Words from Deb

Dear Friends,

    Greetings to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.   Let me begin this message by communicating to you that I missed my Sunday School class while I was out of town.  I love going
"home" to  CA, but yet I miss my "home" in NC.  We are a class that cares for each other, lifts each other up, and in process of learning to be more like Christ. 

     As we start this new Sunday School year together, it is exciting as it seems like a fresh start after people have come and gone all summer long.  Fall will be coming shortly, and there is a kind of electricity in the air as people settle back down to routine, the trees start changing colors and football is once again in action.

    Maybe it is only me, but during the summer I tend to get out of routine.  If you would allow me to suggest as the beginning of Fall approaches, that the disciplines of a Christian life; i.e. Sunday School,worship attendance, Bible reading, study, prayer and purposely living what we believe the Word of God teaches us, be of the up-most importance in each of our lives.  Most of us have said the "sinners" prayer but I dare say there may be many in the world who have said that prayer but not living that prayer.  Judgment is God's and God's alone, but as a Christian we should look and act different than the world.  Whether in the workplace, within our family, our volunteer positions or out in the community we should look different than how the world looks.  This world is not our home.  We are only sojourners.  These are just thoughts that I have been running through my mind for the summer and wanted to share them with  you.

     The Ruth lessons are posted and I humbly apologize for being so very, very late getting these lessons out.  I just posted all of them right in a row and then have started the 1 Peter lessons that Rich has already taught.  My computer has been out of commission for about seven weeks; three with a virus and four being out of town.  Thank you all for your understanding and patience.

Blessings to you,
Deb

Ruth 4:13-22

“Love Wins! And So Do We!!”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 4:13-22

We’ve made it! But not so fast. As in so many books of the Bible, the last few words have a powerful connection and impact going forward. Some might be led to believe that this genealogy as the conclusion is nothing more than a postscript on all that’s happened, but nothing could be further from the truth. The connection is made in these concluding verses to David and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I.                 A  Marriage and a Baby    Ruth 4:13-17

a.      Sometimes when you are studying the Bible, there are sets of verses that cover a lot of time and sometimes less. As we get to this short portion of Scripture, let’s notice a few time measurements:

                                                    i.     Ruth 1:1-5 was a timeline of not shorter than 10 years.

                                                  ii.     Ruth 1:6-4:12 was a timeline of no more than 2-3 months.

                                                iii.     Ruth 4:13 is a timeline of at least 9 months.

b.     As we open Verse 13, we are given no details on the wedding, the reception or the honeymoon. Perhaps in this lack of detail we are given confirmation that the author of  this book, though unnamed, must be a man! But all humor aside, we now have the synopsis of the first year of marriage in this verse alone. Boaz and Ruth are married, and a son is born. It is noteworthy to see that the Lord is the One who enabled her to conceive. Remember that for the 10 years that she and Mahlon had been married, she had not had any children.

c.      Whether we are re-connecting with “the women” of Ruth 1:19 or not is unknown, but there does seem to be a difference in the groups as the Ruth 1:19 women are the “town women”, while the group currently being discussed are the “neighborhood women”. Whatever the case, we now hear again from a group of women in the community. The women of chapter 1 were speaking with a Naomi that was empty and bitter. But now, these women are talking with a Naomi that is full. Verse 14 shares the account of their meeting following the birth of a son to Boaz and Ruth. The women are quick to give glory to the One who had provided a redeemer for Naomi, the Lord Himself! But who is this redeemer? Is it Boaz? The Lord Himself? No, the redeemer that has been provided for Naomi is the baby! While they don’t know the magnitude of their own words as they pronounce blessing on the Lord and a desire for the baby’s fame in Israel, they are really saying a mouthful as we will see in a moment.

d.     Any woman who has enjoyed the news of a baby born to their children will understand Verse 15. For the grandmother especially, the birth of a grandchild is a “restorer of life” and a “sustainer in their old age”. A grandchild, to an older woman, is a blessing beyond compare. At a time when life may be settling out a bit, a grandchild introduces a new and exciting chapter to her life.

e.      Another recognition of the wonderful relationship that Naomi and Ruth had is noted as the verse continues. Ruth loves her! This baby is here and the implied desire for the boy to have a meaningful relationship with Naomi is an important part of the story. In fact, in light of the incredible emphasis that is put on males in the Old Testament, the statement regarding Ruth’s worth as that of “7 sons” is amazing. For those of you interested in numerology, note the “7” in relation to sons. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. What a huge compliment to Ruth and her relationship to this new grandma!

f.      The story continues to unfold in Verse 16 with Naomi taking the child and laying him in her lap. The word “nurse” here means guardian or caregiver. Naomi will have an important role in raising and caring for this little on going forward. Can you imagine the incredible sense of gratitude and reflection that must have been going on in the mind and heart of Naomi as she held this little boy in her lap and remembered all that had happened in her life up to this point?

g.     The importance of this connection and the provision of God toward this once empty one are emphasized in Verse 17. In a strange happening, the women of the neighborhood name the child of Ruth and Boaz.  Again noting the importance of this grandson to Naomi and the provision of God to her (as well as Boaz and Ruth!), the women note that “a son has been born to Naomi!”

h.     His name would be Obed. The name is not only beautiful, but fitting, in that it means “servant”. This little one, Obed, would serve the parents as a great blessing, his grandmother as a blessing and reminder of God’s provision to her, the family in that he is of the line of Judah, and the nation of Israel as will be noted in his connection to King David in the next verses.

i.       And “Oh, Yeah”. This little one will serve us in that he will be in the direct line to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!!

II.               A Connection Worth Noticing    Ruth 4:18-22

a.      With the completion of the “story”, we are now left to consider a genealogy that completes the book for us. Genealogies are interesting things in the Bible and play different roles depending on their placement and their need to the greater story being shared at the time. Sometimes genealogies are complete in that they offer chronologically and unbroken connections between generations. On the other hand, sometimes genealogies are incomplete, not to throw us off or to disrespect generations that are missing, but to simply note a line of people, their importance, and a connection to something that is very important going forward.

b.     The genealogy offered here is without question not complete. It does not take us back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38), or to David (Matthew 1:1-17) as the genealogies of Jesus do in the New Testament. But it does make a couple of connections that are critical going forward in the meta-narrative of Scripture. Verses 18-22 offer a genealogy that is noteworthy in a few ways:

                                                    i.     It is composed of 10 names. The first five cover a period from the entry into Egypt to the time of Moses. (Genesis 46 – Exodus 6) The second group of five names covers a period from early settlement in Canaan to the closing period of the judges.

                                                  ii.     While incomplete, it is authenticated by the fact that no Jewish writer would create an ancestry for David that included a Moabitess without a valid basis.

                                                iii.     It begins with Perez, the son of Tamar, who is the founder of a family of Judah that was name for him.(the Perezites). Both Elimelech and Boaz belonged to this family. With the naming of Boaz, the rest of the genealogy falls into place. Neither Mahlon or Elimelech are mentioned in this genealogy as the “legal” fathers of Obed. Instead Boaz, his “natural” father is listed.

                                                iv.     The connection to David is contained in the genealogy. Obed is the father of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of David.

                                                  v.     And as we consider the genealogy of Matthew 1:1-17, we are connected to most wonderful of truths. This story, with all of its twists and turns, has been the stage for the birth of a baby that is not only connected to David, but to our Lord Jesus Christ!

III.             An Application For All Of Us

a.      What a story! We have visited both despair and incredible triumph in just 4 chapters. What are some of the things that must be remembered as we complete our time in the book of Ruth?

                                                    i.     The providence of God (noted in the famine, deaths, Ruth’s choice of Boaz’s field to glean, his attraction to her, etc.)

                                                  ii.     The reality of God’s presence even when unseen.

                                                iii.     The idea of redemption that will again and best be demonstrated in Jesus Christ.

                                                iv.     The fact of covenant loyalty and its reward. (i.e. 1:8, 2:20, and 3:10)

                                                  v.     God’s sovereignty.

Ruth 4:1-12

“The Legal Proceedings”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 4:1-12

As the story of Ruth and Boaz has unfolded, there have been a number of different venues shared. We began with the family of Elimelech travelling to the land of Moab due to a famine in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. The story continues with Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem because “God had visited His people in giving them food”. From there, we have seen the story unfold in the field of Boaz, the home of Naomi and Ruth, and most recently the community threshing floor. Now we will see the story continue at the gate of the city, the “town hall” of ancient Israel.

I.                 Gathering at the Gate    Ruth 4:1-2

a.      After a probable sleepless night, the story continues with Boaz doing exactly what he had said he would in Ruth 3:13. He had said that “when morning comes” he would see to the continuing care and provision for Ruth and Naomi. The trust the Naomi had in the character of Boaz in Ruth 3:18 was not misplaced, was it? Verse 1 introduces us to the “courtroom” of the ancient world, the city gate. This was the recognized place for business and legal transactions. Because it was the place where everyone would go through on their way to the day’s activities, it was a place of public interaction and activity.

b.     Because of the normal flow of people from the city to work in the mornings and the activity at the gate all through the day, it didn’t take long before the “close relative” made his way through that area. While there is the normal flow of life going on here, let’s not forget the providence of God in getting this man to the place where he was most needed at this time in the story. With the appearance of this unnamed man, Boaz wastes no time in calling to him and asking him to sit down and talk for a little bit. And the man does just that. It is noteworthy that in the first 2 verses of this chapter, we see “sitting down” mentioned 5 times. There is important business to attend to, along with the hand of God at work.

c.      Boaz continues to put together the proceedings needing attention by summoning 10 “elders” of the city to sit down at the gate as well. Again, Verse 2 tells us that these “men with beards” responded to Boaz’ appeal by sitting down to hear the information that Boaz would bring to all of them, along with some other people that would gather while the proceedings were under way.

d.     So now we have all the people necessary at the city gate to hear of both the need and the plan for caring for Ruth and Naomi going forward. Boaz has been faithful to his character, but so has God!

II.               The Case Is Presented    Ruth 4:3-5

a.      The first order of business is for Boaz to share with the “closest relative” the situation that Naomi is in. Verse 3 unfolds with Boaz sharing that Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, is in a position where she “has to sell” the piece of land which had been owned by her husband. She does not currently “own” it or she could have farmed it herself to service their economic situation, but she does have the first right to buy it back but she has no means. What the reason is for this need to sell is not stated, but it can be speculated that Naomi and Ruth can no longer hold right to purchase this land due to their poverty and needs going forward.

b.     Boaz continues in Verse 4 by saying that his desire is to inform this closest relative of this situation and appeal to him as the go-el, or kinsman redeemer. This “informing” is literally to “uncover his ears” to the situation. Boaz appeals for the closest relative to redeem the land, that is buy it back from Naomi to ensure her care and provision for the future. He mentions that this relative is the only one that can serve as this “closest relative”, but if he doesn’t redeem it Boaz will. The elders of the city are both hearing this situation unfold and are empowered to witness the decisions that are made here. What is going on is not a jury trial, but a proceeding that will need to be witnessed to ensure the decisions are implemented as these witnesses have heard them.

c.      The closest relative now does something that must have caused the heart of Boaz to shudder. He says that he will redeem the land from Naomi to himself. OUCH! Boaz cares deeply for both Ruth and Naomi, and hopes that they will be cared for going forward. But it is not a secret to those of us that are reading the story that he cares deeply for Ruth. Is the plan that he has in mind crumbling? Has God lost control of the proceedings? Is our love story over?

d.     Boaz continues with his explanation of the role of this “kinsman redeemer” as Verse 5 opens. He says that in addition to the land that would be acquired as the go-el, there is also the matter of the care of Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased (Mahlon, according to Verse 10). Her care, in addition to the duties of the kinsman redeemer in marrying her, going in to her and providing an heir to inherit whatever is remaining and to continue the name into the future would also fall to this “closest relative”. His answer is…

III.             The Refusal of the “Closest Relative”    Ruth 4:6-8

a.      The “closest relative” quickly looks at all of the responsibilities of this “kinsman redeemer” and says that he can’t do it. He was willing to redeem the land, but to redeem Ruth would have jeopardized his own inheritance. Verse 6 does not tell us how the inheritance would be jeopardized, but it clear as day that this unnamed man has made his decision. Is it because to marry Ruth would be to marry a foreigner? Is it that he doesn’t want to split whatever he has between two families? We are left wondering what those answers are, but we do not have to wonder about his decision. He has said, “NO!” He also continues to give detail to this answer by saying that Boaz can have his right of redemption because he doesn’t want it.

b.     We are reminded of the times that this story is happening in as Verse 7 opens. Remember, we are in the time of the Judges. The land is chaotic, the people are sinful and rebellious, and the Law of God is something that has been put on the back burner at best and forgotten completely in most situations. The writer reminds us of this chaos and rebellion by stating that “the custom in former times” included a confirmation of any legal attestations to be made by removing a sandal as a visual sign to all that witnessed the decision so that it could be remembered in that records of this type of thing were not common.

c.      The brief parenthesis is concluded and we are back to the story in Verse 8. The “closest relative” does exactly as the custom prescribes by saying that Boaz can buy the land for himself, along with all of the other responsibilities. And he removes his sandal and gives it to Boaz as a demonstration of the decision being confirmed.

IV.            The Decision Witnessed and Blessings Are Given    Ruth 4:9-12

a.      With the last recorded words of the “closest relative”, Boaz turns to the witnessing elders and summarizes what they have seen today and all that has taken place. Verses 9-10 share that all of the desires of Boaz have now been met:

                                                    i.     The land of Naomi has been bought that once belonged to Elimelech, Chilion and Mahlon.

                                                  ii.     Ruth will now be the wife of Boaz.

1.     To continue to name of the deceased.

2.     To ensure that he is not excluded from the family in future dealing regarding inheritance and land.

b.     This section concludes with a series of blessings from those who were in the court that day. Verses 11-12 share these blessings:

                                                    i.     May Ruth be blessed with fertility – This blessing was the blessing that all Israelite women longed for. Children were seen as the blessing of God and to be fertile was to be blessed. Remember that Rachel and Leah had twelve sons between them.

                                                  ii.     May Boaz be blessed with both wealth and fame in Bethlehem – Boaz’ faithfulness will be rewarded at last!

                                                iii.     May the offspring of this marriage be blessed of the Lord – Perez was Boaz’ ancestor. His birth to Judah was based on a union from a levirate practice (Genesis 38). These ancestors had given a prominent place to the tribe of Judah. The blessing here is that the children of this union would do the same.

1.     We’ll see that unfold in our next lesson!

V.              An Application For All Of Us

a.      God  will ultimately see His plans accomplished.

b.     God uses people who have right priorities and purposes to work even in the most difficult of times.

c.      God doesn’t always make the way easy on the path to His will.