Lesson Ten

“Poverty to Riches”

Scripture References: The entire book of Ruth; Matthew 1:5

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https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1%2C+2%2C+3%2C+4&version=KJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A5&version=KJV

Ruth means Friendship

Ruth was a wise woman to accept her place as a servant and daughter-in-law.

She was kind and gentle in her ways. People enjoyed being around Ruth.

THE SAD WIDOW-

There was a famine in Bethlehem. Elimelech, a Jew, moved his wife., Naomi, and two sons to Moab to find enough food for the family. The people in Moab did NOT know the true living God. The sons married women of Moab. One’s name was Orpah and the other Ruth. Soon Elimelech and the two sons died. Naomi decided to go back home to Bethlehem. She said “Good-bye” to her daughters-in-law. Orpah returned to her people and gods in Moab. But Ruth, a Moabitess, truly loved Naomi. She gave the unusual request of verses 16 and 17 in chapter 1. Ruth would go with Naomi, live with her and serve her true and living God. Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

THE SENT WHEAT –

Ruth and Naomi needed some provisions, so Ruth went to gather left over grain in the wheat and barley fields of Boaz (Deuteronomy 24:19-22). The harvesters in the field would leave some grain around the edges of the field for the poor people to come and gather or glean food for themselves. Boaz noticed the beautiful woman and asked the workers who she was. They told Boaz it was the Moabitess that came to Bethlehem with Naomi. Boaz was attracted to Ruth and he commanded the men to give special care to the beautiful woman and not to bother her. Ruth was grateful for the kindness and asked Boaz why he was kind to her, a stranger (Ruth 2:10-14). Boaz had heard about her kindness to Naomi and how Ruth had made the sacrifice of leaving her own country to stay with her. Ruth’s testimony was known. Boaz then told the men to drop on purpose handfuls of grain for Ruth and Naomi. Boaz liked Ruth very, very much.

THE SWEET WEDDING:

Boaz, who was wealthy was a near kinsmen (relative) of Elimelech. Since Boaz was a relative of Elimelech’s he could marry Ruth and have children to carry on the family’s name. That was the custom of that day. There was one man who was nearer of kin and had first choice if he wanted to marry Ruth. Boaz asked Ruth to wait until he could settle the matter of which one was to marry Ruth (Ruth 3:10-18). Naomi assured Ruth and Boaz would do the right thing. Ruth submitted Naomi and Boaz because she trusted the Lord. The nearer kinsmen said, “No.” He could not marry Ruth (Ruth 4:1-12). Therefore, Boaz and Ruth were married. The Lord blessed them with a son named Obed, which. means “a servant who worships.” Obed was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. Thus, we see God used this woman Ruth, a stranger and a Gentile, to be included in the bloodline – family generation of Jesus Christ.

A Thought to Remember –

Make the right decision and serve God! The Lord will guide you all the days of your life and do great and mighty things for you, that thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

Lesson to Learn –

When things go wrong do not give up. Ruth lost her husband and was away from her family but she did not give up. Bad things can happen to Christians. Be as Ruth and keep going. God can make all things work together for good as He did for Ruth (Romans 8:28). As long as there is a God, there is hope. If God can provide for the widow Ruth, He can also take care of you.