Who are these people?

 

Read Ruth 2

Leviticus 25:47-55

What have we gotten ourselves into? Ruth looks like a short book, but do we know if it’s history or just a story, perhaps a story with a lesson.

If it were fiction, what would be the significance of Ruth coming into the line of Christ? So if we hold the line of Christ which we have canonized in our Bibles, should we not also hold this story as historical as well?

There is a lot of stuff out there. I’m going with this as an account not a work of fiction for some teaching purpose. The Good Samaritan didn’t end up in the lineage of David or Christ. That’s a story with a purpose which also happens to be a parable.

Ruth, I put it in the historical category. It is part of the story of God and his people. Yes, we are an odd bunch now and again and again and again. Perhaps that’s why I am drawn to the Cumberland Denomination. I didn’t say church. The church belongs to Jesus, but those of us who come to the building that says Cumberland Presbyterian Church are an odd bunch.

If you don’t believe me, I keep notes. It’s good to come to a place where I feel at home.

So who are these people from 3100 years ago?

Who is Ruth?

·       Widow.

·       Daughter-in-Law to Naomi, Elimelech’s widow. I will add a faithful daughter-in-law from what we can glean from the scriptures.

·       From pagan ancestry. The false god Chemosh was the main god of Moab. There are some parallels to Molech and Baal, but Chemosh appears to be a separate god, not just another name for one of the many others.

·       Foreigner now that she is in Judah.

·       A stranger in the land (but Naomi is not).

Who is Boaz?

·       A man of some standing in his community. That would be the Jerusalem and Bethlehem area.

·       Relative of Naomi on her husband’s side.

·       God fearing man.

·       Man of compassion.

·       I will add, concur or not, that his heart was taken at the first sight of Ruth.

What does Boaz see in this pagan girl whom he has never met before?

·       Loyalty, noted specifically towards her mother-in-law.

·       A solid work ethic. She isn’t begging. She is working.

·       A caretaker. Ruth provided for Naomi and her needs.

·       Something godly that prompts Ruth to do good again and again.

·       A relative. Even though there is no blood relationship, Boaz treats Ruth like family from early on.

Who is Chemosh?

·       Pagan god, sometimes considered the god of victory.

·       A national god. Chemosh is often considered to be Moab’s god.

·       On a peer level with Baal and Molech.

·       A god who is out of the present picture. There is no pressure here to worship him or be alienated from her own people.

Who is Naomi’s God?

·       He is the one true God. Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim. He is the great I Am!

·       And now, Ruth resides among his Chosen People.

·       And now this God of Abraham—who was Lot’s God as well, though it didn’t continue for long with Lot—is Ruth’s god as well. 

·       Your God will be my God!

This could have been a daytime soap set for sure but it turned out to be a story in which God provided every step of the way. What a clear-cut story. You all should feel guilty about getting off so easily this week.

Did you notice that Ruth caught Boaz’s eye early in the story? I think the whole Kinsman Redeemer thing worked out well for Boaz.  He will soon enough throw in Ruth as his wife in addition to redeeming Naomi’s land.  I hope that you have read the whole book and I didn’t spoil it for you.

Did you notice that despite having a first-chapter attitude from hell, Naomi’s advice and direction to Ruth have been very sound?  Naomi can surely see her part in God’s plan for her, and yes, it’s that part that women love so much—match-making.

This is the connecting part of the story. It’s a courtship with no flowers or good night kiss, but with plenty of anticipation. Ruth is on Boaz’s radar and Ruth is on her way into the line of Christ.

Naomi and Ruth will be redeemed by Naomi’s Kinsman-Redeemer.

We are redeemed by our Kinsman-Redeemer! That's Jesus, in case you needed a reminder.

So as you had an easy week of reading, I will include an easy takeaway. It’s a simple challenge.  Just remember:

You are redeemed!

You are redeemed!

Let us praise the Lord, we are redeemed, in spite of ourselves.

You are redeemed!

Amen.