a walk through the bible with bro. bill parker

A Walk Through the Bible

With Bro. Bill Parker

Lesson 6 The Book of RuthThe Romance of Redemption

Praise Chapel Puget Sound


● Ruth is one of the most significant books in the Old Testament for the Church.


1. Chapter 1 is “Love’s resolve”, where Ruth cleaves to Naomi.

2. Chapter 2 is “Love’s Response”, Ruth’s gleaning.


3. Chapter 3 is “Love’s Request”, a pivotal threshing floor scene.

4. Chapter 4 is “Love’s Reward”, The redemption of both the land for Naomi and a bride for Boaz.


● The story takes place in the days of the judges. It is interesting to note that in Bethlehem (The House of Bread) there was no bread, but a famine.


1. A man named Elimelech (my God is King) who with his wife Naomi (pleasant) and their two sons left Bethlehem because of the famine and went to live in Moab.


2. The book of Leviticus tells us that famine indicates a low level of spiritual vitality within the chosen nation.3. In Moab, Elimelech died and his two

sons, Mahlon and Chilion married women of Moab, Ruth and Orpah.


4. After 10 years the two sons also died and Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law.

5. Things were looking better back home in Bethlehem so Naomi decides to return home.


6. Naomi releases the daughters-in-law and encourages them to

find new husbands since they were young.

7. Orpah decides to stay with her people in Moab, but Ruth (which means desirable) remained with Naomi.


8. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi (chap. 1:16-17) is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. It was impressive; she was a very impressive person.


● In Chapter 2 Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of

the barley harvest with a very uncertain future.● The Bible says that Ruth went into

the fields to glean. One must understand the Levitical law of gleaning. It was a form of welfare.


1. If you were a landowner, your reapers could only go through the field once, and only once.2. Whatever they missed was left for

widows, orphans, and the destitute.


● Ruth had been gleaning in a portion of a field owned by Boaz.

1. Boaz happens to be a close relative of Naomi’s dead husband Elimelech.


2. Boaz has heard the story of Naomi and Ruth’s return to

Bethlehem.3. He commends Ruth for her kindness to her mother-in-law.


4. Acting with restraint and dignity he is attracted to Ruth.

5. Boaz instructs his workers to leave extra grain for Ruth to glean.


6. Naomi learns that Ruth has been gleaning in the fields of Boaz, and that Boaz is a relative.


● In chapter 3 Naomi explains that Boaz is a kinsman and she is

aware of The Law of Redemption, and instructs Ruth what to do.


1. By going to Boaz and lying at his feet, she is essentially asking

Boaz to fulfill the responsibility of a kinsman to marry her and raise up heirs to the deceased

Elimelech.


2. That night the men worked the threshing floor, the work usually could not be completed in one night. The landowner and his key workers would sleep by the grain.


3. Ruth went and quietly laid down and slept at Boaz’s feet. When he awoke he realized she was

there.


4. Ruth asks Boaz to cover her with his skirt. The hem of the skirt was a symbol of authority and

stature. It was asking for his protection and to marry her.5. Boaz was older than Ruth and gladly accepted the responsibility.


● There was one little problem… Boaz tells Ruth there is a closer relative.1. Boaz gave Ruth six measures

of grain to take home to Naomi. This was a message that he would not rest until the issue was resolved.


● Chapter 4 has Boaz at the gate of the city for a meeting.1. Boaz tells the nearer kinsman

that Naomi had a piece of land to sell, and needed a redeemer. The nearer

kinsman says it’s no problem.


2. But Boaz said, “By the way, the man that does this also has to take Ruth to bride”.

3. The nearer kinsman replied he could not do that, he would lose his inheritance.


4. The nearer kinsman takes off his shoe and gave it to Boaz as a symbol of yielding the opportunity or the obligation.

5. Boaz purchased the land for Naomi and purchased Ruth as his bride.


This concludes our review of The Book of

Ruth

a walk through the bible with bro. bill parker

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