If there was ever a Hallmark-worthy story in the Bible, this is it. Boaz was willing to claim Ruth publicly. The funny thing is, she was just minding her own business not realizing that she was being watched. The passage suggests that he wasnt always there. Having dedicated herself to the God of Israel, Ruth, in chapter 2, begins to grow in her relationship and dedication to Boaz. Like Ruth, we also need to work to be women and men of integrity. These two sons married Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth. You have your identity when you find out, not what you can keep your mind on, but what you can't And when you think of how friendship was all Ruth and Naomi had during a time of serious grief and . The meeting with the other kinsman was held in the presence of Ruth, Naomi and elders in the community. She had to go gather behind the harvesters in the fields to get a bit of barley so they could survive. Have you ever heard of the saying, dont throw rocks at a glass house? What you are looking for is consistency. He had not done what he was supposed to do. And Boaz did not delay in calling a meeting to secure his rights to marry her. And thats why when youre dating you should probably spend lots of time outdoors or around other people. The second blessing mentions Tamar, who in Genesis 38, like Ruth, bore a child after . Remember to thank and recognize your partner each day. However, if we look forward and allow our compassion for one another fuel our outlook then we will see how love can flourish. Look out for a man who is proud to call you his own. Couples must balance each other and have a forgiving heart. The Midrash points out that Ruth would only go to the fields with the permission of her mother-in-law. And through humility and dependence, Ruth begins to grow in grace. Install Feel The Words on your home screen, and access it just like a regular app. One day you will find your true love and all of the obstacles that you had to overcome will provide you with the strength for that love to withstand the test of time. It is true that dating can be quite a drama-filled journey. Boaz meant that she was a valiant woman of great moral integrity. The two women shared great sorrow, but they also shared great affection for one another. Providing your significant other with gratitude will show them that you genuinely care and want to make this relationship last forever. 1:1-5: Elimelech and his family go to Moab. But it was Ruths love for Naomi that made her willing to leave her country to return to Israel. Thats not to say he didnt already have a wife though. There will be days where you completely mess things up and there will be other days when you succeed in every aspect. The first concerns the happy accident of Ruth's Many interpreters read Ruth as a happy-ending romance featuring Ruth, the beautiful young Moabite widow who captivated the heart of the older wealthy landowner Boaz. Open your Safari menu and tap "Add to Home Screen". Both women had the very same struggles and the same decision to make. Elimelech of Bethlehem departs the country for Moab, taking his wife Naomi and their two sons along. The Book of Ruth provides many relationship lessons that perpetuate the meaning of true love. Bethlehem was where Jehovah was worshipped but Moab was a place where heathen, false gods were worshipped. It means to refuse to rush or settle with someone who does not meet Gods approval. Finding someone to spend the rest of your life with is serious business. Communication is one of the hardest things for human beings to accomplish. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of David (cp. In the midst of any circumstances you face, in whatever relationships, we can trust God to bring good out of it. 5. Ruth the Moabite is loyal to Yahweh and Naomi. This redemption comes in the form of a relative of Naomi named Boaz. Ruth could have waited on the benevolence of stranger to come to her door but she did not. Don't miss the rest of our series on loving your in-laws! Go have babies. She left behind her family to go with Naomi back to Bethlehem. While you may be going through pain in your current heartbreak, its important to realize that this is all for a reason. God had an amazing plan for Ruth. God heard her cries and helped her feel complete again. 5 Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Ruth. Lesson 1 - The Power of Loyalty. Beloved Lord God, It was Your intention that mankind live in fellowship with You eternally, but in Adam's fall from grace that bond of eternal fellowship was broken and for the first time man was in need of a Redeemer. At the very beginning of the book of Ruth, shes living in Moab, her home nation. Your past is not your final destination when you make a choice in faith. The Hebrew word Boaz used to describe Ruth means some one of moral strength, sound integrity and courage. Moab was a place that most Israelites didnt like. 4:17). She might have been married before but now she was practically starting her life over. For Ruth everything seemed hopeless when she lost her husband even worse for Naomi. Among them is how it illustrates the relationship between Jesus (Yahshua) with His Church. Boaz saw the beauty in love and accepted Ruth for who she was. Subscribe today to receive our free Bible Study printables sent to your inbox. But we explore just a few that specifically have to do with dating. Therefore, Boaz would need to marry her instead of Naomi. Nothing is going in her favor, but shes brave, and her faith never wavers. Even though it may not make complete sense during the time its taking place, its important to recognize how God has and continues to change your life on a daily basis with His actions. No matter what devastating situation comes into play, love will conquer all because it is ultimately what brings people together. The story of Ruth the Moabite is the unusual biblical tale of the trials faced by two women, touching on profound themes such as grief, familial loyalty, feminine dependence and independence, and . Ruth 3:10. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. But that was only until Boaz told him he would also have to marry Ruth as well. And what a bountiful blessing she reaped! In a place where many would have thought shed be ostracized, she found love with a man named Boaz. In The Midst Of Bad Circumstances, The Lord Is In Control Of Your Life. Naomi's grief was very real. Ruth is also one of the few women who are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus found in the book of Matthew. Its easy to judge others and caste your own beliefs and judgment upon the way theyre living their life; however its important to be able to see both sides of the fence. So the Book of Ruth would roughly equate to the Book of Friendship in Hebrew. Sometimes were afraid that sharing our questions and doubts and disappointments will turn other people away from God, when actually, sharing about our relationship with God openly can bring more intimacy to our relationships and help draw other people to their own faith. Its OK if you have some work to do in preparation for the man God has for you. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Instead, he waited for her to choose him. . relationship between God and his people and vice versa." Without the reality of erotic conjugal love, our knowledge of God's love would be so much the poorer. Through Ruths story, we learn that God uses the most unlikely people for his purpose. Ruth's and Naomi's journey from heartbreak to hope offers an Old Testament glimpse into God's redemptive power as He transforms a bitter widow and a former idolater into a family legacy . When Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi, this was a massive life transition. The title of kinsman had heavy responsibility. In the Book of Ruth, both Naomi and Ruth are continuously blown away by others who thank and recognize them for what they did rather than what they may have done incorrectly. Her country of origin already made her an outcast, and being a childless widow gave her plenty of reason to shrink back into a shell and simply live her life in obscurity. Both Ruth and Naomi, her mother-in-law, have returned to Israel from Moab widowed and forlorn. There are only two books of the Bible named after women: Esther and Ruth. But thats not what she did. Every week you will receive a devotional and a free printable PDF that will help you dive deeper into our Ruth Bible Study. And the story its an important one. Now that we have dealt with what it means to wait for your Boaz, there are some other relationship nuggets buried in the story. While there are many things to learn from the story of Ruth, here are seven powerful lessons from this tiny book that stood out to me. 1:6-22: Widowed Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth return to Bethlehem. Go have babies. And Ruth, she also lost her husband. Through love we learn how to deal with people and how we can become better people within our individual relationships and as an entire society. The men leave three grieving widows behind. One day you will find your true love and all of the obstacles that you had to overcome will provide you with the strength for that love to withstand the test of time. In those days when men died before they had children, a male relative was responsible for taking his widow as wife and giving her children who would be considered the child of the deceased. All these little details in the story, gives us a glimpse of Boazs character and influence. Boaz listened to the voices of those who also observed and interacted with her. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. Boaz redeemed Ruth like Jesus redeemed us. I. This is especially important when family isnt available. From the beginning, God had a number of smaller things that needed to happen before the bigger plan could come into fruition. Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David and the daughter-in-law of Naomi. The same things that turn on a worldly man are the same things which will excite your man of God. Her best days were not behind. There will be days where you completely mess things up and there will be other days when you succeed in every aspect. Naomi, later on, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. Things will go faster and will be much better. Their . Ruth had a whole lot to learn. The 3 life lessons from Ruth and Boaz are: Have An Attractive Character. Ruth went above and beyond in the way she honored and respected her mother-in-law, and in doing so became known in the entire city as a virtuous woman. She worked hard to provide food for her and her mother-in-law. Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem to be near family. Ruth gave up everything in Moab to follow Naomi and the God she barely knew. Ruth abandoned his family and journey with Naomi back home . Thank you xo much for all the lessons you have scooped out for us from the story of Ruth. Hopefully the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth will hold additional lessons for us as well. But God had him turn up on the perfect day so he could meet Ruth. But he didnt do that. Naomi was open with Ruth about the joy, the fear, the pain, and the anguish that came with her faith in God. But Boaz was willing to follow the proper civil procedures to have Ruth. For Ruth and Naomi, they needed sovereignty and in essence a fresh start. It tells of a relationship between two women-Naomi, the senior of the two, and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Its evident that Naomi understands that God wants her to continue her relationship with Ruth and she expresses these feelings with thanks and recognition. Nineteenth-century American historian Elizabeth Ellet imagines that Ruth's beauty and foreign appearance attracted Boaz's attention.. He called her virtuous. As you watch Ruth going to field to work daily and keep her integrity even Im poverty, does that describe you? It doesnt matter if youre a male or female, God cares about everyone the same. Lesson no. If you intend to move from where you are in life, you have to put some skin in the game. A famine in Canaan forces Elimelech and Naomi, along with their sons, to migrate from Bethlehem to Moab. Both of these women showed faith and clung to the belief that better days were ahead. The word that Boaz used to describe Ruth is the same word used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman. Although she was married before, Naomi seemed not to realize that Boaz had taken to her. She doesnt have great riches or great position. Granted, she needed some help from Naomi to see it but Ruth eventually gave Boaz permission to claim her as his wife. Look out for a man who brings freshness to your life. In fact, Ruth's sister-in-law, Orpah, chose to leave: Life changing conversations should probably happen when both parties are fully present and engaged. Sermon series: Building Lasting Relationships - Ruth. He brought well-needed solutions. 3: Ruth appeals to Boaz to be the kinsman-redeemer. Throughout the Bible, we see previews of Christ. 4: Boaz accepts and marries Ruth; they become the ancestors of David and Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the story, we meet Elimelech, the husband of Naomi. Orpah decided to stay but Ruth decided to go with Naomi and start over in a new place. However, Naomi stayed committed to her daughter-in-law and wanted her to follow the God of Israel. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. In a place where many would have thought shed be ostracized, she found love with a man named Boaz. Monday, September 30, 2019. Life is hard but when youre when youre outside of Gods will, its hard with a difference. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. There is no bitterness or hostility that shadows over their relationship. Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with her two sons. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc Used by permission. The Book of Ruth is literally the Book of Friendship. Yet she showed incredible character. But both of them had faith that somehow things would work out. Boaz firstly asks the kinsman if he would be willing to purchase Naomis land. Others, like Naomi, remain in the relationship out of necessity instead of loving devotion. Everyone lives their lives the way it best suits them therefore, others shouldnt judge love. He was all too willing to do so. Hope in Trouble times. Through Naomi, Ruth learned about the God of Israel and chose to put her trust in him. Boaz is a type of Christ, meaning, he had many characteristics of Christ and foreshadowed what Jesus was going to do for humanity. He dies in Moab. The time of year is early spring, "the beginning of the barley harvest " (Ruth 1:22 ). If not, you should probably get one. The indescribable passion and struggles that accompany love is displayed in the Book of Ruth and these actions personify our own struggles that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis. No machines existed. They were both young women who had both lost their husbands. And yet, his fingerprints are all over the events of Ruth. He died leaving his wife and sons among ungodly people. There is Always Hope. She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. After moving to Moab with her husband and sons, she loses her husband and becomes a widow. Naomi told the women, Go back home. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. God has a Redeemer for our lives, too, and His name is Jesus. More often than not, youll find that love mirrors our reality in many cases within biblical stories. by I Gordon. Site by Gretchen Louise. Answer. Ruth was a model of responsible living in an irresponsible age. Examining the second chapter of Ruth. We cannot say for sure how old either of them were but there was a notable age difference. People can be great pretenders. It's very great to learn from the book of Ruth and it's very challenging book and great book very interesting to read this 7 powerful lession. Ruth was willing to go harvest in the fields daily. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 . It might mean he was old enough to be her father. Your email address will not be published. Having touched God's heart, she also touched the heart of one of God's champion followers Boaz. The saying that there is a light at the end of the tunnel is very true. 2022 28 Jun. . This was to appeal to Boazs nature. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. She owed nothing to Naomi, but instead gave her everything. I imagine that they must have prayed for Gods favor. But there is a lesson in the book of Ruth. Ruth is an interesting Biblical story because it contains no miracles or prophecies. Ruth and Boaz had a child together and he also took care of Naomi. The truth is that this other kinsman should have already come forward to claim Ruth and help to get settled. so powerful and inspirational, may Almighty God bless those that put their head together to establish this work. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. It was all manual labor. Your email address will not be published. Instead couples should have equal say on what happens within a relationship and each voice should hold the same value. Its evident that Naomi understands that God wants her to continue her relationship with Ruth and she expresses these feelings with thanks and recognition. Look out for a man who is willing to wait for you without pressure. 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