Life changing conversations should probably happen when both parties are fully present and engaged. As Boaz observed Ruth in the fields everyday, working and interacting with the others, he compared what he saw with what people in their tiny town had to say about her. In the midst of any circumstances you face, in whatever relationships, we can trust God to bring good out of it. "Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge.". Book of Ruth, Old Testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. As you read through the book of Ruth, you wont find any places where Gods voice thunders down to her as you might in other Bible stories. There is Always Hope. However, Naomi stayed committed to her daughter-in-law and wanted her to follow the God of Israel. Because of the famine in Bethlehem he decided to move his family to Moab. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. In that instant, she decided, Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.. Ruths diligence was being observed without her knowing it. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. The word root for the name "Ruth"in Hebrew, "Rooth"means "friendship" or "friend.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); God can be found in silence. But there is a lesson in the book of Ruth. Finding someone to spend the rest of your life with is serious business. It is like the looking-glass which my lady holds up to her face, that she may see if there be any spot on it. The second blessing mentions Tamar, who in Genesis 38, like Ruth, bore a child after . Naomi organized a plan to let Boaz know that Ruth is open for marriage. Rahab, the prostitute who escaped Jericho was Boazs mother. For Ruth and Naomi, they needed sovereignty and in essence a fresh start. Naomi was essentially empty and devastated after she lost her husband and sons. After moving to Moab with her husband and sons, she loses her husband and becomes a widow. 1:1-5: Elimelech and his family go to Moab. Ruth was one of those women. He is still working. Moral Lesson 1: The Value Of Making Wise Choices. Granted, she needed some help from Naomi to see it but Ruth eventually gave Boaz permission to claim her as his wife. God heard her cries and helped her feel complete again. Issues that require mental and emotional effort should probably happen when people are not tired and hungry. Remember to thank and recognize your partner each day. It was later in the story that any signs of romantic love were expressed. For Ruth everything seemed hopeless when she lost her husband even worse for Naomi. 6: God redeems us from our hopeless situation The story of Boaz and Ruth has a lot of symbolism for us to take note of. Ten years passed, and Mahlon and Chilion both died. The world is not kind to widows today, and being a widow was even more difficult back then. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. Ruth laid aside her pain, left her home and family, and turned her face to the future with hope as she journeyed to a new place with her mother-in-law. The 3 life lessons from Ruth and Boaz are: Have An Attractive Character. In Ruth we see the attitude and character of one in whom God is pleased. God bless! Owning a field was not easy then. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Were there negative characteristics of Ruth in the Bible? He brought something to the table that marched Ruths hardworking and virtuous nature. In fact, Naomi encourages both girls to go back to their parents and find husbands who can take care of them. Some conversations require perfect timing because of the issue that needs to be discussed. Character its who you really are when no one else is watching. Tucked between the books of Judges and 1 st Samuel, it can be easily missed when thumbing through the Old Testament. Boaz firstly asks the kinsman if he would be willing to purchase Naomis land. The reality that Ruth experiences is relatable to couples in love today. Its easy to judge others and caste your own beliefs and judgment upon the way theyre living their life; however its important to be able to see both sides of the fence. Things will go faster and will be much better. Waiting for your Boaz means to wait for the one with specific characteristics. Subscribe today to receive our free Bible Study printables sent to your inbox. There are many but I will only go over 6 of them. The indescribable passion and struggles that accompany love is displayed in the Book of Ruth and these actions personify our own struggles that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis. The passage suggests that he wasnt always there. The love of a man and the love of a woman should always be considered as an equally powerful element. When it was just a matter of property, it was easy to decide on; but if he must take Ruth as a wife, that was another matter. The word that Boaz used to describe Ruth is the same word used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman. The story is a mirror opposite of Israel's depressing journey from triumph to tragedy that is presented in the book of Judges. In the Hebrew Bible, Ruth stands with the Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther; together they make up the Megillot, five scrolls that are read at prescribed times on Jewish religious festivals. He also added that she stood out in the community for this quality. But one thing is clear: Boaz was extremely attracted to her characteristics of being hardworking and morally sound. Communication is one of the hardest things for human beings to accomplish. Among them is how it illustrates the relationship between Jesus (Yahshua) with His Church. In the moments where life feels like its crushing you, start with a little faith. Lesson no. Sermon series: Building Lasting Relationships - Ruth. Elimelech passes away, and about 10 years later, both of Naomis sons die, as well. Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. Her best days were not behind. 4: Boaz accepts and marries Ruth; they become the ancestors of David and Jesus Christ. They see you when youre good and when youre bad. Lets talk a little about the man Boaz, what was so special about Boaz, and lessons we can learn from them. When two people fall in love its a beautiful thing. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. When these two women arrive back in Naomis home town, they are destitute, devastated, and broken. 6 Relationship Lessons from the Book of Ruth There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. Introduction. Once they realize that their significant other doesnt have bad intentions when they make mistakes, theyll discover that their relationship will truly prosper. Sometimes it seems like I take my worries everywhere except to you. On the day that Ruth decided to go gleaning, on that very day, Boaz chose to visit his field. Are they the same with you as they are with everyone else? There are really so many lessons we could draw from this epic true love story. v 2 - Moab: located east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Nineteenth-century American historian Elizabeth Ellet imagines that Ruth's beauty and foreign appearance attracted Boaz's attention.. First, Elimelech dies then both Mahlon and Chillion die. But Boaz was willing to follow the proper civil procedures to have Ruth. Here are four relationship lessons I gleaned from my most recent re-reading of the book of Ruth. Lets look at a few strengths and weaknesses of Ruth in the Bible. Instead, he waited for her to choose him. The first concerns the happy accident of Ruth's If you intend to move from where you are in life, you have to put some skin in the game. So well only look at a few. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And looking at the book of Ruth, we can see that even when we cant see beyond our pain to his plan, we can have hope that our story isnt over better days are coming. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. But she didnt. But thats not what she did. How would you describe Ruth in the Bible? From the beginning, God had a number of smaller things that needed to happen before the bigger plan could come into fruition. They have nothing, so Ruth goes to work in the grain fields so they have enough food to eat. ISBN-13: . Ruth could have had her fill and left it there. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 . Lesson #1 - There is Hope Even in the Most Devastating Times of Our Life. And thats why when youre dating you should probably spend lots of time outdoors or around other people. So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. There was no king in Israel and leadership was dependent on the judges that God selected. Love One Another The Overlooked Commandment. In fact, we know more about the relationship between these two women than we know about them individually. And even in our obscurity, and in the mess of what may be our lives, God finds a way to use the most unlikely people in ways that we could never imagine. Do you have a mentor? And this was in a time when women werent ordinarily included in genealogies. Read Ruth 1. 5. ( Ruth 2:2). If we were to explore them all, this post would never end. The book of Ruth found in the Old Testament is one of the few Bible . This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. No matter what, they see it all and because they are there each day its easy to get lost in that safety net. Her commitment to journey on with Naomi was a beautiful, selfless act, and a stunning example of the love of Christ the same Christ who would be of her bloodline years later. You have your identity when you find out, not what you can keep your mind on, but what you can't In the book of Ruth, we see Boaz as a type of Christ hes the redeemer of Ruth. Bethlehem was where Jehovah was worshipped but Moab was a place where heathen, false gods were worshipped. There are only two books of the Bible named after women: Esther and Ruth. There was a law that provided this opportunity. Boaz was ready to call Ruth his bride and wife just like Jesus calls us his bride. As you watch Ruth going to field to work daily and keep her integrity even Im poverty, does that describe you? Naomi even extends thanks and recognition to Ruth for providing her with a beautiful blessing. The saying that there is a light at the end of the tunnel is very true. Answer. Ruth the Moabite is loyal to Yahweh and Naomi. These two sons married Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth. Like Abraham, Ruth left her life of false worship, a life surrounded by a predictable routine and people she knew. Naomi planned to return to Israel and encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab and return to her mother's family. She doesnt have great riches or great position. every one on earth will fail. Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse. From the beginning, God had a number of smaller things that needed to happen before the bigger plan could come into fruition. The first lesson from the Book of Ruth is that there is always hope. Both Ruth and Naomi mention Boaz as a kinsman. In Hebrew, the word used is goel, which refers to a kinsman who has the right to redeem or a redeemer., Throughout the Bible, we see that same Hebrew word used several times. Naomi told her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find new husbands. God does not enter into the story with fire or glory. But it is important to consider that at that time and in that society, it is very likely that he already had a wife. Because of Boaz's wise (perhaps shrewd) way of framing the occasion, this was the first time the nearer kinsman considered this, and it was a pretty big question to take in all at once. Ruth worked from morning till night. But when it comes to relationships, its even harder. We just talked about some of the qualities of Boaz that makes him a great biblical example of the kind of man to date and marry. 3.9 Rate this book. But when God is with you, whatever touches you has Gods permission and in those times, you also have Gods protection and provision. Ruth was a stranger in the land. More often than not, youll find that love mirrors our reality in many cases within biblical stories. Do they stay in the land of their birth where the God of heaven wasnt worshipped? Ruth followed Naomi into the unknown. Ruth means friend or companion. They were both young women who had both lost their husbands. Boaz meant that she was a valiant woman of great moral integrity. It might mean he was old enough to be her father. She lived a simple live in obscurity. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. by I Gordon. When Ruth and Naomi got back to Bethlehem, they had to fend for themselves as they were both widows. Ruth allowed herself to be loved and led by Naomi. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. While the two women have several things in common, they are different in some respects. Lessons from the book of Ruth. The Book of Ruth is literally the Book of Friendship. All these little details in the story, gives us a glimpse of Boazs character and influence. There will be days where you completely mess things up and there will be other days when you succeed in every aspect. God be thanked for your love to me. Love was different for all of the women involved Ruth, Orpah and Naomi. Everything that she did showed her character, and because of that character, she was honored by God. Through love we learn how to deal with people and how we can become better people within our individual relationships and as an entire society. We dont know anything about her beauty but we know her character was admirable. Ruth was taken and overwhelmed with his kindness that she bowed before Boaz. Ruth allowed herself to be influenced by Naomi. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. 5 Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Ruth. While in Moab, the boys get married. Copyright Feel The Words 2023. Soon, Naomi becomes aware that Boaz has a thing for Ruth. The book of Ruth is packed with so many lessons about, life, love and faithfulness. After they had lived there about . 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