Concluding Genealogy

The Bible is countercultural in many ways, but Jesus' genealogies honor contemporary NT Jewish culture and expectations.

Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 both connect Jesus through his earthly father Joseph back to King David and Boaz.

This was vitally important to establishing Jesus' spiritual and royal qualifications.

How amazing that Obed's mother, Ruth, was not originally Jewish, but only became one through conversion. This was one clear step on the pathway toward allowing Gentiles into the family of God.

What Was He Thinking?!

The unnamed first-in-line kinsman-redeemer in 4:1-12 blew an opportunity to be the great-grandfather of king David, and a direct ancestor of Jesus!

He stepped aside because of temporary concerns about his estate.

Thus, Boaz receives credit as Obed's father.

This is especially unusual because the firstborn of a kinsman-redeemer is typically credited to the late husband.

Because of Boaz's extraordinary devotion and character, he is honored forever alongside Ruth.

What risks have I refused because they seemed too risky? What may I have lost long-term as a result? What risk should you take, dear Reader?

People of Action

In chapter 3, we see that Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are all people comfortable with decisive action.

In under 24 hours, Naomi proposes that Ruth ask Boaz to serve as a kinsman-redeemer, Ruth follows through, and Boaz prepares to bring her proposal to the city elders.

Why wait when there is important business to transact?

Ruth Meets Boaz

Verses 11-12 sum up Boaz's admiration of Ruth.

Why do I admire people? What really impresses me?

Boaz focuses on the core of Ruth's being. That's what ought to impress me, too. But too often it isn't.

Mara

In verses 6-22, we see Naomi leave Moab and return to her hometown, Bethlehem.

Orpah honors Naomi's guidance and returns to her family, but Ruth shares one of the classic statements of faith in verse 16:

Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Despite Ruth's loyalty, Naomi changes her name to Mara (lit. "bitter").

Brutal Times

In 1:1-5, we meet Naomi (lit. "pleasant").

She and her husband and two sons moved from Bethlehem to Moab to escape famine in their hometown.

This would have been a temporary move for the family, but Naomi's husband died. Then, within ten years, her sons both died, too. She was left with two kind daughters-in-law, but no source of income or property.

Ruth, the Feast of Weeks, and Pentecost

There are seven feasts celebrated in the Old Testament:

1. First Month: First Coming of Christ
   
   1. Passover: 15 Nissan
      
   2. Feast of Unleavened Bread: 15-21 Nissan
      
   3. Feast of First Fruits: 16 Nissan-6 Sivan
      
2. Third Month: Feast of Pentecost, Shavuot: 6-7 Sivan
   
3. Seventh Month: Second Coming of Christ
   
   1. Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah: 1 Tishrei, Jewish New Year
      
   2. Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur: 10 Tishrei
      
   3. Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths or Tabernacles), Sukkot: 15-21 Tishrei
      

This outline is influenced by information from the following link: http://store.khouse.org/store/catalog/BP011.html?mv_pc=KHAR-101

Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles make up the Shalosh Regalim, or three pilgrimage festivals of Judaism.

Ruth is read during the Jewish celebration of Shavuot, which corresponds to the Christian celebration of Pentecost in Acts 2.

Outline of Ruth

Since I finished up my 45-week first year plan with a few weeks to spare, I have the opportunity to do some additional, unscheduled Bible study.

Here's an outline of the book of Ruth:

1. Naomi's Awful Time
   
   1. Her husband dies
      
   2. Her sons both die
      
2. Ruth's Stubborn Streak
   
   1. Get out of here, Ruth
      
   2. No way, I'm with you forever, Naomi
      
   3. No, seriously, go back to your family and gods
      
   4. "Your people are my people, and your God is my God."
      
3. Naomi and Ruth return to Naomi's Hometown
   
   1. Ruth scavenges from a harvested field
      
   2. Boaz guarantees Ruth's safety
      
   3. Boaz is generous to Ruth and Naomi
      
4. Boaz is a Kinsman-Redeemer
   
   1. Naomi directs Ruth to pursue Boaz
      
   2. Ruth agrees to this plan
      
      1. Ruth gets dressed up
         
      2. Ruth goes to the threshing floor
         
      3. Boaz drinks a lot and goes to bed
         
      4. Ruth turns up the cloak over Boaz's feet
         
      5. Boaz wakes up and thanks Ruth for her request
         
5. Boaz negotiates with a closer kinsman-redeemer
   
   1. There is property of Elimelech, Naomi's late husband, for sale
      
   2. I'll buy it
      
   3. Then you also inherit Naomi's widowed daughter-in-law. Her children will be credited to Elimelech's son, not you.
      
   4. Then you buy the land, Boaz. This situation will put my own property at risk.
      
   5. Cool. Hand me your sandal in the sight of these ten witnesses.
      
   6. Deal!
      
6. Ruth Marries Boaz
   
   1. They have a son, Jesse
      
   2. Jesse has a son, King David
      
   3. David is in the line of Jesus