8. Ruth: Being Woven into God’s Redemption

What’s Going On in the World? Charlottesville (12 Aug) “It‘s natural for people to want to be with their own kind, and to look to their own interests. We’re going to care about our interests first.” - A protester in Charlottesville Barcelona (17 Aug) Vancouver (19 Aug)

Historical Context of Ruth In the time of Judges, around 1100 BC. “People did whatever they felt like doing.” (Judges 21:25) Bethlehem locates in modern Palestine, about 10 km south of Jerusalem

Bethlehem ↔ Moab A famine in Bethlehem forced Naomi and her family to move to Moab. After 10 years, Naomi’s husband and sons all died. Naomi decided to go back.

Where you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people. Your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.

Life in Bethlehem Naomi and Ruth lived in poverty. Ruth offered to glean for food. Ruth happened to come to Boaz’s field, who is a relative of the family. Boaz said: “Listen, my daughter. From now on don’t go to any other field to glean. And don’t worry about a thing; I’ve given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from what the servants have filled.”

Old Testament law on Gleaning Male workers went first, cut the grain stalks and lay them on the ground. Female workers followed, gathered and bind the grain stalks into bundles. The grains were sent to the threshing floor, then Gleaners entered. But Ruth asked to glean among the workers!

Naomi’s Plan Naomi knew Ruth’s life will be difficult life without a male protector and provider Naomi asked Ruth to steal into bed beside the sleeping Boaz, and wait for Boaz to tell her what to do. Ruth took the initiative and asked Boaz to marry her.

Kinsman-Redeemer Law When a man sells his land out of financial difficulty, the closest relative is required to buy back the land, so that the land will remain in the family. For Ruth: no obligation to marry Boaz to continue Naomi’s family line. For Boaz: he’s not the closest relative. Even if he is, there’s no obligation to marry Ruth under Kinsman-Redeemer law. He will sacrifice his own properties if he does so.

Boaz’s Response He is willing to take the responsibility, but there’s a closer relative. The next morning, Boaz talked to the relative. The relative refused to redeem, so Boaz acquired both Naomi’s land and Ruth.

Love in Action Ruth: from a slave girl to one of Israel’s mother Followed Naomi to Bethlehem, provided food for her, became a surrogate mother for Naomi. Naomi: from emptiness to fullness Willing to give up the only blessing she has, i.e., Ruth, for the sake of Ruth’s future. Boaz: knowing God more intimately sacrificed his properties to provide for Ruth and Naomi.

Being Woven into God’s Redemption David’s Genealogy (Ruth 4): Perez had Hezron, Hezron had Ram, Ram had Amminadab, Amminadab had Nahshon, Nahshon had Salmon, Salmon had Boaz, Boaz had Obed, Obed had Jesse, and Jesse had David. Jesus’ Genealogy (Matt 1): Perez had Hezron, Hezron had Ram, Ram had Amminadab, Amminadab had Nahshon, Nahshon had Salmon, Salmon had Boaz, Boaz had Obed, Obed had Jesse, Jesse had David, . . . Jacob had Joseph, Mary’s husband, the Mary who gave birth to Jesus. The book of Ruth is deeply Missional

4 Implications from 4 Characters First implication. Naomi. God’s love is pursuing us even in the darkest time His love will open our eyes. We will no longer see our lives as empty, but wonderfully abundant. Second implication. Boaz. We are to live through the chaos by taking care for others. Love is to see in others’ suffering your responsibility.

4 Implications from 4 Characters Third implication. Ruth. God honors those who honor him. He rewards them abundantly. “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)

4 Implications from 4 Characters Fourth implication. Peloni-Almoni (Mr. So-and-So). Warning: We can choose to reject God’s calling by caring for our own rights. God’s grace in shaming us: reveal the pretensions so that redemption can take place. “Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these ‘nobodies’ to expose the hollow pretensions of the ‘somebodies’?” (1 Cor 1:27-28)

Living towards a Glorious Ending The fulfillment of human history and identity = God’s redemption God is weaving the world into His Redemption! Justice will roll on like a river, Righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)

Living It We live towards the redemption by caring for each other. We sacrifice our interest for others’ interest. Endless list of ways to care for each other: Invite your neighbor for a meal Give thanks to your parents; Pray with your children Show appreciation to your spouse Reconcile with a friend Tell people how they’ve encouraged you Share the gospel through UC’s ESL or bread ministry