A Lineage of Grace (40 page)

“All is well,” she said.

“Then why do you look the way you do?”

“What way do I look?”

“Like a woman ready to do battle.”

He was blind only when it came to his young wife. “Can we walk together and talk somewhere that people won’t be listening to our every word and watching our every move?”

Frowning, Boaz fell into step beside her, matching his pace to hers as she walked out of Bethlehem. She said nothing for a long time. Let him stew and wonder. Let him
ask
.

“Did Ruth send you?”

“No, she didn’t send me. I came of my own accord. Someone has to light a fire under you.”

“A fire?”

She stopped and looked up at him. “There are times when a man can safely put his heart above his head, Boaz.”

He stepped away uneasily. “What are you talking about, Naomi?”

“What do you think I’m talking about? You love her, don’t you?” The color that poured into his face was all the answer she needed. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “When do you intend to tell her you married her for reasons other than honor and legal obligations?”

“She knows,” he said dully.

Naomi threw her arms in the air. “And how would the girl know?” She paced back and forth in front of him. “You managed to stay home with her for the seven days of the wedding celebration, but then you dove back into your life as usual. You spend every waking hour overseeing things your overseer gets paid to oversee. And if you’re not about your own business, you’re tending everyone else’s business at the gate. You treat Ruth like a guest in your house! She is
your wife
!”

She stopped reproaching him, satisfied with his stunned look. She pulled her shawl tightly around her and glared up at him. “I knew about Rishon, Boaz. Did you think I could spend a whole month in Bethlehem and not know about every living relative and friend I’d left behind? I didn’t want Rishon to have Ruth! Would he hold her in the esteem you do? Would he love her? I watched you sitting at the city gate, and I saw the way you looked at my daughter-in-law when she was coming in from your fields. And I praised God for you and the feelings you had for her! That’s why I sent Ruth to you. I sent her to you because
you loved her
.”

“Yes, I love her,” he said roughly. “And now you have a son to carry on Elimelech’s name. What more do you want from me, Naomi?” He turned away and raked a hand back through his hair.

She let out her breath. Compassion filled her, along with an aching regret. “I want you to be happy, Boaz. I want you to accept the gift I gave you.”

“I have accepted Ruth.”

“No, you haven’t.”

He turned and looked at her, his eyes dark with pain. “Her son will have everything I own. Is that not acceptance? Does that not show how highly I esteem her—and you?”

“Ruth is in love with you, Boaz.”

He stared at her. “What?” She’d never seen a man look more astounded. “What did you say?”

“I said . . . Ruth . . . is . . . in . . . love . . . with you.” She spoke slowly, as she would to a child slow to understand.

“She can’t be.”

“Why?” Though it would hurt, she needed to speak plainly. “Because I was blind to your beauty? And you are beautiful, Boaz, beautiful in all the ways that count, all the ways that last. Ruth sees you more clearly than I ever did, my dear, dear friend. Now, it’s you who must open your eyes and see the girl you married.”

“Should I believe the impossible?”

“Is anything impossible with God? I have prayed for this to happen. I know a dozen others who have prayed as well. Half of Bethlehem prays for you and Ruth! Does God not hear our prayers? Do you know how many people in Bethlehem watch and wait for the Lord to bring the greatest blessing of all upon you both?
Love.
And now He has.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“You can say this with the same mouth that praises God who performs miracles? I know of what I speak. I left her, weeping, not long ago.”

“Weeping?”

“Because you’re never home where you belong.”

He stood a moment, silent, and then he laughed, amazed.

It was good to hear him laugh, even better to see the light in his eyes, a light she had never seen shine so brightly.

His smile softened, his eyes searching hers. “It is strange, isn’t it, Naomi? I loved you once.”

“And I was a thoughtless, shallow, young girl.” She came close and put her hand upon his arm. “Now I’m your mother-in-law,” she said with a sly grin. She gave his arm a playful slap. “So show some respect for an old woman. Go home,
my son
. Go home to my daughter, Ruth, who loves the ground you walk on.”

Boaz leaned down and kissed her cheek. “May God bless you, Naomi,” he said hoarsely.

Naomi watched him stride away. She shook her head in wonder that Ruth and Boaz could have so little confidence in themselves. Ah, but they had unshaken faith in God. And that was a good thing. No, it was the best thing of all. For God would never disappoint them.

Turning her back, Naomi blinked back tears as she looked out over the harvested fields. She thought of Elimelech. She thought of Kilion and Mahlon and ached with her losses. And yet, she thanked God as well, for despite their many sins, as well as her own, their names would not die out after all.

* * *

Boaz’s throat was tight, his heart pounding, as he entered the house. “Ruth?”

“I’m here!” She sounded surprised. When he entered the main chamber, he saw her rise and step out from behind her loom, tense and wide-eyed. “Boaz.” She blushed. “You’re home early.”

“Do you mind?”

“Oh, no. Of course not.”

He walked toward her, searching her face. Her cheeks were deeper pink than usual. Her eyes widened even more as he came closer. She lowered her head. Was he making her uncomfortable? She reached out and fingered the cloth she was weaving, then put her hand quickly at her side. He’d never seen her more nervous. But then, she was no less nervous than he.

“Have you spoken to Naomi?” Her voice was strangely constricted.

“Yes, though I can scarcely believe what she said.”

She looked up at him. “What did she say?”

He was afraid of saying too much, so he said cautiously, “She said . . . you wanted to speak with me.” This time there was no doubting the color in her cheeks. “I apologize. I’ve embarrassed you. I think she misunderstood, or I did, or—”

She interrupted. “No. I hoped she would talk to you.”

He stared at her. “You’ve only to say what you wish, Ruth. Obed can have my portion.”

“You have land enough for many sons, Boaz.”

His heart began to pound.

Her smile was shy after saying something so bold. But she wasn’t finished. She stepped closer, looking him full in the face. “I would give you as many sons and daughters as you and God will allow.”

“Oh, my love.” Her eyes flickered in surprise and then filled with so much hope that he no longer doubted her feelings. He gave a soft laugh. “When I heard people talking about you, when you and Naomi first arrived, I knew you were something very special. And then when you came to my field . . . it gave me pause that a man of my age could be so stirred.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed herself against him, crying. Perplexed, he held her closer. She was trembling and weeping. What had he said to bring on such grief? Breathing in the incense of her hair, he thought of the night she had come to him on the threshing floor. She had worn perfume then, but he preferred her as she was now. She smelled like springtime, and she made him feel young again. “What can I say or do to make you happy?”

“I
am
happy!”

“But you’re weeping.”

“Yes, I am, aren’t I?” She looked up and laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve never been more happy! I want to laugh and sing and dance, all because you love me.”

He laughed with her, relishing the outpouring of her feelings. “I would have spoken sooner if you had given me some small hint of your own feelings.”

“How could I, when I was convinced you would be embarrassed?”

“So. Are you going to tell me now that you fell in love with me at first sight?”

“No, but I admired you from the first day when you were so kind to me.”

“Like a father,” he said dryly.

“Only because you persisted in calling me ‘daughter.’”

He cupped her cheek tenderly. “I had to remind myself daily that I was too old for you, and that it was far from appropriate for me to feel the way I did.”

“So I had to come to you and propose on the threshing floor.”

“And you wouldn’t have done so if Naomi hadn’t pressed you into it.”

“I’m glad she did. May the Lord bless her forever for it!” Ruth shook her head and let out her breath softly, her smile softening. “I never thought I could love another as I did Mahlon, and what I feel for you now is so much more. Oh, Boaz, God is merciful! He is kind and generous.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gazed up at him with adoring eyes.

Boaz cupped her face and drank in the sight of her love. “The Lord is all that and more, my love.”
Oh, Lord God, You amaze me! Never would I have dared dream of having such a treasure as this.

Leaning down, Boaz kissed Ruth with all the love he had stored for a lifetime.

* * *

And the women were saying . . .

“I thought she was pretty before, but even more so now. Have you ever seen a more beautiful woman than Ruth?”

“It’s love that’s done it.”

“It’s the clothes. It’s got to be the clothes. Anyone can be beautiful when you’re married to the richest man in town.”

“If you put sackcloth on that girl, she’d still shine.”

“She’s a lamp on a stand.”

“Have you seen the way she looks at Boaz?”

“Have you seen the way
he
looks at
her
?”

The women giggled.

“I should be so lucky.”

“Naomi must be proud of her matchmaking.”

“A word here, a nudge there.”

“Boaz didn’t need much prodding.”

“Are any among us more deserving? Has anyone been more generous to the poor than Boaz?”

“Has anyone shown more devotion to her mother-in-law than Ruth?”

“Ah, but it is God who has poured His blessings upon them.”

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

* * *

And the men were saying . . .

“I rejoice at our brother’s happiness!”

“As do we all, brother!”

“Boaz waited a long time for the Lord to answer his prayer.”

“A good wife is more precious than rubies.”

“Beauty doesn’t last.”

“True, but Ruth is a young woman who fears God and respects her husband.”

“And loves him. Anyone with eyes can see.”

“She is to be highly praised.”

“May our brother’s household increase.”

“May their sons be like Boaz, and their daughters like Ruth!”

“From your mouth to God’s ears.”

And the assembly at the gate all said, “Amen!”

EPILOGUE

This is the family tree of Boaz, beginning with his ancestor Perez: Perez (whose mother was Tamar), Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David, who became king of Israel. And from the line of King David came the Christ, the anointed One of God, Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

SEEK AND FIND

Dear reader,

You have just read the story of Ruth as perceived by one author. Is this the whole truth about the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz? Jesus said to seek and you will find the answers you need for life. The best way to find the truth is to look for yourself!

This “Seek and Find” section is designed to help you discover the story of Ruth as recorded in the Bible. It consists of six short studies that you can do on your own or with a small discussion group.

You may be surprised to learn that this ancient story will have applications for your life today. No matter where we live or in what century, God’s Word is truth. It is as relevant today as it was yesterday. In it we find a future and a hope.

Peggy Lynch

DECLARATIONS

SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

Read the following passage:

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. During their stay in Moab, Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or sons.

Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes instead of coming with me. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.

“No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.”

But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has caused me to suffer.”

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. “See,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” So when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped urging her.

RUTH 1:1-18

• There are many life-changing events that come into our lives. List all the life-changing events you find in the above passage.

• How many of these events were the result of Naomi’s choices?

• What is her response to these events?

• What do you learn about Naomi’s daughters-in-law?

• What choices did they make?

• With whom do you identify?

FIND GOD’S WAYS FOR YOU

• What life-changing events have you experienced?

• Who helped you through these events?

• What kind of counsel did you receive?

Naomi and Ruth needed wisdom to make their decisions. Contrast worldly wisdom and godly wisdom from the following passage:

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

JAMES 3:13-18

STOP AND PONDER

• Based on your contrast of wisdom from the passage you just read, which kind of wisdom do you seek? Which kind of wisdom do you impart to others?

PROVISIONS

SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

Read the following passage:

So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was stirred by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?”

So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

RUTH 1:19-22

• When Ruth and Naomi arrive in Bethlehem, how are they received?

• What is Naomi’s attitude? Whom does she blame for her misfortunes?

Read the following passage:

Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.

One day Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the fields to gather leftover grain behind anyone who will let me do it.”

And Naomi said, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

RUTH 2:1-3

• Describe Ruth’s plan to take care of her mother-in-law.

• Who owned the field where she worked? Who was he?

Read the following passage:

Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to bother you. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully.”

“I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not as worthy as your workers.”

RUTH 2:8-13

• What did the landowner offer her and why?

• What is Ruth’s response?

FIND GOD’S WAY FOR YOU

• When you are faced with life’s misfortunes or even the everyday “calamities,” how do you respond?

• Whom do you blame? Why?

• Do you identify with either Ruth or Naomi? Why?

Read the following verse:

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

EPHESIANS 6:7

• Ruth accepted the circumstances that had placed her in a humbling, subservient position. What does Ephesians 6:7 say about serving?

STOP AND PONDER

• Read Ephesians 6:7 again. What kind of servant are you?

REPUTATIONS

SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

Read the following passage:

Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said.

“The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied.

Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that girl over there?”

And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest over there in the shelter.”. . .

At lunchtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here and help yourself to some of our food. You can dip your bread in the wine if you like.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her food—more than she could eat.

When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!”

So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it came to about half a bushel. She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the food that was left over from her lunch.

“So much!” Naomi exclaimed. “Where did you gather all this grain today? Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!”

So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. And she said, “The man I worked with today is named Boaz.”

“May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.”

Then Ruth said, “What’s more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed.”

RUTH 2:4-7, 14-21

• In the previous lesson, we read that Boaz was “a wealthy and influential man.” What evidence do you find in this passage to support that statement?

• What report did Boaz receive from his foreman regarding Ruth?

• What did Boaz offer Ruth and why?

• Why do you think Boaz gave special orders to his young men regarding Ruth?

• How did Naomi respond to Boaz’s provision?

FIND GOD’S WAYS FOR YOU

• What does it mean to you to have character?

• Difficult situations in life reveal our real character. What kind of report could be given about you?

• What opportunities have you had to encourage people less fortunate than yourself? How have you treated them?

Read the following passage:

Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.”

JAMES 2:14-18

• According to this passage, how important are your actions toward others in need?

STOP AND PONDER

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. . . . And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

MATTHEW 25:35-36, 40

• What would the King have to say about you?

COLLABORATION

SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

Read the following passage:

One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his workers. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished his meal. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.

After Boaz had finished his meal and was in good spirits, he lay down beside the heap of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight, Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he demanded.