Today we begin Ruth Chapter Four.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.
For the King James Version, click HERE.
There’s one central theme and key lesson to be gained from our study of the Book of Ruth.
And it can be summed up in the following question:
How can we apply the Laws of Moses, instructions that were handed down over 3000 years ago, to our modern 21st century challenges?
Even though the Hebrews during Ruth’s time weren’t as separated in time from the giving of the Law at Sinai as we are, in many ways their situation was similar.
From the earliest days, God’s people have always struggled with how best to come up with solutions to issues not directly addressed in the Torah.
And honestly, I think we’ll always have this struggle.
Why?
Simply because life isn’t black-and-white man.
Life is sticky and thorny and will always present seemingly unsolvable problems that would cause the smartest of us to crack and break down in despair.
You’re not gonna be able to go to Scripture and find a command saying something like…
“When your transvestite brother who abused and bullied you when you were young seeks money from you because he’s now broke due to a heroin addiction, ye shall forgive in your heart all the indiscretions he did to you and lend him up to $1000 and not more…but if he refuses to change his heroin-shooting and coke-snorting ways after this first provision of hard-earned cash on your behalf, ye shall be free of any obligation to ever have to give him money again.”
You’re never gonna find a command like that in the Scripture.
Instead you’re going to have develop an understanding of the patterns and principles embedded in the Scriptures.
Which is why it’s so important to study and absorb the whole Word of God IN DETAIL…
Like we have been doing with the Book of Ruth.
That’s why I’ve gone into such insane detail over the past couple of weeks.
It isn’t to transform you into some crazy scholar who will be more than capable of holding his or her own with any Bible teacher or professor anywhere on the planet (even though that will happen).
It’s because by studying ALL of God’s Word…
And not just memorizing a couple of verses from the New Testament which isn’t even Scripture anyway…
You will subconsciously absorb the principles BEHIND all of the specific commands and instructions…
And as a result, gain a well-rounded understanding of the Word that’ll lead to GODLY WISDOM.
Wisdom that’ll enable you to make correct choices when you encounter thorny challenges in life EVEN IF they’re NOT directly addressed in the Torah.
Like how to deal with some coke-snorting transvestite brother who needs money…
Or how to deal with an irrational parent who emotionally smothered you when you were a child to the point where you’re totally incapable of ever having an intimate relationship with another woman in your life ever…
Ya feel me homies?
The Hebrews in Beit-Lechem weren’t being disobedient to God’s commands when they created new customs and traditions to deal with their complex challenges.
They were just doing their best to deal with situations not clearly spelled out in Scripture.
According to the cold and hard letter of the law, Naomi and Ruth’s circumstances were NOT covered by Levirate Marriage ordinances.
Yet does this mean the Lord intended they live out the rest of their days hopeless and with no means to perpetuate their deceased husbands’ family lines?
Of course not homie…
Not if you believe in a God of love that is.
That’s why the tradition was created that expanded a GO’EL‘s duties to include Levirate Marriage.
EVEN THOUGH according to Torah, only the deceased husband’s brother is obligated to do so.
See, the sages decided it would be a wise thing, not to mention a reflection of God’s loving-kindness (CHESED), if the family redeemer was also required take a childless widow into his home and provide for her needs via Levirate Marriage even though the Torah doesn’t require it.
And in this chapter, we’re gonna see this same logic applied to the laws concerning Naomi’s so-called land inheritance.
I say “so-called” because according to the Torah, there is ZERO provision that allows a widow to inherit land.
So pay attention because we’re going to witness a fine example of how one can apply Godly wisdom to a complex situation…
EVEN THOUGH it’s not directly addressed in God’s Word…
BUT most surely reflects God’s Mind, His Love and His Wisdom.
So this is an important lesson…
Because that’s exactly what we should do in our lives when we confront sticky situations for which there is no specific directive contained in the written word.
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