Naomi and Ruth - Ruth 1-4
Long ago, there was a woman named Naomi. Naomi lived in Israel, and had to leave because there was a famine (a time that food was not available). She went to a place called 'Moab' with her two sons. The sons got married to women who lived in Moab. One woman's name was Ruth and the other one was Orpah. While they were in Moab, Naomi's husband died, along with both sons. That left Naomi alone with Ruth and Orpah. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, and Ruth came with her.
Naomi became very sad and bitter because of the deaths of her sons and husband. So she called herself 'Mara' which means 'bitter'. This is what she wanted everyone to call her from that point on.
God cared for Naomi and did not forget about her or leave her in despair. Since Ruth was no longer married, she was qualified to find the nearest kinsman and would be eligible to marry him, if he were willing.
Naomi counseled Ruth to go to a man named Boaz, since he was the closest kinsman that was known to her. Boaz showed compassion to Ruth by leaving grain for her so that she and Naomi would have something to eat and survive. Ruth went to the threshing floor where Boaz was sleeping and she lay at his feet.
Now Boaz knew that there was a kinsman that was closer to the family than he. So he went to the kinsman and was able to get the approval to go ahead and marry Ruth himself. The other kinsman gave up the right to marry her.
Ruth was a Moabitess. That means that her ancestors were Moabites. The Moabites came from a man named Lot, who was Abraham's nephew. In an interesting way, Ruth became the grandmother of King David, and was also an ancestor of Jesus.
In Deuteronomy 25:5-10 it explains the law of the kinsman-redeemer. The kinsman-redeemer was a close relative who was responsible for the care of women who had lost husbands. They also were given the job of avenging enemies. They played an important part in the history of Israel.
No comments:
Post a Comment