April 7, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Today you get the chance to read a book of the Bible in one sitting!  I always thought it was kind of special to take a book from God's Word and just sit and read it all the way through without stopping.  You will find that there will be quite a few books that you will read in this manner.  Don't rush your reading.  Take time and see how the book "comes together" as you read through its chapters.

Regarding the Book of Ruth, notice several things (which I gladly share from the pen of Warren Wiersbe).  "The four chapters of Ruth are four acts in a drama: 1 - tears; 2 - toil; 3 - trust; and, 4 - triumph.  The book begins with funerals and ends with a wedding.  Naomi moves from bitterness to blessedness, and Ruth moves from loneliness to love.  What a picture of the grace of God!"

Ruth 1 - Elimelech, Naomi's husband, and Naomi take their two boys and move to Moab when there is famine in Bethlehem.  I always thought it strange that a scarcity of food would come to a town known as "The House of Bread" for that is the meaning of Bethlehem.  But this couple should have recognized that famine was predicted if Israel sinned.  They didn't need to run, but to pray.  Even in the midst of trouble God still cares for His own.  You'll see that with Elijah in your future reading.  While in Moab the two sons marry but then both the father and the sons die!  Naomi is left with her two daughters-in-law and encourages them to go back to their homes.  Orpah does, but Ruth clings to Naomi and makes the wonderful declaration, "Your God is my God."  Ruth saw grace in God's care for His people.

Ruth 2 - Though Naomi didn't release her bitterness quickly, Ruth almost immediately looked to God and to the future with hope.  Ruth went to work by gleaning in Boaz's fields.  Note that "...she happened to come to the...field...of Boaz," verse 3.  This so-called "happening" was God's direction!  And Boaz noticed Ruth!  God put these two people in contact with each other because He had a plan that would eventually include the lineage to the Messiah!!

Ruth 3 - Naomi began to lose her bitterness as she recognized God's hand in bringing Boaz into their lives.  She encourages Ruth to make it clear to Boaz that he is a kinsman-redeemer and one she is willing to trust to meet her needs.  Boaz immediately responds favorably but he knows there is another man who has a closer relationship to Naomi and Ruth than he does.  Boaz determines to settle the issue quickly, primarily to be sure Naomi and Ruth's vital needs are met.

Ruth 4 - Boaz speaks with the other man who recognizes that he cannot fulfill the kinsman-redeemer responsibilities without jeopardizing his own inheritance.  This leaves the door open for Boaz to take this matter into his own hands and gladly fulfill the role and marry Ruth.  The writer of this book knew that this marriage would eventually lead to David.  And we know that David's lineage would eventually come to the Messiah.  (See Matthew 1:5).