Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth: Chapter 4

Ruth Chapter 4

V1-6

After their night sleeping, Boaz gets up and goes downtown. We know this is downtown because of the accessibility of the elders/witnesses in V2. So, Boaz gathers 10 elders to be witnesses to this discussion and begins to speak to the close relative. Like any LEGAL thing today, we want to ensure there are 3rd party witnesses to any "legal" discussion. Boaz tells this relative, that Naomi has returned from Moab and has a bunch of land she cannot take care of and speaking on Noami’s half, he would like to offer this land to the close relative. And do so in the presence of these witnesses.

Now, Boaz puts the pressure on this relative in V4b asking this relative to redeem all that Naomi has and the close relative agrees to redeem it. Boaz then informs this relative that if he redeems it he must also redeem Ruth the Moabitess. The reason being, to raise up name of Elimelech, basically making sure Elimelech's name doesn't "lose any face" and/or the name can go on through history. The close relative declines because if he does the Moabite will ruin his name/stature/rappor with the people close to him; and the close relative then instructs Boaz to redeem the land along with the Moabitess. This really urks me and makes me ask "Why won't people do the right thing?" They won't do so because of their pride. So many people are SO worried about how they look and this really bothers me. Many people won't talk, befriend or help another person because of the shame it brings to their "name". Now, although there are countries and places where honor must be upheld - that is a different story - I am not saying I agree with nor disagree with; but in the United States, people need to grow up. This IS NOT a cultural thing here in the U.S. Now, I know I am taking a Hebrew thing and applying it to today's time; and I think I can do so, because we have the same issue - the issue of "our name".

V8-9

The relative gives his sandal to Boaz and Boaz goes to the elders and basically says "Hey you guys are my witnesses that he now owns all that was Elimelech’s including wife and children". This also includes having Ruth as his wife, and the text goes on to say that Boaz he did so, for the purpose of raising up the name of Elimelech or moving honor with his name. Boaz doesn’t care about his rapport, stature or name, but doing the right thing - and that is something that will bring Boaz honor. This leads me to ask, “What is the right thing to do?” I work in Human Resources, so this is something I ask ALL THE TIME. I have come up with some quick pointers about the "Right Thing".

• The right thing is tough to do.
  • This is NOT something that EVERYONE does; otherwise, this would not be asked. Of course, we can do the "right thing" when times are easy. But honestly, that doesn't even count in my eyes. The "right thing" only counts in those HARD TIMES. Those times of CHAOS. If you can do the "right thing" then - then we can talk.
• The right thing has nothing to do with feelings, nor personal status, but with compassion, mercy and grace.
  • The right thing is objective, it is not subjective. Now, I am sure we can all think of a "subjective right thing", but more often than not - it is not emotional or subjective. The right thing is usually found in those times where we must make a decision to "kiss the girl or walk away". When we use our emotions to make decisions, especially in TOUGH TIMES, we may make a wrong choice. In face Scripture tells us, our hearts are wicked, deceitful and sick and cannot be understood [Jeremiah 17:9]. That is why we make those stupid decision; such as, why we have sex with our boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage - we get "caught up" in the emotion of "lust and pleasure" and we let our sick/wicked hearts "take over".
• The right thing is unpopular.
  • We know how this goes, we know we shouldn't stay out too late and make our parents worry, but we do anyways because we want to "fit in". Another example, we know we should go to church, read our Bibles or even participate in class - but we dont' for FEAR of looking "unpopular". Then we get married have children and wonder why our children are so wayward - it can't be the fact that you don't know how to teach, lead or even show the gospel to your children; perhaps explain sin or even the baptism - so you leave it up to your pastors and Sunday school teachers: all because, you want to be popular.

V10-11

The elders acknowledge they are witnesses and wish him luck literally saying: "May your home be like Rachel and Leah, building a great name for themselves and being taken care of monetarily and become well known in Bethlehem and have lots of babies with Ruth".

V13-15

Boaz and Ruth get married and have a baby boy. The people of Bethlehem begin to talk with Naomi, (Grandma) telling her that she is blessed because of her redemption and may the name of Boaz become famous in Israel and proclaim the name of Boaz being famous in all the land. When I think the person of Boaz is famous today, in fact - we are blogging about him. They go on to say that Boaz be one who will take care of her health and personally take care of her and she is blessed because her daughter in law is better to her than having 7 sons.

V16

Naomi took this baby boy and was his grandma and the people cheered for this redemption and they named him Obed. They Cheered Because Obed is the only MAN to take on the family name. So, what have we seen so far? Naomi was blessed by the faithfulness of a foreigner, who was not able to worship with her at church more than people who were able to worship with her at Church - this is not something Naomi anticipated. Naomi's hit rock bottom; but in that brokenness she was show light, a light found in Ruth. Naomi was brought to Bethlehem in brokenness; whereas, Ruth was brought to Bethlehem in service to Naomi and in that faithfulness was able to meet Boaz, so Boaz would see Ruth’s faithful heart for the purpose of drawing Boaz’s attention, favor…and redeem Ruth, Naomi and Elimelech’s name. In that, the Lord changed Naomi’s bitterness to joy through redemption. Through the valley of the shadow of death. To see the joy of the house of the LORD.

APPLICATION

Looking at the entire book of Ruth we see a life of that was worried, then angry and then redeemed in Naomi. We all have been broken and become angry at God at some point. In those times, we have all made dumb decisions that negatively impact other people. But it is when we admit it, come clean and not harbor it, when God provides a way to release that Anger and frustration. It is in those times when God redeems us. When we let go and let God. Let us look at what God did:

• The Jews were disobedient to God’s direction, so he punished Israel with a famine (as noted in Judges)
• Naomi and Elimelech wanted food and security. So they took matters into her own hands, they took control of their destiny
  • God shot that down by allowing her husband and children to die.
• Then Naomi wants to just run away from her problems and go home where she can just have food and be with her people. (Where she should have never left)
  • God shoots that plan down by attaching Ruth to her. Again God averting Naomi’s plans and controlNaomi comes to grips with this inevitability and just allows for Ruth to take care of her.
  • This is where Naomi lets go
• Ruth is then noticed by a rich man related Naomi. Who can redeem her.
• Naomi sees the opportunity for redemption, but this time – not for herself, not so she can remain in control but for Ruth.
  • Naomi is now OTHER people focused.
• So she focuses on the redemption of Ruth instead of herself this time.
• Ruth is redeemed by Boaz and the fruits of their redemption brings Joy and redemption to Naomi.

This makes me wonder, when we secretly hold onto horrible things or negativity and we become bitter, jealous and angry...Is it so hard because, if we let go we are acknowledging “I don’t have control”; or, when we go out on faith are we saying "We don’t want control and we want Him to control?" Probably, and that is so hard. We as people, as sinners, don’t want to let go, we want to attempt to control it. After all, we are always told "We control our own destiny"right? But when we do this we are harboring it and becoming bitter. Perhaps, it is because we secretly don’t trust God to redeem it? We have to ask ourselves…

• Are we trying to control our own destiny or are we willing/allowing God to work?
• Are we holding onto some experience, bad things, horrific event and just sulking or are we giving it to God and telling him you want him to be in control.
• Do we need to let go like Naomi and Let God take care of us in a way we did not think was possible? Perhaps, just like Naomi - through a foreigner that should not desire to care for you but fir sine reason does? Sometimes, God works in ways we NEVER expect.

V18 – 22

The generations of this redemption Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jessee begot David. So what does this tell us? It tells us that sometimes a decision we make TODAY will impact someone in the FUTURE. Do we think like this? Think about it. If we think about the future we are forced to think about a chain of events. All of a sudden our choices become MORE important, all of a sudden we see how our choices/decisions can IMPACT OTHERS and all of a sudden we are forced to think of the future - That is HARD. A great example of this is my favorite metaphor, the rock in the pond. When you toss a rock in a pond, you know where the rock is - you know the reaction you get in the pond, a splash. But you may not be thinking about how that rock leaves ripples in the pond and we don't know where the ripples in the pond are going. In fact, where the ripples go may not get to "their destinations" until later in time. Even after the splash is over. Therefore, the decision (rock thrown into the pond) may have affects (good or bad) on areas (in the pond) that no-one expected or thought of.

CONCLUSION 5 REALIZATIONS in RUTH.

1. We have to own up to our decisions and REALIZE our decisions TODAY impact the FUTURE of OTHERS.
   • We see this in Noami, her decisions impacted generations that came after her.
2. We need to REALIZE what seems HORRIBLE today, may be turned around for GOOD TOMORROW.
   • Although, Naomi lost her husband and two sons; God turned it around for good. The redemption of Naomi, Ruth and Elimelech's name - and ultimately the bloodline of Jesus Christ.
3. We have to REALIZE we need to let go and LET GOD.
   • When Naomi finally "let go" God stepped in and did some awesome work in some unorthodox ways that Naomi did not anticipate.
4. We also need to REALIZE when God is speaking so we can LISTEN.
   • It may be through the scriptures, a pastor, Sunday school teacher or it could be a friend.
   • One who is purposefully, intentionally almost forcefully seeking, service and remaining faithful to you. Even when you tell them to GO AWAY!
   • Remember God works in ways that are contradictory to our way of thinking – that is because we are sinners and he is not. So our THOUGHTS of how things SHOULD go. Are not originating for a HOLY mindset.
5. We need to REALIZE, sometimes, we need to do what is NOT popular for the sake of bringing glory to God.
   • Like Boaz, the close relative would not redeem Elimelech’s land because of what Ruth’s name would do to his reputation.
   • He was ME focused rather than OTHERS focused. Even when it means the unpopular things requires you to lose face or become unpopular.

One Bible Verse to Think about after reading this book

John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."

To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson

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