The Simple Life

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. Ruth  4:18-22  (ESV) God seems to enjoy using those who have nothing in this world. He used the widow's mite. Moses was hidden in a river, became a murderer, and was called after sitting on the backside of the desert watching sheep. David was a shepherd boy. Paul was a rabblerousing murderer. The disciples were a bunch of nobodies.   Perhaps God used so many "nobodies" because they were perfectly positioned to see God and point to Him when things worked out. Anyone can be successful in life, and having money, power, and influence is not the determining factor. Today, I should embrace the work God has given me and live in a way that reflects who He is. Today, as I do what is right, I need to wait for Him to make everything work t

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. Ruth  4:13-16  (ESV) There were challenging moments in Naomi's life. This was not one of them. Faith and righteousness were rewarded as they always are. When most are on the massive, well-traveled low road, always taking the high road seems ludicrous, yet only the high road leads to life. God chose to make sure that we heard the story of Ruth. Matthew made sure she was mentioned in his genealogy. It's more than a story. It demonstrates how man can and should relate to Go

Then Boaz said, "The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance." Then the redeemer said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it." Ruth 4:5-6 (ESV) The value of the closer relative to Ruth was the land Ruth had title to, not Ruth. In fact, if you look closely at the passage, you see that if this man had married Ruth, he felt he would be jeopardizing his future inheritance. This could only be because Ruth was a Moabite, and any children they may have would not be purely Jewish. This man was interested, but not in Ruth. Ruth was too much of a liability. Boaz and Ruth eventually had a child named Obed, who eventually became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David the king, the line from which the Messiah Himself came. Righteousness and faith are always

And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did you fare, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, 'You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'" She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today." Ruth  3:16-18  (ESV) There is reserved excitement. Naomi thinks that Ruth is one whom any man would love to have as his wife. She knows that in that day there was a specific order that needed to be followed, and that Boaz would be anxious to settle the matter. When we do what is right, there always seems to be this "waiting period." These waiting periods may be difficult, but they allow us to see what we truly believe. Those who know God, work hard and trust God. The hard work was done, and now, waiting for Him to confirm or deny was what was

So she lay at his feet until the morning but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." And he said, "Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out." So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. Ruth  3:14-15  (ESV) Boaz was concerned for Ruth's reputation, and he made sure she was up and gone before anyone would recognize her. Boaz and Ruth knew that nothing improper happened that night, yet if others saw her on the floor with him in the morning, rumors would have flown, and there would have needed to be much "horizontal" energy put into explanations, denials, and so on. Yet, Boaz did not hide the fact that Ruth was there; he sent her home with much barley as a gift to her and Naomi. One must be careful not to cast their pearls before swine. There are those who know the truth and can handle it, and there are t

“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning." Ruth  3:11-13  (ESV) Boaz had been checking out what it would take to "redeem" Ruth. He knew that there was one other person in line before he was to take Ruth as his wife, and he wanted to ensure that all things were done correctly. Boaz was going to fight for the opportunity to care for Ruth. As Ruth lay at his feet the rest of the night, I am sure her mind was racing. There had been a great tragedy in her life and many hard decisions, yet tonight, God seemed to be rewarding her decision by positioning her to be cared for by a man of tremendous integrity and resource. Th

At midnight  the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer." And he said, "May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.” Ruth 3:8-10 (ESV) The genuinely privileged are always amazed at their privilege. Those who think they deserve privilege are usually arrogant, willing to use others to gain for themselves, and love to keep others subservient to their desires. Boaz, a man of great privilege and wealth, seems genuinely moved by Ruth's actions. He saw her as a righteous woman who could attract younger, more suitable men. There was something Ruth saw in Boaz, and something Boaz saw in Ruth that was mutual. He valued righteousness in the woman, had heard of Ruth's decisions, and watch

So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. Ruth 3:6-7 (ESV) It was dark, her presence was unexpected, and her actions demonstrated a vulnerability that few would like to admit, much less show. Boaz could have called her out on such an action, could have abused her throughout the night, or could have made an example of her. But he did not. Life comprises a series of moments built upon each other, just as a mason lays one brick upon another until the walls are completed. Each brick depends upon the previous brick, and when all are laid correctly, the wall stands firm throughout the ages. Ruth had been living the moments of life in a way that each moment was laid correctly in anticipation of one day finishing the walls of her life and then enjoying the strength and stabil

Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do." And she replied, "All that you say I will do."  Ruth 3:2-5 (ESV) It is a fact that, both in those times and up to this hour in the East, servants have been accustomed to lay themselves in this manner at the feet of their master. One modern traveler mentions that his Arab servants were quite in the practice of doing so with him and, in cold evenings, of claiming the privilege, which had descended from immemorial usage, of drawing over themselves the skirts of the long mat or cloak in which his person was enveloped. A. Thomson, D. D. Ruth would make

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” Ruth 3:1 (ESV) Those who genuinely love think about how they might make those around them successful. Naomi was a needy woman, and Ruth rearranged her life to care for her. Now Naomi was thinking about what she could do to help Ruth. In the next few verses, Naomi is going to suggest that Ruth act in a way that would either destroy the opportunities she had been enjoying, or move the relationship that had been developing between Boaz and Ruth to the next level. The suggestion will be bold and perhaps even outside Ruth's personality and normative behavior. Ruth was already demonstrating tremendous vulnerability in Boaz's fields, and Naomi would suggest that she demonstrate even more. Ruth could have ignored Naomi's advice and focused on what her work could and would accomplish. She could have allowed her fears to guide her to remain in the safe crowd of

And Ruth the Moabite said, "Besides, he said to me, 'You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'" And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted." So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth  2:21-23  (ESV) There are always times of vulnerability in life. During those times, there are those whom you can trust, and there are those who would use your situation to better themselves. Those who use their power, authority, privilege, and resources first and foremost to promote more of the same are "users" and eventually become losers. Those who were needy could find help in Boaz's field. I imagine his reputation caused more and more "needy" people to join in gleaning his fields. I suppose there were times w

And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. And her mother-in-law said to her, "Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you." So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, "The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz." Ruth  2:18-19  (ESV) It was obvious to the casual observer that Ruth was being cared for extraordinarily. Some might think it was just the older man Boaz looking out for himself, which could have been. However, it most likely had to do with Ruth and her decisions in life to care, work, and give. God does not need us to accomplish His work, yet He chooses those who position themselves correctly to participate in what He is doing. The privilege she enjoyed came from the position she had been given, and the position she was given was given to her beca

And at mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine." So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her." So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Ruth  2:14-17  (ESV) Some complain about their situation, while others roll up their sleeves and work with what they have. Whining never makes anyone feel better. Hard work can make one sore and tired, but it always enriches one's life. Ruth died to herself, rearranged her life for her needy mother-in-law, and was willing to work hard to meet her needs. She was doing the things that God would

Then she said, "I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants." Ruth 2:13 (ESV) All good things come from God, and we receive them to use them, not to love them. We often get this idea reversed, and we love what we should be using, and we use what we should be loving. It is a terrible, terrible thing when that happens. Our interiors are wired to love, and we can be most genuine or perverted in that area. When anyone loves things that cannot love them back, they have opened the door to all kinds of troubles. Jesus made it very clear in the Scriptures that no one can have two masters. You will love only one and hate the other. If we love "stuff," those we love become a burden or bother to us, for they keep us from our "stuff." Boaz had stuff but loved people, and because of that, all turned out quite well.   Learn More at Relate365.com https://www.podbean.com/relate

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" Ruth  2:10-12  (ESV Strong's) Sometimes, someone notices what we are doing and wants to help. Often, people are wrapped up in their own lives, their thinking, and their comfort levels, but every once in a while, God opens the eyes of one of His children to notice something special happening around them, and allows them to participate in His plan. Perhaps today would be a great day to focus on what is happening in

So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, "The Lord be with you!" And they answered, "The Lord bless you." Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?" Ruth 2:3-5 (ESV) Boaz took the time to notice who was in his field. He noticed those in need and showed a genuine interest. So often, we are lost in our worlds, oblivious to those around us. There could be people you with whom you come in contact today who are in need, but who will not tell you they are in need. A smile, courteous action, or just noticing their plight could be encouraging. Yet, so often, we are so lost in our world that we overlook the collapsing worlds of those around us. Those who love God love people, and those who love people do not need to be co

Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." Ruth 2:1-2 (ESV) Boaz was a worthy man. The word "worthy" would mean the following: intensive, powerful; by implication, a warrior, a tyrant, champion, chief, giant, mighty, strong, or valiant man. We may not be sure of the definition, but we are confident that Elimelech was no slouch. He, most likely, would not be hurting to find a wife, had plenty of resources, and was considered "successful." Ruth was vulnerable and needed to be provided for and protected. When she chose to go out and "beg" or glean to provide for her mother-in-law (remember, this was not her mother), she would have placed herself in a very humbling position. God seems to always work t

So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, "Is this Naomi?" She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?" So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Ruth  1:19-22  (ESV) Life takes on complex changes. Naomi and her husband and sons left about a decade previously, no doubt, to find a better life. Now, Naomi and Ruth return home without husbands, sons, and any way to care for themselves. They would be at the mercy of the community. These ladies were counting on God to care for them, and He would. Undoubtedly, many

And she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." Ruth  1:15-17  (ESV) Following the norm usually distances you from God. It would be expected, and no one would blame Ruth for abandoning her mother-in-law for a chance at remarrying and having a family of her own. But Ruth chose to be a faithful daughter-in-law. When you marry, you marry into a family. Your commitment is to an individual, part of a whole, making you committed to the whole. God values commitment and always seems to honor commitment, and those who choose the path of commitment will one day have no regrets. It is th

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!" Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people." Ruth 1:8-10 (ESV) Naomi understood that she had nothing to offer these young ladies. In her day, a family without men was a disaster, and an older woman to look after would hinder these young ladies from finding a new husband and life. At first, they both understood that nobody would care for Naomi if they left, and they refused the notion. But, as time went on and Naomi honestly told them again that their hope of a better life with her was slim, Orpah agreed and left. Ruth, however, knew Naomi would need care, and refused to go, and in essence, was giving up what could have been. Ruth

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1:1-5 (ESV) All people will go through hard times, and when things get rough, you discover what you truly believe. It is tough enough that Naomi's husband died, but then, her two sons also died, leaving Naomi with two daughters-in-laws and no men in a culture that would make things quite diffi