Tag Archives: Christianity

Ruth 2- The Kinsman Redeemer

Leave a reply

There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. v1

Remember Naomi is going back to her homeland of Bethlehem to find her Kinsman Redeemer. The man in her family line, that would be able to provide and support her and Ruth. Also remember , Naomis two sons are dead, so Boaz is apparently the next of Kin to her husband Elimelech

While it’s not exactly known the relation, Jewish history suggests Boaz was possibly Elimelech’s nephew, through his brother Salmon. Which you might remember, married the prostitute Rahab from the book of Joshua. So it also gives you a timeline, in the time of Judges, right after the death of Joshua

Remember through this all, Boaz is a shadow of Christ, our Redeemer

Boaz mean “In Him Is Strength”

So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” v2

“gleaning “ the field was a practice during this time, based on Mosaic Law. Owners of the field not to reap the edges of the field and allow the poor, widows, and orphans to take crops from the edges of the field. Ruth was willing to do this to provide for her and Naomi

Ruth was also hoping to find favor with the landowner, so they may allow her to glean often. However God is going to use this to lead her to Boaz

When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:9-10

Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. V3

By Gods provision, Ruth ended up gleaning in the field that belonged to Boaz, who is legally the Kinsman Redeemer for Naomi

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!” Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” v4-5

Boaz , The Kinsman Redeemer, came to visit his land, when Ruth caught his eye. He asked “Whose young woman is this”? Boaz was asking for Ruth’s status, was she married? What family line did she belong to? Remember marriages were by arrangement back then.

So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. v6

The fact his workers pointed out she was a Moabite, seems to me they pointing out she was a Gentile. They perhaps were showing a discriminatory view of Ruth, which wouldn’t be surprised to Moabites were not to be allowed in the assembly according to the Mosaic Law

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. Deuteronomy 23:3

And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” v7

Ruth demonstrated humility and reverence asking for permission in the field. She also showed her determination and work ethic, to provide for her and Naomi.

Ruth demonstrates many of the qualities of the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. V8

Ruth has found favor in the eyes of Boaz, asking her to only stay in his field. Even though she was a Gentile, even though she was a widow, Boaz sees her through the eyes of mercy and grace

This is a foreshadow of how Christ sees us, as outsiders of the Covenant, Christ has redeemed us to be Children of God

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19

Ruth Chapter 1- Return to Bethlehem

Leave a reply

Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”  v17

Ruth is basically making a covenant with Naomi, to death do us part, Ruth is forsaking her heritage and homeland, being buried with the Jews as a Moabite, almost like a foreshadow of our old selves being buried with Christ

As mentioned previously , I see a foreshadow of the Church in Ruth , the Gentile, being united with Naomi (Jew) in the Covenant with Christ

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:4

When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.  V18

Remember Naomi pleaded with Ruth previously to go back to her homeland, but she sees that Ruth is committed to this Covenant with Naomi, she stopped trying to change her mind

Ruth made the profession of faith, and is not looking back as The Lord instructed us as followers

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62

Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”  v19

While Naomi was probably hesitant to come back to Bethlehem, after leaving and suffering many failures and hardships. Her return was well greeted, “the city was excited because of them” 

Another interesting point to this response is Naomi is bring her Gentile Daughter in Law Ruth, they were probably unsure how they would be accepted back into the Jewish community

But also reminds you of when Mary and Joseph made that far journey back to Bethelehm, to bring the Christ child into the world for Gods salvation plan for humanity

So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. / He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. / While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.  Luke 2:4-6

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.  V20

The name Naomi means pleasant or , Mara means bitter After all Naomi has been through, she feels as if she has been cursed by God. But was it really God who did this or Naomis and her husbands choice to leave Bethlehem during the famine?

Again we see a foreshadow of the New Covenant in Christ, where our old self has died and we are a New Creation in Christ. While Naomi does’nt understand it right now, but she is actually blessed and provided for by her Redeemer , which leads to Christ

I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”  v21

Naomi believed she was “full” secure because of her daily provision (husband, family) When all of that was stripped away, she felt like she was abandoned or empty, however what God has demonstrated to her, is that God is our provider and not us. Even through her sorrows, she is still full and taken care of by Christ our Redeemer

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.  V22

Naomi returns back to God , to Bethlehem her provided inheritance by God, and God will return back to her. This is a valuable lesson I think we can all learn, to be more obedient to God than obedient to ourselves. Trust in The Lord!

God calls His people to return to His decrees, promising, “Return to me, and I will return to you  Malachi 3:7

Introduction to the book of Ruth

Leave a reply

One of only two books names after a woman (Ruth and Esther)

Ruth is part of Jesus Christ  genealogy (Matthew 1:5)

Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

Matthew 1:5

Author: Samuel 

Time:  “When the Judges Ruled” 

Location: Moab and Bethlehem

The book of Ruth was typically read during Pentecost due to Harvest references

Major Themes:

  1. New Covenant – Jews and Gentiles in the Covenant
  2. Woman are coheirs in the Kingdom with me part of Gods salvation
  3. Ruth protrays the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31
  4. Gods sovereignty and provision are demonstrated
  5. Ruth is in the genealogy of the Messiah (Christ)
  6. Boaz is a shadow of Christ – The Kinsman Redeemer
  7. The throne of David which points to Jesus Christ

Ruth Chapter 1 – The Famine

Leave a reply

Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.  V1

The author, who is believed to be the prophet Samuel, inspired by the Holy Spirit gives us a timeline of these events, “in the days when the judges ruled” , these events happened around the same time period of the book of Judges between 1380 BC to 1050 BC

We see there is a severe famine in the land, this will kick off a sequence of catastrophic events which God will ultimately use for His glory and the fulfillment of the Messianic line in Jesus Christ. This is a fascinating book of how we connect the dots between the Old Testament to The Lord. 

A certain man of Bethlehem (Elimelech) you should already see the ties to Christ, as this man is a citizen of Bethlehem, a Jew, however due to the severe famine, they were forced to move to Moab to find food. Of course Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah, as we walk through the book of Ruth, we will make all the connections to the Messiah

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  Matthew 2:1

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.  Micah 5:2

The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.  V2

So the mans name is Elimelech, which means “My God Is King” which is very prophetic as this story will be about the Kinsman Redeemer which ultimately leads to Jesus Christ. HIs wifes name is Naomi and their twos sons are Mahlon and Chilion, make note they are all Jewish from Bethlehem, where when the sons move to Moab they will marry gentiles wives (Ruth and Orpah)

Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.  Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.  V3-5

Now here is where the the issues begin, because of the severe famine in the land, Elimelech dies, who is the man of the household, but also Naomi’s sons will also die during this time of famine, this will lead this family in a severe crisis, how will they be able to support themselves?

You must remember during this time period, it was almost impossible for a widow or single mother to raise her family financially. Typically the husband or next of kin, the son, would support the family , however in Naomi’s case , she lost her husband and two sons in a pagan land. 

This reminded me of a scenario the religious leaders were challenging Jesus on who would be the husband of a widow who theoretically lost 7 husbands

23The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27Last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”  Matthew 22:23-28

The Sadducees (religious leaders) presented this bizarre challenge to Jesus, about a woman who lost her husband and then all seven of his brothers died, who will be together in the resurrection, what were the religious leaders referencing?

Well they were presenting what we know as “Kinsman Redeemer” during ancient times, if a wife lost her husband, should be married to one of his brothers to provide for her and the family, since there was no welfare or unemployment. While the religious leaders use an exaggerated example to try and trip up Jesus, you can get an understanding of this practice in that time period

This how the story of Ruth begins, with Naomi heading back to Bethlehem to find her Kinsman Redeemer, which will ultimately be found through Ruth, a Gentile in Boaz which is a shadow of Christ

The Impossible made Possible!

Leave a reply

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:25-26

What shall I do to inherit eternal life? This was the question by the Rich Young Man, a great question that all of us should ask, however the response he received from The Lord was not what he was hoping for! This young man had everything the world could offer, he had youth, he had money, he had power, but the one thing he was lacking was Christ!

And the only way this man could come to Christ, was to deny himself and carry his cross, which he wasn’t willing to do! You see this man loved the ways of this world more than he loved God. Yes he loved the idea of eternal life but had no interest in the eternal Son of God, the majority of the world has the heart of this man, carnally minded and no actual love for God

So the disciples posed the question then, “Who then can be saved”? Who can save us from this body of death, o wretched men that we are? (Romans 7:24) The bad news is you can’t , you are dead in your trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1)  you are an enemy to God (Romans 5:8) The Lord himself said “With Men This Is Impossible”

Many people have tried to save themselves, many people have tried to make themselves righteous, many people have tried to come up with a religion or formula that would satisfy the wrath of God, but it all fails because “Nobody is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18) The legalist doesn’t want to hear this! The deceived declares they are self righteous and a “good person” But the only good in us is Christ alone!

But there is good news, as Christ said “With God all things are possible” In Christ you can be saved, In Christ you can be made righteous, In Christ you can be Born Again (John 3:3) into a new Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) Your only hope is in the blood of The Lamb Jesus Christ, who can wash away all your sins (John 1:29)

In You, there is no possibility of salvation, the only path is eternal damnation in Hell Fire, but In Christ you can be saved! With God all things are possible, Christ has made the way, run to the cross, get on your knees and cry out to The Lord today! Today is the day of salvation(2 Corinthians 6:2)  in Jesus Christ, Amen!

Return To Egypt? Numbers 14:3

Leave a reply

Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”  Numbers 14:3

God with His great mercy and compassion, delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, God made a way, God performed miracles that crippled an entire elite nation, God destroyed the most powerful military in the world without the Israelites  engaging in battle, God provided food and water in the wilderness, God even promised and delivered the promise Land, a beautiful paradise flowing with Milk and Honey

However even though God has promised victory, God never said the way would be easy! In order to be in the covenant with our Father, we need to trust and obey his word and works. While many enjoyed the blessings from God, they never truly loved him and trusted him as God their Father. So when the going went tough, they wanted to run back into the slavery of Egypt instead

Many self professed Christians are like this today! Many claim they have professed Jesus Christ as Lord, many have claimed to put their faith and trust in Christ, many will even say they had a “Born Again” experience, however when life gets hard, they want to go back to Egypt. They want to go back into the slavery of sin where they were set free from! But If the Son Jesus Christ has set you Free, you are Free Indeed! (John 8:36)

If you are truly a Child of God, you are no longer a slave, as a slave has no residence into our Fathers house! (John 8:35) This idea that you can enjoy The Freedoms of Christ and still be a slave to Egypt is madness, it’s a total deception of Satan, you were Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) You are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, You are a Child of God in Christ (1 John 3:1) You are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18)

So how can a Child of God want to go back to Egypt? Well this is evidence they were never a Child of God at all , Jesus said “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) You will know them by their actions, by the way they live their lives. A Child of God doesn’t live in slavery, a Child lives in the Freedom of Christ (Galatians 5:1) Walk in the Newness of Life by the Holy Spirit, Walk in the Newness of Life as a Child of God, Walk in the Newness of Life by Christ (Romans 6:4)

Would it be better for us to return to Egypt? Would it be better for a dog to return to its vomit? (Proverbs 26:11) Certainly Not! How can we who are Alive in Christ be made a slave to sin again? If your Church is living in Egypt, Flee! If your friends are living in Egypt, Flee! Turn to the Promised Land, bought to you by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ , Amen!