Weekly Recap #12 (part 1) - Ruth 1 - 4

Oh, how I love the book of Ruth.

But....as old as I am....and as many times as I've read the story of Ruth and Naomi....I still never actually realized that Ruth asked Boaz to marry her.  Well, not in so many words.....but it was Ruth who did the asking....at Naomi's prompting, of course.

Hey...I'm getting ahead of myself....let's start at the beginning!!!

Ruth 1-4

Ruth and her husband, Elimelech, lived in M0ab with their two sons and her daughter-in-laws.  Orpah was married to Kilion and Ruth was married to Mahlon.   Elimelech, Mahlon and Kiliion all died, leaving Naomi alone.  After their deaths, she decided to move back to Bethlehem.  Ruth went with Naomi, instead of going home to her own family.  To me, this spoke so highly of Ruth....her love and kindness and compassion toward her mother-in-law. 

(kinda does away with all the mean mother-in-law jokes) 

Ruth "just happened" to be gleaning grain in Boaz's field.  Boaz was a relative of Elimelech.  When he saw Ruth he told her to glean right along with his harvesters and to get water when she was thirsty.  Ruth fell at his feet asking what she had done to deserve such kindness.  See how humble she was, too....because she had actually shown Naomi the same kindness she was being shown!!!

Ruth lived with Naomi, but continued working in Boaz's fields thru the barley harvest and into the early summer wheat harvest.  Per Naomi's instructions, Ruth put on her nicest clothes and perfume and went to the threshing floor where Boaz was working.  When he fell asleep, she uncovered his feet and laid down at.  He woke up about midnight and was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet.  He asked who she was and she asked him to "spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer".  Since there was a male relative closer than Boaz...the other man was asked and declined because marrying Ruth would endanger his estate.  He told Boaz that he should do it.  The other family redeemer removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz to publicly validate the transaction.  Boaz and Ruth married and had a son named Obed....who was the father of Jesse....and the grandfather of David.

In the KJV of the Bible, "family redeemer" is called a "kinsman redeemer".   

This true love story between Boaz and Ruth is a foreshadow of what Jesus did for us.  He was....is....our Redeemer.  He shed His  blood to cover our sins.

Since several of you are printing off and keeping the Friday Recap each week....I'm going to break this week's up into two posts, so that Ruth will be in one all by herself!!!

Blessings to you!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!