Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.1 Naomi’s obsession with getting Ruth married does bother me somewhat.
v.1 Naomi’s obsession with getting Ruth married does bother me somewhat.
i knew it! i knew this was going to end up in some sort of relationship between ruth and boaz.
i’m curious as to what a feet uncovering ceremony truly means and how it came into being as a ritual.
what bothers you about naomi’s obsession, susan? interested in your thoughts…
i knew it! i knew this was going to end up in some sort of relationship between ruth and boaz.
i’m curious as to what a feet uncovering ceremony truly means and how it came into being as a ritual.
what bothers you about naomi’s obsession, susan? interested in your thoughts…
A feet uncovering ceremony had to do with the practice of continuing a family line. Of course they didn’t have legal documents in those days so these kind of rituals were the forerun of such documents. When the land was divided up in the days of Joshua, processes were put in place so that the land stayed with within a tribe, and within a family line. So by asking Boaz to “Spread the corner of you garment over me since you a family guardian” she was asking Boaz to marry her, in order that her first husband’s land could stay in the family. As Wendy said previously Boaz was probably a good deal older than Ruth which is what Boaz alludes to in v.10. I find it quite complicated as to how this worked in practice but I do know the land as an inheritance was very important to them.
I’ll be back late with my thoughts on Noami wanting Ruth married.
A feet uncovering ceremony had to do with the practice of continuing a family line. Of course they didn’t have legal documents in those days so these kind of rituals were the forerun of such documents. When the land was divided up in the days of Joshua, processes were put in place so that the land stayed with within a tribe, and within a family line. So by asking Boaz to “Spread the corner of you garment over me since you a family guardian” she was asking Boaz to marry her, in order that her first husband’s land could stay in the family. As Wendy said previously Boaz was probably a good deal older than Ruth which is what Boaz alludes to in v.10. I find it quite complicated as to how this worked in practice but I do know the land as an inheritance was very important to them.
I’ll be back late with my thoughts on Noami wanting Ruth married.
I just read what I wrote earlier – I really do need a proof reader!
I guess it is not really Naomi’s obsession that bothers me since in that culture a woman was financially destitute without a husband and Naomi wanted Ruth to be “well provided for” v.1. However in our culture it bothers me that some people are still obsessed about women getting married. As if a woman can only be complete (or worthwhile) if they have a husband.
I also think it is dangerous to believe that a spouse will meet all our needs.
I just read what I wrote earlier – I really do need a proof reader!
I guess it is not really Naomi’s obsession that bothers me since in that culture a woman was financially destitute without a husband and Naomi wanted Ruth to be “well provided for” v.1. However in our culture it bothers me that some people are still obsessed about women getting married. As if a woman can only be complete (or worthwhile) if they have a husband.
I also think it is dangerous to believe that a spouse will meet all our needs.
Ok Jon 🙂
You are such a romantic fellow.
Looks like Boaz was interested in Ruth from the start.
He said “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask.”
He’s totally ready for this … he jumps at the opportunity. He’s thought about the closer kinsman redeemer in his way. He just needed the green light from Ruth.
Naomi must have noticed the twinkle in his eye for Ruth. I don’t think she would have set her up for any problems. If Ruth was like a lot of women she may not have even noticed that Boaz was interested in her in that way … not knowing the customs of her new land and the kinsman-redeemer.
Another thing that is curious to me is this… “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
Was the threshing floor a man’s domain?
And why was it important to go to him in that way … under cover of night and having to sneak to his side while he slept? Why couldn’t this have been done in the comfort of the living room or kitchen table in one or the other’s home.
Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”
Is this another indication that Naomi noticed Boaz’ interest?
Cool.
Ok Jon 🙂
You are such a romantic fellow.
Looks like Boaz was interested in Ruth from the start.
He said “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask.”
He’s totally ready for this … he jumps at the opportunity. He’s thought about the closer kinsman redeemer in his way. He just needed the green light from Ruth.
Naomi must have noticed the twinkle in his eye for Ruth. I don’t think she would have set her up for any problems. If Ruth was like a lot of women she may not have even noticed that Boaz was interested in her in that way … not knowing the customs of her new land and the kinsman-redeemer.
Another thing that is curious to me is this… “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
Was the threshing floor a man’s domain?
And why was it important to go to him in that way … under cover of night and having to sneak to his side while he slept? Why couldn’t this have been done in the comfort of the living room or kitchen table in one or the other’s home.
Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”
Is this another indication that Naomi noticed Boaz’ interest?
Cool.
It is interesting how a person’s culture dictates what is important for you to be able to get by.
Old values die hard eh 🙂
It is interesting how a person’s culture dictates what is important for you to be able to get by.
Old values die hard eh 🙂
Happy Australia Day, Susan!!
I heard through the blog grape vine that it is on the horizon.
I just watched this video from a fellow Aussie blogger.
http://deconstructedchristian.blogspot.com/
This is absolutely incredible how Christians around the world are in touch.
Woohoo!!!
Happy Australia Day, Susan!!
I heard through the blog grape vine that it is on the horizon.
I just watched this video from a fellow Aussie blogger.
http://deconstructedchristian.blogspot.com/
This is absolutely incredible how Christians around the world are in touch.
Woohoo!!!
Just read v.7 in the Message it reads: she lay down to signal her availability for marriage.
Thanks Wendy, Australia day is the 26th January but the public holiday this year was on the 28th.
And I agree I think Naomi had noticed something between Boaz and Ruth. I thought the thing about the threshing floor was that Boaz didn’t want people to think he had been sleeping with a woman. It is sort of odd though, if this is some sort of custom why all the secrecy?
Btw if you are into ‘pictures’ Boaz is a ‘picture’ of Christ who is willing to extend his covering over us, since Jesus is our ‘kidsman-redeemer’.
Just read v.7 in the Message it reads: she lay down to signal her availability for marriage.
Thanks Wendy, Australia day is the 26th January but the public holiday this year was on the 28th.
And I agree I think Naomi had noticed something between Boaz and Ruth. I thought the thing about the threshing floor was that Boaz didn’t want people to think he had been sleeping with a woman. It is sort of odd though, if this is some sort of custom why all the secrecy?
Btw if you are into ‘pictures’ Boaz is a ‘picture’ of Christ who is willing to extend his covering over us, since Jesus is our ‘kidsman-redeemer’.
v.8 Rather fortunate that something startled Boaz in the middle of the night.
v.8 Rather fortunate that something startled Boaz in the middle of the night.
Just that I’ve heard it said that Ruth uncovered his feet so Boaz would wake up because his feet were cold. Yet there is nothing in the text that says that. Seems more likely that God startled him.
Just that I’ve heard it said that Ruth uncovered his feet so Boaz would wake up because his feet were cold. Yet there is nothing in the text that says that. Seems more likely that God startled him.
3:1-2 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[h] for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. . .”
(From Constable’s Commentary) “A significant theological point emerges here . . . Thus she (Naomi) models one way in which divine and human actions work together. Believers are not to wait passively for events to happen, rather they must seize the initiative, when an opportunity presents itself. They assume that God presents the opportunity.”
3:1-2 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[h] for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. . .”
(From Constable’s Commentary) “A significant theological point emerges here . . . Thus she (Naomi) models one way in which divine and human actions work together. Believers are not to wait passively for events to happen, rather they must seize the initiative, when an opportunity presents itself. They assume that God presents the opportunity.”