E-pistle for January 29, 2010
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation January 29, 2010
A Night On The Threshing Floor
(Ruth 3:1-18)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. Naomi instructed Ruth on what to do to get Boaz to take the proper
actions to bring her "security" (v. 1) by taking her as his wife, vv. 1-5.
2. Ruth went to the threshing floor, observed where Boaz lay down for
the night, and (as Naomi had instructed her) uncovered his feet and
lay down there, vv. 6-8.
3. Boaz awoke and, after some discussion, accepted Ruth's request to
become her husband and "redeemer," vv. 9-15.
4. Ruth brought Boaz' generous gift of grain back to Naomi, who perceived
that he would conclude the arrangements that very day, vv. 16-18.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some significant details seen here
1. "Relative" (v. 2) refers to the cultural obligation of a family member to care
for kinfolk who have suffered loss. The expression "kinsman-redeemer" is
often used to convey the idea of the combination of a human relationship
with a divinely appointed "recoverer" who was qualified to "redeem" another
relative from slave status or recoup property once owned but now lost by
reason of indebtedness.
2. Ruth "uncovered his feet" v. 7): The obvious purpose was that the chill of
the night would awaken Boaz, and he would discover her at his feet. "Was
startled" (v. 8) may be translated, "shivered with cold."
3. "Under your wing" (v.9) is literally "spread the corner of your garment over"
. . . referencing the ancient Middle Eastern custom of casting a garment over
one being claimed for marriage. This act does not imply anything so
inappropriate as a midnight sexual encounter!
4. Although Ruth took the initiative in approaching Boaz (probably because he
was shy due to their age difference, v. 10) her actions should not be seen as
seductive and inconsistent with the spiritual nobility of the book. To the
contrary, Boaz' words, "You are a virtuous woman," (v. 11), make it clear that
he believed her to be highly moral. "Do not let it be known" (v. 14) was a
precaution to avoid the possibility of anyone's misunderstanding of Ruth's
actions that night.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Assume the personal responsibility of caring for my needy relatives.
2. Be respectful and obedient to the God-honoring advice given by my elders.
3. Rest in peace and assurance "under the wings" of my Redeemer, Almighty
God, Psalm 36:7; Matthew 23:37.
4. Live a life of purity and virtue, taking care that observers are not offended or
led astray by the questionable "appearances" of my innocent actions,
I Thessalonians 5:22.
Boaz Redeems Ruth
(Ruth 4:1-22)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Boaz negotiated with another kinsman, before ten elders of the city as
official witnesses, about the property of Elimelech and his inheritance
being passed on to Ruth, the widow of his son, Mahlon, vv. 1-6.
2. The business transaction was officially witnessed and completed, with
Boaz purchasing all the property that had been Elimelech's and sold by
Naomi (v. 3), including his receiving of Ruth as his wife, vv. 7-12.
3. Boaz and Ruth were married and a child was born (Obed, meaning
"Servant"), who was registered as the son of Mahlon and as the grandson
of Elimelech and Naomi; the community rejoiced, vv. 13-17.
4. The official genealogy was recorded from Perez (one of the sons of Judah,
the son of Jacob, Numbers 26:19-21), through several generations to Boaz,
Obed, Jesse, and David (a total of over 600 years), vv. 17-22.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on the spiritual significance of these events
1. The unnamed relative took off his shoe and gave it to Boaz as a sign that
he was surrendering all of his rights pertaining to the matter under
consideration, vv. 7-8. The use of a shoe or foot was commonly understood
to demonstrate possession or authority, Genesis 13:14-17; Deuteronomy 11:24;
Joshua 1:3; Psalm 60:8.
2. The ten witnesses offered their congratulations and blessings to Boaz,
mentioning Tamar, another disadvantaged woman whom God blessed and
placed in the bloodline of the Messiah, Matthew 1:3, 5.
3. The women of Bethlehem rejoiced that God had given Naomi a redeemer
("close relative," v. 14), and that the newborn child would be a "restorer of
life" and a "nourisher," v. 15.
4. The neighbor women also blessed and accepted into their fellowship Ruth,
the Moabitess, as one who genuinely loved Naomi and who was better to
her "than seven sons," v. 15.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. "Take off my shoes" . . . surrendering all my rights to the Lord God.
2. Realize that God can and does use people of all races and backgrounds to
accomplish His divine purposes.
3. Rejoice in the other Child who was born in Bethlehem . . . the Redeemer, the
Life-giver, the Spiritual Nourisher of my soul.
4. Be open to lovingly accept into my circle of friends, and to bless the name of
the Lord, all persons who love and worship God.
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle."
- Albert Einstein
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