Ruth 2 - 4
I read about how Ruth approached Naomi and told her mother-in-law of her wish to go to the fields and pick up leftover grains behind anyone who finds her favourable. And so she went along and gleaned sheaves behind the workers. She was in the fields of Boaz (relative of Elimelech- Naomi's husband) When Boaz saw her, he questioned his harvesters who she is. He knew of what Ruth has done for Naomi - that she has given her company even though her husband is dead. And so he took good care of her in the fields. He made sure she had enough to eat and even instructed his workers to pull out stalks from their bundles for her to pick up.

Although they have no one to rely on, they did not believe in sitting down and wait for things to happen. Instead, Ruth took an active part in providing food for herself and Naomi. In the past, women played an active role in food production.

Women has many roles (Proverbs 31)

And so the day was over. Ruth went back to Naomi. Naomi saw that Ruth had gathered a lot from the fields. And so she asked whose fields did the latter gleaned from. Naomi found out it is Boaz and told her that he is their close relative, their kinsman-redeemer.

A kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication.he Hebrew term designates a male relative who delivers or rescues (Gen 48:16; Exod 6:6); redeems property (Lev 27:9-25) or person (Lev 25:47-55); avenges the murder of a relative as a guiltless executioner (Num 35:9-34); and receives restitution for wrong done to a relative who has since died (Num 5:8).
One day, Naomi wanted to find a home for Ruth. Instructed Ruth to spend the night with Boaz at the threshing floor. Gave her instructions on what she should do. Boaz is a kind man and he informed Ruth that there is a closer kinsman-redeemer than himself but Boaz told her not to worry. For if the closer kinsman-redeemer were to redeem Ruth, it is in God's will.

The next morning, Boaz got the closer kinsman-redeemer and 10 elders of the town to gather at the town gate. At the end of the "transaction", Boaz acquired Ruth as his wife to continue the name of Elimelech. And so, they got married (: And Boaz and Ruth is David's great great grandparents (:

So cool eh. God can use a foreigner, a Moabitess, to continue the bloodline. And because Ruth is faithful to Naomi, God blessed her by using her for His purpose and even took good care of her by allowing her to meet Boaz the kinsman redeemer.

03 February 2009

Judges 20
I read about how the Israel-ites fighted the Benjamites (one of Israel's tribes) and how God gave instructions for them to fight the Benjamites to purge the evil from Israel. For they have raped and murdered the Levite's wife when he was in Gibeah. God only gave them victory on the third day of battle. I guess God wanted them to learn how to trust in Him even in difficult times. How He still gave them victory over the Benjamites on the third day.

Judges 21The Israelites took an oath to not give any of their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites. But interestingly, they wept and cried when they think about the future of the Benjamites. I guess God gave them this compassion over their brothers. Also, they sent a peace offering to the people of the Benjamites hiding on the rocks of Rimmon. People of those days did not have any king and that they did as they saw fit.

And the remaining Benjamites went back with their wives to their inheritance and rebuilt their city.

Ruth 1
An introduction to the character of Ruth the Moabitess and her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth is a faithful woman who stuck with Naomi even though her husband is dead. There was a famine and so Naomi and Ruth headed back to Bethleham from Moab.