by Jen | Nov 12, 2024 | 1-22, DISO studies, Ruth 4
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hello again! Thank you for checking in with me this week. It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving and the Christmas season are almost upon us again. I pray for joyful reunions with family and friends, honoring the spirit of gratitude and the arrival of the greatest Gift of all.
And in the meantime, let’s keep studying Ruth 4!
Last Week’s Work
MY PERSONAL TREASURE
I remain drawn to the original redeemer’s reason why he changed his mind about buying Elimelech’s property after Boaz mentioned Ruth: lest I impair my own inheritance (v6). I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to learn about this reason, but I certainly want to try to understand it better. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Holy Spirit will show me there!
WHO (CHARACTERS)
These are the main characters I noticed in Ruth 4:
- Boaz. In vv1-5, he met the redeemer and assembled a council of elders to witness their discussion of the property sale and Ruth. In vv9-10 he bought the property and acquired Ruth. In v13, the Lord gave Ruth conception with him, and she had a son.
- The closer redeemer, who originally volunteered to buy the property (v4), but backed out when Boaz mentioned Ruth (v6).
- The people at the gate (including elders), who witnessed Boaz’s purchase of Elimelech’s property and acquisition of Ruth (vv9-10), and blessed Ruth and Boaz (vv11-12).
- The women who blessed the Lord and told Naomi He had provided the baby as her redeemer. They also said Ruth was more to Naomi than seven sons (v15), they named the baby Obed, and said he was Naomi’s son (v17). That sounded strange initially, but based on my research on the levirate law in Ruth 3, it makes some sense, since Obed was legally considered Naomi’s son Mahlon’s heir (v10).
- Naomi, who laid the child on her lap and became his nurse (v16).
I also noted several characters mentioned in the genealogy (vv18-22) from Perez to King David, explaining how Boaz fathered Obed who fathered Jesse, who fathered David. Given what we know about the levirate law, I think it’s interesting that this genealogy is traced through Boaz, not Mahlon. Also, why does it start with Perez? Was he maybe the common “father” through whom Boaz and Mahlon were “brothers”?
WHERE (LOCATIONS)
- The gate, where Boaz waited for the redeemer and assembled the council of elders (v1).
- Ephrathah and Bethlehem: locations mentioned in the people’s blessing for Boaz (v11).
- Israel, where the women asked the Lord’s name be renowned (v14).
WHEN (TIMEFRAMES)
The only date I noticed was the/this day (vv5,9-10), when Boaz purchased the field from Naomi and acquired Ruth to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance. I think this was the day after Boaz winnowed barley on the threshing floor (Ruth 3:3-18).
Dig-In Challenges
Here’s what I plan to do this week:
- PRAY before I study using my prayer from last week.
- MINE: Look for repeated concepts in this passage, including synonyms and pronouns referring to those concepts.
- MINE: Locate any special statements (blessings, commands, curses, prayers, promises, requests, and/or warnings) in the passage.
- MINE: Note any lists (3 or more similar items) mentioned in Ruth 4.
See you next week!
CONTINUE TO WEEK 4 >
by Jen | Nov 5, 2024 | 1-22, DISO studies, Ruth 4
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Welcome back to our final study in Ruth—though I encourage you to keep studying this book because there is always something new and different to discover in God’s Word as we grow in our faith; even in Scripture we’ve studied numerous times already!
Also, I have some big news to share!
If you’re a long-time reader, you may remember more than a few years ago I announced I was writing a book about this process. Unfortunately, the project stalled after beta readers kindly but firmly indicated it needed a lot of work. Thanks to God’s grace and many, many prayers, the rewrite is complete, and I’ve submitted it to a content editor for feedback. It’s still a long way from publication, but I am excited that it’s moving forward. Follow me at www.facebook.com/JenCasonDISO to see how the project is progressing, and sign up for my quarterly email newsletter (debuting in January 2025) to learn about cool giveaways as the launch date approaches. I can’t wait to study with you in a book, too!
Last Week’s Work
MY PRAYER
This time I’m using a shorter version. I’ve been editing the rewrite manuscript, so I turned the same tighten-and-cut eye to my study prayer. Hopefully it’s more succinct and clearer now!
Thank You Father God, for this chance to dig into Ruth 4. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who helps me see, understand, and apply Scripture. Help me listen to His teaching and learn and grow from it. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
HUH? and WOW! MOMENTS
Next, I read Ruth 4, focusing on my reactions, and noting what caught my attention. Here are my responses:
- WOW! The redeemer originally intended to buy the land (v4), but didn’t want it when he learned Ruth was part of the deal (v6).
- HUH? The original redeemer explained why he didn’t want to redeem Ruth: lest I impair my own inheritance. (v6) I don’t know what he means by that.
- WOW! I like that the author recorded why the original redeemer rejected Ruth. She was known as a worthy woman in Bethlehem (3:11), so it might not make sense to us that he would reject her. As is often the case these days, when we don’t know the reason, we tend to infer it’s nefarious (“he must have been prejudiced against Moabites,” etc.). Isn’t it awesome that God puts that to rest right there?!
- WOW! The witnesses mention Rachel and Leah, and Tamar (vv11-12). I thought all these women were also mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ, but only Tamar is there (Matthew 1:3). Then I remembered both Rachel and Leah were married to Jacob (Judah’s father)—duh! only one of them could have given birth to Judah! It was Leah is (Genesis 35:23).
- HUH? Boaz redeemed the property and Ruth (vv9-10), but the women said the baby (Obed) was Naomi’s redeemer (vv14-17). How does that work?
Dig-In Challenges
Between now and next week, let’s dig into the facts we find in this chapter. Here’s how:
- PRAY: Read my prayer before studying this passage.
- MINE: Identify which aspect of this study I feel the Spirit leading me to dig deepest into right now. It could be one (or more) of the Huh? and Wow! Moments I wrote about this week, or some other item the Spirit hasn’t yet called to my attention.
- MINE: Focus specifically on the setting of the scene in Ruth 2 (who’s involved, where and when did the action take place), and note anything the Spirit emphasizes.
I hope you’ll check back with me next week!
GO TO WEEK 3 >
by Jen | Oct 29, 2024 | 1-22, DISO studies, Introduction, Ruth 4
Hello! If you’re viewing this blog from the United States, I encourage you to pray for and vote in this year’s election. It may seem like one side or the other has the upper hand and your vote is too small to make a difference, but that is not so. In our study of Mark 9:14-29 last year,* we discovered faith and prayer can move God to miracles. It’s one way we can participate in His good works!
Thanks for joining me in this study of the fourth chapter of Ruth. We’ll be using the 5-step do-it-ourselves study process I’ve developed from decades leading youth and women’s Bible studies.
Let’s Study Ruth 4!
Now that we’ve studied through chapter 1, chapter 2, and chapter 3 of Ruth, let’s work with the Holy Spirit to wrap up this book. This week, I’ll begin by praying and surveying Ruth 4. If you want to work along with me, here’s what I recommend you have ready:
- A copy of Ruth 4, plus access to the entire book of Ruth.
I copy the text from https://www.blueletterbible.org, paste it in a word processing program (Google docs or MS Word), change the formatting to suit my preferences, and print it out. If you want to use the ESV translation, here’s a copy I created with lots of room for doodles and notes.
- A study journal.
Step 5 of this study requires a review of what we’ve learned, so plan to record at least some highlights from your work in Steps 1-4. I’m old-school and like the pen/pencil-and-paper method for journaling my studies, but it’s okay if that doesn’t work for you. If you don’t have time to physically write or type your notes, consider dictating them into a notes app, or recording audio files, instead.
Or, if you don’t have time to study right now, no problem. You’re welcome to just read the posts I publish here. They’ll help you become more familiar with the process and show you how the Spirit speaks to my situation. I’m praying there will be enough similarities between my life and yours that you’ll find it worth your while to keep checking in with me, even if you can’t dig in yourself this time.
Dig-In Challenges
So here’s how I’ll be studying this week:
- PRAY: This time, instead of writing a new prayer, I’ll probably take the easy route and just adjust the one I’ve been using. Feel free to do the same, my friend!
- SURVEY: And then I’ll read Ruth 4, noting anything that makes me say, “huh?” (as in, “I wonder what that means?”) or “wow!” (as in, “that is so awesome!”). I’ll record these and ask the Spirit to reveal which one He would have me dig more deeply into right now.
I’m looking forward to sharing what I discover in this process with you—I hope you’ll keep checking in with me each week!
*If you missed that Mark 9 study, it was a casualty of the takedown by my previous web hosting company a little over a year ago. I’m hoping to restore it and others here early next year. In the meantime, email me at [email protected] or use my contact page to request your copy of a pdf of those posts and related materials.
GO TO WEEK 2 >
by Jen | Oct 22, 2024 | 1-18, DISO studies, Ruth 3
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
SPOILER ALERT: If you don’t know how the story of Ruth and Boaz turns out, this post contains information about it you may not want to read just yet. Come back after we’ve started Ruth 4 if you want to see it for yourself first…
Hello again! It’s so hard to believe we are already wrapping up this study. I hope your dig into Ruth has been as profitable as mine has. God’s Word is so good!
Last Week’s Work
This time, the Spirit called out the poetry in verse 9, “spread your wings over your servant for you are a redeemer.” I commented about how this might have helped Boaz identify Ruth on the dark threshing floor, since he used similar language in their conversation in Ruth 2:12. I also recall seeing similar words in a few of the Psalms attributed to David, the famous king of Israel who was also Boaz’s and Ruth’s great-grandson.
As I studied the Hebrew word ga’al, translated redeemer, I thought about how often I’ve heard Jesus called the Redeemer. He’s not a redeemer in the sense Boaz was: the kinsman who bought Elimelech’s field and married Ruth to provide a son for her childless, late husband. But, to Christians, Jesus is our brother who also fulfilled at least one of the kinsman’s duties. By his death, he redeemed us from slavery to sin and death (see John 8:31-36, Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 1:3-10). I feel the Spirit leading me to dig more deeply into this facet of Jesus’s life—which means our next DISO study text will probably be one of those passages!
CONVICTION
I remain convicted by Boaz’s steadfast commitment to God’s law and his family. He had a humble heart and was very willing to do the right thing, even when the woman who needed rescue was born of people with whom Israel was in conflict.
As I write, I see myself in a similar situation, facing the possible surrender of something I really want, and I believe the Spirit is prompting me to respond as Boaz did: if x happens, good; let it be. But I don’t want x to happen. I want y to happen. So much so that I am catastrophizing any other outcome. That feels like an idol.
CORRECTION
I’m pulled toward two passages in this study: first, a segment of Ruth 3:21, “do not fear,” one of the most repeated commands in God’s Word, I’m told. The second passage is from the cross-references, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is … not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way…”
I believe the Spirit is telling me not to fear the outcome of the situation about which I’m so concerned, and to stop insisting on my own way. I know from experience this doesn’t mean I’m going to get what I want, but I can say—also from experience—whatever happens will be for God’s glory and He will work it out for my good, even if that takes a long time.
ACTION PLAN
So, my action plan is to walk with courage toward this crossing, willing to accept how God chooses to resolve the situation. Like Boaz, the result is completely out of my hands. God knows how I want it to go, but He sees beyond my vision. Both Ruth and Boaz have trusted God in this whole series, and I know it turns out for good all the way around. I’ve got to trust that God is working that way in my situation, too.
Our Next Study
I hope you’ll continue to check in with me as I start our examination of the last chapter in Ruth next week. See you then!
CONTINUE TO RUTH 4 STUDY
by Jen | Oct 15, 2024 | 1-18, DISO studies, Ruth 3
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hello again! I can’t believe we’re almost through with another study: they seem to go so quickly these days. I began studying Ruth just five months ago, and two weeks from today we’ll begin the last chapter, which will take us through to the end of the year.
In the meantime, let’s wrap up refining our understanding of Ruth 3.
Last Week’s Work
CROSS-REFERENCES
Remember at the start of this study, the Spirit helped me choose my wow! reaction to verse 13. I couldn’t believe Boaz was willing to let the other potential redeemer have Ruth. I really thought he cared about her, but he seemed to care even more about the letter of the law. That seemed a little backwards to me, but I realized I was applying my own interpretation (based on my Western, twenty-first century culture perspective). And, as God would have it, the first cross-reference (for Ruth 3:10) I encountered sufficiently adjusted my perception. It’s from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, the love verses: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (emphasis mine).
I believe Boaz really did love Ruth, but he loved God enough to trust that whatever God’s law brought for them, it would be good. He did not insist on his own way; he rejoiced in the truth, that there remained two eligible men to care for Ruth (and Naomi), even if the closer relative chose to take Ruth away from him. Also, from the Ruth 3:13 cross-references, I discovered this in Jeremiah 4:2, …and if you swear, “as the LORD lives,” in truth, in justice, in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him and in him shall they glory. I couldn’t help but think of Boaz in this description!
OTHER TRANSLATIONS
I compared the ESV, Amplified Bible, New International Version, and Good News Translation for verses 10 through 13. Like last time, I didn’t see much difference among these, though with verse 10, the NIV translation of what Boaz said to Ruth about other suitors rendered them younger men, which follows the comparison I thought might be there.
Also, I liked the verbiage the GNT used in verse 12: it is true that I am a close relative and am responsible for you… though last week I discovered Deuteronomy 25:5-10 (the levirate law) specifically identifies the brother-in-law as redeemer of the widow. But Ruth’s brother-in-law was dead. So, at least technically, it seems Boaz and the other kinsman could have just turned their backs if they didn’t want Ruth. Of course, that clearly wasn’t the case for Boaz: he’d gone over and above his obligation when Ruth first gleaned in his field and the night she went to the threshing floor. He definitely seemed to take responsibility for her there.
Dig-In Challenges
This week, let’s wrap up our study of Chapter 3 and align with what we’ve discovered here. I hope you’ll join me as I
- Read the prayer we created in Step 1.
- ALIGN: Review my study notes and other work, focusing specifically on what I’ve learned.
- ALIGN: Then, considering those “lessons learned,” I’ll give some thought to how the Spirit has convicted me through this study. In other words, where has He shown me misalignment between what I’ve discovered and how I practice my faith?
- ALIGN: Next, I’ll look to God’s Word for guidance to correct that misalignment. This is often—but not always—a verse either from the study text or from one of the cross-references.
- ALIGN: And finally, I’ll reflect on how I can change thinking or behavior to align more closely with the redeeming God I’ve discovered here. To really make this work, I commit to changing something and do my best to act on that commitment every day for at least three weeks.
That may seem like a lot to consider in one week. If you’re working with me, just do what you can when you can. It’s far better to take your time and really soak in what you’ve discovered than to run through it so quickly you don’t even have a chance to remember it a week from now.
I’m looking forward to sharing my findings with you next week!
GO TO WEEK 8 >
