Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 4:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 4:3
"And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:"

Elimelech was Noami's husband. If Boaz was his brother then he was an older man. That was the first I realized Ruth and Boaz were not of the same age. Boaz would have been Ruth's husband's uncle. That makes it more understandable why Boaz mentions she hasn't gone after young men.

"And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
(Ruth 3:10-11)

So if Boaz was closer to Naomi's age why didn't he marry her? It had to do with the Levirate marriage law. It was a question of raising up children. Naomi was a widow but already mentioned she could not have more children. Ruth however as a childless widow could have children and preserve the deceased's family line.

Day 3823

Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 2:11-12, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 2:11-12, 20

"And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

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.

And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen."

As I read this story of Ruth and Boaz's kindness to her in gleaning the fields, I could not help but think of this great stock that Jesus Christ will come through on his mortal mother's side. It takes a good person to recognize the goodness found in others. He did not look upon material wealth, but looked upon Ruth's heart. He saw her goodness and faithfulness to her mother-in-law, desire to work and provide for them, and her dedication to the Israelite God.

Day 2393