BIBLE STUDIES ARCHIVE.....

RUTH 5

In the last study of the Book of Ruth 4, the women of the town of Bethlehem bless Naomi's excitement on the birth of her grandson, Obed. Ruth 4:13-16 "So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife:and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than SEVEN sons , hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became a nurse unto it.

In the beginning Naomi leaves Bethlehem full, when her husband Elimelech journies to Moab. She came back empty. A widow, a woman who has lost her two sons. Poverty stricken.
Now God is blessing her once again. She journeys back to Bethlehem -Judah, the "House of Bread" and the Place of Praise".

The women told Naomi that Ruth was better than seven sons. The number 7 means perfection.

As mentioned in the last study, the words of these women were prophetic. Out of Ruth's line would come not only King David, but the PERFECT ONE JESUS CHRIST.
Naomi the prodigal daughter of the Old Testament came back to Bethlehem where newness was birthed forward. She became rebuilt, rebirthed, restored and renewed.

We can have this same experience, whether it be during a drought in our lives (Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in DROUGHT, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail), widowhood, orphanhood, poverty, illness, etc. if we stay spiritually connected with our Savior. He will answer, as we call out to HIM (Isaiah 65:24). He desires HIS people to be healthy and prosperous and stores them up for a future and a hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11 tells us "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope". ) Praise be to our Lord. He'll do the same for us if we continue to come back to HIM.

Ruth 4:17-22 "And the women, her neighbors gave the baby a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab , and Amminadab begat Nahson, and Hahshon begat Salmon and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse and Jesse begat David.
As we begin this study on the genealogy we clearly will see that the baby that was born to Ruth and Boaz would become the grandfather of King David himself.

It is important to note that this is God at work in our intimate lives. Personally, he was working in the lives of Ruth and Boaz in a grander scheme. God is at work here in creating the line of the Messiah Himself.

One of the most fascinating things to see here is God at work in the life of Ruth, a gentile girl considered to be an outsider, yet becoming an important part of the line of the Messiah. She is truly living proof of God's GRACE which is always available to all who would be willing to accept it freely.

Grace is shown clearly as we go back to the New Testament to the Gospel of Matthew, first chapter. We see the geneaolgy of Jesus Christ, the Son of Abraham, the Son of David. It then lists many names of mostly men, but clearly it lists and also names five women in that line.

They are as follows: REMEMBER THE NUMBER 5 MEANS GRACE.

1. Tamar: She was the daughter in law of Judah, by whom he later had an illegitimate child. She was a Canaanite, an outsider.
2. Rahab: The harlot, the Canaanite, who is, also, the mother of Boaz. As I read this, I see how after her conversion to the God of Israel, and her acceptance into the family of Israel, she becomes part of this prophetic line.
Boaz, clearly, in the Book of Ruth was extremely understanding to Ruth who was an outsider, or outcast. He did not judge her, but watched her integrity as she gleaned the fields. Perhaps this is a leading factor, as Rahab was his mother.
3. Ruth: The Moabitess, the Gentile girl, who becomes part of the family of Israel and is considered virtuous. The one who gives birth to Obed the grandfather of King David himself.
4. Bathsheba: This was a woman so notorious; the Scripture simply calls her in Matthew 1:6 "that had been the wife of Uriah". Bathsheba was the mother of King Solomon by David her husband.
5. Mary: The Mother of JESUS CHRIST

What a legacy of GRACE. This is a reminder to us of the Grace of God in our lives. Despite any of our wrongdoings or failures God continues to pour down HIS Grace and Everlasting Love for us.

ISAIAH 59:1 SAYS "BEHOLD THE LORD'S HAND IS NOT SHORTENED THAT IT CANNOT SAVE, NOR HIS EAR HEAVY THAT IT CANNOT HEAR".

This shouts "GRACE" to each of us who will call upon HIS Name. Who will say YES to HIM. Accepting HIM as your Lord and Savior.

The Book of Ruth as mentioned before, is an emphasis on the Redemption that is available to us through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He redeems us from ourselves. Our spiritual prison walls are broken down and we no longer need to be spiritual slaves, for HE sets us free. He redeems the widows and widowers and orphans and adopts us into a Spiritual Inheritance becoming the family of God. HE marries us and makes us the Bride of Christ. There is no love greater.

The genealogies at the end of the Book of Ruth have significance as well. Ten names are written here.

Starting with Perez, the illegitimate child of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38).
Then Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Hahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David. The tally is 10 names. This is significant, because Deuteronomy 23:2 says that an illegitimate child could not stand as a leader in Israel until the TENTH generation. Clearly, this is no fault of his own and he would be forgiven and blessed and part of the family of God, but he could not stand as a leader. This is proof that David has the right to be King of Israel ten generations after his forefather Perez.

God has already chosen the ONE to be KING OF ISRAEL.

God moved in the heart of Boaz and the hearts of the people again and again as HIS Will and Purpose is accomplished and yes, the greatest news of all, JESUS CHRIST the Son of God is born. What order and what Perfection. God is Perfect.

You can trust the God who is always moving, who never sleeps or slumbers to work out the details in your life, your future and your hope. We trust HIM for our eternal life, now we must trust HIM if for each detail in our lives. As Ruth lied down at the foot of Boaz, the spiritual significance is us lying down at the foot of the Cross. As Boaz covered Ruth to say yes, I will marry you as we studied earlier, the spiritual significance is this: Jesus Christ desires to cover you with HIS GRACE . Taking you to Himself as a Gentile Bride.

If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior ask HIM. It is that simple. Titus 3: 4-6

For those of us who have Jesus as our Savior, continue to watch HIM unfold your destiny; as you surrender your will and live the WILL of GOD...

This completes the study of the Book of Ruth. May we glean at the "threshing floors" of sacrifice, not gleaning for ourselves but giving of ourselves. Offering ourselves to Jesus Christ.
Enjoy the journey!!!