Story of Ruth Ruth 1:1-2:23 Lesson 21

Background of Ruth The story of Ruth took place during the time of Judges. We are not told which one was judging. We can only estimate the time from what is given at the end of the book. Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David Judges 4:20-21

Background of Ruth Mat.1:2Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.  3Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.  4Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon.  5Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,  6and Jesse begot David the king.

Background of Ruth We have estimated the period of the judges lasted about 350 years. Beginning with Salmon, and realizing that David was not born until after Saul was made king, we see the limits of the period of judges span about 350 years. Men were not living over a 100 years of age There were 4 generations that span 350 yrs These generations had to overlap 20 yrs

Background of Ruth It was a peaceful time is a good indication of the time frame in judges. It would have been in the early judges After Othniel there were 40 years of rest Judges 3:11 Do you remember who Othniel defeated? Cushan-rishathaim from Mesopotamia

Background of Ruth It is unlikely this story occurred during the 18 years that Eglon oppressed Israel Judges 3:14. Elimelech chose to go to Moab during the time of a drought in Bethlehem By the time of the 80 years of peace that followed Eglon’s oppression, Boaz would have been quite old. Boaz was and older man Ruth 3:10 so it would not be impossible at this time.

Background of Ruth Ruth 3:10Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.  11And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 

Elimelech moves to Moab Ruth 1:1-5 In the days of the judges there was a famine in the land of Canaan A man named Elimelech lived in Bethlehem of Judah He moved his family to Moab because the famine in the land was severe. He moved with his wife Naomi, and his sons Mahlon and Chilion

Bethlehem Moab

Elimelech moves to Moab Ruth 1:1-5 After staying for a while Elimelech died in Moab Naomi and her sons were left alone Each of the sons married a Moabite woman Mahlon married Ruth Chilion married Orpah cp.4:10 They lived there 10 years Mahlon and Chilion both died This left Naomi without her husband or sons

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 Naomi heard that the land of Canaan was blessed by Jehovah and there was plenty of food, she decides to return to her home. She prepares to leave Moab and her two daughters-in-law started out with her. In those days when you married into a family you became part of the family and would live with them

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 It was the duty of the next brother to take the wife of the one that died and raise up children in his name for an inheritance He was to care for his brother’s widow Naomi had no other sons to care for them If Naomi married again then her sons would be to young to care for these women

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 As Naomi and her daughters-in-law began their trip back to Bethlehem, Naomi said to them “Why don’t each of you return to your mother’s house?” May Jehovah deal kindly with you as you have with the dead and me. May Jehovah grant each of you rest Naomi kissed them goodbye, and they wept together.

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 They both said, “No, we will go with you”.” Naomi insisted, “Go back my daughters.” Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, and went back to her home. Naomi said to Ruth, “look, your sister-in-law has gone back you do the same.” Ruth has an answer that indicates what kind of a woman she was.

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 1:16And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:  17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her to return home. The two of them made their way back to Bethlehem. The town was aroused at the site of them returning to Bethlehem They all gathered saying, “Can this be Naomi?”

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 Don’t call me Naomi (pleasant) Call me Mara (bitter) The Almighty has made my life bitter I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Naomi was a sad person because she had lost her husband and sons and that was not pleasant for her. They arrived during barley harvest

Bethlehem Moab

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 The Jews were told when they gathered their crops to allow the poor to come and gather or glean for food Lev.19:9-10. Ruth went out to glean and by chance, (or providence of God) she chose a field that belonged to Boaz. Boaz came one day to greet the workers in the field

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 Naomi’s husband had a kinsman named Boaz, an influential man of property and wealth. Ruth realized she would be the one in the household that would have to provide the living for both of them. Ruth ask Naomi to let her go into the field to glean for food. This means you go over the fields that have been gathered and you pick up what was left

Naomi returns to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-22 Boaz saw Ruth and ask his overseer, “whose young woman is this?” The workers replied it is Ruth the Moabite who came back with Naomi. She ask if she could glean here in the field She has worked hard all day, from morning till now. She rested a short time in the house.

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 8Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:  9Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 Ruth fell on her knees and bowed before Boaz, and said, “Why have I found favor in your sight?” Boaz knew how she had been to Naomi even though she was a foreigner. You are to be blessed for leaving your country and coming here to a people you had never known. May Jehovah reward you for your work

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 I hope you are pleased with me, because you have encouraged me and spoken kindly to me. At mealtime you come over and eat bread and dip in the vinegar and oil mixture. He gave her parched grain to eat It was so much she carried some home to Naomi Cp.2:18

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 It was very kind of Boaz to do this for her. He instructed his men to let her glean up close to the place the grain was being cut. She would be able to gather more grain that way. Pull out some from the bundles and drop it for her. She gleaned until sunset, then beat the grain off the stalks. It was 20-25 lbs.

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 She carried it all home and showed Naomi Naomi was impressed with the amount she had brought home. Where did you glean today? Naomi knew that was more than usual The man’s name was Boaz that owned the field I gleaned in today. “May he be blessed of Jehovah,” Naomi said

Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz Ruth 2:1-23 He told me not to go anywhere else to glean. “He has not stopped showing kindness to the living and to the dead,” Naomi said. This man is one who has a right to redeem. If you go to someone else’s field you might be harmed (possibly molested) Ruth worked through the barley harvest and wheat harvest while living with Naomi