That is why, on Naomi’s advice, she “washed, put on perfume, and got dressed in her best clothes.” We cannot, of course, know for certain. Boaz found his potential rival and assembled ten elders at the city-gate, the ancient equivalent of city hall. As we learn how Ruth’s faith helped her through such challenges, we will find much to imitate. But why would this be? Then she waited. However, the man refused, claiming that doing so would ruin his own inheritance. How do you hope to imitate the faith of Ruth? (a) When Naomi called Boaz a “repurchaser,” to what loving provision of God’s Law was she referring? Her load may have weighed some 30 pounds (14 kg)! Imitate Their Faith. Ruth replied, perhaps with a tremor in her voice: “I am Ruth your slave girl, and you must spread out your skirt over your slave girl, for you are a repurchaser.” (Ruth 3:9) Some modern interpreters have sought to imply that there were some sexual undertones in Ruth’s actions and words, but they ignore two simple facts. What contributed to Ruth’s being known as “an excellent woman,” and how can we imitate her example? Ruth 2:1-3 ~ Observe Ruth's humility. One can be an American, a Cuban, a Frenchman, etc and still be a Jew. Naomi and her husband were considerably older than Ruth so we could draw a conclusion that Boaz was closer to the age of Naomi than Ruth, however, this does not conclude a specific age difference. She hoisted it, perhaps bundling it in a cloth and carrying it on her head, and then made her way to Bethlehem in the gathering darkness.—Ruth 2:17. 13 Sometimes it is difficult for young people to listen to the advice of those who are older and more experienced. Any kindness shown to Naomi and Ruth was, in effect, kindness to the men who would have wanted those dear women to be cared for. “An Excellent Woman”, Publication download options This answer is not useful. Ruth’s muscles surely protested the long day’s labor, for she had been working steadily since the morning. Ruth became "better to you than seven sons" (verse 15). Naomi suggests to Ruth that they need to … The time passed. Since the first son of Ruth and a kinsman of her late husband would be deemed the legal offspring of the decedent and heir to Elimelech, the other kinsman defers to Boaz. In verse 6, the near kinsman realizes that in buying the land he would be eventually giving it to heirs of Elimelech, thereby losing not only the land but also the money used to buy the land and provide for Ruth and Naomi. Boaz declared his hope that doing so would “cause the name of the dead man to rise upon his inheritance.”. 11, 12. "The Jewish Midrash implies that this prohibition related only to the women who wed Moabite males" (Bible Reader's Companion, note on Ruth 1:4). 14 That evening, Ruth made her way to the threshing floor—a flat, hard-packed area where a number of farmers would take their grain for threshing and winnowing. (b) In what ways was Ruth blessed? "Now, in case a widow sold the field of her deceased husband for the time that it was in her possession, on account of poverty, and a relation of her husband redeemed it, it was evidently his duty not only to care for the maintenance of the impoverished widow, but if she were still young, to marry her, and to let the first son born of such a marriage enter into the family of the deceased husband of his wife, so as to inherit the redeemed property, and perpetuate the name and possession of the deceased in Israel. He is one of our repurchasers.” (Ruth 2:20) What did that mean? Those who imply that there was something improper in Ruth’s actions ignore what two simple facts? This was evidently a common practice, perhaps designed to protect the precious harvest from thieves and marauders. Ruth’s example may move us to ask ourselves whether we honor the bonds of family, loyally supporting our loved ones and offering them help as needed. (Ruth 1:11-13) Now, though, she was beginning to think differently. 26. 19, 20. She wanted to find Ruth “a resting-place”—referring to the security and protection that a home and a husband might provide. Some believe the fact that the near relative's name is not mentioned in the story connotes a blotting out of his name for refusing his obligation. Naomi asked: “Where did you glean today, and where did you work? In marrying Ruth, Boaz revives Elimelech's lineage, and the patrimony is secured to Naomi's family. Though according to Boaz the marriage will “maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance” (Ruth 4:10), the marriage of Ruth and Boaz does not seem mandated by the law in Deuteronomy, given that Boaz is not Ruth’s brother-in-law, nor does the genealogy in Ruth 4 credit Ruth… (Matt. Ruth 2:1 Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 18 Boaz spoke, and no doubt his gentle, soothing tone comforted Ruth. 15 Ruth watched discreetly as the work wound down in the evening. As per the Deu 23:3 prohibition, Boaz could not have redeemed Ruth had she been a true Moabite. An Ancient Love Story: Boaz and Ruth. Necessarily, then, Naomi figured that an intimate relationship at the threshing floor would lead to marriage. 21 How satisfying it must have been for Ruth to contemplate what Boaz had said—that she was known among all the people as “an excellent woman”! Ruth told Naomi everything that Boaz did for her. Evening was descending on the fields around Bethlehem, and many workers were already wending their way up to the gate of the little city perched atop a nearby ridge. Ruth is one of four women specifically named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. 15, 16. This he sees as ruining his own inheritance. Boaz was her goel, her kinsman-redeemer, and she had the right to expect him to marry her and raise up a family to perpetuate the name of Elimelech. What Naomi advised her to do might have seemed awkward or embarrassing—even potentially humiliating—yet Ruth agreed. 25 Ruth is one of five women whom the Bible lists in the ancestry of Jesus. "No doubt the latter was the rule established by custom, so that the widow remained in possession of the property as long as she lived; and for that length of time she had the right to sell the property in case of need, since the sale of a field was not an actual transfer of title but simply the sale of the yearly produce until the year of jubilee. Imitate Their Faith, Audio download options I also read about a … 22, 23. It should be acknowledged that since marrying Ruth would be an intrinsic part of Boaz agreeing to become a goel for her and Naomi, Ruth no doubt wanted Boaz to see that part of the role as something attractive and desirable. 25 Boaz married Ruth. Interestingly, the concluding scenes are of Naomi. Ruth was a Moabite Israelite, which like many had done in Israel, may have worshiped the local deities but after her husband died chose to do teshuva returning to Judah’s territory with Naomi. Ruth and Naomi helped and encouraged each other. One did. There is no Yibum in such situations. Hooking Ruth up with Boaz was Naomi's way of rewarding her for her devotion and kindness. 20 Boaz urged Ruth to lie down again and rest until morning was near; then she could slip away unnoticed. (b) How did Ruth respond to her mother-in-law’s advice? Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The other kinsman was willing to redeem Naomi’s lands, but he had no desire to marry Ruth. This "custom itself, which existed among the Indians and the ancient Germans, arose from the fact that fixed property was taken possession of by treading upon the soil, and hence taking off the shoe and handing it to another was a symbol of the transfer of a possession or right of ownership" (Keil and Delitzsh). She could tell that the man was sound asleep. As the weeks passed, Naomi no doubt thought more about what she could do for her beloved daughter-in-law. That appears to be left out hereperhaps indicating some mitigating circumstances in favor of the relative, such as the children he was already providing for. She assured Ruth: “The man will have no rest unless he has brought the matter to an end today.”—Ruth 3:18. 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