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RUTH. Prepared for CBF 14 January 2007. Background. Name: Ruth - “friend/ship” Era: 1300 - 1200BC (1261?) between Joshua and King Saul time of political and moral chaos in Israel Born: Land of Moab - ie a Moabite Moab was incest-son of Lot’s eldest daughter Parents: Unknown
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RUTH Prepared for CBF 14 January 2007
Background • Name: Ruth - “friend/ship” • Era: 1300 - 1200BC (1261?) • between Joshua and King Saul • time of political and moral chaos in Israel • Born: Land of Moab - ie a Moabite • Moab was incest-son of Lot’s eldest daughter • Parents: Unknown • One of two women with Bible books named after them (ie Ruth and Esther)
There was.. • A famine in Bethlehem • A husband and wife -Elimelech and Naomi (Israelites) and their two sons who shifted approx 50km to the other side of the Dead Sea- to the land of Moab in search of food • previously - Moab- who was the incest-son of Lot’s eldest daughter
Mahlon Kilion Family tree.. Elimelech m Naomi (both tribe of Judah)
m Naomi (both tribe of Judah) Mahlon Kilion Unfortunately...
m Naomi (both tribe of Judah) Mahlon m Ruth (a Moabite) Kilion m Orpah (a Moabite) Where does Ruth fit in?
m Naomi m Ruth m Orpah THEN…..
So.. • Naomi decides to go back to Bethlehem • Tells Ruth and Orpah -return to their people • They both want to go with Naomi • Orpah is persuaded but Ruth clings • Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem
Back in Judah • Naomi (means “pleasant”) wants to change her name to Mara (ie “bitter”) • because she left full and came back empty • Ruth goes to glean barley in the fields • “Turns out” she chooses Boaz’s fields • Boaz is an honourable man, of Elimelech’s clan (Rahab the Jericho prostitute is his mother) • Boaz spots Ruth and is impressed!
The kinsman-redeemer…. • A brother-in-law to marry widowed sister-in-law to enable name and property to be maintained • Naomi realises that Boaz can “help” • Naomi prepares Ruth as a bride and sends her to Boaz to approach him after dinner/drinks at the threshing floor • Ruth “interacts” with Boaz - he agrees
How does Boaz help? • Next day Boaz goes to the city gate • Finds “nearer kinsman” - and challenges him in front of a “full court” -10 Elders • Nearer kinsman declines - so as next kinsman Boaz happily marries Ruth • Elimelech’s property is redeemed • A son is born • The local women name him Obed
Obed.. • ..is presented to Naomi - & adopted? • Raised by Naomi? • Becomes the father of Jesse who.. • Becomes the father of David (the King)
Thus.. • It is said that Ruth was better to Naomi than seven sons!! Quite a claim • Naomi returns from emptiness to fullness • Ruth likewise is blessed and blesses her mother-in-law by her faithfulness • A Moabite woman appears in Jesus’ lineage in Matt 1:5
Questions? • Did Ruth “sleep” with Boaz “that night”? • Why is the story of Ruth in the Bible? • What are the key themes?
Response (1) • Did Ruth “sleep” with Boaz “that night”? • Bible doesn’t say that she did • She may have - but based on both their previous behaviours -I don’t think so
Response (2) • Why is the story of Ruth in the Bible? • Not really sure, it could be to show that we are all represented in the ancestry of Christ ie neither Ruth nor Rahab were Israelites • Maybe the themes are important?
Response (3) • What are the key themes? • God fills emptiness in unexpected ways • God uses & blesses ordinary people whose everyday decisions honour Him • Selfless love of both Ruth and Boaz • Unswerving devotion, not heritage, makes us one of God’s people • The life-saving role of the willing “redeemer”