RUTH Prepared for CBF 14 January 2007

2 Background Name: Ruth - “friend/ship” Era: BC (1261?) »between Joshua and King Saul » time of political and moral chaos in Israel Born:Land of Moab - ie a Moabite »Moab was incest-son of Lot’s eldest daughter Parents: Unknown One of two women with Bible books named after them (ie Ruth and Esther)

3 There was.. A famine in Bethlehem A husband and wife -Elimelech and Naomi (Israelites) and their two sons who shifted approx 50km to the other side of the Dead Sea- to the land of Moab in search of food previously - Moab- who was the incest- son of Lot’s eldest daughter

4 Family tree.. Elimelech m Naomi (both tribe of Judah) KilionMahlon

5 Unfortunately... m Naomi (both tribe of Judah) KilionMahlon

6 Where does Ruth fit in? m Naomi (both tribe of Judah) Kilion m Orpah (a Moabite) Mahlon m Ruth (a Moabite)

7 THEN….. m Naomi m Orpah m Ruth

8 So.. Naomi decides to go back to Bethlehem Tells Ruth and Orpah -return to their people They both want to go with Naomi Orpah is persuaded but Ruth clings Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem

9 Back in Judah Naomi (means “pleasant”) wants to change her name to Mara (ie “bitter”) –because she left full and came back empty Ruth goes to glean barley in the fields “Turns out” she chooses Boaz’s fields Boaz is an honourable man, of Elimelech’s clan (Rahab the Jericho prostitute is his mother) Boaz spots Ruth and is impressed!

10 The kinsman-redeemer…. A brother-in-law to marry widowed sister-in-law to enable name and property to be maintained Naomi realises that Boaz can “help” Naomi prepares Ruth as a bride and sends her to Boaz to approach him after dinner/drinks at the threshing floor Ruth “interacts” with Boaz - he agrees

11 How does Boaz help? Next day Boaz goes to the city gate Finds “nearer kinsman” - and challenges him in front of a “full court” -10 Elders Nearer kinsman declines - so as next kinsman Boaz happily marries Ruth Elimelech’s property is redeemed A son is born The local women name him Obed

12 Obed....is presented to Naomi - & adopted? Raised by Naomi? Becomes the father of Jesse who.. Becomes the father of David (the King)

13 Thus.. It is said that Ruth was better to Naomi than seven sons!! Quite a claim Naomi returns from emptiness to fullness Ruth likewise is blessed and blesses her mother-in-law by her faithfulness A Moabite woman appears in Jesus’ lineage in Matt 1:5

14 Questions? Did Ruth “sleep” with Boaz “that night”? Why is the story of Ruth in the Bible? What are the key themes?

15 Response (1) Did Ruth “sleep” with Boaz “that night”? –Bible doesn’t say that she did –She may have - but based on both their previous behaviours -I don’t think so

16 Response (2) Why is the story of Ruth in the Bible? –Not really sure, it could be to show that we are all represented in the ancestry of Christ ie neither Ruth nor Rahab were Israelites –Maybe the themes are important?

17 Response (3) What are the key themes? –God fills emptiness in unexpected ways –God uses & blesses ordinary people whose everyday decisions honour Him –Selfless love of both Ruth and Boaz –Unswerving devotion, not heritage, makes us one of God’s people –The life-saving role of the willing “redeemer”

18 Until our Redeemer appears..