Ruth 3 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible

Ruth 3

1 - Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

2 - Now isn't Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.

3 - Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor, but don't make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

4 - It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lay down. Then he will tell you what to do."

5 - She said to her, "All that you say, I will do."

6 - She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.

7 - When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and laid down.

8 - At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9 - He said, "Who are you?"She answered, "I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman."

10 - He said, "You are blessed by The LORD, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.

11 - Now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.

12 - Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13 - Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman's duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning."

14 - She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."

15 - He said, "Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it." She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.

16 - When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?"She told her all that the man had done for her.

17 - She said, "He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, 'Don't go empty to your mother-in-law.'"

18 - Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today."

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Ruth Images and Notes

The Book of Ruth

Ruth 2:12 - The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

ARCHAEOLOGY

Women Gleaning at Harvest

This colorful painting from the tomb of Ramose at the site of ancient Thebes reveals women gleaning at harvest time. In biblical times when barley fields or wheatfields were ready for harvest the reapers were hired to cut down the large stocks of grain and make bundles. According to the customs of the Israelites if a loose stock should fall to the ground they were to be left alone for the gleaners. The gleaning was performed by the poorest and most helpless of the land, the widows who were going to die of starvation. During harvest time in the ancient world you would clearly see a poor woman like Ruth walking through the fields and gleaning behind men picking up any loose stalks that might've fallen. Ruth was a widow and she was gleaning any field when she met Boaz the owner of the field.

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Bible Survery - Ruth
Hebrew Name - Ruut "friend"
Greek Name - Oiktos (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Samuel (According to Tradition)
Date - From 1322 BC Approximately
Theme - The beginning of the lineage of Christ seen in this faithful woman who was a Moabite
Types and Shadows - In Ruth Jesus is the kinsman redeemer (Heb. Goel)

Quick Reference Map

Map of Moab During the Time of Ruth (Click to Enlarge)

Summary of The Book of Ruth

This beautiful book is like a calmness in the middle of a turbulent storm, when reminiscing on all the violence and enemy invasions recorded in the books of Joshua and Judges. The book of Ruth deals more with real life in ancient Israel and not necessarily the warfare in the previous book, although the events actually took place during the period of the Judges (Ruth 1:1). The date that the book was written is not given, and there is no mention as to who the author is, but it is most likely Samuel, who is the traditionally accepted author. The book of Ruth traces the messianic line of King David back to Ruth, who was a Moabitess, and the book gives us a beautiful understanding of how God rewards faithfulness and devotion.

The events in Ruth's life may be summarized as follows :

Outline of the Book of Ruth

1) Due to a severe famine in the land of Judah, Elimelech, a native of Bethlehem, emigrated to Moab with his wife and two sons, who married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah.

2) At the end of ten years, all three of the women were left widows and Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. Despite Naomi's protests, Ruth determined to return to Bethlehem with her. Ruth's dedication to Naomi and to the religion of the God of Israel is stated in Ruth 1:16-17: "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

3) They arrived in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Ruth went out to glean in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy man whose relationship with his servants eloquently attests to his character (Ruth 2:4). According to Hebrew law, Ruth had a right to demand that a near kinsman of her late husband take her for his wife. Boaz had been related to Ruth's husband and was willing to marry her, but since there was another man of closer kinship, it was necessary to go through certain customary and legal measures before he could rightfully claim her.

4) This being done, the two were married with the blessings of their neighbors and eventually became the parents of Obed, the grandfather of David.

Quick Reference Maps - Ruth

The Twelve Tribes and the Judges

Hazor

Jezreel

Ruth Resources

The Judges

More About the Book of Ruth
Ruth in the Picture Study Bible
Timeline of the Ancient World
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