What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Verses 13-22 Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. But God did Boaz the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah, while the kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten. They attend not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the salvation of Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. Such are the wise men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. Verses 9-12 Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates, but few know the value of godliness. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what all must make conscience of, who would approve themselves true Israelites, without guile. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption they are not willing to espouse religion they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. Verses 1-8 This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. Blessing upon blessing, heaped up, overflowing.The kinsman refuses to redeem Ruth's inheritance. Here is where the story of Ruth leaves us, with the promise of God’s faithful love, God’s hesed, overflowing not just into the ordinary, everyday lives of two widows and a farmer, but into the lives of all Israel, and through David’s greater Son, into even our own lives as well. This child, Obed, will be the grandfather of David, Israel’s most beloved king. One last note: The book of Ruth ends with a genealogy. The rabbis, noting that the Hebrew word translated here often means “wet nurse,” said that a miracle happened, that Naomi’s old and withered breasts were suddenly plump and round with milk, and that she nursed the child herself.Ībundant harvest, overflowing blessings, new life where before there was only emptiness - all of it is made possible through the hesed of God, enacted by Ruth and Boaz, everyday, ordinary people who demonstrate extraordinary love and faithfulness. “Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and she became his nurse” (4:16). The women of the village interpret this blessing for Naomi: “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 borne him” (4:15). Where there was barrenness (in her marriage to Mahlon), now there is birth. Where there was famine, now there is a plentiful harvest. So, having fulfilled all righteousness, Boaz receives the community’s blessing on his marriage to Ruth. He is enthusiastic about acquiring more land but suddenly remembers a previous appointment and makes himself scarce when Boaz says that marrying Ruth is part of the bargain. The nearer relative, the potential goel with whom Boaz speaks, is never named, which is entirely appropriate since he refuses to carry on the name of Mahlon (Ruth’s dead husband). The scene at the city gate (where legal proceedings are conducted) is a humorous one. Preaching text: Ruth 4:1-22 accompanying text: Luke 1:46-55 Preaching Series on Ruth (Week 4 of 4) Week 4: August 12, 2018
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