Queen Vashti Deposed by King Xerxes

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Queen Vashti Deposed by King Xerxes.

Esther 1:1-22 NLT
Vashti Deposed by Xerxes
The King’s Banquet
1:1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa. 3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces. 4 The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.
5 When it was all over, the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden. 6 The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.
7 Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king’s generosity. 8 By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.
9 At the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

Queen Vashti Deposed
10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— 11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. 12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.
13 He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice. 14 The names of these men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven nobles of Persia and Media. They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire.
15 “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”
16 Memucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire. 17 Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king. 18 Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger.
19 “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. 20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”
21 The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel. 22 He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.

Examine the Scriptures
Esther 1:1-22 NLT
The King’s Banquet 

1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, 

Xerxes is the Greek name.  The Hebrew name for Xerxes is Ahasuerus.

Xerxes succeeded his father Darius.

Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire for 21 years from 485 to 465 B.C.

He is mentioned in Ezra 4:6 and Daniel 9:1. 

who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 

2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa. 

3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. 

  • In the third year of his reign, King Xerxes gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. 

He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces. 4 The celebration lasted 180 days 

  • The celebration lasted 180 days

A 6 month long celebration.

The Persian Empire had a large administrative system made up of government leaders including the leaders of the 127 provinces in this vast empire and all of his military officers.

Commentators speculated that the officials took turns attending events so that the military and other government offices could continue to operate. 

—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.

Designed to impress others, including the military leaders, of the king’s greatness.

Illustrates Xerxes pride.

  • Though not stated in scripture, this banquet probably corresponds to the great feast Xerxes gave when he was planning to invade Greece.

Military campaigns were common throughout the Old Testament.

2 Samuel 11:1 NLT
David and Bathsheba11:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah.

Battles were fought to restore the honor of a king or a nation.

Battles were fought to control others and to obtain a source of income from taxes.

Battles for fought for the spoils of war.

Nahum 2:9 ESV
9 Plunder the silver,
plunder the gold!
There is no end of the treasure
or of the wealth of all precious things.

Nahum 2:9 ERV
9 Take the silver!
Take the gold!
There are many things to take.
There are many treasures.

Secular source of information:

  • Herodotus  was a Greek writer, geographer and historian born in the Greek city of Halicarnassus, part of the Persian Empire. (484 BC – 425 BC)

According to Herodotus it took Xerxes four years to get ready for the invasion he launched in 481. No doubt the 180 days involved planning sessions in which all the provinces’ leaders were being prepared for the war effort, as well as being impressed with Xerxes’ wealth and splendor. The campaign was to be a costly affair.

The Book of Esther says nothing about Xerxes’ invasion of Greece, but other sources state that he wanted to avenge his father’s defeat at Marathon near Athens.

Xerxes engaged in three major battles with the Greeks (480-479 B.C.).

He won the first battle but lost the next two battles.

Defeated, he had to retreat home.

The time line of Esther from our previous lesson corresponds with the facts known from secular sources.

5 When it was all over,

The 180 day celebration for Xerxes’ officials.

the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden. 

For all the people, from the greatest to the least.

Held outdoors to accommodate large numbers of guests.

6 The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

Even the pavement was exquisitely opulent.

“on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.”

The descriptions of the décor of the king’s palace garden add to the feeling that the writer had firsthand knowledge of the setting and the occasion. 

7 Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king’s generosity. 8 By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.

In other words the king was liberal with the wine and a lot of people got drunk.

Often the guests could only drink when the king was drinking.

The abundance of wine being served would have resulted in many guests getting drunk. 

9 At the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

Separate banquets were not unusual in that culture.

Vashti’s Greek name was Amestris .

She was the mother of Xerxes third son, Artaxerxes 483 B.C., who later succeeded his father on the throne.

According to Greek historians – She was known as queen mother during the reign of her son.

Queen Vashti Deposed

10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine,

This order was given on the seventh day, that is, the last day of the feast which had turned into a drunken party. 

he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—

Castrated because their roles brought them into frequent contact with the women of the royal harem.

Castrated so they would have no illusions of starting their own dynasties. 

 11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. 12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. 

  • King Xerxes wanted the nobles and all the other men at the feast to gaze on Queen Vashti’s beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman.

“Vashti was a very beautiful woman.”

  • Queen Vashti refused to come to the king’s banquet.

Vashti’s refusal is not explained by the author.

Maybe she simply did not wish to be “gazed at” by all of the men.

Perhaps she did not wish to be in mixed company (of drunkards) at that time.

Perhaps she refused to go to the banquet because she was pregnant with Artaxerxes, who was born in 483.

Regardless of the reason for her refusal, her action was a breach of etiquette. The king was used to getting whatever he desired whenever he desired it. Therefore her response made him furious. 

This made the king furious, and he burned with anger. 

But he first consulted with his advisors.

13 He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice. 14 The names of these men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven nobles of Persia and Media. They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire.

Wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs held the highest positions in the empire.

  • Throughout the ancient Near East wise men played important roles in governments.

(e.g., Daniel’s position in the Babylonian and Persian Empires).

15 “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”

  • The king consulted wise men about what he should do.

These seven men had special access to the king and were the ones who knew the law well.

Herodotus has confirmed the fact that this use of wise men was a feature of ancient Near Eastern courts. 

16 Memucan answered the king and his nobles,

The counsel King Xerxes received from Memucan is somewhat questionable. 

“Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire. 17 Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king. 

  • The crime the queen had committed was that she disobeyed a command of the king.

Obviously the king and queen did not share an emotionally intimate relationship. This was true of Xerxes and the women in his harem. 

18 Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger. 

19 “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked.

Irrevocable nature of Persian law

Daniel 6:8, 15 NLT
8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

  • According to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed. 

It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she.  

  • Memucan advised King Xerxes to banish Queen Vashti from his presence forever and choose another queen more worthy than Queen Vashti. 

20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”

Memucan suggested that he have the queen deposed so that other women of the empire would not follow Vashti’s example and despise their husbands and the empire be filled with female disrespect and marital discord.

It is difficult to see how this punishment would cause the women of the empire to respect their husbands but that was the idea behind the decree.

This is partially explained by the fact that the men had been drinking heavily. 

21 The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel. 

  • The king followed Memucan’s counsel.

It is possible that the king and his nobles had consumed too much wine during the celebration.

22 He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.

  • A vast relay communications system, something like an ancient pony express, made it possible to spread news throughout the empire quickly.

This sets the stage for the rise of Esther.

The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2)

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The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2)

Galatians 2:6-9 NLT
6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:6-9 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2) 

6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching.

  • The apostles in Jerusalem did not correct or modify Paul’s message but recognized its divine source and affirmed its truth and completeness.

What was Paul’s message?

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

The Gospel is both profound and simple.

Romans 10:9-13 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What was Jesus’ message?

John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The Scriptures “add meat to the bones.” 

 (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)

Romans 2:11 NLT
11 For God does not show favoritism.

2 Corinthians 12:11
… for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” 

  • Paul knew that he was not inferior to the other apostles.
  • God does not show favoritism.

* Apply this principle to you and those around you. 

 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 

Different gifts.

Different responsibilities.

One Gospel, different audiences.

1 Corinthians 12 NLT
Spiritual Gifts4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts … 5 There are different kinds of service … 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. … 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 

One Body with Many Parts

12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. … and God has put each part just where he wants it. …27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.  

  • A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

Your responsibility is different from the responsibility of the person sitting next to you. 

Romans 12:6-8 NLT
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 

  • In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. 

9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. 

Look for and recognize spiritual gifts in your co-workers as well as in your students.

  • Recognize the spiritual gift(s) God has given to the people around you. 

They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 

Encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Ephesians 4:29 NLT
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

  • God’s Word instructs us to encourage each other and build each other up. 

 

 

Introduction to the book of Esther:   

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Introduction to the book of Esther:

The book of Esther is unique in that it is one of the only two books in the Bible named for women (the other, of course, is Ruth).

Author: unknown

The book gives no hint of who wrote it, but whoever it was knew the Persian culture well. The account has all the marks of a person who was there because he described the events as an eyewitness. And he was probably a Jew.

The book could have been written sometime after 465 B.C.

Like Song of Solomon, Obadiah, and Nahum, the New Testament does not make any reference to the book of Esther.

Neither the word for God nor the name Yahweh (Lord), occurs in the book of Esther.

Even though the name of God is nowhere mentioned in the book, His sovereignty, divine guidance, and care are evident throughout the story.

Esther and Exodus both chronicle how vigorously foreign powers tried to eliminate the Jewish race and how God sovereignly preserved His people in accordance with His covenant promise to Abraham.

The book of Esther explains how the festival of Purim originated. Purim was to be an annual remembrance of how God delivered His people from death, similar to their deliverance during the exodus from Egypt.

Esther 1:1-2 NLT
Introduction
1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa.

Examine the Scriptures
Esther 1:1-2 NLT
Introduction 

1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, 

Xerxes is the Greek name.

The Hebrew name for Xerxes is Ahasuerus.

Xerxes was a cruel king who ruled with tyrannical force.

Xerxes was known for his drinking, lavish banquets, harsh temper, and sexual appetite.

During Xerxes’ reign, the Persian Empire was near its peak.

The empire was very wealthy.

who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 

This included Xerxes’ conquest of Egypt.

2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa.

Refer to a map of the Persian Empire at the time of Ezra.

Much of the story takes place at Shushan (Susa), the winter capital of Persia.

Other capital cities are Babylon, Ecbatana, and Persepolis.

The events of the book cover a 10-year portion (483-473 B.C.) of the reign of Xerxes I (486 – 465 B.C.).

The events occurred between those recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra.

Background to this story of Esther.

The Jewish tribes of Benjamin and Judah had been conquered and taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Several decades later, the Medo-Persian Empire overwhelmed Babylon and inherited the Jewish captives who had assimilated into their Babylonian (now Persian), homeland.

Jeremiah 29:10 NLT  (approximate dates of Jeremiah’s prophecies are  627–570 B.C.),
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 

The Persian king allowed a large contingent of Jews to return to Jerusalem

Ezra 1:1-3 NLT
Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return
1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:
2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:
“The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!

Ezra 2:64-67 NLT
64 So a total of 42,360 people returned to Judah, 65 in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers, both men and women. 66 They took with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

The Persian king allowed a large contingent of Jews to return to Jerusalem

but many Jews stayed in Persia.

Missed opportunities

Isaiah and Jeremiah had urged the yet to be exiled nation to come out of Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:10-14 NLT
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

It was God’s plan for the Jews to leave Babylon (Persia).

Jeremiah 50:8 NLT
8 “But now, flee from Babylon!
Leave the land of the Babylonians.
Like male goats at the head of the flock,
lead my people home again.

Jeremiah 51:6 NLT
6 Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves!
Don’t get trapped in her punishment!
It is the Lord’s time for vengeance;
he will repay her in full.

Isaiah 48:20 NLT (approximate dates of Isaiah’s prophecies are  740–681 B.C.),
20 Yet even now, be free from your captivity!
Leave Babylon and the Babylonians.
Sing out this message!
Shout it to the ends of the earth!
The Lord has redeemed his servants,
the people of Israel.

The Persian king allowed a large contingent of Jews to return to Jerusalem

but many Jews stayed in Persia.

(Mordecai’s parents would have stayed)

This story takes place about 56 years after the first exiles returned to Jerusalem.

So it was that a Jewish man named Mordecai had worked his way into a low-level job in the king’s court.

Esther 2:19 NLT … Mordecai had become a palace official.

Esther 2:19 ESV and NIV … Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Mordecai became assimilated into the Persian culture much like Lot became assimilated into the culture of Sodom.

Genesis 19:1 NLT
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
19:1 That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.

 

The Return of the Exiles

The return of the exiles is a gradual process spanning the following century. The Jewish exiles from Judah return to Jerusalem in a time span spread over 92 years between 537BC and 445BC.

The return of the exiles to Judah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem were carried out in three waves. The first return was around 538 B.C. under the leadership of a man named Zerubbabel. It was during this period that the people of Israel built the second Temple.

About eighty years later, a second group, under the priestly leadership of Ezra, returned to the land. Spiritual and religious reformation occurred at that time.

Finally, under the leadership of Nehemiah, a king’s cupbearer, many more returned. Nehemiah’s focus was to repair Jerusalem’s walls and gates.

 

The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)

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Introduction:

The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)

Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
2:1Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)

2:1Then fourteen years later

Refer to  previous lesson.

I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 

Barnabas-a Jewish believer

Titus- a Gentile believer

The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion.

The visit after he left Damascus (Acts 9:26-30).

The famine visit (Acts 11:27-30)

Acts 11:27-30 NLT
27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

The visit to attend the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-30)

The visit at the end of his second missionary Journey ((Acts 18:22)

His final visit which resulted in his Caesarean imprisonment Acts 21:15-23:35)

Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.

  • The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion. Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.

It really doesn’t matter which trip this passage is referring to, the principles are still the same.

2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go.

  • Paul traveled to Jerusalem because God directed him to, not because he was summoned by the church for something he was doing (preaching to the Gentiles).

Paul got his “marching orders” from God.

Peter would have understood this principle.

Acts 5:26-29 NLT
26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

  • “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

What does the Bible tell us to do?

While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church

Most likely Peter, James, and John (see verse 9)

Met privately.  Paul was not looking for a public endorsement.

“Those considered to be leaders” 

and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement,

Previously Paul had emphasized his independence from the other apostles.

Paul did recognize the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT<
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Romans 16:17 NLT
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

Philippians 2:2 NLT
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Romans 15:5-6 NLT
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

  • Paul recognized the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.

Paul wanted to avoid a split between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.

  • Scripture tells us to “live in harmony with each other.”

Scripture does not teach “denominations”. 

For fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 

Paul feared that his ministry might be hindered or rendered of no effect by the Judaizers
if the Jerusalem leaders insisted on circumcision and other requirements of the Law for the Gentiles,

Mark 3:24-25 NLT
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

Galatians 3:28 (next chapter)

Galatians 3:28 NLT
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

A word of encouragement for the discouraged.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

  • You know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 

3 And they supported me

  • The leaders of the Jerusalem Church supported Paul’s ministry.

Paul’s position.

God’s grace comes through faith in Christ, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

  • God’s grace comes through faith in Christ. 

and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

  • The Jerusalem apostles did not think that circumcision was necessary for a Gentile (a Greek) like Titus.

4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 

  • Beware of false prophets

Matthew 7:15-20 NLT
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

  • False prophets are a reality and false prophets are destructive.

Go back to Galatians 1
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Acts 15:1 NLT
15:1 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. 

Paul was not willing to compromise.

To do so would change the Gospel.

Salvation is by faith alone.  Adding works to faith compromises the truth of the Gospel. 

There are times when it is wrong to compromise. 

Look back to:
Galatians 1:6-7 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.  You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 

  • There are times when it is wrong to compromise.   

Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. (Galatians 1:8)

Boaz Marries Ruth

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This lesson wraps up our study on the book of Ruth

Ruth 4:11-22 NLT
Boaz Marries Ruth
11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, “We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah.”
The Descendants of Boaz
13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”
16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
18 This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron.
19 Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
21 Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.

 Examine the Scriptures
Ruth 4:11-22 NLT
Boaz Marries Ruth

11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, “We are witnesses!

All of the people at the city gate signaled strong approval of Boaz’s actions. 

May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah,

From whom all the nation of Israel descended! 

Rachel was the most beloved wife of Jacob.

Rachel had been barren many years before she bore children.

Ruth had been barren in Moab.

Rachel was buried nearby.

Genesis 35:19 NLT
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

Leah was the mother of Judah, their namesake descendant.  (900 years prior to this time.)

What does it mean to be “like Rachel and Leah”?

It might be something like this: Like Ruth, from whom came all the descendants of David.

  • The elders and all the people standing in the gate demonstrated a great deal of respect for Ruth the Moabitess. 

May you (Boaz) prosper in Ephrathah (another name for Bethlehem)

Ephrathites were from the clan of Ephrathah, centered in Bethlehem.

  • All of the people at the city gate prayed that Boaz would prosper and be famous. 

and be famous in Bethlehem. 

The birthplace of Jesus.

12 And may the Lord give you descendants

  • The elders and all of the people at the city gate prayed that the Lord would give Boaz descendants.

These descendants would include David and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • The elders acknowledged that children are a gift from God.

Psalm 127:3 NLT
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

 by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez (the first born of twins), the son of Tamar and Judah.”

Genesis 38:1-30.

Boaz was a descendant of Perez.

They may have been praying for more descendants like Boaz.

The Descendants of Boaz
13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 

Ruth was married to Mahlon for ten years without having children.

  • The Lord enabled Ruth, who had been barren in Moab for the entire period of her marriage to Mahlon, to become pregnant.

14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family!

Once again Naomi becomes the center of attention.

The women of the town recognized that God had provided a redeemer (Obed) who would care for Naomi in her latter years.

  • The Lord had provided a redeemer for Naomi and her family. 

May this child be famous in Israel. 

How was Obed used by God?

15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Ruth turned out to be better than seven sons.

Seven sons was an ideal for Hebrew families.

16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 

17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” 

“Son” can mean descendant.

This child replaced the family Naomi lost when her two sons died in Moab.

The family line would continue once again. 

And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Obed means “worshiper” or “servant”.

  • Naomi’s deep sorrow turned to radiant joy; emptiness gave way to fullness.

It appears that the neighbor women named Ruth’s son Obed.

  • Obed replaced the family Naomi lost when her two sons died in Moab. The family line would continue. 
  • Obed became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. 

18 This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez: 

Also in:
1 Chronicles 2
Matthew 1
Luke 3

 Perez was the father of Hezron.
19 Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
21 Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.

Nine centuries / ten generations. (900 years back to Jacob, 100 years before David)

“Son” can mean descendant.

Some generations have been selectively omitted.

The book of Matthew takes this line of ancestors back to Abraham.

1 Chronicles 2 goes back to Israel (Jacob).

Luke 3 goes back to Adam.

 

David was an ancestor of Jesus.

  • Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth, was an ancestor of Jesus.
  • The genealogical record of Obed is found in Ruth 4, 1 Chronicles 2, Matthew 1, and Luke 3.

The Book of Ruth 

The story of Ruth, a virtuous woman.

The story of Boaz, a kinsman redeemer.

An illustration of God’s redemptive plan extending beyond the Jews.

A picture of God’s sovereignty.

And so much more!

Transaction at the City Gate

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Introduction:

Previous Lesson: Strive to treat others in ways similar to Boaz’s treatment of Ruth.

Today’s Lesson:  Conduct your business in ways similar to how Boaz conducted his business.

Ruth 4:1-10 NLT
Transaction at the City Gate
4:1 Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.” So they sat down together. 2 Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses. 3 And Boaz said to the family redeemer, “You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 I thought I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don’t want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you.”
The man replied, “All right, I’ll redeem it.”
5 Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.”
6 “Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.”
7 Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. 8 So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.”
9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. 10 And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today.”

Examine the Scriptures

Ruth 4:1-10 NLT

Transaction at the City Gate

4:1 Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there.

Most legal transactions, including property transfers, were carried out at the city gate.  The city gate served as a combined town hall and courthouse.  This was the normal place for business and legal transactions, where witnesses were readily available.

A similar event in Genesis. (Among other places in Scripture.)

Genesis 19:1 NLT
That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.

  • Boaz was intent on conducting his affairs openly and correctly.

Boaz was not about to take something or someone that was not rightfully his.

Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.” So they sat down together. 

The author of Ruth choose not to use the man’s name. (more about this later in the lesson.)

2 Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses. 

  • Ten leaders from the town would serve as witnesses for the legal proceedings about to take place.  

3 And Boaz said to the family redeemer, “You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 

  • Boaz was looking out for Naomi’s welfare as well as Ruth’s welfare.

Naomi was not currently using or controlling the land, but she did have legal title to the land.

It was God’s plan for the Promised Land to remain in the families whose ancestors had originally been assigned to the land.

Leviticus 25:8-10 NLT
The Year of Jubilee
8 “In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years in all. 9 Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram’s horn loud and long throughout the land. 10 Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. 

The Promised Land ultimately belonged to God.

Leviticus 25:23-25 NLT
Redemption of Property
23 “The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.
24 “With every purchase of land you must grant the seller the right to buy it back. 25 If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell some family land, then a close relative should buy it back for him.

Psalm 24:1
A psalm of David.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him. 

4 I thought I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish.

  • Boaz knew that the nearest kinsman redeemer had the first right to the property and Boaz gave him the opportunity to redeem the property.

The redeemer would be the caretaker of the land until the destitute landowner could recover economically and buy it back.

If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don’t want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you.”

  • Boaz was ready and willing to redeem the land if the nearer kinsman redeemer chose not to redeem the land.

The man replied, “All right, I’ll redeem it.”

The kinsman could see a great opportunity. With no male heir and no apparent likelihood that there would be one, this redeemer would end up with the land and would be doing his social duty for the family.

5 Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.”

Marrying Ruth would not have been required by the letter of the levirate law.

This is a big deal changer.  With the possibility of a male heir things change drastically. The male heir would inherit the land.

6 “Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.”

Considerations:

If Ruth had a son the land would be passed down to him.

The expense of additional property.

The expense of a wife.

Marrying a Moabite.

  • The nearer kinsman redeemer was not willing to endanger his own estate by redeeming the land that belonged to Elimelech.

By acting to preserve his own name, this man became the no-name who refused to help his close relative.

  • Boaz was willing to assume any of the risks that may accompany this redemption. 

7 Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party.

The process of renouncing one’s property rights and passing them to another was publicly attested by taking off a sandal and transferring it to the new owner.

The passing of the sandal symbolized Boaz’s right to walk on the land as his property.

This publicly validated the transaction. 8 So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.”

  • The passing of the sandal publicly validated the transaction.
  • After giving his sandal to Boaz, the unknown kinsman moved from the scene and into anonymity. The name of Boaz is recorded in Scripture for all to see.

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon.  

Orpah is no longer a part of this story.

10 And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife.

Here Boaz exercised the “spirit “of the law.

  • Boaz respected Ruth as a worthy person in spite of the fact she was a Moabite.
  • Boaz was about to marry Ruth and take her “under his wings.”

Ruth 3:9 NLT
9 “Who are you?” he asked.“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today.”

  • Boaz clearly intended to raise an heir who would carry on the family name.

Boaz was a kinsman redeemer by his own choice. 

Boaz is an illustration of the Lord Jesus Christ who became mankind’s Kinsman Redeemer.  The one who makes all things right before God the Father for those who trust in Him.

Philippians 2: NLT
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. 

  • Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Part 2)

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Galatians 1:16b – 24 NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Part 2)
Paul is defending his apostleship.
16b … When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 1:16b – 24 NLT

Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Part 2) Paul is defending his apostleship.

 16b … When this (Damascus Road experience) happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 

Galatians 1:12 NLT
12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 

  • Paul received his message by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12)
  • Paul was not influenced by human beings after receiving his revelation from Jesus Christ.

17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was.

Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity.

Paul was independent from the other apostles yet in harmony with them.

Galatians 2:6
“And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching.”  Both preached the same Gospel.

  • Paul did not consult with other human beings after receiving a revelation from Jesus.

Instead, I went away into Arabia,

  • The chronology and dating of the events in Paul’s life are still disputed among scholars.
  • The details of Paul’s trip to Arabia are vague.

This trip is not mentioned in the Book of Acts.

Many believe Paul went to Arabia to be alone with the Lord for personal study, meditation, and to receive further instruction from the Lord.

Paul already knew Old Testament Scriptures.

Paul’s experience may have been similar to that of the two men on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:27 NLT
The Walk to Emmaus
27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus opened Paul’s eyes to the truths of the scriptures.

Paul would have heard the claims of the first Christians.

  • Paul did not form his theology by consulting with others.

and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 

18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 

Review verse 17

  • Paul went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter.

19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. 

21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 

After his visit in Jerusalem, Paul worked for an extended time (possibly 10 years) in Syria and Cilicia (this included his home town of Tarsus).

Paul was not commissioned for this ministry by the church or by the Apostles.

Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus.

Acts 11:25-26 NLT
25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 

From the time of his conversion till now the churches in Judea did not know Paul personally.

  • Paul’s apostleship did not derive from Jerusalem.

23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!”  

  • Paul was preaching the “very faith” the Jerusalem church was preaching.

24 And they praised God because of me.

  • Paul’s conversion and ministry was a source of rejoicing in the Jerusalem church.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boaz Makes His Decision

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Boaz Makes His Decision

Ruth 3:10-18 NLT
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. 11 Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. 12 But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. 13 Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.”
14 So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” 15 Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town.
16 When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?”
Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, 17 and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 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.”

Examine the Scriptures
Ruth 3:10-18 NLT
Boaz Makes His Decision 

10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed.

This is Boaz’s initial response to Ruth’s “proposal”.

Compare this to:
Ruth 2:12 NLT
12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

Again Boaz addresses Ruth as “my daughter”.

  • Boaz’s initial response to Ruth’s proposal was a blessing: “The Lord bless you, my daughter.”

“You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before,

Ruth was looking out for the welfare of Naomi.

for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. 

Ruth made a decision that was good for her family, by doing something that would continue the family line and provide an heir to the land.

Ruth 4:5 NLT
5 Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.”

  • Boaz recognized Ruth’s kindness and loyalty.

11 Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary,

  • Boaz continued to look out for Ruth’s welfare.

Ruth 4:5 NLT
5 Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.”

for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman.  

Proverbs 31:10-31 – A Virtuous (excellent) Wife.

See also 2:1 ESV, NIV, & NLT for Boaz

ESV
Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

NIV
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.

NLT
Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.

  • Ruth was known as a virtuous woman.
  • Boaz was known as a wealthy and influential man, a worthy man, and a man of standing. 

12 But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.  

Boaz knew that Ruth had a relative who was more closely related to her than he was.

  • Boaz was committed to do the right thing.

13 Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. 

  • Boaz was willing to let the closer kinsman redeemer redeem Ruth.

In Boaz’s mind, marriage was a part of redemption.

But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives,

The phrase “as the Lord lives” makes this a solemn oath from Boaz. 

I will redeem you myself!

  • If the nearer kinsman was not willing to redeem Ruth, Boaz would surely do so.

Now lie down here until morning.”

14 So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” 

  • Boaz is concerned for Ruth’s and his reputation.

Boaz wanted to avoid any chance of gossip.

15 Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back.

  • Boaz continued to look out for the needs of Ruth and Naomi, even before becoming the family redeemer.

Boaz is going beyond anyone’s expectations in giving Ruth this generous amount of gain.

Some commentators say this could be as much as 60 pounds of grain.

Boaz had the “heart” of a family redeemer.

Then he returned to the town.

16 When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?”

Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, 17 and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

Naomi’s “matchmaking” seemed to be working out well.

18 Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens.

Naomi knew that Boaz was a man of integrity and would fulfill his promise.

“Just be patient.”

The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”

  • At this point, the outcome of this matter is in Boaz’s hands.

Boaz will follow through.

“I will do what is necessary” Quoting Boaz’s comment in verse 11.

 

Paul’s Message Comes from Christ

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Introduction:

Paul defending his apostleship

Galatians 1:11-16a NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Paul is defending his apostleship.)
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 1:11-16a NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach

  • Paul’s message was that People are made right with God by Grace through faith, not by obeying the law.

A brief summary of Paul’s message.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

is not based on mere human reasoning. 

  • The Gospel did not originate with man. 

This reminder should be reassuring, encouraging, and motivating to us. 

12 I received my message from no human source,

  • Paul did not receive the Gospel from any human source.

Unlike the experience many of us had.

  • Most of us did hear the Gospel message from a human source, which is also part of God’s plan for many people.

The Galatians heard the Gospel from a human source, Paul.

Hearing the Gospel from a human source is Biblical.

Romans 10:13-15 NLT
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 

Psalm 78:4 NLT
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. 

Acts 1:8 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Mark 16:15-16 NLT
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 

and no one taught me. 

Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul, writing to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:3 NLT
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.

  • Paul received his message by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 

13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion

the traditions of my ancestors (v.14)

Meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of the people made by Jewish rabbis.

Most of these traditions were not Biblical. 

—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.  

14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

Philippians 3:5-6 NLT
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 

  • Before he was converted, Paul zealously and fanatically persecuted the Christian church.

 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

Romans 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul,

a slave of Christ Jesus,

 chosen by God to be an apostle

and sent out to preach his Good News.

  • Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle.

This calling was not unique to Paul.

Isaiah 49:1 NLT
The Lord’s Servant Commissioned
49:1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!
Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb he called me by name.

Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

A similar calling for John the Baptist found in Luke 1.

We too are called by God’s marvelous grace.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me 

“pleased Him to reveal…”

Damascus Road experience

Total and complete transformation

Paul’s life was turned around

Going in a different direction

  • Paul experienced a complete and total transformation. He went from being a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the Gospel.

so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. 

The Gentiles were the non-Jewish world.

  • Paul became known as an apostle to the Gentiles.

Ruth at the Threshing Floor

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Ruth 3:1-9 NLT

Ruth at the Threshing Floor

3:1 One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. 2 Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. 3 Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.”,br>5 “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.
7 After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

Examine the Scriptures
Ruth 3:1-9 NLT
Ruth at the Threshing Floor
3:1 One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. 

Note the positive relationship between Naomi and Ruth.

Ruth has been looking out for Naomi, by working in Boaz’s fields.

Now Naomi takes the initiative, looking out for Ruth.

Naomi recognized the need to plan for the future.

  • Naomi feels responsible, just as she did in chapter 1 verse 9, for Ruth’s future husband and home.

Ruth 1:9 NLT
9 “May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” 

It was customary for Hebrew parents to arrange marriages for their children.

2 Boaz is a close relative of ours, 

Ruth 2:20 NLT
20 “May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.”

  • Boaz met the criteria for being a family redeemer for Naomi and Ruth. 

and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women.

Boaz had been very kind and generous to Ruth.

Boaz was treating Ruth like a daughter.

Ruth 2:8 NLT
8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter.”

  • Boaz was treating Ruth like a daughter.

What has Boaz not done?

As a contemporary of Elimelech and Naomi, Boaz is a generation older than Ruth.

  • Boaz had not done anything to initiate marrying Ruth.

Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor.  

After the harvest, the grain is separated from the straw.  This was followed by winnowing the grain.  Winnowing is the process of tossing the grain into the air to finish separating the grain from the chaff.  This process usually took place in late afternoon when the Mediterranean winds prevailed.  The work would have carried over past dark.

Boaz would be sleeping near the grain to protect it. 

3 Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes.

Prepare yourself for a very special occasion.

Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go

Ruth was to be at the threshing floor observing Boaz without being recognized.

Go under the cover of darkness unseen by Boaz or anyone else. 

and uncover his feet and lie down there. 

  • The meaning of “uncovering of the feet” is unclear but it is certainly proper.

The act most likely took place in the dark so that Boaz had the opportunity to reject the offer without the whole town knowing about it. 

He will tell you what to do.” 

(more about this phrase in the next lesson) 

5 “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. 

Again it is clear that Naomi and Ruth had a great mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship.

6 So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. 

  • Ruth followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.

7 After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits,

Boaz was in good spirits.
He had worked hard.
He enjoyed a good meal.

The famine in the land was over.
God was giving His people in Judah good crops.

Ruth 1:6 NLT
6 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. 

  • Boaz was in good spirits. 

he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet!

Afraid
Startled
Shuddered
Troubled
Terrified

  • Boaz woke up and found a woman lying at his feet.

 9 “Who are you?” he asked.

When Boaz woke up he knew a woman was laying at his feet, but he did not know who it was.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

Boaz’s previous prayer for Ruth

Ruth 2:12 NLT
12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” 

  • Ruth had already put herself under the wings of God.

Other scriptures using “wings” of God.

Psalm 36:7 NLT (David)
7     How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 57:1 NLT
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.

Psalm 61:4 NLT (David)
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! 

The request was clear.

Ruth identified Boaz as her family redeemer, and asked him spread his covering over her.

The corners of your covering is translated as wings of your covering. (Both signify protection.)

  • Ruth was now asking to be put under the wings of Boaz.

Ruth was proposing marriage to Boaz.

“Spread the corner of your garment over me” was a request for marriage.  A similar custom is still being practiced in some parts of the Middle East today. 

To be continued.