Month: January 2016

Do you remember where you were when The Holy One whispered, “Follow Me?

Throughout this series on The Book of Ruth, I’ve stated repeatedly that Boaz is the allusion of Christ and, Ruth representational of the bride He is coming to take to Himself. We see Christ mirrored once again in the actions of Boaz. Ruth did not choose Boaz in that, she made no unseemly or forward advance toward him, quite the contrary. Throughout chapters two and three we witness Boaz actively guiding Ruth consistently toward himself. Yes, her heart was open to receive him to, hence her bold move to lay at his feet in submission; yet without his acknowledgement of her, Ruth may have wandered into the field of another. Verse 8 of the second chapter has Boaz telling Ruth directly, “not to go to any other field to glean” but to stay there in his field where she will find favor and protection.

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Doesn’t that sound remarkably like our loving Savior? He sends His Holy Spirit to woo us, with gentle purpose. He calls us back to Himself and away from danger; often long before we realize we are being wooed. Listen to Jesus’ words, “I no longer call you servants [(outsiders)], because a servant does not know his master’s business,” (John 15:15 NIV). Ruth went from servant to betrothed in one night on a threshing floor. Where did your life in Christ eternally change? Church? Driving…on a walk perhaps? Do you remember where you were when The Holy One whispered, follow me into your ear, and your heart melted within you? When He wrapped you within His eternal promises of Love (John 3:16), Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) and, Rock Solid Loyalty (2 Samuel 22:47)? As with Boaz toward Ruth, covering her with the corner of his cloak, so Jesus sealed you to Himself through His shed blood and, a vow that promises, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

“We have a Savior in the now, and His Living Holy Spirit Present with us in our every moment…”

The last verse of chapter two has Naomi reassuring Ruth that Boaz will not rest until he fulfills his promise to her, bringing this unnamed nearer kinsman, or coming himself for her. Thankfully for us there is no other to wait for. There is no other name under Heaven by which we are saved, but the name of Jesus. We don’t have to wait on some future kinsman, person, ritual, or promise of a utopia to come. We have a Savior in the now and, His living Holy Spirit presence with us in our every moment. Christ, the only sinless one who willingly laid down His temporal life to offer us life eternal with the Father. Boaz keeps his promise to Ruth mirroring the promises Our Lord made to us. He finds this nearer kinsman of Elimelech and Naomi, and ask him to come and sit, then he assembles ten elders to sit with them as witnesses in the gate of the city. (A place where judicial matters were resolved by the elders, and men of respect gathered and listened on, a city council of sorts). According to the Law of Moses, all transactions or accusations of wrong doing must be attested to by two or three witnesses or ‘it’ was not considered valid. Listen to how this is stated in the Old Testament, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses,” (Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV). And in the New Testament Paul is speaking and repeats the law given in Deuteronomy to the Corinthians on sin that is taking place among them and the punishment that was to result. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses,” (Deuteronomy 13:1 NIV). So why ten elders and all these others witnesses?

“The Fate of the Three Strand Cord of Boaz, Ruth and, Naomi was sealed…”

Once Boaz had the attention of the nearer kinsman as well as this great cloud of witnesses he made public why he has gathered them. He stated in their hearing that Naomi had returned from Moab and must sell her land as a result of both her husband and both sons having died. Boaz suggest to the unnamed Kinsman that his being Elimelech’s closer relative, should redeem the property from Naomi; but, he also states that if this kinsman should decide against it. He then would redeem it. Notice here that in Boaz’ entire telling Ruth’s name is not yet mentioned. It’s only when the nearer kinsman stated he would redeem the land to add to his existing estate that Boaz finally told him that to do so meant redeeming Ruth as well. Ruth had as much at stake in the outcome of the kinsman’s decision as Naomi. More, as she was in love with Boaz and He with her and, she would be legally bound to this stranger. So why did Boaz mention her in as a seeming afterthought? Was it intentional? Is it perhaps his heart sunk when the kinsman said he would redeem the land, knowing all chances of marrying Ruth would be gone? He knew this kinsman would then have Ruth, and had to be responsible to insure the name and line of her dead husband were maintained. Maybe some shadow fell across the unnamed kinsman’s face. Maybe it was that one second of hesitation in his speech that gave wings to Boaz’ hopes and heart. And with the last words spoken by this unnamed kinsman the fate of the Three Strand Cord of Boaz, Ruth and, Naomi are sealed. “Then I cannot redeem it, (Nomi’s land) because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it for yourself. I cannot do it, buy it yourself,” (Ruth 4:6). At that he took off his sandal (as was custom to prove legal redemption or transfer of property) and handed it to Boaz finalizing his decision.

“Knowing his heart was bound to his material wealth and the enticements of this world…”

Through the unknown kinsman’s action we catch a glimpse of the world and some of its thinking. When he thought there were no strings attached and gain was his in the redeeming of a widow’s property, he was all for it. People in the world treat, our Lord, and faith in Him this way also. They don’t necessarily always have bad things to say about either, they’ll even acknowledge they believe in God, faith, and the tenants of their denomination. Yet, when it comes to committing themselves to this God that may require something of them, that may ask them for something as opposed to always giving something over to them, the tables turn quickly. Some act like our unnamed kinsman and the Rich Young Man found in Matthew Chapter 19. Jesus offered this young man the opportunity to follow Him knowing his hypocrisy, knowing his heart was bound to his material wealth and the enticements of this world. Sound familiar? Jesus knew the young man ignored the question of why it was He called Jesus good, and rebuke him stating, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,” (Matthew 19:21 NIV). Notice the consistency in scripture, how aptly it applies to the unnamed kinsman, The Rich Young Man and to those in the world today… Jesus states in Matthew, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money,” (Matthew 6:24). So, our unnamed kinsman walked away. As did The Rich Young Man, and so do many today. For the price they must pay to follow Christ is simply too high. But not for Boaz.  All those under the sound of his voice heard his pledge, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabites, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today,” (Ruth 4:9-10).

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

This is the transparent expression of those whose hearts are pure. Set on serving the Lord with integrity, transparency, and uprightness. But as with Boaz and the unnamed kinsman we too must choose, Christ’s way or the worlds? There is no middle ground. Listen to Jesus’ words, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me,” (Luke 11:23 NIV). It’s not any man’s opinion, it’s God’s word. Boaz chose the better way and, as a result of their union Obed was born, a blessing to Naomi in her old age as well as to his parents. Obed was the father of Jesse who was the father of David, a man after God’s own heart, and from his line the Messiah is born in a stable—Consider all that this small Book has taught us. I will turn and leave you with the word until we meet again… “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD,” (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

The last verse of Ruth speaks so plainly to us of the God we serve. He truly knows our ever need and longs to provide for those He loves. Verse 22 of Chapter 1 tells us in part, Ruth the Moabites, her daughter-in-law, arrives in Bethlehem (House of Bread) as the barley harvest was beginning. Look at our Lords faithfulness to those who seek Him with humility and their whole heart. Both Ruth and Naomi have been traveling from Moab to Bethlehem some 30-60 miles over rugged terrain; approximately 7 to 10 days traveling by foot to make this journey back into what appears to be an ambiguous situation. But God has gone before them and made a way where there was no way for these two faithful servants much like that described by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:13-14, “It is God who is at work in you to both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” God was about to show Himself strong to the recent convert in Ruth, and as both El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient, All-Bountiful God found in Genesis 17:1-2, and to both women He comes as Jehovah Jireh, Yahweh-Yireh… The Lord Will Provide, referenced by Abraham on the mount. And that was the plan of God for these two women and He would use Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman through her husband’s Elimelech royal line. Through this triune relationship we will see the words spoken in Ecclesiastes 4:12 manifested. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

“Ruth is a type of the Bride of Christ.”

In verse 2 we hear Ruth, the one who has left all behind, forsaken family, country and home ask in complete submission, if she in essence may lower herself to the status of a beggar. She says to Naomi, “May I go and to the fields and pick up the grain behind anyone in whose eyes I may find favor.” She had no idea being a foreigner and gentile that what she was asking was her right as stated in (Leviticus 23:22). When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God.” Imagine what is going on in Naomi’s mind, she has done all she could to dissuade this young woman to leave her. But Ruth’s steadfast love and devotion knows no bounds, certainly no shame. She clings with all she has to her beloved, Ruth is a type of the Bride of Christ, one that must leave all to follow His call. One who must humble themselves and come as a child in faith believing, leaving all behind and cleaving only to The Beloved, Christ Jesus our Lord. And in recognition of her devotion and love Naomi concedes and gives her blessing for Ruth to go and glean. As Divine order and intervention would have it Ruth ends up in the fields owned by Boaz, kinsman to her deceased husband from the line of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband.

“Love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy or boast.”

Do you see the Words spoken 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 taking on life and form amid Ruth’s willingness to humble herself in love determining Naomi as greater than herself and her need far more prevalent than Ruth’s own? “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” What would have become of our Noami had Ruth, like Orpha, walked away from her returning back to her country and family? We will never know the answer because our God knows the hearts of men. He knew, seeing the heart of man and not his outward appearance, that Ruth’s heart was pure. And straightaway in Chapter two we see our Lord showing himself faithful as Jehovah Jireh. When you read this text it is implied that Naomi doesn’t know what to expect when she returns to Bethlehem. She left a woman of prominence and stature in her community, but returns with no husband, no sons, no possessions and a foreigner in tow as a daughter-in law. You just know that the town is a buzz! The women are most likely tripping over themselves to get a look at Naomi and this strange woman with her.

Do you see her?

So thin isn’t she?

Yes, and bringing nothing with her, אוּמלָל יְצוּר [poor thing].

That’s what their outward whispers were saying, but inside God heard: Huh! Her and that husband of hers got what they deserved, El (God) smote them for leaving their people during the famine, serves her right! Little did they know that is exactly how Naomi felt. She carried the unseen burden of weight commonly known to us as guilt. And she carried not only hers, but her dead husbands and sons as well. It’s okay to eaves drop we’re all family here. Don’t take my word listen for yourself, it’s okay to ease drop, we’re all family here. “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20).  See what I mean about the weight of her guilt? It’s as though she read their minds. But lets not forget Ruth, there she is talking to Boaz in the corner of his field. He is telling her not to leave his field, to stay with his servant girls. He has seen she is no common gleaner who come as much for gossip and a bit of begging as they do for the left behind grain. But not our Ruth, she carries herself proudly, after all she represents her mother-in law, though she doesn’t mention Naomi to Boaz out of concern for her mother-in laws reputation. She heard those catty villagers and she’ll not take part with their like. Besides, Boaz is the first kindness she has witness since entering Bethlehem and to be offered potential friendships with his servants and protection from the coarse and insolent pickers is of great comfort to her. And now he’s offering me a foreigner who does not know his God to drink from the same cistern as those who are Hebrew, as he himself! And with that last act of kindness Ruth falls to Boaz feet to show her gratitude as servant and to question why he is favoring her so. In Boaz’s reply we know that he too has not only taken in all that his foreman ha told him of Ruth, but meeting and speaking with her himself he has read between the lines to unearth a heart that is pure love, devoted to her beloved mother-in-law, strong, of great character and integrity. Listen to his words, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge,” (Ruth 2:11-12 [Paraphrase]).

“But it was not sufficient for our Precious Saviour to give just enough.”

Now listen to her reply, “I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants,” (Ruth 2:13). They are at the evening meal now and Boaz dips a piece of bread in wine vinegar and hands it to Ruth. Do you hear our Saviour’s words here? The Last Super, Jesus is talking to His disciples, listen… Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins,” (1 Corinthians 11:24). Neither of them could have realized the significance of that moment. Not Boaz his in his action, which represented the breaking of His Perfect Body for us as sinners, which He freely offered for the forgiveness of our sins and to offer us reconciliation with the Father. Listen to how the psalmist speak of this favor of the Lord, “The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. But it was not sufficient for our Precious Saviour to give just enough, after all, our God is who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever,” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“Where promises are made and lives changed in the blinking of an eye!”

This chapter comes to end with Ruth heading home after a full day in the fields, head spinning with joy over the kindnesses shown her by Boaz and his maids servants and the unimaginable favor lavished on her, a foreigner… the Word tells us she gleaned approximately 3/5 of a bushel or the weight of 5-6 gallons. And let’s not forget that she also brought with her, her left over lunch of bread and roasted grains! She tells Naomi all about her experience with Boaz and finds out that he is their kinsman redeemer! Naomi is seeing the start of something greater than she could have hoped for happening…She is very familiar with the responsibilities of a kinsman redeemer. She tells Ruth to follow what Boaz has instructed her and stay close to him and those who are close to him. And in yet another allusion to Christ she comments, “That He has not stopped showing kindness to the living and the dead,” (Ruth 2:20).

Come back next week as we continue to follow this three strand cord to the threshing floor. Where promises are made and lives changed in the blinking of an eye!

“Not even the slightest hint of her Royal genealogy is intimated in our initial text.”

She steps unto the world stage as simply Ruth the Moabite, daughter-in-law of Elimelech and Naomi. Not even the slightest hint of her royal genealogy is intimated in our initial text. People have always sought recognition or are drawn to those who get it. Think Pharisees. “They did all manner of things to ensure they were recognized by men,” (Matthew 23:5). Titles exact a certain straightening of our spines, chin up, shoulders back, and all that. The wedding for instance, of Prince William and Kate Middleton drew literally millions of viewers and countless paparazzi, yet their royal lineage pales in comparison to Ruth’s.

“Unlike the Prince there was no fanfare or people pining for an invite”

As we begin reading of her introduction onto the world stage it may appear anticlimactic in comparison to her station. Matthew 1:5 shows her as an ancestress of Jesus! A common girl who married as most girls did. Unlike the Prince there was no fanfare or people pining for an invite. She was simply Ruth the gentile, whose heart and behavior are easily recognized when placed beside Paul’s writings found in Romans 2:13-15. A closer look at this simple Moabite shows us there is something unique about this woman. Ruth is radical, there is nothing about her faith or courage that isn’t extraordinary. In fact, it is her very faith, humility, determination and courage that causes her to shine before Boaz’ eyes. This kinsman redeemer, the allusion to the coming Messiah, we’ll read more about their story in next week’s blog…. so stay tuned! …

“We are blessed to witness within its chapters an inspiring revelation of a servant’s heart”

Although the Book of Ruth is a not lengthy, it is brimming with prized life lessons, rich heritage, and history. We are blessed to witness within its chapters an inspiring revelation of a servant’s heart. It carries along within it the analogous sentiment akin to Peter’s response to Jesus’ questioning of the twelve disciples found in John 6:67. Recognized in Peter’s reply to Jesus is the angst of one who doesn’t know all, yet demonstrates unyielding surety that his life is eternally tied to Jesus. This knowing is shadowed in the relationship shared between Ruth and Naomi also. Ruth, willing to forsake all else and follows Naomi, leaves her country, family, friends, gods, and customs to go with her mother-in-law. To walk toe-to-toe into a land promised only to Naomi’s people, and live as an outsider in a strange land.

“How can our hearts not be moved in their reading?”

What struck me about Ruth was her willing abandon. Her genuine fervor to not only follow Ruth, but more miraculously, Ruth’s God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but not Ruth…yet. It was here in her initial plea to Naomi that Peter’s words (John 6:67) struck me as similar to Ruth’s in sentiment and sincerity (Ruth 1:15-17). These similarly ingenuous bold statements of love and abandoned offered in trust to their beloved were each so powerful, yet pure. How can our hearts not be moved in their reading? Christ speaks of this type of purity with His disciples when they tried to hurry the children away from Him in (Matthew 18:3-4). Ruth demonstrates how it is we all should come to Christ. Humble, eager, deliberate, yielding, and willing to go wherever He may lead.

“Our choices and willingness to obey the move of God on our lives always does”

A journey is on the horizon. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah woman bound by death, and marriage are about to set off for the House of Bread…. After the death of Naomi’s husband Elimelech as well as both of her sons (Ruth 1: 3-5) Naomi is informed that the famine that drove her family into Moab is now over. She and both of her daughters-in-law prepare to return to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem in Judea. And it’s here, in the initial stage of their journey where destinies are revealed. Our choices and willingness to obey the move of God on our lives always does. Naomi offers both of her daughters-in-law the opportunity to turn back, return to their family and find rest in the home of a future husband. This rest is the one in the same offered to all by Jesus in Matthew 11:28. A rest that restores, refreshes and relieves us of the weight of our daily burdens. A rest that provides our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), is our protection (John 17:12), our shield (Psalm 33:20) and our deliverer (Psalm 18:2). A rest that raises up a standard when the enemy of our souls comes in like a flood (Isaiah 59:19).

“Her feet slide off the crossroad of destiny and into obscurity.”

As you read along, notice how both women, state eagerly that they will continue on to Bethlehem with her (Ruth 1:10). Yet verses 11 through 13 has Naomi once again pleading with her daughters-in-law to return to their home for the sake of potential future husbands. She goes on to tell them she is too old to have more children and, even if by some miracle she did give birth, would they wait for these babies to become men to marry? Remember the feet on the crossroad? Get ready, don’t blink! For reasons unspecified in the Bible, verse 14 has Orpah saying goodbye to both women, turning back, and heading home. Back to what is safe and familiar, back to a known life made well-worn by years of familiar repetition and longing. Back to the old gods that did nothing but, like everything else surrounding her, were, at the very least, familiar. One can’t help but to think of Lot’s wife here. Just look at the faces of Ruth and Naomi! Did you see it? That, Whoa, hold on! That quizzical flash of confusion and surprise that silently said—Wait a second, you just said you were coming with…what did we miss? And with Orpah’s parting words, her feet slide off the crossroad of destiny and into obscurity.

“Look your sister-in -law is turning back to her people and her gods.”

Sadly, so many will turn back also when adversity or fear arises in them. Jesus speaks of this beautifully in the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13. Choose today to follow the call of God on your life as Ruth did, and trust God to bring you where His call is leading you. Forward… into a loving relationship with Christ Jesus. Now on to what is easily recognized as frequently quoted verses of scripture. But, before we get there, one last time Naomi is going to try to offer a way out to her remaining traveling companion. “Look your sister-in -law is turning back to her people and her gods, are you sure you don’t want to follow suit?” (Ruth 1:15). Now here it is, Ruth’s moment to pour out her heart and intentions to her beloved mother-in-law solidifying with both words and actions her desire for righteous living. Thus, opening the door for the Lord to use her in bringing about His greater plan for mankind, the eventual birth of Messiah, and, the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law found in Deuteronomy 25:5.

“May God Bless you and Keep you until we meet again” ….

As followers of Christ we are each called to participate in the plan God has for our lives. Following Ruth’s example, we must boldly move out of our comfort zones, leave what we’ve known behind us, and cling with everything we have to this new life offered to all through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ shed on our behalf… As Ruth followed Naomi we too must follow God, boldly, with abandoned and childlike trust. Believing God truly is the Alpha and the Omega who knows our end from our beginning (Revelations 22:13; 1:8, Isaiah 44:6; 48:12). What a great comfort there is in that knowledge…talk about rest! Won’t you ask Jesus into your Heart today? No man is promised tomorrow… I’ll turn back here until next week. And leave you to read the word of the Lord spoken through the Prophet Jeremiah; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” (Jerimiah 29:11).

May God Bless you and Keep you until we meet again….