Introduction To Ruth
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:34 PM
Ruth
Introduction
Rooted between the Book of Judges
and 1stSamuel . Judges was a time of spiritual failure and was about to be
turned around to a point by Samuel. It seems that the Book of Ruth cries out in
the closing words that there will be King, there will be a Messiah, no matter
what the circumstances might say otherwise!
Judges -
·
Period of time from the death of Joshua to
Samuel, Israel’s last judge
·
Period of around 300 years
·
During this time it seemed that as long as a
strong Pharoah ruled on the throne of Egypt, there was a time of “rest” for the
people of God. When Israel would fall away from the Lord, He would send
oppression to the people.
·
After the middle of the 12th Century,
there were for a time no more periods of “rest” due to the continued apostasy
of the people of God. They were spiritually faltering.
·
Judges is basically a book of the failure of
Israel to keep the moral spiritual standards set forth by Moses and Joshua.
·
Israel failed also to conquer Canaan – falling
instead into the idolatry of the people of the land and falling farther away
from their God
1 Samuel –
·
Book of history centered around Israel’s last
judge, Samuel
·
Samuel was also a priest and a prophet
·
Focus on Israel’s cry for a king
·
Israel’s rejection of God as their King
·
Focus on God’s grace & His Sovereignty
·
Focus on God’s faithfulness to His people even
after they rejected Him
Ruth –
·
Shows partial genealogy of Christ
·
The Book of Ruth was read at the Feast of
Pentecost
·
Showed forth God’s grace not only to Jews, but
to Gentiles as well
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit. KJV
·
The ordinance of gleaning was noted from
Leviticus
- Leviticus 23:22
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean
riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt
thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the
poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God. KJV
Historical –
·
Time of great famine
·
Possibly from the events of Judges 6:3-6.
·
Judges 6:3
And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the
Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And
they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou
come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor
ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as
grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number:
and they entered into the land to destroy it. 6 And Israel was greatly
impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto
the Lord. KJV
·
Time of great spiritual darkness. God shows
forth His faithfulness in spite of the faithlessness of His people
Author –
·
Possibly Samuel
Purpose –
·
Show us Jesus, show us the character of the
Faithful God
·
Show us customs of the time
·
Show us God has a plan far larger than most can
imagine. To show us to look beyond the present to the past and the future and
see the nature of God a work in the lives of His people
·
Show us the great lengths that God will go to in
order to keep His promises
·
Shows us that God calls great things out of
obscure places
·
Types and shadows –
·
Boaz – Jesus
·
Ruth/Naomi – The Church
·
Law vs Grace
·
Ruth is a story of –
·
Love
·
Loss
·
Lineage
·
Law
·
Life
·
Redemption
·
Reproach
·
Revival
·
Purpose
·
Plan of the Divine
·
Passion
·
Honesty
·
Fidelity
·
Faithfulness
·
Serves as an example of a godly man and woman
set forth as role models
Key People –
·
Elimilech– God his king, my God is king,
(notes on Judges & 1 Samuel, as if God put this story here to show us that
no matter what the people, did, or what they wanted, He was still King, He is
Sovereign)
·
OT - 458 El#m#yl!a$ 'Eliymelek (el-ee-meh'-lek);
from OT:410 and OT:4428; God of (the) king; Elimelek, an Israelite:
KJV - Elimelech.
·
OT:410 la@ 'el (ale); shortened from
OT:352; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also
of any deity): KJV - God (god), goodly, great, idol, might (-y one), power,
strong. Compare names in "-el."
·
OT:352ly!a^ 'ayil (ah'-yil); from the same as
OT:193; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief
(politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong
support); an oak or other strong tree: KJV - mighty (man), lintel, oak, post,
ram, tree.
·
OT:4428El#m# melek (meh'-lek); from OT:4427; a
king: KJV - king, royal.
·
OT:4427El^m* malak (maw-lak'); a primitive root;
to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into
royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel:
·
KJV - consult, indeed, be (make, set a, set up)
king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign (-ing), rule, surely.
·
He is related to Boaz
·
He is from Bethlehem
·
From the tribe of Judah
·
Judah - praise
·
Owned land in Bethlehem, perhaps from an
inheritance
·
Naomi – sweetness, beautiful, agreeable,
pleasant
·
OT:5281ym!u(n* No`omiy (no-om-ee'); from
OT:5278; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess: KJV - Naomi.
·
OT:5278<u^n) no`am (no'-am); from OT:5276;
agreeableness, i.e. delight, suitableness, splendor or grace: KJV - beauty,
pleasant (-ness).
·
OT:5276<u@n* na`em (naw-ame'); a primitive
root; to be agreeable (literally or figuratively):
·
KJV - pass in beauty, be delight, be pleasant,
be sweet.
·
Type and shadow of Israel
·
Mahlon– sick, weak, grieved
·
OT:4248 /olj=m^ Machlown (makh-lone'); from
OT:2470; sick; Machlon, an Israelite: KJV - Mahlon.
·
Chilion– pining, wasting away, done
·
OT:3630 /oyl=K! Kilyown (kil-yone'); a form of
OT:3631; Kiljon, an Israelite: KJV - Chilion.
·
OT:3631 /oyL*K! killayown (kil-law-yone'); from
OT:3615; pining, destruction: -consumption, failing.
·
Not everyone who “lives in bread and praise”
walks in the blessings of God.
·
Orpah– to turn back, stiff neck
·
OT:6204hP*r=u* `Orpah (or-paw’); feminine of
OT:6203; mane; Orpah, a Moabites: KJV – Orpah.
·
OT:6203 [r#u) `oreph (o-ref’); from OT:6202; the
nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether
literal or figurative): KJV – back ([stiff-] neck ([-ed).
·
Ruth – something worth seeing, beautiful
friend
·
OT:7327tWrRuwth (rooth); probably for OT:7468;
friend; Ruth, a Moabitess: KJV – Ruth.
·
Wife of Mahlon
·
Stuck by her husband, “in sickness and in
health” “till death do us part”
·
“redeemed” in her greatest hour of sorrow
·
Shows that God sees our faithfulness
·
Shows us that t he “birthing pangs” of adversity
can produce great things.
·
Ruth is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ
·
Boaz – nimble, strength
·
OT:1162zu^B) Bo`az (bo'-az); from an unused root
of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in
front of the temple: -Boaz.
·
Father – Salmon – clothing or raiment (from the
idea to cover assuming the shape of the item beneath)
·
1 Chronicles 2:51Salma
the father of Bethlehem KJV
·
Son of Rachab – a harlot
·
Rahab was an Amorite
·
Genealogy - Definition of Names
·
Pharez – breech, division
·
Hezron – enclosed, dart of joy
·
Amminadab – people of the prince
·
Nahshon – learn by experience, enchanter
·
Salmon – garment, cover take shape of that
underneath
·
Boaz – strength, fleeting, quickness
·
Obed – worshiper, servant
·
Jesse – gift from God, one who is
·
David – beloved
·
If you read this backwards . . . “Beloved God
send a Gift of a worshiping servant in strength to cover and take the shape of
man teaching the people of the Prince that He has enclosed the breech
·
Neighbors - the power of the voice, the
neighbors actually named Obed
·
Obed – son of Ruth
Ruth 1:1Now 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 sojourn in the
country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.KJV
Ruth 1:1 - When Judges Ruled
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:35 PM
it came to pass . . . this thing is not forever,
it came, literally, to come to a passing, it came to go away! This storm shall
cease and after it I shall stand!
I.
In the days when the judges ruled . . .
a.
Judg 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right
in his own eyes. KJV
b.
Judg 2:8
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and
ten years old. 9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in
Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. 10
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose
another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which
he had done for Israel. 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of
the LORD, and served Baalim: KJV
i.
No king in Israel –
this verse is used 4 times in the Book of Judges. The period of time covers
around 350 years and spans almost 25% of the history of Israel.
ii.
Why was there no king in Israel?
a.
1 Sam 8:4Then
all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto
Ramah, 5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy
ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.6 But the thing
displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel
prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice
of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee,
but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. KJV
iii.
There was a famine in the land . . . What were
the results of not having a “king” and wanting to be like the other lands
around?
a.
Ezek 14:13
Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then
will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread
thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: KJV
Judges
|
Ruth
|
Spiritual Darkness
|
Spiritual Light
|
Immorality
|
Purity
|
Pursuing Idols
|
Pursuing God
|
Disloyalty
|
Devotion
|
Lust
|
Love
|
War
|
Peace
|
Cruelty
|
Kindness
|
Disobedience Brings Sorrow
|
Obedience Brings Blessings
|
Faithlessness of the “Chosen
People”
|
Faithfulness of A Gentile
|
Ruth 01 (Scofield)
|
Deciding
|
Ruth 02
|
Serving
|
Ruth 03
|
Resting
|
Ruth 04
|
Rewarded
|
II.
And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah . . .
a.
Bethlehem means “house of bread”
b.
Judah means “praise”
i.
When we leave the “house of bread” and “praise,” death
comes.
ii.
Others remained in the land, and survived, others
carried on.
a.
What reasoning might Elimelech have entertained for
leaving?
III.
Went to sojourn . . .
a.
Sojourn - OT:1481guwr (goor); a primitive root;
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose),
i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also
to gather for hostility (as afraid):
i.
Elimelech turned aside from the house of bread and from
praise
a.
Websters dictionary defines as stay as a temporary
resident
a.
He had no plans to stay here long term
b.
He had no plans to die here
c.
He had no plans for his kids to die here
d.
We never have any plans for “sin” to catch up with us
e.
We almost always “stay” longer than we planned when we
go where we are not supposed to go.
i.
Just one look
ii.
Just one drink
iii.
Just one touch
iv.
Just one minute
d.
In the country of Moab . . .
a.
Interstingly enough, Moab is where Moses died (Deut 34:5)
b.
Land named for the son of Lot by incest with his
daughter (Gen 19:37)
c.
You could see the Promised Land from here (Deut 34:6)
i.
How often do we live just “outside” the promises of
God, seeing them and not entering in?
d.
Num 25:1
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the
daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their
gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the
anger of the LORD was indled against Israel. KJV
V.
he, and his wife, and his two sons . . .
a.
Elimelech and both sons died in Moab, the “place of
sojourning
b.
Naomi, who was called Pleasant (that’s what her name
meant) upon return to Bethelehem Judah asked to be called “Marah” or Bitter.
c.
Leaving “bread and praise” can result in bitterness and
spiritual death
>
Ruth 1:2 - Fruitfulness & Famine
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:36 PM
Ruth
1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of
his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of
Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.KJV
I.
Elimelech- means God is King
a.
Not all who call themselves Christians necessarily
follow God
b.
Matt 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock: KJV
II.
Ephrahites– means to bear, bring forth, grow,
increase, be fruitful
a.
Ephratah was the grandmother of Caleb – who went to spy
the land and came back with a good report
b.
Ephratah was the mother of Hur
c.
Ephratah was the name of Behtlehem Judah during Jacob’s
time.
III.
. . .and continued there . . .
a.
Continued - OT:1961hayah (haw-yaw); a primitive
root [compare OT:1933]; to exist, i.e. be or become,
b.
This is a picture of life without Christ, or leaving
Him. They did not plan to stay gone forever, they likely should have never left
(others remained and survived)
c.
What had began with sojourning turned into existence.
They settled in. They became a part of and accustomed to their surroundings.
Familiar with sin. Comfortable in “Egypt”
d.
We cannot outrun our problems. Mahlon (sickly) and
Chilion (weakness and puny) had survived up to this point in Behthlehem Judah,
in the land of fruitfulness, now they were about to die. Elimilech (God is his
King) died. The atmosphere changed. A fish cannot survive for any length of
time out of water, when we “leave God” we may also be leaving His life
sustaining Presence.
e.
Are there things in our lives that were temporary that
we have allowed to become permanent?
f.
This family left for life’s sake and found death
i.
Luke 17:33
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever shall lose
his life shall preserve it. KJV
g.
The family in search of a better life, and tragedy
struck
i.
A better job
ii.
A better spouse
iii.
A better church
Ruth
1:3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and
her two sons.KJV
Ruth 1:3 - Death
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:37 PM
I.
. . .Naomi’s husband died . . .
a.
It was after Elimelech’s death that the boys
married wives from Moab.
b.
As the priest of the home, it may have been
possible that Elimelech had prevented such things in life, but was not there to
intervene in death
c.
. . .there was no king, and they did that which
was right in their own eyes
d.
Picture of our need for a Savior, who is not
only “all man, but all God”
II.
. . .and she was left . . .
a.
Gen 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the
fruit thereof, and did eat , and gave also unto her husband with her; and he
did eat KJV
b.
Gen 3:24
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden
Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the
tree of life. KJV
Ruth 1:4 And they
took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the
name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.KJV
Ruth 1:4 - Stiff Necked Wife
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:37 PM
I.
. . .and they took them wives of the women of
Moab . . .
a.
Deut 23:3
An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even
to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the
LORD for everKJV
b.
Judg 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel , but every man did that which was
right in his own eyes. KJV
i.
Elimelech – means God is King
c.
Hab 1:13
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity KJV
d.
From the Scriptures it again appears there was
no thought of leaving the land at all and returning to Bethlehem Judah. They
had made this new place “home”
II.
. ..Orpah . . .
a.
We later see a profession of relationship then a
relenting and return
b.
Orpah means
c.
She “kissed” her mother in law – and left . Judas
kissed Christ.
i.
2 Tim 4:10
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed
unto Thessalonica;Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. KJV
d.
Ruth “clave” to her
Ruth
1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the
woman was left of her two sons and her husband.KJV
>
Ruth 1:5 - The Remnant
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:37 PM
Ruth was about as far “down” as one could get, she was:
Old
Barren
In a foreign country
With a husband or sons to care for her
With 2 foreign daughters in law
Naomi was essentially “empty”, but
what appeared to be the end for her actually turned out to be a new beginning.
1 Cor
1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which
are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. KJV
Thought – Both Elimelech and the
sons died in Moab. While the Bible does not say that Eli sinned in going to
Moab, it also does not say that God sent him there or told him to go. Could it
be that his death as well as the death of the boys was because they had left
and gone to Moab, the boys further marrying Moabites? Could it be that Naomi
was left alive because the priest of her home was no longer living and when
given an chance, she DID return to her homeland? While Adam and Eve both sinned
against God in the Garden of Eden, Adam is the major topic of discussion on the
issue, not Eve.
. . .and the woman was left
. . .
Was left –
OT:7604sha'ar (shaw-ar'); a primitive root; properly, to
swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant:
KJV - leave, (be) left, let, remain,remnant,
reserve, the rest.
Jer 23:3
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have
driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful
and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall
feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be
lacking, saith the LORD. 5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will
raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and
shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. KJV
Could it be that Elimelech was lacking in praise,
lacking in holiness and the godly raising of his children and was driven from
the land into Moab?
To be fruitful – they were Ephrathites!!! Which means to
be fruitful!
Possibly a case for
Ezek 14:13 Son
of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I
stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof,
and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: KJV
Ruth
1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might
return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how
that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.KJV
Ruth 1:6 - Repentant Daughter
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:38 PM
1.
. . .then she arose . . .
a.
OT:6965quwm (koom); a primitive root; to rise (in
various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative):
KJV - abide, accomplish, be clearer,
confirm, continue, decree, be dim, endure, enemy, enjoin, get up, make good,
help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, but newly, ordain, perform, pitch,
raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set
(up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-,
make) sure (-ly), (be) up (-hold, -rising
Same word as used to speak of David after the deat of
his son
2 Sam 12:19
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was
dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said,
He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed
himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and
worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread
before him, and he did eat. KJV
1.
. . .that she might return . . .
a.
return - OT:7725 shuwb (shoob); a primitive
root; to turn back(hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or
figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
generally to retreat; often adverbial, again:
KJV - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do
anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take,
weep]) again, (cause to) answer (+again), in any case (wise), at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease,
certainly, come again (back), consider, continually, convert, deliver
(again), deny, draw back, fetch home again, fro, get [oneself] (back)
again, give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more,
needs, be past, pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall,
recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue,
restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, say nay, send
back, set again, slide back, still, surely,
There seems to be a sense almost of repentance
The rest of the family was not there to “repent. ”
unrepentance leads to death
Even after she “came home” she was bitter for a time,
but The Lord softened her heart
2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the
prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this
house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart
shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as
David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee,
and shalt observe my statues and my judgments; 18 Then will I stablish the
throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father,
saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. 19 But if ye
turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before
you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 Then will I pluck
them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house,
which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make
it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. KJV
house – bayith - OT:1004 bayith (bah'-yith);
probably from OT:1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of
applications, especially family, etc.):
KJV - court, daughter, door, dungeon, family,
forth of, great as would contain, hangings, home [born], [winter] house (-hold),
inside (-ward), palace, place, prison, steward, tablet, temple, web, within
(-out).
2.
. . .from the country of Moab . . .
a.
From the “fields” of Moab
i.
Sadeh - OT:7704 sadeh (saw-deh'); or saday
(saw-dah'-ee); from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as
flat):
KJV - country, field, ground, land, soil, wild
Naomi went from working in the fields of Moab to
teaching Ruth to work in the fields of Boaz
·
It was as if she came to herself
·
Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself , he said, How many hired servants of my father's
have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and
go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before thee KJV
·
She returned:
·
To her people
·
To her land
·
To her God
3.
. . .for she had heard . . .
a.
Those in Moab here about what God is doing in
His people, and for them
2 – Fields
3 – Feet
4 – Forever
2 – Beggar
3 – Betrothed
4 – Bride
2 – Lost
3- Loved
4 – Lords
2 – Barren
3 – Besought
4 - Bought
Ruth 1:7
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters
in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.KJV
Ruth 1:7 - Time For A Change
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
12:53 PM
1.
. . .the
place where she was . . .
a.
It was a place of loss - loss of
i.
Dreams
ii.
Husband
iii.
Sons
iv.
Hopes of a family
b.
She had head that God has blessed and she had a choice
to make, to stay " in the placewhere she was" or to rise up and go
back to the place where God was blessing. She did not allow self pity, pride or
any other thing to keep her where she was at.
Naomi made up her mind to return to her homeland and that is just what
she did.
i.
1 Sam 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because
the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his
daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. KJV
1.
Sometimes you cannot depend on others to lift you up,
you must depend on God
2.
. . .wherefore
she went forth . . .
a.
Went forth - yatsa' OT:3318 yatsa' (yaw-tsaw');
a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of
applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.:
KJV - after,
appear, assuredly, bear out, begotten, break out, bring forth
(out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), be
condemned, depart (-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,
fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able
to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth
(out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put
away, be risen, scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out,
stand out, still, surely, take forth (out), at any time, to [and fro], utter
b.
Much like the prodical son in Luke 15:17, she came to herself
i.
We can resign to live in the situation we are in or
decide to change it
ii.
She had heard what God was doing. In the fields of the enemy she heard what He
was doing in the fields of the King
iii.
Preach good news where you go, God may have put you in
a dark place for no other reason than to preach the good news to the lost, to
the end that they come to themselves and go home!
iv.
What are some fears Naomi might have felt in returning
to her homeland? What obstacles might she have faced in going home?
3.
. . .to
return . . .
a.
Shuwb OT:7725 shuwb (shoob); a primitive root; to
turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or
figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
generally to retreat; often adverbial, again:
KJV - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do
anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take,
weep]) again, (cause to) answer (+again), in any case (wise), at all, averse,
bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease,
certainly, come again (back), consider, continually, convert, deliver (again),
deny, draw back, fetch home again, fro, get [oneself] (back) again, give
(again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more, needs, be
past, pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense,
recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
(cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, say nay, send back, set again,
slide back, still, surely
b.
Again we see the idea of repentance, this is the same
word as used earlier
4.
. . .and her
two daughters in law . . .
a.
We cannot be sure what it was they saw in Naomi, but
whatever it was, they were attracted to what they saw
5.
. . .and they
went on the way to return . . .
a.
Naomi knew how to get home, after living in this land
for at least ten years, once she heard about The Lord's blessing in her
homeland, she knew she had to get there, and she knew HOW to get there
i.
John 14:4 And whither
I go ye know, and the way ye know . KJV
ii.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. KJV
1.
This passage causes me to wonder about the relationship
with the kinsman folk prior to leaving the homeland, why did they not ask for
help from him? Why is he not mentioned
until Naomi's return? Is this a symbol of our refusal to call out to God until
we are at the very end of our rope?
b.
Again there is a very real sense of repentance
Ruth
1:8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return
each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt
with the dead, and with me. KJV
Ruth 1:8 - Sewing & Reaping
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
2:32 PM
1.
. . .and
Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, go, return to each to her mother's
house . . .
i.
Notice that they were already partly on their way back
to Bethlehem Judah - how many make only part of the trip?
1.
Matt 10:22
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. KJV
ii.
Naomi possibly felt she was not able to take care of
the girls: sometimes we feel we are inadequate in the lives of others, however,
if we will just do our part, God will do the rest . . .
1.
1 Cor 3:6 I
have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase KJV
2.
. . .the Lord
deal kindly with you . . .
i.
A prayer or a
blessing over the girls
ii.
Word "from God" had come to her in the fields
of Moab and she was not communing back to Him
iii.
This is the first mention of "prayer," if indeed she was praying, with God in the Book of Ruth.
1.
To notice it was on the behalf of another, for their
welfare
3.
. . .as ye
have dealt with the dead, and with me . . .
i.
Powerful reality here . . .
1.
Gal 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap. KJV
2.
We will have a harvest of the seeds we have
planted. How we treat others will come
back to play in our lives.
Ruth 1:9 - A Place of Rest
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
2:46 PM
Ruth
1:9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in
the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice,
and wept. KJV
1.
. . .The Lord
grant you that ye may find rest, each of
you in the house of her husband . . .
a.
Rest - OT:4496 OT:4496 menuwchah (men-oo-khaw');
or menuchah (men-oo-khaw'); feminine of OT:4495; repose or (adverbially) peacefully;
figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence
(concretely) an abode: KJV - comfortable, ease, quiet, rest (-ing
place), still.
i.
Signifies absence of movement as well as to be settled
in a place
ii.
Conveys the idea of
security such as would be found in marriage
iii.
Conveys the idea of rest
1.
Matt 11:28 Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take
my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
KJV
iv.
The whole idea presented is that she wishes for them to
find rest and fulfillment in marriage, to be remarried and carry on
1.
When a young woman went to live with her husband’s
family, she did not give up all rights in her own family. If her husband died
and there were no more brothers-in-law for her to marry, she might return to
her father’s house. That is exactly what Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law
to do, and Orpah followed her suggestion (Ruth
1:8-18)...The death of a husband always has far-reaching
consequences for his family. For people of biblical times this was true as
well. After a period of mourning, the widowed wife might follow one of several
courses of action. If she was childless, she was, according to the levirate law
(note), expected to continue living with her husband’s family (Deut. 25:5, 6,
7, 8,9, 10-Keil and Delitzsch). She was to marry one of her husband’s brothers
or a near kinsman. If these men were not available, she was free to marry
outside the clan (Ruth 1:9). (Packer, J., Tenney, M. C., & White, W.
Nelson's Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible. Nashville: Thomas
Nelson)
v.
Of interesting note is that neither of the women had
children from their first husbands . . .and it seemed that almost immediately
after Ruth married Boaz, she was blessed with Obed
1.
Boaz - nimble,
strength OT:1162zu^B) Bo`az (bo'-az);
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the
name of a pillar in front of the temple
a.
r
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory
of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in
weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.KJV
Ruth
1:10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee
unto thy people. KJV
Ruth 1:10 - The Return
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
10:43 AM
1.
. . .surely
we will return with thee . . .
a.
How often are promises made in passion not kept?
b.
Though married to Naomi's sons for some time, both the
girls still felt that they were not of Naomi's people. Interesting.
Ruth
1:11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go
with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
KJV
Ruth 1:11 - A Choice To Be Made
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
10:49 AM
1.
. . . Are
there any more sons . .
a.
The two girls were obviously drawn to Naomi and saw
something inside her that made them want to, at least for a period of time,
want to be with her. We see The Lord and
are drawn to Him. We commit to follow
Him. But there is a cost for
following. Perhaps this is where things
changed for Orpah. Perhaps she wanted
children, a family, a husband. Perhaps
she like Lot looked out and both ways and chose the "better land"
from a natural state of mind. Maybe she was not willing to take a chance that
those things would be lost to her if she chose to go w/ Naomi.
i.
Gen 13:9
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if
thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go
to the right ; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to
the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan,
that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou
comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot
journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram
dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and
pitched his tent toward Sodom. KJV
b.
But when we follow Christ, there are riches and
blessing He lavishes upon us that we cannot even comprehend. The story basically ends here with Orpah, but
Ruth's story becomes HIStory!
i.
Matt 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross , and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? KJV
2.
. . . My
daughters . . .
a.
Naomi loved these girls . . .she considered them family
and wanted the best for them. She called
them daughters. No matter how mush we
love others and want the best for them, they must at some point make up their
minds who they will follow and where they will go. Naomi was speaking the truth, in love, as
harsh as it was - there was really no hope for family with her, the road would
be difficult and even though SHE considered them family, others may not, after
all, they were Moabites.
b.
Naomi was simply asking the girls to count the cost, to
not on nor make a decision in passion of the moment, but to thoughtfully choose
the course of their lives from that moment on
Ruth
1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old
to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband
also to night, and should also bear sons; KJV
Ruth 1:12 - Hope & Rope
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
10:58 AM
1.
. . .if I
should say I have hope . . .
a.
Ruth was again stating what she saw to be the obvious,
things were really, really bad. All
future hope for family was lost and there would be an end to Elimelech's family
line. Both of his sons were dead, his widowed wife was too old to marry
again. They would never be married or
have children of their own. They were
faced with surviving, not living. At
least in the natural. But God is not a natural God, He is Supernatural and full
of wonder!
b.
2 Cor 5:7(For we walk by faith , not by
sight:) KJV
c.
Hope - tiqvah OT:8615 tiqvah (tik-vaw'); from
OT:6960; literally, a cord (as an attachment [compare OT:6961]);
figuratively, expectancy: KJV - expectation ([-ted]), hope, live,
thing that I long for.
i.
OT:6960 qavah (kaw-vaw'); a primitive root; to bind
together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively)
to expect:
KJV - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait
(for, on, upon)
a.
OT:6961 qaveh (kaw-veh'); from OT:6960; a (measuring)
cord (as if for binding): KJV - line.
d.
But hope was already taken care of by
God!
i.
Josh 2:18
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread
in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father,
and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto
thee.
KJV
b.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. KJV
Ruth
1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye
stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much
for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. KJV
Ruth 1:13
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
1:02 PM
1.
. . .would
you wait . . .
a.
Wait - sabar OT:7663 sabar (saw-bar');
erroneously shabar (Neh 2:13,15) (shaw-bar'); a primitive root; to scrutinize;
by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience): KJV - hope,
tarry, view, wait.
b.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope , and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ KJV
i.
Prosdechomai
NT:4327 prosdechomai (pros-dekh'-om-ahee); from NT:4314 and NT:1209; to
admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or [figuratively] endurance); by
implication, to await (with confidence or patience):
KJV - accept, allow, look (wait) for, take.
2.
. . .for it
grieveth me much for your sakes . . .
a.
Naomi feels sorry that any wrong actions taken by her
or her family have negatively affected the lives of these two women.
b.
This statement lends to the thought that there was not
much justification in this family having gone to Moab in the first place,
followed by her next words in which she feel the Lord is angry with her and she
is being punished
3.
. . .that the
hand of the Lord is gone out against me . . .
a.
She never blames God for doing anything wrong
b.
This seems to show her acceptance of God as Sovereign
over her life and the lives of those around her
c.
Ruth is once again stating the fact that there will be
great "cost" for Ruth should she choose to follow Naomi. It will cost her everything, however, just as
with following Christ, He is worth it all
