Ruth 1:20-22; 2:15-16; 3:1-11; 4:9-16
Family Support
© 2000, J.W. Carter
Ruth 1:1-19.
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; 13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. 14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 18When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.19
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?There has been no time when the family has been under as much attack as it is now. There is little room for the values of a nuclear family in the broadcast media that comes out of the cities of LA and NY. Families are breaking up at record rates. There are many who are abandoned, both in the home and without, with the latter left alone at best, and homeless at worst.
The book of Ruth, in the Old Testament between Judges and 1 Samuel is one bright light and a ray of hope during what is otherwise a bleak time in the history of Israel. From the standpoint of the relationship between the people and God, we find a lot of similarity between our day, and the day of Ruth. Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges, prior to the naming of a king in Israel or Judah. During that time, "there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes." This aptly describes our nation today. And as there is still a remnant in this country of people dedicated to obedience to God, there was also a remnant preserved during the day of the Judges. The book of Ruth describes the circumstances and relationships within a family that was led by a righteous man by the name of Boaz who, by virtue of that righteousness would be the great-great-grandfather of King David.
Ruth 20-22.
20
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
The background for this is given in the first few verses of the chapter. We find Naomi and her two daughers-in-law, Orpah and Ruth in crisis. (Discuss the background that brings them to this point.) Why is their situation so critical? In today's culture this is not such a big deal. To them it was. (Discuss their ties to the land, the rules of inheritance, etc.) When crises hit families today, the response of many is to break up. It is seen as an easy way out, but in reality it is the hardest. By failing to deal with the root of the crises, relationships are destroyed people are left hurt and alone, and the crisis is destined to resurface within yet another set of relationships. Ruth's determination to say with Naomi is famous. What did Ruth stand to lose by staying with Naomi? (Everything.)
Ruth 2:15-16.
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
What was Naomi's status in the society when she returned home? She had no property, no assets, no means of supporting herself. Her relatives showed hospitality, but it is obvious that she was not taken in by anyone in particular. It was necessary for them to start supporting themselves, so Ruth volunteered to join the ranks of the impoverished, landless people who followed the gleaners. We see no indication that Ruth resented her station or situation as she sincerely tried to help Naomi. The people noticed her courage and her character. Boaz, a close relative of Naomi's certainly noticed. What was his response to the plight of Ruth and Naomi? When he encountered her, he asked her to glean only from his field. Why? (to reward her for taking care of Naomi and to protect her from harm) There is no direct reference to Ruth being attractive, but Boaz' concern for her safety in other people's fields tends to imply such. Consequenly, he may have been attracted, not only by her industry and integrity, but by her beauty also. Do note, however, that Ruth was young enough to be his daughter. Boaz was obedient to the law of gleaning (Deut. 24:19-22), demonstrating concern for the poor. He was also generous in his response to Ruth, providing for her without damaging her dignity.
What responsibility does a family have for needy relatives? Do you believe that God uses events in our lives for a purpose? Can God be providing you an opportunity to minister to a family member? What would happen to the numbers of homeless people in our community if familiy members went out of their way to take care of one another? What prevents this from happening? Are there members in your own family that need your help right now?
Ruth 3:1-13.
1
Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.6
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
This custom may sound strange, but it is instructive for us to understand what takes place in the remainder of the book in the context of what is happening here. Ruth saw in Boaz both his generosity and kindness, and his position as a kinsman-redeemer.
KINDSMAN REDEEMER: The Hebrew term goel referred to a man's nearest of kin. The kinsman-redeemer had specific obligations. If a man died without a male heir, his brother or nearest of kin had to marry the widow. A male child born to the woman was viewed as the dedeased man's son. In this way, the deceased man's name and inheritance were perpetuated. The kinsman-redeemer was also responsible for avenging his brother's murder. In addition, the kinsman-redeemer was to buy back property that his nearest relative may have been forced to sell because of poverty.
When the harvest was over, Ruth and Naomi would lose their source of support. So, Ruth, again showing courage and character took action. At the end of the harvest it was customary for the harvesters to spend the night in the threshing floor, protecting the grain and giving thanks. It was a big party. It was also for men only. However, this placed Boaz outside his home in a situation where Ruth's plan could be played out. When the men were asleep she slipped into the threshing floor after preparing herself to be as attractive as possible. She layed at his feet while he slept, she raised his skirt a little bit, exposing his feet. When Boaz awoke she introduced herself and by asking him to "place his skirt over her" she was requesting that Boaz act as her kindsman-redeemer. She was asking him to marry her and provide her with a son, and her son with the inheritance of her deceased husband.
How did Boaz respond to this request? He was not her kindsman redeemer (remember, she was also from Moab, an enemy of the Israelites) and had no obligation to help.
One of the excuses we use to rationalize away our responsibility to help one another is that it is "not our responsibility, but rather someone else's." However, this is simply not true. When God has put the needs of another on our hearts what are we to do? Ruth asked Boaz for help. Often we will not ask one another for the help we need, and then we don't understand why we do not receive that help.
Boaz was honored by the request. She was under no obligation to redeem Naomi's property, and was free to marry a man her own age to gain the security of that relationship.
Again, Boaz was not the kindsman-redeemer; he was second in line. So, the next morning he waited at the city gate (where much of the business of the community takes place) to wait for the rightful kindsman to pass by. When he did, Boaz called him to the side and told him of the land that was his to redeem. The kinsman jumped at the chance until he was told that a Moabite woman came with the deal. He then surrendered to Boaz his right of redemption in front of witnesses.
Ruth 4:9-10.
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. 10Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
What did Boaz do? He used his own funds to purchase the land that belonged to Elimelech in order to provide it for Ruth and Naomi. He also agreed to father a son for her. He publicly took upon himself the position of kinsman-redeemer when he did not have to. Even the real kinsman-redeemer would not do this because of the threat such an act has on the security of the inheritance for his own son. This did not stop Boaz from helping these women, and for this he was honored by the community.
Ruth 4:11-16
11And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: 12And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. 16And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.Did Boaz become famous throughout Israel? (Yes, this book of scripture is an attestation to that fact.) But that is not the end of the story. Boaz did father a son with Ruth, and that son's name was Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse who was the father of David who would be King of Israel. It was through David that the Messiah would ultimately come, so Boaz' act of caring and responsible action placed both himself and Ruth in the line of the Messiah for whom he faithfully awaited.
Our lives are often filled with tragedy and sorrow. Few of us will experience the tragedy and loss that were experienced by Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. Yet, we can see that God can use us to help one another through these times and turn them from times of grief to times of joy. Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." The experience of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz is an illustration of how God can work in our lives to help us to minister to one another in times of trouble and turn them into times of victory. Let us not pass up the chance to be part of such reconciliation. We have been called to be reconcilers, to bring people together and to bring people to God. Let us be vigilant and ready to help those in our own families when needs arise and not turn our back as Ruth's true kindsman did. Let's not leave the responsibilities that God has given to us to others.