Ruth 3 & 4: Home group study notes

Home group study notes for Ruth, Chapter 3-4

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Background:

In this latter half of the book of Ruth there are several customs and practises that to use seem very strange. But it is important for us to remember that attitudes and customs in ancient times were very different to now, and even attitudes to relationships were vastly different.

However through these rituals and customs we see a picture for God’s plan of redemption.

Question 1:

Why do you think it is important to the situation that Boaz was a near relative of Naomi’s family?

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Answer:

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Question 2:

As Ruth comes to the threshing floor where Boaz is sleeping she lays herself down at his feet and when he awakes she asks him to cover her with the hem of his garment (), this was a way of Ruth asking Boaz to fulfill the legal role of a kinsman-redeemer.

How does this whole scenario model for us God’s redemptive plan for us?

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Answer:

While the events in the book of Ruth are real events that happened to real people this is much more than a mere historical record for what the bible is doing is painting a picture of the love of God and how in later years His own Son would be for us a kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz does not force Ruth into a marriage but Ruth makes the first move and by laying at his feet and then asking that he cover her Ruth is not as some would presume making an illicit proposal but is in fact submitting herself to Boaz and asking him to fulfil the role as Kinsman-Redeemer. In the culture of the day this would have been clearly understood and by Boaz’s reaction we can see that he knew exactly what Ruth was proposing. Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer, and like Boaz He does not force a union with us though he loves us dearly, but if we would submit ourselves to Him and ask Him to be our Redeemer then He is willing and swift to fulfil the duty.

Ruth also could not demand that Boaz fulfill this role, Boaz had to be able to take on the role from a practical point of view but also willing to take on the duty and to make the purchase. Jesus Christ is able to be our redeemer since he came as a man to this earth making Himself our kinsman and being without sin Himself he was capable of paying the price for our sin. Jesus then being able was willing, Jesus chose to be our redeemer, see .

An interesting side-note to ponder: Frequently in the bible a threshing floor alludes to a place of judgement, see “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire”. Here Boaz is on the threshing floor, Ruth lies at his feet and then asks him to cover her. This is a wonderful picture for us as believers of how at the time of judgement we will be ‘covered’ by the grace of our redeemer, Lord Jesus.

Question 3:

Though Ruth wanted Boaz to redeemer her and be her husband and Boaz also desired to be married to Ruth, there was one major obstacle. What was the obstacle and how did they overcome it?

How does this whole scenario model for us God’s redemptive plan for us?

Answer:

There was a man who was more closely related to Elimelech than Boaz was, according to the law the right of redemption and Levirite marriage should be first offered to him, though he was not obligated to fulfill the role.

It is interesting to note that as much as Boaz wanted to marry Ruth he was adamant that they would go about it the correct way and follow the law. Boaz was not a man that stuck to the law only when it suited him, but he knew that if this marriage was the will of God then God would clear the way before them. Sometimes people will justify underhanded means of acquiring something on account of how much they want it, but Boaz determined that everything would be done with transparency and integrity. He entrusted the situation to the Lord.

Initially the man who is more closely related is keen to go through the process of redeeming the property (), this is bad news for Boaz as he really wants Ruth to be his wife. Boaz then instructs the relative of all that the redemption process must involve including taking Ruth as wife knowing that this will give the man cause to rethink his answer. Sure enough, the man was keen on taking the land but when he realises that he is going to have to marry Ruth he worries that his wealth and lands will eventually become divided and will cause problems in his own family inheritance, ().

Boaz on the other hand loves Ruth and has no issue with extending his personal wealth to her. In this we see a picture of Jesus’ love towards us, we like Ruth are gentiles but through grace and love we are brought in to God’s family, not as servants but as a bride () and as Ruth through marriage became the legal heir of all that Boaz possessed so also we who belong to Christ have become heirs of God (, ).