Bible message for Tuesday 12th August 2014; Hello fellow Christians and friends out there, I have finished reading Malachi, the prophet and this book is at the end of Old Testament.So instead of going onto the New Testament I am going back to a few favourites of mine in the Old Testament. Firstly today I am reading RUTH, and this is a classic love story of the Bible.Few stories in the Bible are told from a womans viewpoint, but in story of Ruth, not only is the woman the leading character of the book of Ruth but it is a womans world story, and the writer gives attention to feminine values and feelings.Human kindness and redemption are shown in book of Ruth .Of course Boaz in his role as a kinsman-redeemer(make up for the faults that Ruth is a foreigner, a Moab lady in Jewish Bethlehem),who is also kind to Ruth and acts like Lords own kindness.I hope you like it. Bible message; RUTH Chapter 2 verse 8-10: Then Boaz said to Ruth,Now, listen,my daughter, do not go to glean (gather grain that is left over from a harvest) in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping(cut or gather a crop or harvest),and go after them.Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to Boaz,Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?ESV Bible. Interpretation and meaning of above bible verses; 1.This is a great bible verse because it shows the kindness and love of Boaz for Ruth.In verse 8-9 Boaz has ordered the young workers (men ) working in his field not to touch Ruth, in order to ensure Ruths safety, young men in other nearby fields might not be as trustworthy. 2.In verse 10 Ruths first words to Boaz convey her gratitude that he would grant her these priveleges-found favour and Boaz took notice of her.Ruth calls herself a foreigner but by virtue of her loyalty to Naomi (Ruths mother-in-law)and to the Lord Ruth has become a temporary resident, who can enjoy many of the rights of an Israelite.Boaz acted in the Lords faith in verse 8-9,showing extreme kindness because Boaz found out about Ruths kindness to Naomi and therefore knows her good intentions. 3.This verse is great because it reminds me of a few people I know who as women had spirit, did not sit on the fence, took action and dealt with challenges and problems in the best way possible.By asking God and being faithful to Naomi, Ruth in the past sadly her husband died and Naomis husband and 2 sons died as well when they were living in Moab(now in the country of Jordan).Ruth was a Moabite woman, Naomi originally went to Moab because of famine in Bethlehem in Judah.They couldnt survive as farmers in Judah so they travelled to Moab.After the death of Naomis 2 sons and her husband, being there 10 years , Ruth was married to one of Naomis sons, who then died. 4.Naomi said to Ruth to go back to her parents in Moab as a widower, but Ruth wouldnt have this and stuck to Naomi, showing devotion and loyalty towards Naomi.Naomi heard about Bethlehem becoming fertile again and crops growing there, Naomi wanted to travel back to her home country of Judah.Ruth didnt want to stay with her direct family as it meant returning to there beliefs of false gods, since in Moab gods and territory went together, they believed in false gods, idol worshipping and Ruth being a believer of the Lord now wanted to return with her mother-in-law to Judah. 5.Ruths decision had far reaching spiritual implications because she eventually married Boaz and she conceived which is Gods reward to her of her kindness and devotion to Naomi.This son then became the line for the future Davidic king of Israel who eventually brings us Gods beloved son Jesus Christ, our Messiah. 6.Boaz admired and respected Ruths work ethic as well, working from early morning till late evening doing the gleaning.Ruth took food home with her for Naomi.Only our Lord could repay Ruth for her losses of husband, father, mother and country.The reward for Ruth was offspring with the marriage to Boaz.This takes some doing by Ruth, after losing your husband in Moab, leaving all of this behind including your family to go and travel with Naomi to another foreign land takes some guts and persistence by Ruth to convince Naomi that she was going.Ruth didnt sit on the fence, think about it, ask other peoples opinions, no I believe Ruth had the power of God within her after knowing Naomi and wanted this in her life.God told her to go to Bethlehem.Ruth took action didnt weigh it up, went with Naomi to a foreign country that she had never been to before. 7.When she vowed to take care of Naomi, she was so honest and upfront with Boaz gleaning in the field, Boaz knew that there was something different about her, and was attracted to her.Ruth worked hard, and listened to Boazs advice, was obedient to him with regards not gleaning in another field.Keep close to other young women workers, she didnt sway or falter, Ruth kept faith in God which shows Gods love for all of us if God can do this for Ruth, then God can do it for everyone and bless you.Ruth had spirit and showed immense kindness and faithfulness to the Lord, to her work, to Naomi being Ruth the bread winner, Ruth didnt chicken out of this or get fed up of doing this for Naomi, No Ruth was solid and listened to Boazs advice.Boaz became a redeemer and didnt treat her differently as Ruth was foreign, Boaz treated her like one of his precious workers in the field.Through this the love grew. 8.Also with Ruth she listened and obeyed whatever Naomi said to her to do.When Naomi later on in chapter 3 told Ruth to go and eat with Boaz, and Boaz was impressed that Ruth wasnt merely seeking marriage with single young men.Boaz thought of her as a worthy woman in Chapter 3 verse 11.Boaz functions not empty handed in chapter 3 verse 17, towards Ruth and giving kindness and recompense to Naomi who lossed a lot with death of her sons and husband. 9.I have tremendous respect and admiration for Ruth and Boaz in these times in Bethlehem.We can learn so much from this, never to give up, be a persistent , persevering Christian getting our guidance from the Lord dosnt matter where we will go.I think the key for me with Ruth is that if you show great kindness, love for your fellow men and women, and be always hopeful of your situation, and treat everybody the same dosnt matter where they are from, look at there actions when they work.Ruth wasnt boastful, she was humble,and kind and just got on with the work, being honest when put on the spot by Boaz.This is the best way to be, live in faith of our Lord and God will bless you through this, doing the work for others like Ruth did for Naomi.Never leaving her to check out the young men, No she was solid throughout, we can learn so much from Ruth and Boaz. I hope you liked my long bible interpretation and meaning, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you, let me know what you think of it. God bless from Gregg Lawrence.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:28:05 +0000