First Dates

The pattern of generosity continues

Ephah. This was about half a bushel

Whats the difference

Barley and wheat are both grains. Wheat is often ground to create flour, while barley is typically consumed as a whole grain. Both contain key nutrients, but barley is richer in fiber.

The groundwork for how we are to respond to widows was being laid.

Acts 6:1 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

General blessings are made on behalf of the generous benefactor

Ruth 2:19 “And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.””

Redeeming love and a hopeful future are on the horizon

Laws Concerning Levirate Marriage

Deuteronomy 25

5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’

Ruth 1:20 “She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”