he does really love Ruth and doesn't really want to give her up to the other man (see Ruth 3:13... wonder if that was just to hide some of his eagerness to marry her... kind of cute :)...)
verse 6... I wonder why the other man said no... how would Ruth hurt his estate?... did he fear the jealousy would be a problem with another wife, maybe? or was it because of a prejudice against her as a Moabite?
verse 7-8... I am thankful for the explanation in verse 7 to clarify the transaction of verse 8 :)
verse 9-10... smart man to make the transaction in the council of the elders so it would be final and binding.
verse 11-12... Boaz, or at least his family line, do become famous in Bethlehem, if no other time, than certainly when Jesus is born there (see John 7:42, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6, Matthew 2:1)... also, interesting that the elders bless him to be like that of Perez... he must have been this people's lineage "father" or something?... oh, wait the study notes refer us to Genesis 38, where Judah was Tamar's father-in-law, but through some craziness, bore his sons, one of which was named Perez... not really that great of a blessing, I think, after reading Genesis 38... kind of like more of a "good luck, you'll need it" kind of thing than a blessing?
verse 13... interesting that she didn't have any kids before in light of this verse where it says "the Lord enabled her to conceive"... I wonder if she didn't have kids before because of this very purpose in her life now? God always knows what is best for us overall and in the future, even when we wish for something different in the present.
verse 14-16... the joy of being a grandparent! :)
verse 17... amazing how the life of a young baby can bring such restoration and healing to the lives of those who are older.
verse 17... so Boaz and Ruth were King David's great-grandparents.
verse 18-22... the study notes say that this geneology is important because "For David and his decendents, who faced numerous challenges to their right to rule, this 'famous' connection would help to legitimize their claims to royalty (see Genesis 49:8-12)"... this story would also prove that David came from righteous people of good/solid character, which is important for a good king to possess, too.
I think one thing that I will take from this whole story is the reminder that God has all the details already worked out for all the "impossible" things He has planned for my life... so I have nothing to worry about, I only need to trust and obey.
sandJ