No 72 Ruth (On the fresh grass)☆
This is my story with the Holy Spirit based on the book of Ruth.
At the time when the Judges ruled, there was a famine in Judah.
And a man named Elimelech of Bethlehem went to sojourn in the country of Moab, and his wife Naomi, and his two sons.
But her husband died, and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Moab, the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth.
And they dwelled there for about ten years.
And also, both two sons died, and the woman was left with her two sons and her husband.
Therefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her,
and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
On their way, Naomi said to them, “Go return to your mother’s house. My daughters, why will you go with me?
Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Go your way, for I am too old to have a husband.
Therefore would you go with me for expecting no husband? Nay!
For it grievous me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.”
And they lifted up their voice- and wept. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and she was gone back.
but Ruth clave to her. And Ruth said, “I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking to her.
So, Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, with her, returned out of the country of Moab.
And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Now then Ruth the Moabites said to Naomi, “We had to settle down here, so, let me now go to the field, and glean and earn of barley. Please.”
And she said to her, “Go. My daughter.” So, Ruth went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers.
And her haphazard was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Boaz said to her, “Listen to me, my daughter. Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but stay here fast by my maidens.”
Then she said to him, “Why have I found grace in my eyes, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?”
And Boaz answered and said to her,” It has fully been showing me, all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband.
And how you have left the land and of your nativity, and are come to a people which you knew not here-to-fore.
The Lord recompense your work, and a full reward is given you of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust.”
Now when the evening, Naomi her mother-in-law said to her
“My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you in this land?
If it seems good to you, I have an idea.
You met a man who talk to you today is Boaz, and he is single and near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.
But there are many young daughters around him. Therefore you must be brave.
Just tonight, he is going to winnow barley on the threshing floor.
Wash yourself, therefore, and anoint you, and get you down to the floor.
But make not yourself known to the man until he shall have done eating and drinking.
And it shall be when he lies down, that you should mark the place where he shall lie, and you should go in, and lay you down.
When you have done it, he will tell you what you should do next.
Do not be afraid. God who made man and woman knows secrets and bless you.”
And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
However, she went down to the floor and did more than that her mother-in-law bade her because that night the moon was full.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself. And, behold, a woman who without a stitch on her lay at his feet.
She was beautiful glittering in the moonlight. And he said, “Who are you? “And she answered,
“I am Ruth your handmaid. Spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid, for you are a near kinsman.”
The Bible said about this sense in Ezekiel chapter 16- verse 8 Now when I passed by you and looked upon your time was the time of love,
and I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swear to you and entered into a covenant with you, saying the Lord God,
and you became mine. Therefore God had regarded and given His hand to the lowly state of His maidservant Ruth.
So, Boaz said, “Blessed be you of the Lord. My daughter, fear not, I will do to you all that you require.
For all the city of my people do know that you are a virtuous woman. Then I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.“
And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one could know another.
And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How are you, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done to her.
Then she said,” Sit still my daughter until you know how the matter will fall.
For the man would not get to sleep until he has finished the things this day.”
As she said, Boaz immediately redeemed all that was Elimelech’s things who was Naomi’s husband according to their Law.
Then he took Ruth, so, she got a great husband in the place where Naomi’s husband was.
And when he slept with her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. He was Obed.
The Bible said that Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.
And very important matter of this story is Ruth was a Moabite.
They are descendants of the son who was born between Lot’s elder daughter and himself who was the nephew of Abraham.
They were unusual people from the modern normal sense.
However, God gave them a chance to clear her ancestor’s name. And Ruth said,
“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” When God heard her voice, He joined her in His line of triumph.
However, Moab rebelled against Israel after David, for they worshiped some other gods.
July 2022 Oil 980mm×1240
mm
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