When The Judges Ruled Israel

When The Judges Ruled Israel Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Naomi’s earlier thoughts (2:20) are now put into words vv. 1-5 • She wanted Ruth to be “secure” • She knew Ruth was entitled to the care and protection offered through a levirate marriage

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Naomi’s earlier thoughts (2:20) are now put into words vv. 1-5 • She instructed Ruth on how to approach Boaz and ask him to perform the duties of the near kinsman

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Ruth approaches Boaz vv. 6-13 • After he was asleep, she uncovered his feet and lay there until he awoke • She would then ask him to spread his “skirt” (covering) over her • A proposal Ù make me your wife

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Ruth approaches Boaz vv. 6-13 • A woman under a man’s cover meant he had taken her as a wife Deut 22:30 27:20 Ezek 16:8 • Boaz commends Ruth for not chasing young men, and for her good reputation vv. 10-11

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Ruth approaches Boaz vv. 6-13 • Boaz agreed to redeem her…however, there were “legalities” to work out vv. 12-13 • There was a nearer kinsman…he had the first right of refusal • If he chose to redeem Ruth, fine…if he refused, Boaz was next & he would redeem

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Boaz protects Ruth’s reputation vv. 14-15 • He had previously commended her for her good name 2:11 3:11 • They had done nothing wrong or “tawdry” that evening at the threshing floor • Yet, others still might talk seeing her leave

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Boaz protects Ruth’s reputation vv. 14-15 • He gave her six measures of barley to carry back to Naomi • Others seeing her leave would simply think she was getting an early start to her work

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Boaz protects Ruth’s reputation vv. 14-15 • Historians record the common practices of immorality in ancient cultures, especially around harvest time • Fornication was rampant among pagan religions…a way to “worship” fertility gods

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Boaz protects Ruth’s reputation vv. 14-15 • Even though Boaz & Ruth didn’t do anything wrong that evening, they still were careful to avoid the appearance of sin • A good lesson for us to imitate today re: our own behavior 1 Thess 5:22

Boaz Agrees To Redeem Ruth Ruth 3 • Ruth returns to Naomi and tells her about the meeting with Boaz vv. 16-17 • She also shows her the six measures of barley • Naomi tells Ruth to wait…Boaz will do as he said and will not procrastinate v. 18

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Naomi was correct…Boaz did not delay in going to the nearer kinsman vv. 1-2 3:18 • He called him to the city gate • He also called 10 city elders as witnesses • Boaz informed the nearer kinsman of the land Naomi needed to sell v. 3

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Boaz informed him of his first right of refusal…if he didn’t want it, Boaz was next in line & he would buy it v. 4a • The nearer kinsman agreed to buy it v. 4b • Boaz also informed him of his duty to take Ruth as wife & father a son v. 5

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The nearer kinsman refused v. 6 • He could not in the grounds doing so would “mar” or “jeopardize” his own inheritance • Money already his (his estate’s) would be used to purchase land he would not eventually get to keep…Ruth (her son) was destined to own the land

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The “custom” of refusal vv. 7-8 • If one refused to perform the duties of the near kinsman, he was to relinquish his right by removing his sandal and giving it to the next kinsman in line • There appears to be some connection to the statute found in Deut 25:7-10

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth vv. 9-12 • He calls all present to witness that he has agreed to purchase Naomi’s field • They are also witness to his willingness to marry Ruth and raise up a son so that Mahlon’s name not be blotted out in Israel

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth vv. 9-12 • Those present in the court around the gate blessed Ruth…“may she be like Rachel & Leah…” [bear many children] • They also want Boaz’s new home to be like that of Perez [ancestor…twin born to Judah 1 Chron 2:5 Gen 38:27-30]

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The blessing of this marriage vv. 13-16 • God allowed Ruth to conceive and bear a son to account for Mahlon’s inheritance • The women in Bethlehem praised Naomi… now, she had a “redeemer” and a “restorer of life” [Obed]

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The blessing of this marriage vv. 13-16 • The women also praise Ruth…she had proven herself to be more valuable to Naomi than 7 sons • A high compliment, given the preference for sons over daughters…Ruth had been very faithful to Naomi

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The blessing of this marriage vv. 13-16 • The women brought Obed to Naomi and laid him on her lap…she became his nurse • All her former bitterness was erased by this precious child 1:13, 20-21

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • The importance of this book vv. 17-22 • It appears the way the book concludes reveals the main reason for the book • Out of the subsequent descendants came David, Israel’s greatest king • More importantly would also come the Messiah Mt 1:2-6a

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Some final thoughts re: the book… • Even though the period of The Judges was not Israel’s most flattering time spiritually, this book does remind us of 2 points – • A few can be faithful to the Lord even when everyone else around them is not

Boaz Marries Ruth Ruth 4 • Some final thoughts re: the book… • Even though the period of The Judges was not Israel’s most flattering time spiritually, this book does remind us of 2 points – • One can come to know & be totally committed to the Lord, leaving behind any kind of false religion

When The Judges Ruled Israel