"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 30 July 2012"
Today's Blog Title:"Ruth's Redemption Assured"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Ruth 3:1-18
Today's Blog Key Verse: Ruth 3:9 "And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
In verse 1, Naomi once again returned to the subject of "security" or "rest" which she had mentioned in Ruth 1:9. In the first instance, she had asked God to provide her daughters-in-law the "rest" of marriage. Now Naomi was determined to seek this "rest" for Ruth.
The thrusting floor mentioned in verse 2 was located in a public place. Grain was threshed by tossing the crushed stalks into the air, for the wind to separate from the kernels of grain. Boaz did this in the "evening," not night.
Naomi tells Ruth to "wash" and "anoint" herself and put on her best "garment" and go down to the threshing floor and not to make herself known until all the eating and drinking was done, for eating and drinking accompanied the festivity at the end of the harvest. The best garment would refer to an outer garment that Ruth would wear to keep her warm in the night.
Naomi then instructs Ruth in verse 4, to remove the edge of Boaz's outer garment from his feet and lie down by his uncovered feet. Touching and holding the feet was an act of submission. This was a daring and dramatic action that would call for a decision on his part to be her protector and likely, her husband. Ruth came "softly," that is, "in secret", so that no one would see her. That she came at night was also a means of protecting Boaz from embarrassment in case he decided not to exercise his duty as a close relative.
A "near kinsman" in verse 9 designates one of the social institutions among the Hebrews. Two of his many family responsibilities are evident in the Book of Ruth. (1) He was charged with redeeming family property that had been lost or was about to be lost by sale (2) He was obligated to marry the widow of the deceased near relative so as to raise up children to the name of the dead. The law of near kinsman operated on the principle of degree of closeness of relationship. Boaz brings both duties to bear as one issue in the case of Ruth in (Ruth 4:3-5).
Naomi's instructions to Ruth, to seek out Boaz apparently was in accordance with social propriety at that time, in that a widow could initiate proceedings. The Lord had so moved in the lives of Boaz and Ruth that the duties of family institutions were reinforced by a genuine love for one another. In Verses 11-14, Boaz took special measures to see that no impropriety would mark the occasion.
Ruth left at early dawn, in order to avoid anyone who might recognize her. Boaz probably did not want anyone to misconstrue what had taken place. In verse 15 Boaz once again, demonstrated loyal love by his gift of barley grain to Ruth and Naomi. Boaz helped raise the barley sacks to Ruth's head, in order for her to carry it home to Naomi.
In verse 18, Naomi was confident that Boaz would see the matter through to its conclusion that same day. Boaz, had repeatedly demonstrated that he was an upright and compassionate man, by his continuing provision for the two women.
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Hebrews 11:1.
Jesus Reigns!!! May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title:"Ruth's Redemption Assured"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Ruth 3:1-18
Today's Blog Key Verse: Ruth 3:9 "And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
In verse 1, Naomi once again returned to the subject of "security" or "rest" which she had mentioned in Ruth 1:9. In the first instance, she had asked God to provide her daughters-in-law the "rest" of marriage. Now Naomi was determined to seek this "rest" for Ruth.
The thrusting floor mentioned in verse 2 was located in a public place. Grain was threshed by tossing the crushed stalks into the air, for the wind to separate from the kernels of grain. Boaz did this in the "evening," not night.
Naomi tells Ruth to "wash" and "anoint" herself and put on her best "garment" and go down to the threshing floor and not to make herself known until all the eating and drinking was done, for eating and drinking accompanied the festivity at the end of the harvest. The best garment would refer to an outer garment that Ruth would wear to keep her warm in the night.
Naomi then instructs Ruth in verse 4, to remove the edge of Boaz's outer garment from his feet and lie down by his uncovered feet. Touching and holding the feet was an act of submission. This was a daring and dramatic action that would call for a decision on his part to be her protector and likely, her husband. Ruth came "softly," that is, "in secret", so that no one would see her. That she came at night was also a means of protecting Boaz from embarrassment in case he decided not to exercise his duty as a close relative.
A "near kinsman" in verse 9 designates one of the social institutions among the Hebrews. Two of his many family responsibilities are evident in the Book of Ruth. (1) He was charged with redeeming family property that had been lost or was about to be lost by sale (2) He was obligated to marry the widow of the deceased near relative so as to raise up children to the name of the dead. The law of near kinsman operated on the principle of degree of closeness of relationship. Boaz brings both duties to bear as one issue in the case of Ruth in (Ruth 4:3-5).
Naomi's instructions to Ruth, to seek out Boaz apparently was in accordance with social propriety at that time, in that a widow could initiate proceedings. The Lord had so moved in the lives of Boaz and Ruth that the duties of family institutions were reinforced by a genuine love for one another. In Verses 11-14, Boaz took special measures to see that no impropriety would mark the occasion.
Ruth left at early dawn, in order to avoid anyone who might recognize her. Boaz probably did not want anyone to misconstrue what had taken place. In verse 15 Boaz once again, demonstrated loyal love by his gift of barley grain to Ruth and Naomi. Boaz helped raise the barley sacks to Ruth's head, in order for her to carry it home to Naomi.
In verse 18, Naomi was confident that Boaz would see the matter through to its conclusion that same day. Boaz, had repeatedly demonstrated that he was an upright and compassionate man, by his continuing provision for the two women.
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Hebrews 11:1.
Jesus Reigns!!! May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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