Ruth 4:13-22 - Ruth is better to you than seven sons

4:13-15

So Boaz and Ruth were married and they had a son. The text makes it clear that it was the Lord who enabled her to conceive. In her earlier marriage she had been unable to have children. A significant number of key people in the Bible were born to women who had problems conceiving, Isaac being the most famous. On the birth of their son the women praised the Lord over what had happened with Naomi. She had endured much pain in her life, the loss of her husband and two sons, and because of that she felt that the Lord’s hand was against her. But now that whole situation had been reversed. They also declare that Ruth was better than seven sons. Ruth and her faithfulness is in many ways the highlight of the story. She had become fruitful, both physically, but also spiritually through her integrity.

4:16-22

The son was called Obed, which means “worshipper”. He would become the father of David, and humanly speaking Jesus was descended from David. The whole story can be seen as a picture of our redemption. Ruth’s life and her significance is utterly transformed. This is partly because of events beyond her control, and was dependent upon the actions and faithfulness of Boaz. But her faithfulness, her decisions also matter and are significant. When God saves us it is not just a matter of forgiveness, we are utterly dependent upon the work of Christ. His work on the cross, the work of the Holy Spirit. But at the same time we are no mere passive recipients. We should chase after God, and when He works in us He does so to transform us.

Acts 24:17-21 - I was ceremonially clean

24:17,18

Paul had not come to Jerusalem to stir up trouble, but to bring gifts to the poor. In a number of his letters we read of Paul organising a collection among the Gentile churches for the Jerusalem church, see 2 Cor 8. When he went to the temple he was ceremonially clean. While Paul clearly taught that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised, he himself as a Jew continued to observe the Law. And there was no crowd with him. So there was clearly no intention of stirring up trouble. 

24:19-21

Indeed the only ones aiming to stir up trouble were some of the Jews who had come from the province of Asia. They should have been the ones facing charges! We often see this reversal of the way things should be from what they are. The worst enemies of the Palestinian people are Hamas and similar groups. The trans activists are the worst enemies of trans people. Paul challenges his accusers to state clearly what crime he has committed, instead of merely casting slurs. Then Paul again mentions the resurrection. This had previously caused an uproar, but this time has no such effect. Either the group was much more homogenous in their views on this, or they had learnt their lesson from the previous episode.

Ruth 4:9-12 - Today you are witnesses

4:9,10

Boaz now declares that he has bought the field, and acquired Ruth as a wife. All the elders were witnesses to this. Now we might wonder why go through all this rigmarole, why not just run away together? If we look at things in terms of adoption, there are two things that are essential for a successful adoption. One is the love of the prospective parents for the child (and this is more than an emotional thing, it is a lifelong commitment to the child), and the other is going through all the procedural and legal processes necessary to complete an adoption. Both are necessary, one on its own is not sufficient. In the same way, the Father gave His Son for us out of love for us, and the cross sealed the legalities. We are justified by the cross, the cross was also a formal process.

4:11,12

The elders declare a blessing over the marriage, asking that Ruth become like Rachel and Leah. They also declare that Boaz will be of good standing and become famous. And finally they bless all future generations proceeding from the marriage. We should remember that Rachel was a Moabitess. She is fully accepted into Israel, and Israel’s future will proceed from her.

Acts 24:10-16 - I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors

24:10-13

Felix then invites Paul to respond to the accusations. Paul acknowledges Felix’s position, but without the fawning praise that Tertullus used. Paul presents his defence in very measured tones, without overreacting. He had gone up to Jerusalem to worship twelve days ago, but only to worship. Indeed, Paul had not even proclaimed the gospel in the temple, something he often did in the synagogues he visited. And Paul claims that his accusers can present no evidence to support their accusations.

24:14-16

Paul then openly states that he is a follower of “the Way”. “The Way” was a term the believers preferred to use to describe themselves. Jesus Himself said He was the way. Paul also then said that he believed everything that was in the Law and the Prophets. A fundamental aspect of the gospel is that it is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. Paul then goes on to refer to the resurrection. Note that both “the righteous and the wicked” will be raised, one to eternal life, the other to eternal judgement. So Paul strove to keep his conscience clear before God and man. This could be a swipe at his Jewish accusers, who were most definitely not acting in accord with God’s ways. They were lying, and seeking to kill Paul, just as they acted against Jesus.

Ruth 4:1-8 - Come over here, my friend, and sit down

4:1-4

True to Naomi’s prediction, Boaz wastes no time in getting matters finalised. So Boaz gets the other kinsman redeemer, along with ten of the elders of the town. He gathered the ten elders so that everything was witnessed and there could be no dispute about the outcome. Boaz starts by saying that Naomi needs to sell a field. The reason for looking for a kinsman redeemer to buy it is in order to keep it within the family, something that was considered to be very important under the Law and within Israel. Initially the other kinsman is keen to buy the field.

4:5-8

Boaz then adds the provision that acquiring the field also involves acquiring Ruth as a wife. Now to our Western ears this may sound rather offensive. However, the reason for this was to keep the family line going. We should also note that there is a very practical approach to marriage in the Bible, something our society could well learn from. At the same time, it is clear from the book of Ruth that Boaz does love Ruth and has genuine affection for her. Romance and practicality go together.

On learning that he would have to take Ruth as a wife, the other kinsman backed out, thinking that it might endanger his own estate. At this point the deal was sealed and Boaz would take the field and Ruth.

Acts 24:1-9 - He is a ringleader

24:1-4

So five days later Ananias, the high priest,  and some elders went down to Caesarea to make their case. They took with them a lawyer named Tertullus, he would be their lead spokesman. So Tertullus presented his case, beginning with a fair degree of flattery. He praised the governorship of Felix, mentioning, in particular, the “long period of peace” and his “reforms”. So Tertullus is trying to butter up the governor.

24:5-9

Tertullus then moves to the case, claiming that Paul was “stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world”. Now riots had often occurred when Paul spoke, but that was a result of Jews trying to stir up trouble. He was described as a “ringleader of the Nazarene sect”. “Nazarene sect” was a term used by the Jews for Christians. Paul was indeed a leader, but ringleader implies something illicit, e.g. leading something illegal. He was then accused of trying to desecrate the temple, which was manifestly untrue. The rubbish spouted by Tertullus was supported by the other Jews.

Ruth 3:10-18 - The Lord bless you my daughter

3:10,11

Boaz seems quite taken by Ruth’s actions. Why had Boaz not acted sooner? He was probably somewhat older than Ruth and thought she would want someone younger. In all this tale there is both initiative on the part of Boaz, especially in his earlier actions, and his actions after this. But there is also initiative on the part of Ruth as we see here. It is like that in coming to Christ. Is it Christ who seeks us out, or is it we who seek Christ? The answer is yes. Jesus portrays Himself as the good shepherd seeking out the lost sheep, but He also says “seek and you shall find”. In the parable of the prodigal son, the son realises the mess he has made of his life and decides to return home, but the Father lavishes riches on him beyond his wildest dreams., Boaz responds very favourably to Ruth’s request, and declares that she is “a woman of noble character”. 

3:12-15

Boaz will act properly. There was a relative who was closer than he, so he would give this other relative “first refusal”. Boaz is not set on his course. So Ruth remained at his feet and left early in the morning so that no one would recognise her. Boaz wanted things to remain private for the time being so that there would not be any gossip. He also gave Ruth six measures of barley to take home.

3:16-18

On returning home Naomi asked how things had gone, and Ruth told her all that Boaz had said and done, including the six measures of barley. Naomi assures Ruth that Boaz will act quickly, and to wait patiently.