Ruth: The Journey of Faith and Redemption| The Book of Ruth (Ruth 1-4)

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Ruth: The Journey of Faith and Redemption| Book of Ruth  Follow the inspiring journey of Ruth, a Moabite woman who marries a son of Elimelech and shows unwavering loyalty and faith. Despite facing immense challenges, Ruth's dedication leads her to become an integral part of God's plan. Discover the profound themes of love, loyalty, and divine providence in this timeless story from the Book of Ruth.

Transcript

00:00The story of Ruth Elimelech and his wife Naomi had two sons,

00:11Malon and Kilion, and lived in the town of Bethlehem in Judah.

00:16When the area was hit with famine they decided to leave to find food.

00:20They traveled to the nearby land of Moab and settled there to live.

00:25The Moabite people did not worship God but their own idols.

00:29Some time later Elimelech died.

00:32The two sons grew up and married local Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah.

00:37Sadly tragedy struck again.

00:40Ten years after the two sons had settled in Moab Malon and Kilion both died.

00:46It left three widows, Naomi and her two young Moabite daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah.

00:52When Naomi heard that the Lord had provided food for the people back in Bethlehem she

00:57decided to return.

00:59The three widows packed up their belongings.

01:03Naomi then told her two daughter-in-laws, go back to your own mother's homes.

01:08May the Lord show you the same kindness you have show to your dead husbands and to me.

01:13May God help you find new husbands.

01:16Naomi kissed them both goodbye and they wept aloud.

01:20We will go back with you to your people, they replied.

01:24No you must return home, Naomi insisted.

01:27You can marry again.

01:30Naomi felt embittered and that God was against her.

01:33Orpah and Ruth wept again.

01:36Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and returned home to her mother's house.

01:40Ruth however clung hold of Naomi and would not let go.

01:45Orpah has returned to her people and their gods, said Naomi.

01:49Go back with her.

01:51Don't urge me to leave you, Ruth replied.

01:54Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay.

01:58Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.

02:02Where you die I will die.

02:04When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to stay with her they both set off on the

02:08road to Bethlehem.

02:11They arrived back in Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning.

02:15Their arrival caused quite a stir.

02:19Naomi's grief and suffering had changed her appearance so much that many did not recognize

02:23her.

02:25Can this be Naomi, people asked.

02:28Don't call me Naomi, she insisted.

02:31Call me Mara because God has made my life bitter.

02:35I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty.

02:39The Lord has brought misfortune on me.

02:42After Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem they needed food.

02:46Let me go into the barley fields to pick up the leftover grain.

02:50The poor were allowed to pick up grain that the harvesters had left on the ground.

02:55Go ahead, my daughter, Naomi replied.

02:59Ruth went into the fields belonging to Boaz.

03:02Boaz was a relative of Naomi's dead husband Elimelech.

03:07Later Boaz arrived and greeted the harvesters.

03:10The Lord be with you.

03:12The harvesters replied, The Lord bless you.

03:16Boaz noticed Ruth collecting grain with the poor.

03:20Who is that woman, he asked the man in charge of the harvesting.

03:24She is the Moabite who returned with Naomi, he answered.

03:28She asked permission to pick up grain and has been working hard.

03:33Boaz went across to Ruth.

03:35Stay in these fields with the women who work for me, he said.

03:39I told the men not to lay a hand on you.

03:43When you get thirsty help yourself to the water jars the men have filled.

03:47Ruth bowed down before Boaz.

03:50Why are you treating a foreigner so kindly, she asked.

03:54I have been told how you have cared for Naomi, Boaz answered.

03:59May God, under whose wings you have taken refuge, richly reward you.

04:04Even though I am lower than one of your servants you have spoken kindly to me and put me at

04:08my ease, Ruth responded.

04:11At mealtime Boaz invited her to eat with the other harvesters.

04:16Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar, he said.

04:19He offered her roasted grain.

04:22Ruth ate all she wanted.

04:25When Ruth got up to continue working Boaz gave secret orders to his men.

04:30Let her gather among the sheaves without telling her off.

04:34Even pull out some stalks from the bundles and drop them for her to gather.

04:38Ruth busily gathered grain until the evening.

04:42Ruth threshed the barley she had gathered and took it home to Naomi.

04:46It was a large amount, about thirty pounds.

04:50She also brought Naomi the food leftover from the meal she had with Boaz and the harvesters.

04:56Where did you gather grain today?

04:59Naomi asked.

05:00Who is the man who has been kind to you?

05:03Boaz, Ruth replied.

05:06The Lord bless him, said Naomi.

05:09He is a close relative we know as a guardian redeemer.

05:13He has an obligation to look after a relative who is in need.

05:17From that point on Ruth continued gathering grain in the fields belonging to Boaz.

05:23She stayed close to the other women gathering grain knowing she would be safe.

05:28She worked hard in the barley harvest and then in the wheat harvest that followed making

05:32sure that Naomi had enough food to eat.

05:35One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, My daughter you must have a future where

05:40you will be provided for.

05:42Tonight Boaz will be winnowing barley.

05:45Wash, put on perfume and dress in your best clothes.

05:49Then she told Ruth what to do next.

05:52Ruth made her way down to the threshing floor where Boaz was working making sure she was

05:57not seen.

05:59When Boaz had finished eating and drinking he lay down at the far end of a grain pile.

06:04Ruth crept up to him, uncovered his feet and lay down.

06:08During the night Boaz woke up to find a woman asleep at his feet.

06:13Who are you? he asked.

06:15I am your servant Ruth, she replied.

06:18Spread the corner of your garment over me as you are a guardian redeemer of my family.

06:24A guardian redeemer was someone obliged to look after a relative in need.

06:29Boaz was related to Naomi's dead husband Elimelech.

06:33The Lord bless you replied Boaz.

06:36You have not run after younger men and people know you are a woman of good character.

06:41I am your guardian redeemer but there is another person more closely related than I am.

06:47If he is not willing to redeem you then I will.

06:50Ruth lay at his feet until morning.

06:53Boaz filled the shawl she was wearing with grain to take back to Naomi.

06:58Boaz went to the town gate where business deals were done.

07:02When he saw the guardian redeemer who was more closely related to Naomi's former husband,

07:07he asked him to sit down with ten elders gathered as witnesses.

07:11Naomi is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech, Boaz explained.

07:17You have the first right to buy it but if you do not want to then I will.

07:22I cannot buy the land without causing problems with my own estate, came the reply.

07:27You buy it as I cannot.

07:30It was the custom to seal a deal on buying property by one party taking off a sandal

07:34and giving it to the other.

07:37The guardian redeemer who had first choice on the land took off his sandal and gave it

07:41to Boaz.

07:43Boaz made an announcement to the elders and those gathered.

07:46Today I have bought from Naomi the property of Elimelech and his sons Malon and Kilion.

07:53I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite as my wife.

07:57You are my witnesses.

07:59So Boaz married Ruth and the Lord blessed them with a son.

08:03Women told Naomi, Praise the Lord.

08:07He has looked after you in your old age.

08:10Ruth loves you and is better to you than seven sons.

08:14Ruth and Boaz's son was called Obed.

08:17Obed was the father of Jesse whose youngest son David became king of Israel.

08:22A descendant of David was Mary the mother of Jesus.

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