1 v.4 The mention of ten years is the only time reference in the whole of the book of Ruth.
That a Moabite was not to enter into the congregation of the Lord till the tenth generation can be seen. [Deuteronomy 23:3]

The family

So how was David allowed to be king as he was only the fourth generation?

2 v.2 Whilst the A V has 'ears of corn' the Hebrews actually just has 'ears' so what they were gathering is not specified though we know that it was barley as it was the time of the barley harvest. [Ruth 2:17] That Ruth was gleaning despite the fact that Naomi came from an important family in Bethlehem demonstrates why Naomi said that she was to be called bitter - she was destitute, and a widow at that. However we know that Yahweh cares for the '... widow' [Deuteronomy 10:18 Psalm 68:5 146:9 Proverbs 15:25]

2 v.9 Boaz was a faithful man who, we presume, would endeavour to employ faithful men. However he feels the need to give his young men charge that the do not harm Ruth. An indication of the Godlessness in Israel at this time during the Judges.

2 v.14 That they ate 'parched corn' is interesting. It is a phrase which is never used after the time of David. [Leviticus 23:14 Joshua 5:11 Ruth 2:14 1 Samuel 17:17 25:18 2 Samuel 17:28] Implying that the author of the book of Ruth was aware of the specific customs of the time. Just a little point which helps in building up an armoury or data which shows the authenticity of the Bible. We should be looking at the fine details of the accounts in Scripture and thinking about the language.

ch 1 - The book of Ruth typifies the call of the gentiles - the taking of a gentile bride by a faithful man of Judah. So we should not be surprised to see the links

ch 2 - Another link with Isaiah 40

Bethlehem
1:1, 2, 20, 22
2:4
4:11

2:12 The 'full reward' is what we are hoping for (2 John 8), John is quoting the words of Boaz to Ruth.

The sojourn of Naomi and her family to Moab probably took place during the time of Gideon.  At this time, the Midianites destroyed the crops of the Israelites (Judg 6:1-4).  During their stay in Moab, Mahlon and Chilion took wives Orpah and Ruth.  

Taking non-Israelite wives was unacceptable to Yahweh (1Kin 11:1,2).  Perhaps this is the reason Mahlon and Chilion met untimely deaths. 

During their sojourn together, Naomi would have had much opportunity to tell her daughters-in-law about Yahweh and the historical experiences of Moab and Israel.  And so, at the point of returning to Israel, Orpah and Ruth had a decision to make - to go or to stay.  They both, obviously, loved their mother-in-law but it was only Ruth who wished to serve Yahweh, the true living God.  She, unlike Orpah, was willing to convert and went with Naomi.  The truth had been preached and only one had accepted it. 

Subsequently,  Ruth would marry Boaz (strength) and would be integral in the line of the Lord Jesus.  Boaz was descended from Rahab the harlot.  He married a woman from a nation who could never be part of Israel (Deut 23:3; Neh 13:1,2).  Such is the mercy of Yahweh who will always find a place for those willing to turn to Him, regardless of their background (Psa 51:17; Isa 66:2).

2:2 The right of gleaning was conferred by a positive law on the widow, the poor, and the stranger (Lev.19:9) and ( Deut.24:19). But liberty to glean behind the reapers ( 2:3) was not a right that could be claimed; it was a privilege granted or refused according to the good will or favor of the owner.

 1:1          Whilst there was a famine in Bethlehem – the house of bread! And Naomi and family left to survive it seems that Boaz managed to prosper in the land in Bethlehem.

 2:2          Notice the repeated use of the word ‘field’ 2:2,3,8,9,17,22 Ruth’s husband, having died in Moab without seed had left Ruth desolate. We are being encouraged to think abut inheritance and Boaz with this repeated use of field – the inheritance.

1:1,2,4,5,6,14,16,20,22 -- v1 an Israeli family from "Bethlehem" (1035) means "house of bread" in "Judah" (3063) meaning "celebrated" experiences a famine in this place suggesting God's displeasure; the family travels to Moab (symbolically moving away from believers/ecclesia?); v2 the man's wife is named "Naomi" (5281) meaning "pleasant", the sons are named "Mahlon" (4248) meaning "sick" and "Chilion" (3630) meaning "pining, failing, destruction, consumption" and the family were "Ephrathites" (673) the root means "fruitfulness"; v4 the sons marry Moabite women "Orpah" (6204) meaning "mane, back of the neck, the back, stiff necked" and "Ruth" (7327) meaning "friend"; v5 all three men die perhaps suggesting spiritually sick Israel; v6 Naomi perhaps represents the fruitful (fruitfulness) remnant of Israel that obeys God even in hard times and the three head back to Israel; v14 Orpah, a Gentile, turns her back on serving God but Ruth clings to a spiritual woman; v16 Ruth perhaps represents Gentiles who seek God; v20 their prospects seem "bitter" as the name "Mara" suggests (Heb 12:11); v22 they arrive back home approximately the time of the Passover.

2:1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,14,16,18,20,22 -- v1-3 Ruth picks up leftover grain (Matt 15:26-28) in hopes of finding marriage working in the field of "Boaz" (according to The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible means "in him is strength"), Naomi's late husband's "kinsman" Heb. "yada" (3045) meaning "kinsman, familiar friend"; v4,8,9,22 Boaz is a Godly man, based on his greeting, and is protective of Ruth; v10-12 Boaz notes her character and it is likely he was the Gentile Rahab's son; v14-16 they share bread and wine and he helps and encourages her like Christ does for us and we are to do for each other; v18 Ruth is kind and shares with Naomi; v20 "kinsmen" Heb. "ga'al" (1350) meaning "to redeem, redeemer, ransom, to be next of kin, deliver, purchase", etc. and this coupled with Boaz showing "kindness" Heb. "chesed" (2617) means "kindness, mercy", etc. to the living and the dead both Jew and Gentile perhaps suggests Boaz is a type of Christ. Some of the above was gleaned from Judges and Ruth by H.A.Whittaker p205-235.

1:20,21 Naomi calls Yahweh the Almighty.  In Hebrew, the Almighty is El Shaddai which essentially means powerful and impregnable.  However, there is a component of the Name which implies nourishment, comfort and protection.  

Shad in Hebrew means breast, which the instrument of nourishment but also the place where a dependent is held for comfort and protection.  Thus, it is not surprising that Boaz uses this same kind of language about Yahweh to Ruth (2:12). 

3:9 Incidentally, when Ruth requests the nourishment, comfort and protection of Boaz, she uses the same word: skirt = wings = kanaph in Hebrew (2:12). 

Malachi describes the healing properties of Jesus using the same word (wings/ kanaph) (Mal 4:2).  Touching Jesus' hem (Gr. kraspedon) is the same as touching the extremity of his garment (kanaph) (Matt 9:20; 14:36). 

Boaz (whose name means strength) is a type of Christ.  As Boaz offered Ruth nourishment, comfort and protection, so does Jesus to all who would come to Him.  Through divine strength, Jesus is prepared to nourish us, comfort us, and shield us from death. The expression of El Shaddai is clearly seen in His own description of Himself (Matt 23:37).  

I am reminded of the parable of the Prodigal Son. He left the place of the Father's provision, thinking that things would be better somewhere else. So too did Elimelech & Naomi. Things got very bad for the prodigal son in the land of the gentiles, as it did for Naomi's family, and it is when they appreciate their emptiness that they return to the Father's house. The "son" Boaz who had remained, has a different attitude than the attitude of the Prodigal's brother, warmly sharing what the Father has given him.

It is easy for us to think that life is better away from the Lord, and we can "move to Moab" in our hearts. If the Father chooses to give us a "famine", it is better to endure that in His care, than to seek something better elsewhere.

1:21   In saying that the Lord had testified against her Naomi is acknowledging that she has sinned. See Deut 31:21

1:2 Mahlon means sickly, while Chilion means pining or wasting away. These are not very encouraging names, but ones which, probably, are descriptive of condition or disposition. 

As a matter of trivial interest, the T.V. personality Oprah Winfrey was intended to be named Orpah (meaning gazelle) after the Biblical character, but someone misspelled the name and it stuck.

1:2 That Ruth came from Moab provided the reason why David would later send his parents to Moab – 11Sam 22:3– as his family on his ancenstral mother’s line (Ruth) came from there.

1:22 The beginning of the barley harvest would have occurred at the end of March, in terms of our months.

2:9 Ruth was an unmarried and unprotected female amongst young men in the fields.  This could have been a recipe for sexual assault had it not been for the protective command from the young men’s master.

Charitable masters, like Boaz, would provide refreshment for their workers.  Water was contained in bottles made from animal skins.  Bread and vinegar were also given (2:14).

2:17 An ephah is equivalent to one-tenth of a homer, and one-hundredth of a bath (Eze 45:11). In our measure, an ephah is equivalent to the capacity of 22 liters (5.5 imperial gallons, or 5.8 US gallons).

Althought Naomi wanted to change her name, to reflect her state of mind (ch1 v 20), we should note that God did not change her name - she continues to be called Naomi by the inspired writer.  Perhaps Naomi felt that so much had gone wrong in her life that there could not be a place for her in God's plan and purpose.  In her bitterness, Naomi had returned to God's people and her home, spiritually as well as literally  Here Naoimi once more learnt the blessing that flow from God.

2:2 That Ruth asked if she could go and glean in Boaz’ filed implies that she had some knowledge of Israel’s law and the position of raising up seed to dead brothers. If so then she must have been taught this by Naomi.

V.18 Because of their wanton idolatry, Yahweh had given his people over to spiritual blindness (See Isa 6:9,10).  The word shut in Hebrew is tuach which means smear.  

In the case of the Laodicean ecclesia, the Lord urges the people to anoint their eyes with salve (the precious, curative commodity for which Laodicea was famous) in order to see their wayward position clearly (Rev 3:17,18). The word anoint comes from the Gr.egchrio which means smear.

44:28  We should stop and think here when we read that God had spoken of ‘Cyrus’. At this time the Assyrians had not even been overtaken by the Babylonians!

V.5 When we stop and consider what each statement, both implies and alludes to, we have an exhortation for all ages. We find the example of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and we discover the path by which we too can also attain unto the blessing of the spirit being poured out on us, and not only that, but become part of that great multitude that will bring glory to our Heavenly Father for ever.

44:3,12 Notice that God will provide ‘water’ for the thirsty but the idol worshipper will thirst because he will not drink of God’s provision. That is he will not listen to God’s teaching .

44:3The offer of drink to him ‘that is athirst’ is taken up again by the prophet – Isa 55:1

44:5 The various ways in which people will name themselves indicates that the prophet is speaking of a time when Israel will have repented and turned to God. Sadly this did not happen when Israel returned from Babylon, but it will happen when Christ returns.

V.2 Jesurun (KJV) in all other places is rendered Jeshurun.  This name comes from a root word meaning to be blessed.  Jeshurun is an epithet for Israel.

V.8 Israel was chosen by Yahweh to be His witnesses (See Isa 43:12).  One of the greatest proofs that Yahweh exists is the Jews.  Considering history, the Jews should have been wiped out a long time ago.  Many people have tried to exterminate the Jews, but Yahweh has promised to always keep a remnant (v.21).  Out of a nation that Yahweh numbered as the sand of the sea only a relative few will remain when Jesus returns to save them from Gog, the latter-day Assyrian (Isa 10:22). 

V.28 Cyrus was a type of Messiah who would save Yahweh’s people. Cyrus began his rule in 550 BC.  This was 150 years after Isaiah penned this prophecy.

ch 44 vs 14-17 shows a charactaristic of human nature that we must guard against even though we refrain from making a physical idol.  It is as follows, we take what God has created and given us v14, then with that satisfy our own 'needs' to be warm and fed and then with what is left, the residue v17 & 19, we worship. Do we use God's blessings to look after ourselves first or do we do as Abel did and return to God the first and best (fat) of what he has blessed us with Gen 4v4?

44:3 The water’ poured upon the thirsty is not to be seen as literal water. Rather it is the ‘water of life’ Rev 21:6 given to them that ‘thirsteth’ for God Psa 42:2

Jude is writing to combat errors that have already crept into the ecclesias. Nortice the way in which he speaks of things in the past tense

V.6 Jude uses historical examples to illustrate his points.  They often seem mystical and leave room for the unlearned to make wrong conclusions.  For example, the angels cannot be referring to heavenly beings since they would live forever.  The reference must be to earthly angels (i.e. messengers); probably, in this case, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 

V.9 Michael, the archangel and the devil contending for the body of Moses is not a tussle between two supernatural entities over a corpse.  The reference goes back to the return of the Israelites from Babylon.  At that time it was difficult for some priests to be able to identify themselves as bona fide and they were not allowed to serve (Ezra 2:62). 

Thus, there arose a dispute between the discontented group (the devil) and those in authority (Michael) over the priesthood (the body of Moses). (See my note for Ezra 5,6 on Nov 10).                                                

1:1       Those who are ‘sanctified’ are also ‘preserved’ – Not only does God separate us from the world to be heirs of the promises. He also takes care of us.

1:7      Gen 19:25   records that the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah whilst it is Deut 29:23 that records the list of the cities in the plain that were destroyed. Jude draws together the historical narrative and adds details from the later account in de.

:7    Gen 19:24  records that the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah whilst it is Deut 29:23 that records the list of the cities in the plain that were destroyed. Jude draws together the historical narrative and adds details from the later account in de.

V.1 Jude is the brother of James.  He does not specify whether James is the Lord's brother or James the son of Alphaeus (Matt 10:3).  And so, Jude was either the Lord's brother, or his cousin (John 19:25) (Cleophas = Alphaeus).

1:4 Jude’s use of ‘are’ here and similar language in the rest of the letter indicate that he is not anticipating problems arising in the Church. Rather they have arrived already.

The last 2 verses of Jude (Jude 24,25) speak of the saving power of God, through Jesus.

a) He can keep us from falling prey to sin; and b) He can cover our sins by the work of Jesus Christ, so that we are allowed past the judgement seat and given a place in the kingdom. All praise must therefore be to our God both now and ever. Amen.

V.7 The phrase eternal fire is describing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The cities do not exist today.  Fires are nowhere to be seen in the area today.  And so, what does the term eternal fire mean? It signifies that the fire which rained down on those cities completely and utterly destroyed them forever.  

The same figure is applied by Jesus, where He talks of everlasting fire (Matt 18:8; 25:41). Similarly, Jesus talks about a situation where the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:46,48). Jesus equates this with hell fire (Matt 18:9).  What Jesus is conveying in these verses is complete and utter destruction forever.

In no way are any of these verses talking about the pagan myth of a subterranean abode where a goat-like creature with a pitchfork torments people to eternity in the searing heat of incessant fire.