Ruth 2 19 23 ESV And her motherinlaw

Ruth 2: 19 -23 (ESV) 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. ”

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers. ”

And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest. ’”

And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted. ”

So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

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. ” Ruth 2: 19, ESV

Conversation • Naomi begins to ask questions • As we remember, Ruth went out to glean to bring food back • She ended up bringing about 2 weeks worth of barley back • Where did you glean? Where did you work? • This redundancy is meant to bring emphasis • One can imagine her spouting out these questions because of her excitement

Conversation (2) • She then changes focus to the man who took notice of Ruth • She blesses the man whoever he might be because of his generosity • She also recognizes Ruth's hope had come true • She notices that Ruth did find favor in someone's sight (see earlier in chapter)

Conversation (3) • Ruth recounts the story to Naomi • This is likely a small portion of what Ruth said, as the narrator focuses on who she worked with • There is a great pause in the discussion • This is meant to give us some suspenseful expectation • Who was the man!? ! • “The man’s name who I worked with today…” • Notice it isn’t simply, “His name was” • Finally, though, Ruth does give the name, “Boaz”

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers. ” Ruth 2: 20, ESV

Conversation Continued • Naomi again utters a blessing • Assuming Boaz is the recipient of the blessing she recognizes God can only bless him • Yet it could also be that Naomi is saying, “Blessed be the Lord” which changes the focus to God • Either works in context • Then we come to the debated clause • The ESV translates it as, “whose kindness has not forsaken…” • “Kindness” is Chesed • Is this the chesed of Boaz, or is this chesed of Yahweh?

Conversation Continued (2) • It is likely Yahweh who is in view • He was the one just spoken about (the Lord is closest to the clause” • Also at the end of the verse Naomi says, “the man” instead of “he” • This indicates that she differentiates between Boaz and the one spoken about in the clause • Another tidbit is that this phrase is used in Genesis 24: 27 • There the servant of Abraham says, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. ” • This shouldn’t surprise us, as Ruth’s life tends to correlate with the patriarchs (as seen in chapter 1)

Conversation Continued (3) • It is Yahweh’s chesed that has not forsaken the living or the dead • The living are Naomi and Ruth, God has continued to provide for them • The dead represents Elimelech and his sons • This also makes us think of chesed • “Love, mercy, kindness, goodness, benevolence, loyalty, covenantal faithfulness” • Naomi does a 180 in her view of Yahweh • Last chapter we saw her view God’s hand against her • God has not forsaken His chesed toward her, though it is specifically through Ruth who is the agent of His chesed

Conversation Continued (4) • Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a close relative, and a redeemer • There is some redundancy here as well, but it is again meant for emphasis • The emphasis is likely for the role of a redeemer, and to remind us of chapter 1 when Naomi desires Ruth to find a Moabite husband • Will she now find an Israelite husband? A redeemer? We will have to see! • Boaz • He is not “her” relative and “her” redeemer • She specifically says, “Our” relative” and “our” redeemer • Naomi considers Ruth one of the family • There at least two people who consider her to be a member of the tribe of Judah!

And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest. ’” Ruth 2: 21, ESV

Instructions from Boaz • Ruth the Moabite • It is to remind us that Ruth is not originally from the tribe of Judah • Because of this Ruth may not understand the implications of the redeemer • Likewise, it may remind us that though Naomi and Boaz have welcomed her, others may not! • Ruth then focuses on what Boaz told her • Block thinks that this may be because she may not understand what it all means to be a “close” relative • So she focuses on him saying, “stay close” • This, perhaps, betrays Ruth’s ignorance of the situation

Instructions from Boaz (2) • Ruth reports Boaz wants her to stay close by the young men until the end of harvest • This was not said earlier, and is either seen as an inference or part of the conversation not reported • Regardless, she is supposed to glean here for the duration of the harvest

And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted. ” Ruth 2: 22, ESV

Instruction from Naomi • Naomi approves of the plan • She may begin to form her own plan • Though she may also see that the generosity of Boaz and thinks it is wise to remain in his field • Young women • She changes the instructions for her to remain with the young women • This way she would be less ostracized by the men, or as the ESV says “assaulted” • Yet it might be more mischievous • If she remained with the young men she would be surrounded by eligible bachelors • Is Naomi keeping her from that to keep her for Boaz? • Intriguing isn’t it?

So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2: 23, ESV

Conclusion of the Chapter • This informs us what happens • We see she follows Naomi’s advice to stay with the young women • We also see she gleans until the end of the barley and wheat harvests • This would be from late April until early June (around 67 weeks) • Ruth lived with Naomi • 1: It reminds us Ruth’s promise to stay with Naomi wherever she goes (see chapter 1) • 2: We learn nothing of what happens to Boaz and Ruth • Whatever was occurring between them likely ended at the end of the harvest • Hence…it reminds us of the oath and that the desire by Naomi for Ruth to find a husband a home is unfulfilled

Main Point • We are informed on what happens between Ruth and Naomi, and what happens during and up to the end of the harvest season • God has providentially provided for the women • If chapter 1 ends in sorrow, chapter 2 ends in limbo • What, if anything, will happen next?

Application Points • Work Ethic • Something to consider is Ruth’s work ethic • Ruth has been blessed to reap where reaping is normally not allowed • This does not cause Ruth to slack off • She continued to glean as normal (sun up to evening) • We might see something in this concerning our own time, society, culture • In particular those who believe they should receive something for nothing

Application Points • Work Ethic (2) • It also speaks to those who abuse the system • Those who could work but because they receive something choose not to work • Why work…under these circumstances? • There are those who are in need because of certain disabilities • To such individuals we definitely give help • To those who are able but unwilling we need to offer something else • It’s not going to be enough to stop giving or to yell at them • We need a cultural shift • Encouraging people to use their hands wisely and work hard while able

Application Points • Work Ethic (3) • Really we need to emulate Ruth • She does not squander her blessing, she doesn’t work less • Instead of making even the bare minimum of grace, she works hard throughout the season • We also notice Boaz does not expect her to do no work • She continues to glean, she beats out the chaff • They do not bring her everything, she is the one who gleans, who works

Application Points • Work Ethic (4) • In order to change society we need to use reason in the marketplace of ideas • We need a safety net, but that safety net has spread way too far • We need to encourage individuals to change • We need to show that work is good, and can glorify God • We learn in Genesis 1 -2 God is a creative and working God • We too are to work • To work is to be part of who we have been made to be

“From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. ” Proverbs 12: 14 “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. ” Proverbs 18: 9 “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. ” Proverbs 21: 25 “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. ” Proverbs 23: 4

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ” (2 Thessalonians 3: 1) “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ” (I Timothy 5: 17 -12 ESV)

Application Points • Work Ethic (5) • Work is good, and we should seek to work in what the Lord has given us • Though work is exhausting, and sometimes it doesn’t feel rewarding, likely because of the fall • It still doesn’t negate that we should be thankful to be able to work • Be encouraged to emulate Ruth in work, and also to emulate her when we work in the labor of the Lord, through the proclamation of the Gospel, and through prayer

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer • We have seen various themes in Ruth…Chesed…providence • Today we find another important theme and that is redemption • We consider what it means to be a kinsman redeemer • We tend to think that the kinsman redeemer only marries a widow of a close relative • The truth is the go el (Hebrew transliteration) is important for Israel family law • Block, and others, notice 5 characteristics of a redeemer/Go el

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer (2) • First: Help clan property remain with the clan • This occurs in Leviticus 25: 25 -30 • Second: Leviticus 25: 47 -55…if a man sells himself into slavery a kinsman redeemer would buy him out of it • Third: Numbers 35: 12, 19 -27…If one is murdered it is the responsibility of a redeemer to seek justice (by executing the murderer) • Fourth: Numbers 5: 5 -10…Redeemer receives restitution for a crime against a kinsman assuming that this kinsman already died

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer (3) • Fifth: Job 19: 25, Psalm 119: 154, Jeremiah 50: 34…True justice occurs during a lawsuit involving a relative • As we can see, nothing here would indicate that a kinsman redeemer would need to marry a widow in case her husband died • The closest thing we have for this is found in the levirate marriage in Deuteronomy

“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. 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.

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.

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, ’ 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. ’ And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off. ’ Deuteronomy 25: 5 -10, ESV

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer (4) • There is a difference between kinsman redeemer and the levirate marriage (though both will occur in Ruth in some capacity) • The role of kinsman redeemer is important for Israel concerning family and land • The redeemer takes care of both, and brings justice if necessary • There is much to learn from this • Some of it is legal code, such as retribution for a murdered family member • We have our own legal code (which can still be influenced by Law of God…Just saying)

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer (5) • There is something of the closeness we see here • How to offend one of us is to offend all of us • If one is wronged, all of us are wronged • From being in slavery to being bought of slavery • Losing land having it bought back • We can emulate how these familial clans love and care for each other • That is something to consider with this • We should seek to emulate this with our relationships with each other • We need to take care of our own first, and we can do this because we are all kinsmen if we are in Christ

Application Points • Kinsmen Redeemer (6) • This reflects the great act of redemption by Christ • He is the great kinsman redeemer, redeeming us from sin and death • It is in Christ we find our own redemption • We should seek to emulate that in our love for each other • We can’t do anything to save someone from death or sin, that is the work of Christ alone • But we can love and take care of each other as family • We can seek to bring certain kinds of redemption to one another, as a reflection of the great redemption found in Christ

Application Points • The Gospel • We are able to see the Gospel of Christ • As Naomi says, “our” we see Ruth being grafted into the tribe • We too are grafted by grace through faith • We are created in the image of God • Because God is a God of love, reason, personhood, knows, can be known, and displays Chesed, we can as well • It is here we find dignity and sanctity to all human life

Application Points • The Gospel (2) • Like God, however, we were able to choose • Instead of choosing God and life we chose sin and death and have continued to make that choice ever since • Because of this our relationships with God, within ourselves, each other, and the world are broken • It is also because of this we have a true moral guilt before our God, making us worthy of judgment, not just a feeling of guilt, but true guilt before God • We cannot escape from this darkness on our own, so God decided to act • He sent His Light and His Word into the darkness, and that Light and Word was His Son Jesus Christ

Application Points • The Gospel (3) • Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected in space, time, history, and flesh • It is through this we are redeemed • It is the work of Christ which gives us our redemption • We are justified, made guiltless, sanctified, by His blood • It is through Him we have victory over sin and death

Application Points • The Gospel (4) • All that is required of us is obedience in two things • The first is repentance, we are to turn away from our sins • We are to live for His will and His glory, walking in step with the Spirit • We can know His will, what glorifies Him, and how to walk in step with the Spirit through the Scriptures and Jesus Christ whom the Scriptures proclaim • The second is faith in Christ • We need to recognize our dependence upon Christ • It is what Christ has done which brings us salvation • It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, for the glory of God alone we are saved

Application Points • The Gospel (5) • For those who are disobedient in these things there is only condemnation for sins • There is no redemption outside of Christ • And any who go before God with only their merits will find even their merits worthy of wrath • For those who are obedient there is no more guilt or condemnation • Instead there is eternal life, and we become coheirs of an eternal kingdom • We experience the love of God reserved for His Son