Ruth Chapter 1 Continued

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. 7 )Wherefore 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.

8) And 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. 9) The 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.

10) And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 11) And 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?

12) Turn 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; 13) Would 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.

14) And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15) And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16) And Ruth said, Intreat 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: 17) Where 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. 18) When 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? 20) And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21) I 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?

22) So 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.

Naomi Had left Bethlehem during hard times. She had traveled to Moab with her husband and two sons and they all died, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters in law. Ruth and Orpah. Naomi heard that God had visited her people back in Bethlehem and had given them bread. The famine was over in Bethlehem but it looked awful bleak in Moab for Naomi.

She had left full and now was empty. Still she longed to be with her people. God's people. Child of God, you will never feel at home in this world or separated from God's people. There will always be something missing, something your soul needs and longs for. Naomi knew she must go back, even though she knew she would go back empty but she made the right choice. A soul who wonders down a strange road and finds themselves a stranger to those around them, longs for the comforts of home. A child of God can never truly be at rest or feel at home outside of the center of God's will.

These two daughter's in law of Naomi's were very different. One was Ruth .Her name meant compassionate, it also meant sorrowful or remorseful. Orpah was the other.Her name meant stubborness. Naomi was headed home and at first they both start out following her.This here was an opportunity for both of them. An opportunity for redemption and salvation. Notice though that Orpah gets to thinking and having second thoughts. She desired the fleshly things of this world more than she did spiritual. She cared more for her own needs than those of Naomi's. She turned back.Ruth did not, she clave to Naomi. She had the desire for Naomi's people to be her people, Naomi's God to be her God. She wanted to go all the way to have this. She is a very beautiful picture and example of a sinner who desires and is determined to become a part of God's family, the church, the lambs bride.

She was willing to go all the way. She had seen something in Naomi's life that she wanted for herself. There was no turning back for Ruth. There was nothing for her to turn back to. So we see Ruth go forward following Naomi which was a child of God .She made the right choice, but then we see orpah turn back and head the other direction all alone.

Joshua told the people of Israel once "Choose you this day whom ye will serve"..and went on to say "As for me and my house ..we will serve the Lord" Ruth made the right choice. Man has a free choice today of what they do, who they follow and where they will spend eternity. Ruth made it known to Naomi she wanted to stay with her forever. A sinner to must make their desire known that they desire salvation and be determined as Ruth was to find it.

She knew she would be a stranger in this new land, some would look down on her because she was from another nation, she would feel reproach but she wanted to go and become a part of Naomi's people. We are all a stranger to God and the church until we are saved...redeemed as we read Ruth will be.. What a wonderful picture of God's Grace and mercy emerges.

When Naomi returned the whole city was moved. Christians out of God's will , when you return they're will be rejoicing. People will take notice. They accepted her back but she told them that she was returning empty. She felt that God had dealt with her severly for leaving. The bible says he will chasten his own, because he loves us. She came back acknowledging her condition but Naomi too would rejoice again soon.

Sometimes when we go down the wrong road and we lose our joy and find ourselves feeling so empty it is such a comfort and hope to know that God doesn't just disown us or throw us away but he forgives and he will restore that Joy if we seek after it. If we go back to where we left it as Naomi did. Two women who had the same opportunity.Ruth and Orpah. Ruth took advantage of the opportunity. She chose the hard road and hoped it would lead her to a new home. The other chose the world and turned away her opportunity. Nowhere else in the scriptures do we read of Orpah , never do we read of her becoming a part of Israel. However in the lineage of Christ in the first chapter Of Matthew you will find a name of One of Christ's ancestors.A grandmother of Jessee , a great Grandmother of David.. her name was Ruth.

Handfuls of purpose.

Ruth Chapter 2 Continued

15) 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: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

One of my favorite verses in the bible says "Delight thyself in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart". Ruth had made known her desire to become a part of Naomi's people, she had made her intent known in the field to glean that she could find. We read how the master had showed her such kindness, offering her protection and water when she was thirsty.He had invited her to sit at his table and stay in his field. She had obeyed all he told her, he had reached her corn at dinner and she had been filled with all she could hold. She again got up then to glean, not lingering around the table but knowing she needed to be at work so that she could take the bounty she had gleaned back for Her and Naomi to share.

Boaz then told his Men, to let her glean even among the sheaves and told them to purposefully drop extra for her. What a beautiful picture! It just makes me stop and think of God's many blessings! The blessings that come from his word and the blessings of life that he surrounds us with each day!

Ruth had came into the field not knowing what all she might find, but she was determined to work. When we have that same determination not only can we eat from his table, we can glean even greater blessings than we could have ever have imagined.

He gives those extra little crumbs and bread for us on purpose.! To give us strength to go another mile. She not only found her hunger filled for the moment but she found something she could take with her and that would help her and nourish her in days to come.

17) ¶ So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 18) And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

19) And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

20) And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21) And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

22) And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 23) So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

She was able to take something back to share with Naomi. It brought Joy when Naomi had seen what she would bring home and she would question Ruth on where that she had gleaned. What a blessing to share what God has given us with others!

Handfuls of purpose!! Do you see how much God loves you? How he wants you to be blessed that it isn't just coincidence when something comes your way to encourage you or feed your soul. He put that there for you! He meant for you to have it!

May You rejoice today in what God has given you!

We just never know what blessings God may have in store for us today if we will be at work in the field we will find them, we can reap them! Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you..ask and ye shall recieve.

May You be blessed and encouraged today by his word and may he surround you in the field today with handfuls of purpose!

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Ruth Chapter 3.

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? 2) And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 3 )Wash 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.

4) And 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. 5) And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

In this scripture we see a desire of Naomi to find rest For Ruth. It should be the desire of the church today to seek rest for the lost and to point them the way of Salavation. Naomi told Ruth where to find Boaz. She knew where he would be on the threshing floor winnowing the barley.

They would find a hill usually and they would then thresh the grain and wheat. Their is a chaf that grows along side wheat sometimes and that is very poison to eat.It can cause great sickness or perhaps death if it was consumed so up on this hill there was a separation process going on. The wheat would be sifted in a large fan and tossed up, the real grain was heavy and would fall back into the pan but the chaff was light and would blow away.That is how they winnowed it and seperated it. The good from the bad. This was where the good master would be found, this is where the near kinsman who could only redeem would be found.

Naomi told her where to find him and told her what she must do.She told her to go and lie down at his feet. When we have a need in our life that only the master can provide we must go to the feet of Jesus. A sinner must go to the foot of the cross where he laid his life down for us.Not physically, we do not travel to Jerusalem...but by faith believing we must come and humble ourselves before his feet and ask Lord what will you have me to do?

He will always give us the answer we need. If we are searching for Redemption that only he can give, as Ruth was with Boaz then he will guide you what to do. If it is a need in your life, troubles, whatever it may be,He will show you and give you the direction you need.

What is your need today?

Remember that Jesus said.."Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest".

Naomi wanted that rest for Ruth. We also should want that rest for our loved ones and if we are burdened down we can also find rest for our weary souls. Whatever your need is ,I give you this advice as Naomi did for Ruth: Go to the feet of Jesus and He will tell you what you should do.

We must be willing to go and make our need known as Ruth said to Naomi " All that thou sayest unto me, I will do". I can see Ruth as she climbed that hill that night.It was very very dark but she did what she was told.She knew Naomi would not tell her wrong.She had that much confidence in her life and her words. It was the only place Ruth could go for the help she needed. It is the only place we can go today.

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. I hope this has been a strength and encouragement to you today.

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Ruth chapter 3 continued.

6) ¶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 7) And 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.

8) And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 )And 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.

10) And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11) And 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.

12) And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13) Tarry 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.

14) ¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. 15) Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

16) And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17) And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

18 )Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Being obedient to Naomi Ruth had went to the threshing floor and had done all Naomi had told her. She lay down at Boaz's feet. When he awoke and questioned her, she told him who she was and she asked for redemption.

When she had asked him to spread his skirt over her, that is what this symbolized to be asked to be taken in marriage and redeemed so that life could go on. I hope that we have explained well that by what she did was also a good example of how a sinner comes to the lord in seeking salvation, by their humbleness and acknowledging who they are and acknowledging their great need for salvation. It is also a reminder for us as Christians where to go for any need in our lives. We must remember to go the one who can supply , our good master and heavenly father.

He told her that there was one more kinsman that was closer related to Elimelech than he was and by the law the elder was to have first choice to redeem if he would. So Boaz told her that if the elder would not do the part of a kinsman then he would and he sent her away with six measures of Barley. In God's word many times the number 7 represents a complete or whole number with God. A symbol of completeness.He gave her six measures because as yet there was still one thing undone.

He would talk to the elder. Naomi assured Ruth that he would not delay but he would see that the matter was finished that very day. Sometimes we have to wait upon the Lord for answers to our prayers. Things may not always happen when we think that they should but you can be assured, if you have brought it to the feet of Jesus that he is already working and the answer is on the way.

I believe Boaz knew that the elder would not redeem Ruth but still he went about things in order of the law to fulfill the law as it was required of him to. This was a good figure of how that the law came before grace and mercy. The law was perfect and it came first but man could not keep the law, nor could the law redeem. Jesus came to Earth to bring grace and mercy but he still did not do away with the law but he kept it and he fulfilled it.

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Ruth chapter 4 .

1) ¶ Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 2) And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

3) And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: 4) And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

5 )Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. 6 )And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

7 )Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. 8) Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

9) ¶ 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. 10 )Moreover 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.

11) And 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: 12) And 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.

At the gate of the city Boaz waited for the elder to come. We read hear what they said unto one another. Boaz asked him to sit down and the elders also. This is the way that they made transactions, always in the prescence of witnesses. John 18 16 teaches us that even Christ taught his disciples that by the mouth of two or three witnesses would the truth be established.

Many times , especially in Jesus trial, false witnesses were brought in to condemn Christ because that was their custom by law to observe. So Boaz sat down with the elder and with ten witnesses. When the elder thought all that was involved was land then he offered to redeem it, however when he found out that he would have to take Ruth to wife he said he could not redeem it, lest it would mar his own inheritance.

We have already said that Boaz was an example of Christ, mercy and grace. The elder was an example of the law. This elder was honorable. The law was perfect , man just could not keep it. The law showed what sin was and was a guide for us to go by but it could not give life. Under the law, there was no mercy. So the elder said no and told Boaz to redeem it to himself.

Under the law and their custom was to pluck off your shoe and give it to the other party that you were making an agreement with so the elder plucked off his shoe and gave it to Boaz. Those who sat there were witness to this. The law gave man instruction to walk by, we use our feet , naturally to walk, the elder gave the shoe to Boaz and Boaz was to keep it. This was a binding agreement. The law led unto Christ, Christ kept the law and fulfilled it.

Then we read of the witnesses who gave to Boaz their blessing and well wishes. Boaz had made the statement that in the presence of the witnesses he had bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's. Our lord paid a great price for our pardon so that we could be redeemed and life could go on. What a price he did pay!

You are loved today friend! You have a savior who paid the ultimate price for you. The bible said that no man hath greater love than this...than a man would lay down his life for his friends. He even called us his friends. You have a friend today that will go with you all the way. Let us be thankful for our redemption. Let us not forget the price that was paid.

I have enjoyed bringing these scriptures to you this week from the book of Ruth. Continue with us as we finish this chapter. May you be blessed by the reading of God's word today !

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A Restorer of Life.

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. 14) And 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.

15) And 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. 16) And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17) And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18) Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, 19 )And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, 20) And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, 21) And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, 22) And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

We read at the beginning of the book of Ruth how Naomi had went out from Bethlehem during hard times. She had left with everything but came back a widow who had buried her husband and her two sons. She had told her friends to call her Mara because she told them that the almighty had dealt with her. She returned with only her daughter in law Ruth, but we see God's hand at work for Naomi. We see still that he has great love for her and he had not left her utterly alone, she still had Ruth.

God had given Ruth a great love for Naomi. God had not forsaken Naomi at all and would make a way for her. When she came back to Bethlehem she , no doubt was heart broken, she felt so condemned for leaving and had nothing to rejoice about but look again at this scripture above how that through this marriage had came a son and once again their was Joy in Naomi's heart.

Life had been restored through one who had redeemed . God had not left Naomi. Naomi did rejoice again. You too can rejoice when you have endured chastisements or trials. God will not leave you. The women had said Blessed be the lord who hath not left thee without a kinsman.

Yes blessed be the Lord! Praise his name that he did not leave us without a redeemer. A near Kinsman, God's only son. No matter when we stray, god will forgive, alot of time we must endure chastisements for that sin because the bible teaches us that whom God loves he chastises just as a Father does his son. Through determination and through Naomi returning to where she needed to be God blessed her in the end.

It says that she became Nurse to the baby, she took care of him and the women named him Obed. He would become the father of Jessee, the father of David.

The blessings would continue to come. Our God is a restorer of life and will nourish us also throughout our life. We can once again be fruitful, we can once again laugh and smile and our joy can be full once again! We hope this scripture has been a great blessing to you, it is one of my Favorites.

My Mother gave all her children a bible name, I am very proud of the one she gave me. Karen Ruth. May You have a wonderful day in the Lord! This concludes our study of Ruth.

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