Sunday, May 24, 1998 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Ruth 1:20-22, Ruth 2:11-16, and Ruth 4:9-16, the focus was on building a support network among other family members, including those who might be considered extended family members. In Ruth 1:20-22, Elimelech and his family moved to Moab, which is east of the Dead Sea, so that they could escape a bad famine in Judah. While in that foreign land, he and his two sons died, leaving only his wife, Naomi, and their two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Because her sons had died, Naomi released her daughters-in-law so that they could make new lives for themselves. However, according to Ruth 2:11-16, Ruth chose to stay with and care for her mother-in-law, showing that family members should try to support one another during times of difficulty. A short while after the deaths, when Naomi decided to return to Judah, Ruth went with her. To help with the finances, she worked in the fields of Boaz gleaning barley. Thus, these two ladies had made a commitment to stay with each other, even when times were tough.
Boaz was a relative of Naomi. He had left part of his field unpicked so that the poor could gather food. Ruth gleaned from this part of his field, and Boaz took an immediate interest in her. In fact, his interest was much more than just casual. He desired a close, personal relationship with her, so according to Ruth 4:9-10, he exercised his right as a kinsman-redeemer and purchased Naomi's property, including Ruth. When you and I were poor and destitute and lost in our sins, Jesus looked on us with compassion. He took an interest in us and in our welfare, and He died on the cross at Calvary to set us free from our heavy burden of sin. As Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer to Naomi and Ruth, so Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer, too, and He has made provision for us to escape the eternal consequences of our sins. In Ruth 4:13-16, the story concluded happily with Boaz and Ruth being married. They gave birth to a son named Obed, Obed had a son named Jesse, and Jesse had a son named David. David is the same man who as a boy killed the giant, Goliath, and then went on to be king of Israel. The Bible tells us in Acts 13:22 that David was a man after God's own heart, and his whole story happened because a faithful daughter-in-law once remained by her mother-in-law at a time when all hope seemed lost.
Life can be very difficult, but the Lord has given us family to help us through the rough times. As you go through this week and future weeks, learn to lean on those close to you when you need support and be someone upon whom others may lean when they need support. Helping those in need is the Christ-like thing to do.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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