"So Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. When the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, Boaz called out to him, "Come over here, friend. I want to talk to you. " So they sat down together." Ruth 4:1
This is it! This is what we've been waiting for! The tension is high. Boaz has a plan and we're pretty sure he has all his 'ducks in a row', but this other guy could still throw a wrench in things. Boaz is smooth and this other family redeemer is caught off guard - how will this situation play out?
Welcome to the 11th chapter of The Girl's Still Got It and the first half of chapter 4 in the Book of Ruth. Just when we thought things couldn't get any more intense, Boaz pounces on the unnamed, aforementioned, first-in-line family redeemer.
One of my favorite TV show genres is murder mystery. I've been watching them all my life! From Perry Mason & Matlock (currently on MeTV) to Castle and NCIS. If it has a dead body, a bad guy/girl, and someone out for justice you can bet that I've watched it. When I read the scene of Boaz at the town gate, I picture Perry Mason, walking into the court room, asking questions he already knows the answers to, catching the real murderer off guard causing him or her to confess, right there in open court! I can see that Boaz knows more than he letting on (or the story teller is telling us) and he's using his insight to follow the law and win 'his case'.
This part of the story could have been rather dry & boring - have you read a legal document lately? But the ancient story tellers knew how to spin a tale, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and thoroughly entertained. They have not failed their 21st century audience, either! Although we know the ending, watching the events unfold & seeing how Boaz works the situation and the system, is still exciting!
Even more exciting is the parallels between what Boaz does for Ruth & Naomi and what Jesus does for his church & for us. Read carefully and see if you can note how we (God's people) are like Ruth & Naomi and how Boaz is like Jesus. And to add another layer: Jesus, in his ministry, told parables so that we could better understand His Kingdom and His ways. I think the Book of Ruth, in all it's fairy tale loveliness, is also a real-life parable. I find THAT totally mind-blowing!!
Dig into this story more with the Study Guide questions in the back of the book. And don't worry if you don't agree with the whole picture Liz paints. I didn't, and as it turns out, I wasn't too far off in my opinion.
I can't wait to hear what you think of this "courtroom drama" scene from Ruth!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
TGSGI - Chapter 8,9,10
"Then Naomi said to her, "Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won't rest until he has settled things today." Ruth 3:18
Thank you for your patience in my absence!! Several times over the last few weeks I wondered out loud when "Autumn got so darn busy"! Are you feeling it too? I can hardly explain all the things that have kept me busy and away from you. I hope you were able to keep up with our reading and study guide questions over the last few weeks!
The Book of Ruth has gotten pretty juicy in this third chapter! I don't know about you, but I think some of the commentaries take it a little farther than it's meant to be taken (if you know what I mean). Regardless of how you read it, though, things are moving right along in our real life fairy tale of Ruth, Boaz, and the not-so-bitter-anymore Naomi.
I can't wait to discuss this with you! Leave your impressions of chapter 3 in the Comments. Start a conversation about any of the characters, situations, or even Ms. Higgs' interpretation of the events. She's done a lot of research, but I still have a hard time with some of the innuendo that's suppose to be in here. But like all good fairy tales, there's always more to the story than what's on the surface. It's one of the reasons they are so enduring: the many layers of meaning, from the obvious & child-like to the metaphoric & insinuated. It's a morality tale suitable for all ages!
This story is also rife with irony. We have already noticed a few instances of it and our opening verse is another. One that actually made me laugh out loud. How much patience is required to wait a single day? Makes me wonder who Naomi is urging to be patient, Ruth or herself? After all, they've been in Bethlehem for a few months and no kinsman redeemer has yet stepped forward. If I were Naomi, I think I would be taking matters into my own hands, too. This is one place where Liz and I see things slightly differently. Though I do not doubt God's hand in any version of interpretation. What do you think?
Have a wonderful week! If you slacked off due to my absence, give yourself permission to take the time to read the chapters in the book and Ruth, chapter 3. It really doesn't take too long to complete the reading. The questions are worth doing. However, there are only so many productive minutes in the day. Do what you can, as it will enhance your study.
Most importantly don't skip your prayers!! Pray daily. Pray often. Pray for those you love and those you don't; pray for those in need, and those who think they aren't; pray for our planet, our government, and world leaders; pray for the animals that share our lives and those that share our earth; pray for plants & water; pray for those who are in need of healing and those who are gifted in healing. Turn everything over to God in prayer and then don't forget to be still and listen.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thank you for your patience in my absence!! Several times over the last few weeks I wondered out loud when "Autumn got so darn busy"! Are you feeling it too? I can hardly explain all the things that have kept me busy and away from you. I hope you were able to keep up with our reading and study guide questions over the last few weeks!
The Book of Ruth has gotten pretty juicy in this third chapter! I don't know about you, but I think some of the commentaries take it a little farther than it's meant to be taken (if you know what I mean). Regardless of how you read it, though, things are moving right along in our real life fairy tale of Ruth, Boaz, and the not-so-bitter-anymore Naomi.
I can't wait to discuss this with you! Leave your impressions of chapter 3 in the Comments. Start a conversation about any of the characters, situations, or even Ms. Higgs' interpretation of the events. She's done a lot of research, but I still have a hard time with some of the innuendo that's suppose to be in here. But like all good fairy tales, there's always more to the story than what's on the surface. It's one of the reasons they are so enduring: the many layers of meaning, from the obvious & child-like to the metaphoric & insinuated. It's a morality tale suitable for all ages!
This story is also rife with irony. We have already noticed a few instances of it and our opening verse is another. One that actually made me laugh out loud. How much patience is required to wait a single day? Makes me wonder who Naomi is urging to be patient, Ruth or herself? After all, they've been in Bethlehem for a few months and no kinsman redeemer has yet stepped forward. If I were Naomi, I think I would be taking matters into my own hands, too. This is one place where Liz and I see things slightly differently. Though I do not doubt God's hand in any version of interpretation. What do you think?
Have a wonderful week! If you slacked off due to my absence, give yourself permission to take the time to read the chapters in the book and Ruth, chapter 3. It really doesn't take too long to complete the reading. The questions are worth doing. However, there are only so many productive minutes in the day. Do what you can, as it will enhance your study.
Most importantly don't skip your prayers!! Pray daily. Pray often. Pray for those you love and those you don't; pray for those in need, and those who think they aren't; pray for our planet, our government, and world leaders; pray for the animals that share our lives and those that share our earth; pray for plants & water; pray for those who are in need of healing and those who are gifted in healing. Turn everything over to God in prayer and then don't forget to be still and listen.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
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