Ruth and her Kinsman Redeemer

By Russell Taylor

The events recorded in this short book occurred during the time judges ruled over Israel.

It comes over as a love story between the wealthy Boaz and the poor Moabitess called Ruth. More importantly it shows that these two people were important in the genealogy of Jesus.

The love that comes over in this book demonstrates the kind of love that God has for us and desires from us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Russell Taylor
• Release date: Oct 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005568511

Russell Taylor

Russell Taylor was employed for many years in the engineering department of a large steelworks in North East Wales. Following the closure of a large part of the works in 1980 he worked in Local Government in Management Services and Housing Maintenance. After taking early retirement in 1996 he joined the staff of Emmaus Bible School UK where he was involved in their prison ministry. he has also been involved in a broadcasting ministry with GBS Radio but is now enjoying writing.He is married with one daughter and two grandchildren and is active as an Elder in an independent chapel in North Wales.

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RUTH

And Her Kinsman Redeemer

Russell Taylor

Copyright © Russell Taylor

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment.

Unless otherwise stated, scripture is taken from the New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All right reserved.

Table of Contents

Study 1. Ruth 1:1-5

Study 2. Ruth 1:6-22

Study 3. Ruth 2:1-12

Study 4. Ruth 2:13-23

Study 5. Ruth 3:1-18

Study 6. Ruth4:1-22

About Russell Taylor

Books by Russell Taylor

Study 1. Ruth 1:1-5

The book of Ruth contains what many people consider to be one of the nicest love stories ever written. However, there is more to it than that. Not only is it the story of the love between a man and a young woman, it is also an illustration of God’s love for mankind, but the results of these are not revealed until later in the book.

The story begins with the story of an average family: Elimelech, his wife, Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. They probably lived happy, contented lives, having everything in life they needed, and possibly one or two luxuries also. In fact, they were probably like most people today. What could go wrong? What could happen that could change their way of life?

Unfortunately for them, something did happen, and the way they coped with it had a big impact on their lives, the lives of their descendants and our lives today.

We read that the events recorded here happened when the judges ruled (v. 1), which was a period of about 300 years. The book of Judges covers most of that period which was from the time of the appointment of Othniel (Judges 3:9), to the death of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:15).

We are told that at some time during this period, there was a famine in the land (v. 1), but we are not told at what point in the time of the judges that this famine happened. It could have been a natural famine (which we are not told about), or it could have been something that was caused by the invasion of the Midianites when the Israelites were left greatly impoverished (Judges 6:6).

The famine must have been very severe to cause Elimelech to decide to emigrate. Who would expect there to be a shortage of food, especially in Bethlehem, because its name in Hebrew means House of bread, as God had promised the children of Israel that the land of Canaan would be, a good and large land ... flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8)? Bethlehem was in Judah - Judah was in the land of Canaan.

What a wonderful promise, and we are told that God always keeps His promises. In 1 Kings, we read of Solomon saying in front of the people of Israel, "Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest (peace - margin) to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses" (1 Kings 8:56).

However, when God makes a promise, He usually adds at least one condition. In this case, it was rules to live by which He had given them in the Law. If they obeyed the Law, they would receive blessings (Leviticus 26:1-13). God said, If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them ... then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit (Leviticus 26:3-4). The rain will come at the right time to enable the land to produce its crops and the trees to produce plenty of fruit. They were also told they would have all the food they need (Leviticus 26:5).

They were also promised peace and protection by having victory over their enemies and being free from danger caused by wild animals. There would be peace in the land (Leviticus 26:5-8).

On the other hand, if they disobeyed the Law they would be punished. God said, "But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgements, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I will do this to you..." And He goes on to give an extensive list of the punishments they could receive (Leviticus 26:14-39). Among the punishments would be a lack of produce from the land, possibly caused by famine resulting in a lack of