The Book of Ruth Practice Flashcards
The Migration to Moab and the Tragedy of Elimelech's Family
Historical Context: The events occur during the era "when the judges ruled," a period of significant social and political transition in Israel.
The Famine and Migration: Due to a famine in the land of Judah, a man named Elimelech, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem, relocated his family to the country of Moab to sojourn there.
Family Members Involved:
Elimelech: The head of the household.
Naomi: Elimelech's wife.
Mahlon and Chilion: The two sons of Elimelech and Naomi.
Deaths in Moab:
Elimelech died shortly after arriving, leaving Naomi with her two sons.
The sons married Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth.
After living in Moab for approximately years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died.
Resulting Status: Naomi was left entirely without her husband and her two sons, accompanied only by her daughters-in-law.
Naomi’s Decision to Return and the Loyalty of Ruth
Reason for Return: Naomi heard while in Moab that "the Lord had visited his people and given them food," signaling the end of the famine in Judah.
The Departure from Moab: Naomi set out with Orpah and Ruth. Along the way, she urged her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers' houses, wishing that the Lord deal kindly with them as they had dealt with the deceased and with her.
Naomi’s Argument for Separation: Naomi insisted that they should not follow her because she had no more sons to offer them as husbands.
Hypothetical Scenario: Even if she were to have a husband that night and bear sons, she argued it would be impractical for Orpah and Ruth to wait until those sons were grown and refrain from marrying others.
Emotional State: Naomi expressed that her situation was "exceedingly bitter" because she believed the hand of the Lord had gone out against her.
Orpah’s Choice: After much weeping, Orpah kissed Naomi and returned to her people and her gods.
Ruth’s Vow of Loyalty: Ruth refused to leave, famously stating:
"Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you."
"For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge."
"Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
"Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried."
She invoked a curse upon herself should anything but death part them.
Arrival in Bethlehem and the Name Change
The Reaction of Bethlehem: Upon their arrival, the entire town was stirred. The women of the city asked, "Is this Naomi?"
Naomi's Response (The Bitter Metamorphosis):
She instructed them: "Do not call me Naomi [meaning pleasant]; call me Mara [meaning bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me."
She described her departure as going out full and her return as being brought back empty by the Lord.
Timing of Arrival: They reached Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Ruth’s Encounter with Boaz in the Harvest Fields
Introduction of Boaz: Boaz was a relative of Naomi's late husband, Elimelech, described as a "worthy man" of the same clan.
The Act of Gleaning: Ruth requested permission from Naomi to go to the fields to glean among the ears of grain behind someone in whose sight she might find favor.
The "Chance" Encounter: Ruth happened to glean in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz.
Dialogue Between Boaz and the Servant: Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, exchanged blessings with his reapers, and asked about Ruth's identity. The servant in charge of the reapers identified her as the Moabite woman who returned with Naomi.
Boaz’s Protection and Kindness:
He instructed Ruth not to glean in any other field and to stay close to his young women.
He informed her that he had charged the young men not to touch her.
He invited her to drink from the water vessels drawn by the young men.
Ruth’s Gratitude and Boaz’s Recognition: Ruth bowed to the ground, questioning why she found favor as a foreigner. Boaz replied that he had been told of everything she had done for Naomi since her husband’s death and her sacrifice in leaving her native land.
The Blessing of Boaz: He prayed that the Lord repay her and that a full reward be given by the God of Israel, "under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
The Meal: At mealtime, Boaz invited Ruth to eat bread and dip it in wine. He provided her with so much roasted grain that she was satisfied and had leftovers.
Provisions and Naomi’s Revelation
The Secret Instructions: Boaz commanded his young men to let Ruth glean even among the sheaves without reproach and to purposely pull out grain from the bundles for her to find.
Quantity Collected: Ruth gleaned until evening and beat out what she had gathered, totaling about an "ephah" of barley.
The Reunion with Naomi: Ruth shared the gathered grain and her leftover food with Naomi. When Naomi learned the field belonged to Boaz, she identified him as a "close relative" and "one of our Redeemers."
Safety Precaution: Naomi encouraged Ruth to stay in Boaz’s fields to avoid being assaulted in another field. Ruth continued gleaning through both the barley and wheat harvests.
The Encounter at the Threshing Floor
Naomi’s Strategic Plan: Seeking "rest" (security) for Ruth, Naomi instructed her to wash, anoint herself, and go to the threshing floor where Boaz was winnowing barley.
Specific Instructions: Ruth was told to wait until Boaz finished eating and drinking, then observe where he lay down, uncover his feet, and lie there.
The Midnight Interaction:
Boaz woke up startled at midnight to find a woman at his feet.
Ruth identified herself: "I am Ruth your servant; spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer."
Boaz’s Acceptance: Boaz praised her for this "last kindness" (seeking a redeemer rather than young men, rich or poor). He promised to do all she asked, noting that the entire town knew she was a "worthy woman."
The Legal Complication: Boaz revealed there was one redeemer more closely related than he. He promised that if the closer relative would not redeem her, he would.
The Gift of Barley: Before she left in the early morning, Boaz measured out six measures of barley into Ruth's garment so she would not return empty-handed to her mother-in-law.
The Legal Redemption at the City Gate
The Gathering: Boaz went to the city gate and convened a meeting with the closer redeemer and elders of the city.
The Proposal: Boaz informed the relative that Naomi was selling a parcel of land belonging to Elimelech.
The Relative's Initial Response: The relative initially agreed to redeem the land.
The Condition of Marriage: Boaz clarified that the day the land is bought from Naomi, the redeemer also acquires Ruth the Moabite (the widow of the dead) to "perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance."
The Relative’s Refusal: The closer redeemer declined, stating it would impair his own inheritance, and told Boaz to take the right of redemption.
The Confirmation Custom: To attest to the transaction in Israel, one man drew off his sandal and gave it to the other. The closer redeemer drew off his sandal for Boaz.
Public Declaration: Boaz called the elders and people to witness that he had bought everything belonging to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon, and had also bought Ruth the Moabite to be his wife.
Marriage and the Lineage of David
The Blessing of the Witnesses: The elders and people prayed that the Lord make Ruth like Rachel and Leah, and that Boaz might act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem.
The Birth of a Son: Boaz took Ruth sebagai his wife. The Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
Restoration for Naomi: The women of the city celebrated, telling Naomi that the Lord had not left her without a redeemer. They praised Ruth, saying she was "more to you than seven sons."
Naming the Child: Naomi became the child's nurse. The neighbor women named him Obed.
The Genealogy to King David:
Perez fathered Hezron.
Hezron fathered Ram.
Ram fathered Amminadab.
Amminadab fathered Nahshon.
Nahshon fathered Salmon.
Salmon fathered Boaz.
Boaz fathered Obed.
Obed fathered Jesse.
Jesse fathered David.