by Jen | Oct 1, 2024 | 1-18, DISO studies, Ruth 3
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hello again. This week, I’m praying for restoration for those adversely impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast U.S. May God comfort and strengthen them for the road ahead and bless the efforts of all who help them. And I ask this in the name of Jesus, who’s mightier than any force of nature. Amen.
Here’s what I discovered from comparisons, causes, and conditions in Ruth 3.
Last Week’s Work
COMPARISONS
This time, I found three comparisons, all in the comments Boaz made to Ruth:
- Verse 10: … you have made this kindness greater than the first…
He views her request for redemption a greater kindness than all that [she had] done for [her] mother-in-law (Ruth 2:11).
- Verse 10: I also think there’s an indirect comparison between Boaz and other men in verse 10 when he says she hadn’t gone after young men, whether poor or rich. This makes me think Boaz was older than Ruth—maybe a lot older.
- Verse 12: … a redeemer nearer than I…
From the context in verse 13, this impacts his ability to redeem her: the nearer relative apparently gets first choice in the matter.
CAUSES/MOTIVATIONS
Of the nine cause statements I discovered in this passage, only two seem really relevant to Boaz’s promise to redeem Ruth if he can:
- Ruth’s request: spread your wings over your servant for [because] you are a redeemer in verse 9; and
- Boaz’s promise: I will do for you all that you ask for [because] you are a worthy woman (verse 11).
CONDITIONS/METHODS
I especially noticed two conditions in this chapter: Boaz describing Ruth as a worthy woman (verse 11), and his statement that the other redeemer was nearer (verse 12). These conditions highlight to me the conflict that makes this story so compelling: Ruth deserves to be redeemed. Even though she’s a foreigner, her remarkable kindness to Naomi and respect for Boaz (and even his servants!) make her desirable to Boaz. But there is another male relative of Elimelech’s who has a superior claim to her. If this scenario were set in our culture, we’d practically expect Boaz to just do what he wanted and marry her without even checking with the other man. Instead, he explains the process to her and indicates he will abide by the other man’s decision.
Dig-In Challenges
Now that we’ve collected all these facts, we need to make sure we’re viewing them the same way Ruth’s author and his audience would have interpreted this story.
Here’s how I’ll be working toward that this week:
- PRAY. Of course!
- REFINE: Next, let’s reread Chapter 3. We’ve already determined the overall writing type in Ruth is narrative, so now we’re just looking for instances of instruction, law, letter, poetry, and/or prophecy.
- REFINE: After that, let’s review the historical context of this book: We know from our earlier research that this story is set in the days when the judges ruled, and everyone basically did what they wanted to do. All the more reason that Boaz’s behavior is unusual!
We also know no author is named for this book, but the mention of King David in Chapter 4 indicates it was written after 1010BC. I would like to do a little research to see if I can find anything that further explains Boaz’s statement about a nearer redeemer.
REMEMBER: if you decide to research historical context like this, stick with factual, historical resources and avoid commentary.
- REFINE: Finally, let’s examine key words and/or phrases (I’ll look at verses 10-13, plus anything the Spirit flags from the law) using an interlinear Bible, and note what the Spirit reveals. Interlinear Bibles are available on several study websites (I’ll be using the Blue Letter Bible Interlinear tool), and show a verse in the original Hebrew or Greek providing details about each word, including its meaning in context. As usual, I encourage you to log anything the Spirit illuminates from this exercise.
This “refining” step is more involved than the “mining” we did earlier, but I encourage you to use these tools and dig as much as you can this week. I pray the Spirit will bless your efforts, my friend!!
GO TO WEEK 6 >
by Jen | Oct 8, 2024 | 1-18, DISO studies, Ruth 3
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Welcome back, my friend! If you’re in or keeping a watch on central Florida, please pray with me for protection over those who haven’t even recovered from Hurricane Helene as Milton threatens to make landfall later this week. Thankfully, this path is projected to vary widely from Helene’s deadly stomp through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, but two major storms in as many weeks has us wondering what will the next seven weeks be like? God knows, He sees, He is here with us. I’ll praise Him in the storm!
Last Week’s Work
WRITING TYPES
The narrative we identified in Ruth 1 continues here in chapter 3. I also noticed three instructions in verses 11 and 13, all of which were spoken by Boaz to Ruth:
- Do not fear (v11)
This one seemed particularly appropriate to the weather and other things out of control in this world right now!
- Remain tonight (v13)
- Lie down until the morning (v13).
Next, the Spirit prompted me to notice a reference to Hebrew law again in Ruth 3:9, and 12-13 (see Ruth 2). More about that in the section called Historical Context, below. Last, in v9, I noted poetry again: this time Ruth references Boaz’s poetic expression from Ruth 2, in her statement, spread your wings over your servant. We know Naomi instructed Ruth to go to Boaz that evening (3:3-4), but the text says nothing about asking him to redeem her. In the Ruth 2 study, I loved how Boaz described her trek to Bethlehem (2:12) as coming under Elohim’s wings for refuge/protection. That she used similar language to ask for Boaz’s help couldn’t be coincidence. Did she do that to remind him of their previous conversation?
LITERAL CONTEXT
As I mentioned last time, Naomi and Ruth had no one to provide for them. They were able to eat during the barley harvest because Ruth gleaned. But once the harvest was over (as it would have been if Boaz was threshing and winnowing the grain), how would they survive?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
From my research for Ruth 1, the author of Ruth is unknown and it was believed to be written about 1010 BC. In Ruth 2, I discovered Naomi and Ruth’s return from Moab could have taken place during a conflict between the two countries, and this term gā’al, translated redeemer, referred to a man who fulfilled certain next-of-kin obligations under Hebrew law, including:
- Levirate marriage, or marrying a brother’s childless widow and having at least one son by her who would bear the deceased relative’s name and perpetuate his lineage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6)
- Redemption, or purchase, of a poor relative who sold himself into slavery (Leviticus 25:47-49)
- Redemption of the field of a poor relative sold to raise money (Leviticus 25:25)
- Avenging the murder of a dead relative (Numbers 35:16-19).
As I consider these duties, especially the second one, I’m reminded of Jesus’s statements: everyone who sins is a slave to sin, and if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (see John 8:34-36 NLT). I’ve heard it said everything in the Old Testament testifies to Jesus. I know these characters appear in his genealogy (Matthew 1:5-16). It’s breathtaking how I find Jesus everywhere I look in these sixty-six books written by dozens of different men over 1500 years!
INTERLINEAR RESEARCH
I reviewed the interlinear text of several phrases in verses 11-13, but what really caught my attention was as the Lord lives in 3:13. I assumed this was probably an oath Boaz made to Ruth, but there was so much more in the detail around the word for lives (ḥay, H2416).
Here’s the definition I found at Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon on blb.org: of God, as the living one, the fountain of life (emphasis mine). The entry also included a reference to Job 19:25: For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. As I read Job 19, I realized this statement is made after Job’s lamentation about being abandoned by family. That made me think of Naomi, whose Israelite family died, and then half of her Moabite family abandoned her when she headed back to Bethlehem. Also, the word translated Redeemer in Job is the same Hebrew word (H1350 gā’al), we see throughout Ruth. From that, the Spirit reminded me of two promises: first, Boaz’s to Ruth that he would redeem her and save her life, sealed not only this oath, but also by his provision of food for her and Naomi throughout the harvest season (Ruth 2:21-23, 3:15). And second, Jesus’s promise to redeem all those who believe in him from eternal death, the punishment for unforgiven sin (see Romans 15:12-21).
What awesome revelations! Friend, this is the third time I’ve studied the book of Ruth inductively, and every time, I get a glimpse of new and amazing treasure here! Let’s keep digging!
Dig-In Challenges
This week, let’s wrap up the second half of our Refine step by examining cross-references and other translations.
- Don’t forget to begin with your prayer from Step 1.
- REFINE: Then consult a concordance or online cross-reference study tool (for v10, I’ll start at this blb.org page) to find and read through the available cross-references for the verses you’re most interested in and log what the Spirit shows you.
NOTE: if you’re interested in verses other than 10, follow the above link, then point to the TOOLS button to the left of the verse you want to study, and choose Cross-Refs from the menu.
- REFINE: Finally, compare at least a few other translations’ version of the same verses and write about what you find in your study journal. I’ll be comparing ESV, AMP, NIV, and GNT using this biblehub.com page. You can compare your own verses from that link by entering them in the Enter Reference or Keyword box at the top of the page and clicking the spyglass icon there.
Lord willing, I’ll be back next week to show you what I discovered. I hope you join me then!
GO TO WEEK 7 >
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 >
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
