"Now it came to pass, in the days when judges led Israel, that there was a famine in the land...and a certain man of Bethlehem (his name was Elimelech); He and his wife (Naomi), and their two (2) sons moved to another country called Moab....then Elimelech died; and Naomi was left with her two sons...Naomi's two sons took wives from Moab;...then both of her sons died. So Naomi survived both her sons, and her husband. (Ruth 1:1-5/The Living Bible).
Naomi decided to return to Israel with her two (2) daughters-in-law (Orpah and Ruth), for she heard that the LORD had blessed Israel by giving them good crops again.
But after they began their journey, Naomi changed her mind and said to Orpah and Ruth, 'why don't you return to Moab?'...she spoke kindly to them... From The footnote: "Kindly" translated from the Hebrew word "hesed" carries the idea of love and loyalty---a Covenant of Constancy. Naomi knows YAHWEH (The LORD)'S character and prayed that Orpah and Ruth will experience HIS Goodness, that HE is Kind and Trustworthy.
"Orpah and Ruth said to Naomi: 'We will return with you to your people...they lifted up their voices and wept...Orpah kissed Naomi...and Ruth CLUNG to Naomi and embraced Naomi. Ruth said to Naomi 'urge me NOT to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, wherever you lodge-I will lodge; your people will be my people, and your GOD will be my GOD.'" (Ruth 1:1-16).
So Naomi returned to Bethlehem, and Ruth with her. (****Yes, THIS Bethlehem---where generations later JESUS was born.****). So Ruth said to Naomi...'Please let me go to glean the grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.' Naomi said to Ruth, 'Go, my daughter.'
Ruth went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she HAPPENED to come into the part of the field that belonged to Boaz who was of the family of Elimelech (Naomi's deceased husband). When Boaz came to the field of grain, he spoke to Ruth: 'Listen, my child, stay right here to glean; don't think of going to any other field. Stay right behind my women workers. I have warned the young men to not bother you...help yourself to the drinking water."
Ruth thanked him warmly: 'How can you be so kind to me? You must know that I am only a foreigner.' Boaz replied, 'Yes I know, and I also know about all the love and kindness you have given to your Mother-in-law...and that you have come to live among strangers. May the LORD GOD of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge, Bless you for it.'"
Ruth answered, 'O thank you sir. You are so kind to me, and I am not even one of Your workers'...so Ruth worked there all day...and she gleaned a great amount of grain! She carried it to Naomi with what was left from her lunch.
'So Much!!!!' Naomi exclaimed! 'Where did you glean today? Praise the LORD for whoever was so kind to you!' Ruth told her all about it, and mentioned that the owner of the field was Boaz. Naomi said, 'Praise the LORD for a man like that! GOD has continued HIS kindness to us! That man Boaz is one of our closest relatives...our Kinsman-Redeemer!' [Just as JESUS is to all who follow HIM!!!].
So Boaz (her Kinsman-Redeemer) became Ruth's husband!!!! Through Boaz's and Ruth's son "Obed" they became ancestors in the tribe of Judah...which is the tribe from which King David, AND our HOLY LORD JESUS CHRIST descended!!!! !!!! (The name "Obed" means "Worshiper").
What should You and I GLEAN from this GOD'S WORD???? ????
A. No matter Where your life began----in submiting to GOD through JESUS CHRIST---with HOLY GOD'S plan of redemption -''We come into GOD'S family!!!!" (Ruth 4:16-22/Living Bible).
B. "The book of Ruth enobles the Beauty of Commitment and underscores the Values of family Commitment. (From the Foreword to the Book of Ruth/NEW KING JAMES BIBLE).
JESUS says in John 16:13---"HE (the Holy Spirit) will guide you into all Truth." JESUS says in John 14:6---"I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER (in heaven) except through ME,"
"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER of Mercies and GOD of all comfort, consolation, and encouragement." (2 Corinthians 1:3/Amplified Bible).
PLEASE OH PLEASE---You read the book of Ruth for Yourself!!!! (It is only 5 pages!!!!). If you will read the whole book...You will be BLESSED with many Personal insights!!!!
SHALOM SHALOM!!!!