Like an EAGLE protects her young by flying under them as they learn to fly. God protects us also. (Exodus 19:4)

This woman Ruth

Many years ago (about 1100 B.C.) when Judges ruled (There was no king...."....every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6 & 21:25) a famine was in Bethlehem. This caused Elimelech, his wife Naomi and two sons to sojourn in Moab, an enemy of Israel, and a land of the greatest of idolatry. Elimelech died there and Naomi was left with her two sons. These two sons took them wives of Moab. Both died and left Naomi with the two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. A beautiful love story now unfolds. Naomi heard that the famine had ended in Bethlehem (1:6) and planned her return to her people. She asked the two daughters in law to return to their mothers house to live. Both wanted to go with her but Naomi told them she could not have any more children (heirs), being to old (1:12). The daughters in law wept. Orpah kissed Naomi and went back to her people (Moab) and her gods (1:15).

But Ruth clung to Naomi. Finally Naomi gave in for Ruth to go back with her to her people. She took the believers path, a very important journey. ( Two others made this important journey to Bethlehem, Samuel to Jesse in Bethlehem to find a king among his sons {David}..(1 Samuel 16:1), Joseph to Bethlehem, where our Savior was born.). Ruth told Naomi she would never leave her (til death do us part).

Naomi complained God had been bitter to her, but later she was supported. God always takes care of his children (4:15). He provides regardless. Naomi had a relative named Boaz who was very wealthy. Ruth asked Naomi permission to go and glean (pickup leftovers) in Boaz's grain field. Naomi had wanted them to meet each other, probably telling Ruth about him. Boaz, a religious man had his eyes set on Ruth. All this did not happen just by chance, but was a providence of God. Boaz told Ruth not to leave his field and that she would not be molested by the young men (2:9). Ruth bowed to him, asking why she had found grace in his eyes, seeing she was a stranger. Naomi had told him of all the good things about Ruth. Boaz told Ruth the Lord would bless her ("....under whose wings thou art come to trust." 2:12). He commanded his reapers to let fall on purpose plenty of grain (2:16) for her. Naomi was amazed how much she had brought home, almost a bushel.

In chapter 3 we read of Naomi telling Ruth that Boaz was winnowing ( throwing the grain into the air and letting the wind blow away the chaff ) his grain and for her to go there. Ruth was not presenting herself as immoral in this chapter. This was a custom then (ceremonial act). The Bible tells us she was a virtuous woman (proverbs 31:10), meaning strong and pure. Boaz was also a very religious man (3:10 & 2:4), saying to Ruth ".....blessed be thou of the Lord,...." (3:10), and praised her for being willing to marry an older man, instead of younger men, regardless whether rich or poor. The custom then was that the nearest of kin had first choice of marriage,one other nearest of kin before Boaz but he turned it down, so Boaz married Ruth and a son was born of them. They named him Obed. Out of this marriage came Obed (grandfather of David), Jesse (David's father), and the everlasting king, Jesus Christ our Lord. The family name preserved. Redeemed by a wealthy man named Boaz. The love of Ruth for Naomi was more than that of seven sons. (4:15). Another mysterious connection between Israel and the Gentiles. Ruth, a simple maiden from Moab (descendant of Lot), very strong, pure and religious.

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