Redeemed at Unknown Value

Ruth 4:1:

"Ho, such a one!" Clarke explains the statement as following, "The original is shebah poh, peloni almoni! "Hark ye, Mr. Such-a-one of such a place! come and sit down here." This is used when the person of the individual is known, and his name and residence unknown. almoni comes from alam, to be silent or hidden, hence the Septuagint render it by κρυφε thou unknown person: peloni comes from palah, to sever or distinguish; you of such a particular place. Modes of compellation of this kind are common in all languages." There statement and it's vague nature would indicate to us that it was not the Lord's intention through inspiration to reveal who the nearest of kinsmen was, but rather the focus to be upon Boaz. Where the scripture is silent we must remain silent as well.

The place of redemption here is in the city gate. The place of our redemption is outside the gate.

Ruth 4:2:

The ten elders of the city were present, but this transaction was witnessed by a great deal more people of the city. (v9 - "all the people") There must have been an interest by all in this transaction. First whether the nearest redeemer would mar his inheritance, and second whether Boaz, whose mother was Rahab a Canaanite, would get his opportunity to do the work of the redeemer.

Ruth 4:3:

Naomi is still linked with Moab as a reference to who she is. Even after repentance, lingering consequences to sin can still remain. When the Lord appeared before Moses, he was reminded of the kindness of God, but also of the long lasting effects as a result of iniquity.

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7)

"parcel_of (ha) land" - parcel of the field

Ruth 4:4:

"thought to advertise thee" - will_reveal in thine ear

"redeem" - redeem_as_a_goel

Boaz does not seek to do anything underhanded or wrong. In a way, he ends up presenting the opportunity to redeem in a way that best suits him (though completely honest). We know that the Lord was in control of the situation, and that his will would come out of it. As Boaz will become the redeemer, the will of the Lord is made evident that it is His will to have a two faithful women, Canaanite in Rahab and a Moabite in Ruth, to be in the line of Christ.

Ruth 4:5:

Boaz revealing the need to redeem Ruth was a tip that she has come to lay at his feet before this occasion. He was the one who was let know that the possessions of Elimelech was up for redemption by a kinsmen.

The night before, he charged the men that "let it not be known that a woman came into the floor." (Ruth 3:14) It does not need to be announced, since it will soon become evident. This parallels the time spent at our Redeemers feet. Time we spend with Him does not need to be announced, as it will soon become evident by action.

Ruth 4:6:

"right" - right_of_redemption

"mar my inheritance" - the nearer redeemer was most concerned about what Ruth was, rather than what she is. She was a Moabitess, noted for their lazy actions, but what she demonstrated herself to be was nothing of the sort, a hardworking and virtuous woman.

Edersheim states the following: "No kinsman had performed the kinsman's duty to Ruth, and therefore no kinsman could claim the privilege of redemption connected with the land. With the hand of Ruth the land had, so to speak, been repudiated. But as the kinsman had virtually refused to do his part, and Naomi was unable to maintain her property, she disposed of it, and that quite in the spirit of the law. There was no wrong done to any one. The only ground for passing he land to a kinsman would have been, that he would preserve the name of the dead... It would have been the grossest injustice to have allowed the privilege of redeeming a property to the kinsman who refused to act as kinsman. Instead of preserving a name in Israel, it would in reality have extinguished it for ever."

Ruth 4:8:

"drew off his shoe" - This would complete the transaction as stated in v7. The redeemer must be both willing and able, Boaz was both while the nearer redeemer in this case was not willing though able. Our Redeemer was both willing and able.

Ruth 4:9:

The value of the purchase does not matter, but what matters is that the value was good enough for all. The redemption covered from Elimelech through Ruth. The redemption price that our Redeemer paid is good enough for all (1 John 2:2)

Ruth 4:10:

Not until here, is it revealed who of the sons actually married which wife. It was Mahlon that was married to Ruth, and Chilion who was married to Orpah.

Ruth 4:11:

This blessing certainly came to fruition. For from this family line would come not just a great nation, but a great King whose kingdom shall have no end (Lu. 1:33): the Son of David (Mk. 12:35), the Lord Jesus Christ. He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). He will reign in righteousness (Isa. 32:1).

"Ephratah" - fruitfulness

"Tamar" - Since Ruth was a virtuous woman, they were prepared to receive the Moabitess as a mother in Israel, even as Thamar had proved in the ancestry of Boaz.

Ruth 4:13:

"the Lord gave" - It is beautiful to see that though the Lord in the beginning took away bringing Naomi home empty, the Lord gave.

Deuteronomy 7:9: Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Ruth 4:15:

"Better than seven sons" - cf. Job 1:2: And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. Job 42:13: He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Job was a man who was ultimately blessed by God. He had seven sons. Perhaps this is a reference to one who continued in faith in God in spite of calamity that occurred. Ruth displayed the faith of Job, though she had no reason to follow the God of her husband Chilion who punished him, her father-in-law and brother-in-law. Up to the point of her leaving Moab, there is no indication of any kindness that God showed to Ruth: Yet she declared Him her God (1:16).

Ruth 4:16:

Naomi adopted the son, as he was to take the place of her other sons since he was the product of the redeemer in order to carry on the family name and possessions.

Ruth 4:17:

Obed - "serving," after the character of his mother and would likely look after his grandmother.

Jesse - "wealth," after the character of his grandfather

David - "beloved," after the name of whom he is the line to, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ruth 4:21:

These names given in Matthew 1:5 state that Salmon married Rahab.

Ruth 4:22:

These generations from Perez to Nahshon cover 430 years from Egypt through the wilderness, and the last five names from Salmon to David are 476 years between the end of the wilderness until the death of David. Obviously some names and links were skipped over because the importance is most to arrive at David.

The point of the genealogy at the end is to link Boaz the redeemer with David, and David the is later linked with our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The story which began with poverty, has ended in riches which will lead to kingship and lead to a King not mentioned whose kingdom shall have no end.

Going to Boaz's Feet

Ruth 3:1:

The harvests had all come and gone, and Naomi still has in mind what's best for Ruth. In order for things to be well for Ruth, she needed to find one as a redeemer. Certainly for mankind to be well and have rest they need a heavenly Boaz to redeem them.

Ruth 3:2:

The character of Boaz is not lightly spoken of. Boaz, in the long tense, is winnowing his barley in the threshingfoor. He is a man who is to be an example to Christians by his work habits and God honoring practices. "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Eph 4:28)

Ruth 3:3:

Ruth needs to be sure to be presentable to Boaz if she stands a chance in his presence with her proposal. The three things that she does are all characteristic of what happened with or is currently happening with believers.

1. Washed - Our first washing was upon conversation, washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5). This is of course once and for all since regeneration would imply a new birth/born again.

For the Christian though, one who has already left behind the Moabite world of ease, there is still the need to wash continually as the disciples had their feet washed (John 13) or as the priest would wash in the laver. This washing is to rid ourselves from the defilement of sin. Just by walking through the country, the disciples would get their feet dirty and need washing. Even so as we walk through this wicked world, or feet will get dirty and need washing. The priest would need to be washed from whatever spot or stain would come upon himself or his garments in the laver made of the mirrors of the women. The Christian needs to wash himself by coming to the laver and looking into the word of God to see our reflection and wash up accordingly. This is the will of Christ with the church of God as Ephesians 5:25-27 points out: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

2. Anoint - Unlike washing, the anointing is ONLY a one time thing. In 2 Cor 1:21, the word of our focus "hath_anointed," is in the aorist participle. A better reading might be "having_anointed:" it is something that has been done but we continue in the good of it. Our anointing was by God with the Holy Spirit upon salvation's moment.

"But ye have an unction [anointing] from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20). "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Cor 1:21-22)

3. thy raiment - There are several ways to look at this. I will just choose one to focus on, putting on the new man. This act is spoken on is found expressly twice in the scripture:

Colossians 3:10: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Ephesians 4:24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Our call of God is to put on the new man. Just as old clothes are to be cast aside and new ones are to be worn, even so the old man and his love of the flesh is to be mortified so that we might put on the new man. This act is one that is an evidence of salvation. The new man exhibits those characteristics of God on a consistent basis that no man can do apart form the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ruth 3:5:

Ruth found much blessing and success due to her willingness to obey. She obeyed her mother-in-law and ended up finding herself in the good field of Boaz. Here too she would obey. The Lord is looking for obedience above all. Our willingness of obey Him under any circumstance for any reason is true worship unto Him. "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1 Sam 15:22)

Ruth 3:6:

The attention to detail in Ruth's obedience is commendable. It is best when we obey the details and not just the general principles and precepts of the word of God. In order to do this for us, we must have an intelligent knowledge of the scriptures and to have thought about them long enough so that we might apply them to ourselves.

Ruth 3:7:

"heap of corn" - what an interesting place for Boaz to lie down no doubt in exhaustion. But could not a mighty man of wealth such as him find a better place to sleep? If nothing else, this would draw the character of Boaz in closer association and picture of our Lord Jesus. Even in the Gospel of the King, Matthew, the Lord Jesus could say about His resting places on earth in Matthew 8:20, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."

Ruth 3:8:

The name of Boaz may be under scrutiny following v7 stating that his heart was merry, but surely if Boaz was drunken he would not have woken up in the middle of the night!

Ruth 3:9:

"skirt" - can also be translated "wings." Ruth was asking for shelter under Boaz. She had already come under the wings of the LORD God of Israel, but now wishes to come under the wings of a man of God who could support her. Symbolically, this would have been identified by the literal spreading of the skirt over her.

"thy handmaid" - Boaz was introduced to her as the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi. Her reply to who she is is "thy handmaid."

Ruth 3:10:

The kindness of Ruth would be described as greater than her first. Likely Boaz is referring to her pursuit of marrying the established Boaz according to the law of the kinsmen-redeemer (goel) instead of trying to find another youthful man. Her kindness was toward her family to carry on their name, though she was a Moabite, by marrying the goel.

Ruth 3:11:

No doubt she wouldn't have sought or responded to advances of young men during her time from barley through wheat harvest, about 4 months, seeing she already has a good reputation. All the people who pass in and out of the gate of the city at Bethlehem knew that this woman, who came from a pagan culture, lived a virtuous and God honouring lifestyle.

His reason for fulfilling his role as goel was as followings, "for all the city of my people know that thou art a virtuous woman." Certain a name like this is to be sought after, as Solomon would express in his books. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1) "A good name is better than precious ointment." (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

"the city" - better rendered as the gate OR better yet, referring to all the people of the city who pass in and out of the gate.

A Boaz is the type of a man that a spiritual woman should be seeking after. It was not the beauty of Ruth that attracted him, rather it was her character. Every Ruth needs to seek a Boaz.

Ruth 3:14:

"one could know another" - a man could know his neighbour. This was the part of the morning when it was still dark enough that you couldn't recognize someone you knew at a distance, but yet light enough that Ruth could move about comfortably without chance of injury.

The reputation of Boaz and Ruth was both at stake. Although nothing happened, Boaz wanted to avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thes 5:22). Boaz was a man of the Lord, as is obvious by his conduct and manner of life. Ruth too was a follower of the Lord and virtuous, as stated by Boaz in v12 that all of the city knew. The honour of Ruth and Boaz to their family by going through with the role of the goel would have been tarnished if someone would have seen Ruth leave Boaz's threshing floor in the morning.

Ruth 3:15:

The generosity and kindness of Boaz is again expressed in his gift of the six measures of barley. It would have also been a token of good faith that Boaz was going to go through with his promise.

"measures" - the measure is not given. Keil and Delitzsch states: "According to the Targum and the Rabbins, it was six seahs = two ephahs. This is certainly incorrect; for Ruth would not have been able to carry that quantity of barley home. When Boaz had given her the barley he measured out, and had sent here away, he also went into the city."

"she went" - he went. The correct rendering is that it was Boaz who went into the city immediately went into the city to work out the action of the goel while Ruth went to Naomi.

Ruth 3:16:

"who art thou?" - What have you accomplished?

Ruth 3:18:

The patient wisdom of the older Naomi is on display. The act of worrying would be of no use. Her confidence is completely in Boaz that he will do all in his power to redeem, and if not, another will redeem her meaning that the line will continue and Ruth will be taken care of through the seasons of non-harvest.

The importance of relationships between older and younger sisters in the assembly is evident from this conversation. It is important that the older sisters take the younger and teach them the things of God. She is to help nourish the younger sister in spiritual things, and teach her the beauty of purity. "The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." (I Timothy 5:2)

Gleaning in Boaz's Field

These are the day's thoughts on Ruth 2. Many of the thoughts are likely incomplete but make sense to me. I especially enjoyed gleaning from Ruth 2:17.

Ruth 2:1:

"kinsman of her husband" - acquaintance of her husband. The Rabbis put Boaz as the nephew of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:2:

Lev 19:9-10 - the poor, strangers, and widows were entitled to glean. Ruth was all three.

Keil and Delitzsch state: "The Mosaic law (Lev 19:9; Lev 23:22, compared with Deu 24:19) did indeed expressly secure to the poor the right to glean in the harvest fields, and prohibited the owners from gleaning themselves; but hard-hearted farmers and reapers threw obstacles in the way of the poor, and even forbade their gleaning altogether. Hence Ruth proposed to glean after him who should generously allow it." The fact that she would find Boaz's field to be one where the poor, stranger and widow was not hindered is a sign that he would be obedient to the Lord and not greedy as others. His wealth was from the Lord, rather than from his greed.

Ruth 2:3:

"hap" - hap happened. This was chance that Ruth would find herself in Boaz's field, but it was divinely prescribed. Though there were no doubt many fields owned by many different men in Bethlehem, the Lord would have her come into Boaz's field where should would be welcomely received.

Ruth 2:4:

As the greetings of the workers of Boaz with their master would imply, that their master was a man of God. Could people tell by our speech that we are of God? Or would they notice nothing and assume that we like them are of the world. Boaz's speech would match his action (v2). He was a hearer, speaker, and doer of the things of God. He is a fresh picture of Christ, a man walking after God amongst all who would do what is right in their own eyes.

Ruth 2:5:

The attention of the book is shifting from Naomi to Ruth. In 1:19 no mention is made of Ruth, for all the people of the city are moved about whether it was Naomi who returned or not. Now Boaz has seen Ruth who he has never seen before, but evidently heard of her as had the head servant of the reapers.

Naomi may be a picture of those who live by the law and Ruth a picture of those who live by grace. Naomi and her family found themselves fallen short of God's glory as they couldn't follow the law. As a result, the weight of the law brought her punishment and a condition of being destitute. Ruth's only chance was by grace. She was a stranger, poor and a widow. She came relying on the Lord. She found grace under Boaz, a type of the Lord Jesus. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). When Boaz comes upon the scene, the type of our Lord Jesus, grace and truth become the focus of Ruth.

Ruth 2:8:

The kindness of Boaz is evident. His love is that of a father, "my daughter." She is invited to stay, but the love and kindness of Boaz is what kept Ruth in his field. Even so, those who know Christ are compelled to stay in His fields by the love of God. Truly the Lord Jesus loves us like a father and the Father. It is Isaiah 9:6 that tells us that the Messiah will be called, "Everlasting Father" or "Father of Eternity." Perhaps this could be paralleled to the first time a person who was not yet saved, but are now saved, understood the love of Christ toward them.

Ruth 2:9:

Not only food is offered, but also water. It is water not drawn by her own effort whereby she is to be refreshed. Again, the Lord Jesus has drawn for us water that we had been invited to drink: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

It is also the case that once we are saved, and working and gleaning in the fields of Christ, that He gives us refreshment.

Ruth 2:10:

Ruth is overwhelmed by the grace that Boaz has shown her. She falls on her face. Even so the believer would do when contemplating the unmerited favour displayed by their heavenly Boaz.

Ruth 2:12:

1 Sam 2:20 - for them that honour me I will honour. Another example of God honouring them that honour Him. It is nothing more than the faith exhibited in God that has caused Boaz to honour Ruth with great privilege in her field.

Ruth 2:13:

lord - singular tense. The reply of Ruth in the singular would imply her acceptance of Boaz's proposal to glean only in his fields. To Ruth, there is no other earthly lord than Boaz. Do I try to serve two masters? God and... sports? God and... work? God and... family? Anything that someone places in importance ahead of God, to them it is an idol and their lord. In all honesty, when I address Jesus as Lord can I do it in the singular tense? Maybe would it be more accurate in dual or plural? Place Jesus as (singular) Lord.

Ruth 2:14:

cf. SS 2:4 "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."

Truly it was grace whereby Ruth was found at Boaz's table. She sat in a place of privilege. She ate until she was full. At the table of God we would find grace (John 1:16) surpassing love (Eph 3:19). A Gentile stranger sits amongst the greatest of the servants.

Ruth 2:15:

The place of privilege was extended by Boaz not only at the table, but too in the field.

Ruth 2:16:

Purposely leaving extra behind for Ruth. The Lord would do this for us as well. Often in reading the word, we would gather the regular, but from time to time as we glean we are able to pick up extra that the Lord has given to us. Refresh my heart to thanksgiving, worship, and praise, O Lord, when I could find handfuls left by my Lord for blessing.

Ruth 2:17:

"ephah" - in order to get her full ephah, Ruth had to beat out what she had gleaned. She took the raw materials gathered and beat it into something she could use. This is what we need to do with our gleanings from the word of God, meditate and study every jot and tittle to get all we can to fill our baskets.

Where do we gather grain? Ruth gathered her grain in the field of Boaz. She gathered left overs, handfuls left by the gleaners, and among the gleaners. Is our dedication to gathering from the word of God as diligent as that of Ruth? She would be even content to gather the little that was missed by the gleaners. We need to be so dedicated to study and meditation in the word of God. Handfuls left by the gleaners were a blessing. Men of God are able to expound to us truths that they have learned, leaving us handfuls behind. Ruth gathered among the gleaners. People of the modern world are also privileged to live in a day where we have the word of God for our own hand. We can gain grain for our ephah from teaching of the Spirit of God according to other scriptures and knowledge of God.

Some unfortunately gather that which is not good into their baskets. We need to be careful where we learn "truths" concerning the word of God. The Zech 5:6-10 ephah contains a woman who is "wickedness." There is no place for this among us, and, as with the vision, there needs to be a cover put upon her to contain the false teaching. But others will be affected by this, as the ephah is taken to Shinar (Babylon). Let us watch to be sure to keep out of our own ephah that which is false teaching and wickedness.

What do I do with my full ephah?

For Worship - Judges 6:19 - Gideon uses his ephah as a sacrifice to God. Take what you have learned from the word of God and tell Him about His wondrous characteristics.

For Consecration - 1 Samuel 1:24 - At the consecration of her son in fulfillment of her vow, Hannah brings with other things an ephah of flour to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. Use the word of God to build yourself up to devote your life more fully to the purposes of God.

Feed Others - I Samuel 17:17 - David uses his ephah to feed his brothers. Share what you have gleaned from the scriptures and enjoy Christ with them.

Ruth 2:20:

If someone was unable to see that Boaz is a type of Christ, this is where their eyes no doubt would have to be opened if they denied all other evidence. Boaz was one of the kinsmen redeemers to Elimelech's family. Boaz in order to redeem was going to have to be willing and able to redeem Ruth. We find later that he was both. Christ is our redeemer. We like Ruth have come out of the world, poor and destitute. Having left the world behind, "hap" to come across and glean in the Saviour's field, only to stay, find blessing, find a place of honour and be redeemed from the world itself.

Ruth 2:23:

The instruction is to stay through all the harvest. We too need to be continually in the fields of our Lord until the end of harvest. (John 4:35)

The World of Ease: A Land of Loss

Here are a few simple thoughts from Ruth 1. Since I basically never post, I thought I'd copy and paste my notes from my reading today in this chapter. The thoughts are an attempt to be fairly fresh.

Ruth 1:1:

"certain_man" - the word for man here implies that Elimelech was a man of importance. It is the Hebrew word "ish"

"ruled" - judged

"judges ruled" - This was the time when Israel was erratic in its following of the Lord. When a judge ruled, they would be brought back from the Lord. Other times, after a judge had died, the people would turn away from the Lord.

"famine in the land." - This famine is no doubt referring to a physical famine where food was scarce (v6), however this was likely more than just a physical famine. For the house of Elimelech, and likely the rest of Israel, it was a spiritual famine. They were leaving their Promised Land, that God had given to them, and left to a place of curse, Moab. Even when the resources or wealth is appealing and our house of bread is in famine, let us never leave the will of God and leave our place where God feeds. Not only so, but Elimilech took his family away form the place where God would have him when his faith grew dim with the rest of Israel.

"Beth" - House

"lehem" - Bread

"Judah" - Praise or Prayer.

To see how things are going in Bethlehem, examine the story of the Levite in Judges 17. There evidently was no place to occupy the Levite so he leave. He decides to be the priest of Micah who offered him the position. This is all contrary to the will of God, but as Judges 17 repeats twice, "every man did what was right in his own eyes."

"country" - fields

"Moab" - Moabites were from the line of Lot. They were a result of the sin of Lot's daughters and conceiving with him when they realized that their line would pass away because their husbands, and perhaps families, perished in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Moab can be considered the "world of ease." Jeremiah 48:11 identifies that Moab had been at ease since his youth.

Moab was only about 20 miles from Bethlehem. The world of ease is so near at hand to those in the house of bread. May we strive to keep ourselves from such a tempting place, as it will end in disaster.

"sojourn" - only to sojourn. Is this my attitude? "The assembly, teaching sunday school or other spiritual responsibilities are weighing down upon me, I will take my ease." Not such an easy life to get out of once you're into it. Elimelech had intentions of sojourning, but he continued (v2) there and dwelled there for 10 years (v4). Beware the world of ease, Moab. Only Naomi escaped it only after being dealt with bitterly by Jehovah.

Ruth 1:2:

Elimelech - "my God is King"

Naomi - "pleasant one"

Mahlon - "sick"

Chilion - "pining"

They lived in the field of Moab. Gleaning from the "world of ease." This mistake would seem even more tragic since the one whose name would indicate that his God is king, his wife would be pleasant, and his two sons who would be weak were sick and pining.

Ruth 1:3:

Perhaps Elimelech, the great man whose God is King wasn't affected, but once he died, where was his family? Even if he thought he wasn't affected, his decision to dwell in Moab showed otherwise. May our actions not stumble others. He left a pleasant wife to become bitter (v20), and his two sons sick and pining to pass away sickly and pining where a world of ease could never heal them. Only at the house of bread and prayer would they have potential to find relief.

Ruth 1:6:

For those faithful in staying, they would receive bread without such heartache. God puts us in situations that make us puzzled as to why we are there. Perhaps it's a lesson and a test to build our strength. Elimelech moved his family away from the place where he should have patiently waited on the Lord to give them bread again. Where better to wait for bread than at the house of bread and prayer?

Ruth 1:8:

deal - long tense "keep dealing"

Ruth 1:11:

Deut 25:5 - Ruth, with the law in mind, recommends that these two girls remain in their own land. According to the law, a widow was to be taken by her brother-in-law. Their offspring would take her the name of the widow's deceased husband to carry on the family name. Naomi reasons that it's inconceivable that she would yet have a son to carry on the family names.

Ruth 1:13:

"it grieveth me much" - it_is_bitter to me exceedingly

Naomi recognizes that the hand of the Lord is against her, or so it seems. Notice that her sorrow at this point is for the sake of her daughter-in-laws since they have been brought into this mess. It no doubt was a mistake to move into the fields of Moab, but more so now it would appear to have caused problems for these Moabites seeing Mahlon and Chilion both disobeyed the Lord by marrying women from another country. At this point, she is not self-indulged and bathing in her own bitterness.

Ruth 1:16:

goest, lodgest, diest are all in the long tense, implying a sense of continuation.

Ruth 1:19:

"The whole city was moved" - May we welcome those who return in repentance

Ruth 1:20:

Mara - bitter

The reason for this name was that the Lord had dealt bitterly with her. There may be a positive and negative reason why Naomi chose this name:

1. negative - that she herself was bitter, though this doesn't seem to me to be the case.

2. positive - that when people call her "bitter," they wouldn't think of her as bitter, but rather as an example of bitter things that the Lord had done to her due to her families disobedience. She meant it to be an example so that others wouldn't fall to the same mistake.

Naomi recognizes the Lord as Shaddai, the All Sufficient and All Powerful. Her confession that the Lord is Shaddai would indicate that it wasn't God's failure that has placed her in the state of destitute that she found herself, but rather her failure for disobedience to God.

Ruth 1:22:

Naomi returned home in time for the barley harvest. Her timing was of the Lord. A bitter blow that God did not deal her was to bring her home when food was scarce. Naomi and Ruth would obtain His favour in the present harvest.

Perhaps this was why David in the beginning of the barley harvest sought the Lord's council in famine and dealt with past sins of Israel in order to obtain favour from the Lord. (2 Sam 21:9)

Rational Service!

Please excuse the poor grammar, and perhaps spelling errors. The following is an excerpt from an email I sent to a young man recently who asked me in the past about what it means to give your life to God, apart from salvation:

romans 12:1-2 has been before me again recently last week. look at it again in accordance to giving our life to God. it's good.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

that we might be holy, and acceptable unto God - Why all this? we need to be holy-separate. we need to be acceptable unto God. John the baptist was a Nazarene. He was especially separate from everyone else, even God's separated people. This is what God wants, us to be even separate from other Christians! God wants men and women for God. One's who are in the book, studying it. One's in fellowship with God, praying always. Our standard is "acceptable unto God."... pretty high standard

which is your reasonable service - reasonable is better as "rational". All this stuff... living this life that some might call a superChristian... it's just rational. it's just what's expected. it should be nothing out of the ordinary. it's only rational based on what blessings we have been given.

Some put "reasonable service" as "spiritual worship," which is good too and makes sense with the use of the greek. all this... our lives... what is rational... what is supposed to be the regular Christian life of being transformed by the renewing of the mind, of being separate to God and acceptable unto Him, it's worship unto Him. He wants nothing more than a life devoted to Him... it's worship.

be not conformed to this age - don't let the ideas of the world and modern society shape who you are and what you believe

but be ye transformed - transformed is the same word as transfigured (when Jesus was on the mountain with Elijah and Moses). My life needs to take on that sort of drastic transformation. from a regular looking man to a man beaming in gloriousness

by the renewing of your mind - i like the word "renovating" better than renewing because it gives a better idea according to our modern language. how are we transformed? by the renovation of the mind. fix up your mind. daily reading. daily application of the word. fixing something here and there. tending to everything that needs to be fixed. if you didn't do that with your house, it would go to pieces. we should do that with our minds and lives that we might be transfigured into the image of Christ

As a side note, something that's impressed me lately is that our lives need to constant and continual and just like this verse says in all situations. it's so easy to get down. to beat yourself up. to lose perspective. but to live our lives not on a spiritual rollercoaster but relying on Him... and though our physical lives are a roller coaster our spiritual life needs to be peace and calm. The shepherd... leadeth me beside still waters, restoreth my soul. God is most satisfied in us when we are most satisfied in Him... in calamity... in tribulation... satisfied in God... it's worship. a sweet smelling savour that will fill the heavenly throne room no doubt as acceptable as the costly spikenard that filled the room as Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet. worship God (Rev 19:10)