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| Welcom to larom.org. This section of Bible studies continues our look at Bible pictures of God's character. It is amazing how this study helps you see what a loving God we have. He was willing to take risks to win our love and admiration. He is honored by our love and faithfulness even during poverty and sickness. He treasures His children and hears every cry for help. |
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The story of Ruth A Story showing love and devotion A woman of race declared as heathen is adopted into God's family |
| Song: The
Desires of your heart Psalms 37: 4,5
Soon will add another song: You are My home |
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RUTH
Having suffered financial losses, the family needed help. They chose to move out of the land of their inheritance among the Israelites in hopes of recovering from the famine. God had laws which made their land stay in the family. Tragedy struck the home as one by one all the men died. The three widows were devastated. Naomi decided to return to her homeland. The daughters were told to go back to their families and find husbands. Another aspect of this disaster was that Naomi had no children left. She had no hope of keeping her land unless she could bear more children. Since she was too old for that, life looked extremely dark for her future. That is the way the customs were in the land of Israel. Ruth was very concerned about her mother in law and also she loved the truths that she had learned from her about the God in heaven. She refused to leave and insisted on going along and helping take care of her mother- in- law. |
Ruth sweetly cleaned house, and gleaned in the fields to help in every
way. Many people commented that Ruth was a valuable asset to the poor
widow Naomi. |
 One
day while Ruth gleaned in the fields, Boaz showed her kindness. He
asked that his workers drop extra grain in her pathway. He was concerned about his relative. |
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Naomi encouraged Ruth to do what their custom was. When a man dies, it was
the Jewish custom for a relative to marry the widow and raise up children
to carry on the line of inheritance for the dead man.
Ruth was nervous about the plan. When the harvest was over, she asked Boaz if he would be her husband. The way she asked was very different from today's customs, but Boaz understood. She laid down at his feet and when he woke up, she asked that he cover her with the edge of his covers. That was an old custom. It was a known signal for a custom to be kept. He respected her very much. He went immediately to the city counsel to arrange things for their wedding. It
was discovered there was a closer relative than Boaz. There were a few
anxious moments for Boaz and Ruth and Naomi. God gave them just the
right words to say. The other relative was a very selfish man. He was more
worried about material things than family. He didn't want Ruth around.
This opened the way for Boaz to get the land for Naomi that belonged to
her husband before he died. He took off his shoe and the deal was made. |
| Ruth
and Boaz were happily married and a little boy was born. The Bible says
that it was born to Naomi. That is because they were keeping the family
name going for the dead husband of Naomi. You can be sure grandma Naomi
carried around this grandson everywhere. She must have showed all her
neighbors and relatives. What a party they must have had over this bundle
of life. God was pleased with the joy that Ruth brought to this
family. She loved the truth about God and was adopted into God's family
because of her faith and love. This boy grew up and was an ancestor of
king David.
He was the center of attention. God brought happiness to the sad hearts of two widows because of the love and devotion of Ruth. |
| Boaz
was a symbol of Jesus. He redeemed Ruth and Naomi. Jesus is the redeemer
for this whole world of damaged people. He brought them security and
tenderly treasured Ruth and his mother-in-law relative. Ruth was not only
adopted into the family of God, she was given the privilege of bearing a
child who was in the ancestral line up for the birth of Jesus.
This love story has a picture of the love of Jesus to each of us on this earth. He tenderly treasures all who trust in Him, love and obey Him. |
| In
Ruth 4:12, all the people and elders said a most interesting comment to
Boaz about Ruth and Naomi.
"And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman." Out of scornful circumstances, God brought blessings in the house of those mentioned. All understood the stigma that usually rested on a Moabite woman. They were saying God could bless Ruth for her faithfulness no matter what stigma was on her. |
| Credits:
3d graphics made January 7,2003, are a result of my young son who began asking God for the gift
of 3d art at the tender age of 10. He is very interested in the themes of the
sanctuary and 10 commandments. Now at age 13, he delights to serve God by
making pictures to help others. He has cheerfully submitted pictures for
the glory of God.
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The
story of Ruth begins with a family who is having trouble in time of
famine. They move to an area where they expect to do better financially.
The two boys grow up and find wives of a different race, the Moabites,
Orpha and Ruth. Moabites were not recommended for fellowship of
Jews. The mother Naomi loved her new daughters and they loved
her. They were sweet girls and respected God.