It is now when we see Boaz, in submission to a closer kinsmen, willing to do his duty out of love and honor. It is the same way Christ, in submission to His Father, is willing and able to do His duty out of love and honor.

Boaz Redeems Ruth

1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

If Boaz forerunner to Jesus, Naomi as Israel and Ruth as Gentiles, then…
In order to bring Ruth to Boaz, Naomi had to be exiled
What law cannot do, grace can
Not acceptable to marry a Moabite but Ruth’s heart was turned. Boaz marries her anyway

7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”

Removing sandals was also a way to show humility and respect to a higher authority. God as the Burning Bush (more than likely Jesus himself where he declares both here and during his trial ‘I Am’) to Moses “Remove your sandals for you are standing on holy ground. Captain of the Lord’s Armies (more than likely Jesus because He is the one who commands the Lord’s armies in the Revelation of Jesus Christ) tells Joshua, “Remove your sandals for you are standing on holy ground.”

How interesting is it that Jesus bends down to his disciples and remove their sandals in order to wash their feet?

Sandal switching
Kinsman can’t do it
Boaz is kin, able to perform, willing to perform and assumes all the responsibility.
Jesus is
kin - John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
willing to perform - John 3:16 loved us that much
able to perform - 2 Corinthians 5:21 who knew no sin
assumes all obiligations - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin, Phi 2:8 human even to death upon the cross

11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Again, blessing others.

May your house be like Perez - Prophecy
Genesis 38: Tamar tricks Judah to have incest with her
Perez is the child
Deut 23:2 “No one born of a forbidden union may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord.
Takes ten generations to purge: 10 generations after Perez is David.

Why was Boaz, upstanding, worthy, man of God would have a heart for this Gentile woman.. a Moabite?
Boaz’s mom: Rahab, Canaanite prostitute
What law cannot do, grace can

Gentiles does not replace Israel
Ruth doesn’t replace Naomi
They have two different paths
Romans 2:9-11 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

Ruth learns of Boaz’s ways through Naomi
Gentiles learns of Jesus through Israel
Gentiles through Israel: Deut 7:7-9
Israel through Gentiles:

Naomi meets Boaz through Ruth
Israel will know Christ through Gentiles
Luke 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

No matter how much Boaz loved Ruth, he could not move until she made a move
No matter how much Christ loves you, he cannot move until you make a move

By law, stranger had to go to the nearer kinsman for to be redeemed
By grace, Boaz went to the nearer kinsman and make intercession for us

Jesus goes to the Father to make intercession for us:
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Gentiles get grafted in: Romans 11:11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Gentiles get the attention: Acts 13:46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

Ruth and Boaz Marry

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.

Do we begin life or is all life that is begun is conceived by God on High?

14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Once again, blessings for others and praying for others.

16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Go back to the Naomi in Chapter 1. Do you honestly think that Naomi had enough faith and hope in God to even imagine this day. The day where she is back home in Israel, with her family, with her friends, with her grandchild resting in her arms?

When we go through immense tragedy, are we any better at looking upon God and trusting him? In the midst of loss and tragedy we can peer

The Genealogy of David

18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Read at the the day of Shavout (God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai)
Closure to festivities during and after Passover
Fifty days after Passover
We call it Pentecost i.e. the birth of the Church.

How funny is it that the Book of Ruth, where we see parallels to Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, Israel and the Gentiles which leads the birth and nurturing of the Church (Israel and Gentiles together) is read at the day of the Shavout or our day of Pentecost.

Notes PDF [pdf link]
Subscribe in iTunes [rss link]

We ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour not only because He offered this free gift but He is the only One who can.

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

This ties to Titus 2:3-5 where the older women to teach the younger women and that is exactly what Naomi is doing here.

2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

Winnowing is the process of throwing up grains into the air and letting the fall.  The heavier grains will fall straight down whereas the lighter grains would float downwind.  This is to help to ensure the quality of the grains.

3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

This reminded me of Esther as she made herself presentable before she made a request to the king. This is not to say that you, in your sinful and brokenness, would make yourself worthy and good to come before God. This is also akin to how the priests would wash themselves in the bronze laver before entering in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 30:17-21). You are cleaning yourself but you are checking yourself and judging your heart before going before God.

Naomi was teaching Ruth to make sure she looked at herself and get her heart set right before going before Boaz.

4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”

Even in context, this passage is a bit risque. You have a young single woman going to lay in the same bed as this older single man. This is a foreign woman who lays close to this man which the Scriptures clearly states is a Godly man of worth, wealth and reputation.

Did Naomi knew what she was doing? To the unbeliever and with a postmodern mind state, it almost as though Naomi was going to get Ruth to entice Boaz and perhaps they would be together physically and they would have to be to get married. Or just the fact that Ruth was sleeping near Boaz is enough for people to think that they had inappropriate relations. This was incredibly risky for Naomi and for Ruth. Boaz could very easily be upset and angry at Ruth and this whole entire plan could back fire.

The author was not clear. We can’t say. The author left it up to our imagination. But going in, we know that Boaz is a worthy man of God so we are hoping and praying that he does the right thing in all things.

It is in this passage where the Holy Spirit is simply describing what is going on but it is in our discernment by His Spirit that He is not prescribing to us what to do.

In other words, should women chase after men? I say absolutely not. But in today’s day and age, don’t chase the man but get it in the man’s way. Make yourself noticeable. Notice where he goes after church. Know who is friends are.

Godly single women don’t chase after the guy but it is quite okay to get in his way

Let’s keep reading.

5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

Ruth submits herself to the leadership of her mom-in-law, Naomi.

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry,

Deuteronomy 14:26 and spend the money for whatever you desire-oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.

Good wine, beer, strong drink. God commanded the Israelites to drink and be merry.  This verse has nothing to do with we are reading.  I just like that verse a whole lot.

he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

In Ezekiel 16:8, God declares “When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became mine.

In Luke 13:34, Jesus declares to Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”

Ruth is asking Boaz to do his duty and protect me, nurture me and be my lord. Just like when we were sinners, Christ died for us. We are asking Christ to do His duty and save us and be our Lord.

10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

Again, a blessing for another. Boaz is being very humble. On the outside, he is saying, “Bless you, young woman.” Inside Boaz, you gotta think, “YES! Woot! God is good. She is so fine and she is all mine. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord Jesus.”

11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

Even Ruth’s reputation is upright.

12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.

Just as Ruth submitted herself to Naomi and Boaz, Boaz is submitted to authority.

13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

Again, there was this risk at the cost of both reputations and falling into temptations.

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

This is Boaz’s plan for Ruth to leave in the morning. Send her out with tons of barley.

16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Does verse 18 remind you of anything when Naomi said, “Wait”?

In Psalm 46:10, God states, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

In the Psalm 23:2, said of God, He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

God is good to tell us to wait on Him and let Him do what He has to do.

Look at the rest of the verse where Naomi says “… for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

… reminds me of what Jesus did right before He laid his life down for all of us.

Check out Luke 22:39-46:

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Just as Boaz did not go back to bed before handing his duty, Jesus did not go to sleep the night before He had to do his duty. That is, save all mankind.

Notes PDF [pdf link]
Subscribe in iTunes [rss link]

Check out Justin Taylor’s blogpost of different Bible Reading Plans for the upcoming year.

I used to think I was above daily reading plans.  Sadly, between preparing bible study lessons, theology studies, cross referencing reference material and case building, my daily feedings are smaller and smaller.  I am afraid at this pace, they will get pushed out the way.

I am going with the ESV Study Bible RSS feed into my Google Reader.  I am waitng to see if it will actually link up to esvstudybible.org so I can write personal notes and highlight scripture using my account.

I have no resolutions except to receive the strength and endurance of God in order to do His will.

I wrote this letter to my Bible Study group and I wanted to share it with you guys in the Internets. - Ed.

I truly hope that this week is a week that is good for you all. Spend time with family, eat good food and drink good drink, celebrate and give your time, energy and money away to those we love and should love.

I know you are going to be constantly reminded by every single pastor but just remember what we are celebrating.

We are not celebrating that some mere heroic, kick butt, awesome, epic warrior that would rile up a bunch of soldiers and go overthrow the oppressive reign of whomever ruled the little world some 2000 years ago. This is a Divine Being, whom existed before time began and all things were made through Him. He decided in that moment, that now was the time to begin the true kingdom. The one kingdom that transcended boundaries, walls, rulers, kings, political offices, wars, treaties and weapons. The only kingdom that was ruled by a King that would rule forever and thus, this kingdom would last forever

That King is the same as our Lord and is the same as our Saviour and He was to be called Emmanuel that declared “God is with us” and the man, God in the flesh, was named, Jesus Christ.

In order for his kingdom to begin, He had to overthrow Death and Hell so that we might live. In order to do that, He had to die, descend into hell, take the power away from Death and Satan and ascend back to the Father.

In order to do all of that, He had to live like a human. Learning how to walk, talk, eat, toilet train, speak, write, read just like any other child that grows into an adult.

In order to do that, He must first be born like a human. He started the entire process of making everything right standing with Himself by being just a little bitty baby, born to a virgin teenage girl for a mom and a holy man of God for a stepdad.

We celebrate Christmas because God made good on His promises. We celebrate because the kingdom of God is now and we are so blessed to live in it.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.