May 8, 2025 • 38 mins
# 145 - Ruth & Boaz Unite - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we witness a quiet act of courage at the threshing floor that leads to a moment of redemption and lasting legacy. As Ruth and Boaz step forward in faith, their union becomes part of God’s greater plan to restore what was lost and bless generations to come.
Episode 145 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Lamentations 3:24, “The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore I will hope in him.”
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Show Notes:
(01:04) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:49) Ruth & Boaz Unite
(32:07) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen people. Where are you going?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Little mobidis? What am I going to do? Where will
I go?
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Please?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Faster? May I glean behind your workers.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
You're welcome to join the women in gloom at the edges.
Speaker 5 (00:20):
Don't go and gathering in another field, Stay on this one.
You may stay close to my servants, see which field
they're harvesting in, and follow them.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Why have I found such bafor with you? Don't you
recognize that I am a foreigner?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Ruth?
Speaker 6 (00:38):
Where did you gather today? May the Lord bless the
man who noticed you.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
The name of the man is Boaz, Boaz, son of
Salmon and rayhab.
Speaker 6 (00:48):
Bo As you said, Boaz.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yes, do you know him? He said, he remembers you.
Speaker 6 (00:56):
I suppose he is not the only one who has
remember us.
Speaker 7 (01:06):
In the quiet obedience of two lives. God's eternal plan
takes root shell, Oh, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, I'm l extein with international fellowship
of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
How to broken things become whole again? When all seems lost,
(01:27):
when grief has taken root, and hope feels like a
distant memory. How does restoration begin in Ruth three and four,
we're drawn into a story that's both tender and profound.
It begins in the quiet of the threshing floor, a
place of decision and risk. It ends with joy, a
joy that still ripples through generations, weaving its way into eternity.
(01:51):
And it makes us wonder what small acts of faithfulness
might God be using to shape a much bigger story.
This story he feels like an embrace, a picture of
how God weaves beauty into the lives of those who
trust him. It's bold but not brash, romantic but not
in a shallow way. Ruth's courage to approach Boaz moves
(02:14):
me every single time I read it. She knew the risks,
what he might think, what others might say, but she
stepped forward anyways. And Boaz his kindness is breathtaking. He
didn't have to respond the way that he did, but
he chose to honor Ruth, to see her faithfulness, to
step into the role of redeemer with grace and strength.
(02:38):
But this story isn't about just two people. It's about
God's covenantal faithfulness working quietly in the fields of Bethlehem.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Ruth nervously tugged at her head covering and smoothed it
against her long, wavy hair. Walking along the now familiar
paths of Boass fields, the playful evening breeze danced across
her bare face. The sun was just beginning to dip
under the horizon, lighting up the dense, plump clouds with
(03:15):
a comforting orange glow. The moon rose shyly in the distance,
its cheery yellow luminance, lighting Ruth's way to the threshing floor,
where Boas would surely be. Ruth could hear laughter and merriment,
and see oil lamps and torches flicker to life in
the distance. The days were growing warm as late springs
(03:39):
started to turn to summer, and the heat of the
air charged the mild smell of barley with a sweet,
earthy aroma that made Ruth feel more alive than she
had in years. She could feel her heart beating so
ferociously that she could hear the pounding in her ears.
She drew a steadying breath, again, adjusted her head covering,
(04:03):
and recounted Naomi's instructions for what must have been the
hundredth time, remembering Naomi's joy as she explained who Boas
was to their family still brought a smile to Ruth's face,
though it was weeks later.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Ha ha, Ruth, my daughter, my child, don't you realize who
Boas is to us? Who he could be to us?
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Ruth stared blankly at her mother in law, still overwhelmed
by the radiant beauty in her rare smile brought on
by this joyous revelation. Ruth shook her head and Naomi continued.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
Boas is a close relative of my late husband. He
is one of our kinsman redeemers. He has the right
to buy back the land we lost before we left
for Moab. And Ruth, he has shown you such favor.
He surely understands who you are and what the favor
would signify. Oh, Ruth, my child, you look so confused.
(05:07):
Don't you understand what that would mean?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
No, I don't understand, but I've not seen such joy
on your face in many, many years.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
Naomi cupped Ruth's face with both hands, and Ruth was
startled at the tenderness of the touch. Naomi had been
unreachable and numb for so long, but her maternal kindness
melted Ruth's heart. Naomi carefully explained to Ruth, how the
law of the Hebrews outlined both the process for redeeming
(05:41):
a family's property and for preserving a lineage through the
duty of a brother in law or, in this case,
a kinsman redeemer. Ruth marveled once again at the gracious
care the Lord had woven into his laws for his people.
The vulnerable were to be provided for, and even what
(06:01):
was lost could be restored, if only there were those
faithful enough to uphold these statutes.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
So when you say that Boaz has shown me favor,
what you mean to say is.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You think you would marry someone like me. I'm not
an Israelite woman.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
I did not grow up under your laws.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
Perhaps my daughter. Perhaps By all accounts, Boaz is an
honorable man. He understands the laws and upholds them. I
do not think he would extend such favor and protection
toward you to mislead you.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
But he's already done so much for us. The food
he gave me today alone could feed us for weeks.
I couldn't imagine asking for more, even hoping for more.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
This would be too much.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Ruth, Oh, Ruth, my dear, you have sacrificed so much
to stay by my side. Shouldn't I find rest for
you so that you will be taken care of h
I would not have survived without you. You have done
for me a great kindness I could never repay.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
I made a pledge. I will never turn my back
on you or our God.
Speaker 6 (07:17):
There's that faith of yours. Promise me this child. Over
the weeks of harvest, stay close to Boaz and his workers.
Observe his character and his actions toward you. Ask the
Lord to show you with your very eyes that Boaz
could be our family redeemer. Together, let's trust that our
(07:37):
hope has not been misplaced.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I can do that. We'll find our way forward together.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Over the rest of the harvest season, Ruth obediently observed
Boaz and his steadfast, faithful nature. He was fair and
measured in all that he did, but he was also
generous and took the time to talk with his servants
and understood who they were. They were not a means
to an end to him, but rather respected and valued
(08:07):
as fellow human beings. Slowly, but surely, Ruth found her
heart open to the possibility of marriage again. She did
not feel the same giddy excitement she experienced with Marlin
when he first began courting her, but that was many
years ago, and so much had happened since. Instead, Ruth
(08:29):
discovered a deeper, more discerning admiration for Boaz when he
greeted her each morning and saw her off each evening.
The trust and reliability he exuded felt far more meaningful
to her than the fleeting rush of youthful passion. However,
she did feel a flash of anticipation that surprised her
(08:51):
as each step took her closer and closer to him.
Naomi had instructed her on how to approach Boaz and
what to say to him. Though being near Boaz put
her at ease, the boldness and bigness of what she
was about to ask caused her pulse to race and
her hands to sweat. But she had abandoned her widow's garments,
(09:15):
washed applied perfumed oil on her skin, and donned her
finest clothes in preparation. There was no going back now.
Boaz looked up from his task of straightening the piles
of grain when the familiar scraping sound of the board
running over the sheaves of barley stopped. The donkey stamped
(09:37):
its feet, sensing its task of pulling the threshing sled
was complete. The harvesters threw the last of the barley
into the air in celebration. Boas grinned as the warm
late spring breeze eagerly took the chaff away, and the
last of their barley came cascading down on the threshing floor.
His harvesters let up a cheer and join them.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Ha ha ha, Praise the Lord, What a bountiful harvest
this year, Yes, Master, praise the Lord.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Boaz's foreman, Mallark, smiled and handed Boaz a cup of
wine to celebrate. With the last of the winnowing complete,
there was nothing more to be done today. Tonight Boas
would sleep outside beside the freshly sorted grain, and tomorrow
his harvesters would return to measure and load the grain
(10:29):
to be transported to the granaries. The harvesters similarly accepted
cups of wine and food that had been brought out
by Boaz's other servants and even the harvester's families. They
had all worked hard throughout the harvesting season, and the
slight reprieve of the growing season could be celebrated for
one night before they continued their work. Tomorrow. Boaz took
(10:53):
a swig of wine and turned to address the small
crowd of workers, their families, and even the gleaners who
had remained with them throughout the season. He quickly scanned
the crowd for a certain familiar dark widow's veil he
had come to anticipate. Ruth was not there. He frowned, slightly,
surprised to find how her absence affected him, but Boaz
(11:16):
brushed his disappointment aside and congratulated his harvesters on their
work this season.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
The Lord be with you all. The Lord bless you.
Thank you for your diligence in my fields this season. Look,
the Lord has blessed the efforts of our hands. Tonight
we celebrate the abundance of his provision. Well done, everyone,
Well done.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
The small crowd erupted into cheers once more. Their voices
then softened to excited murmurs as the mood steadily shifted
to celebration. More wine was poured and food was passed
from person to person. Torches and oil lamps flicked to life,
casting a warm glow that pushed back the encroaching darkness.
(12:05):
Laughter and chatter filled the air, and someone began strumming
a lyre its gentle melody weaving through the gathering like
joy personified. A few tambourines and drums joined in, and
the music eventually rose. With the light of the lanterns.
People danced around the threshing floor, celebrating a life well
(12:25):
lived and a community well loved. Ruth approached the gathering undetected.
She allowed the cheery atmosphere to waft over her and
soothe her nervousness. By the time she joined a circle
of familiar faces, she found that her smile could not
be contained.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Ruth, is that you. I hardly recognized you.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
The women excitedly welcomed Ruth and praised her for her beauty.
Ruth knew they lightly guessed the reason she had revealed
her face. At last, she kept catching men on the
outskirts of their circles, stealing glances in her direction. Some
of the older, sharper eyed women caught it as well.
Ruth just smiled dismissively at their arched eyebrows and meaningful glances.
(13:14):
Ruth saw where Boaz was, but she was determined to
heed her mother in law's advice and avoid his attention
until after the celebration had concluded, Boaz served barley loaves
to his servants. He walked among the people serving them
instead of expecting to be served. Boaz was just about
(13:34):
to sit himself when the laugh of a young woman
piqued his ears. It was lovely, almost like an accompanying
instrument to join the lyre. Boaz again scanned the knots
of people throughout the threshing floor to try and pinpoint
where it was coming from. Just then the laugh sounded again,
and he saw it belong to a lovely young woman,
(13:56):
whose head was thrown back in jovial laughter. Even from
this distance, he was captivated by her bright, dark eyes,
large and inviting over a winning smile. Her cloak and dress,
in rich hues of scarlet and a deep blue, were
not extravagant, but well made. His breath caught at the
(14:17):
full effect of her vibrant, lovely and inviting. As quickly
as she appeared, she disappeared into the crowd again.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Master Boaz, you look as though you've seen a ghost.
Ah come back to us. It's a celebration. Even serious
old Malac is enjoying himself. I thought, I saw, ha,
ha ha, You're right you're right, Should we get Malach another?
(14:51):
Or would that be pushing our luck with that?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Boaz tried to shake the image of that woman from
his mind and turned his attention back to playing host
and master. They all carried on until the moon had
risen fully into the sky. The servants and their families
slowly started to depart, until it was just Boas and
his group.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
Ooh, go home, my friends, No, I insist, I can
manage watching over the grain tonight. I'll just be why.
It'll be morning before we know it, and you'll all
be back here anyway. You'll be glad you had a
few hours of sleep too, I warrant.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Malark, and the others reluctantly did as their master bid.
Boas doused the torches and oil lamps, then settled down
with a woven blanket beside one of the stacks of
grain to sleep. His belly was full of good food,
and though the warmth of the wine had faded hours ago,
the satisfaction of friendship and success lingered, filling him with
(15:58):
a deep contentment as he drifted off to sleep. Ruth
once more hurried along the path between fields to the
threshing floor, guided only by the light of the waning moon.
It was important that the women and the others had
seen her leave the gathering. She shuddered to think of
what rumors would be stirred up by her being seen
(16:21):
lingering alone with the master of the property. What she
was to do now would be a risk, but she
had every hope that Boas would prove to be the
man she had come to know him to be. A
soft cadence of heavy breathing helped her pinpoint where Boaz
slumbered by the grain in the darkness. He looked so
(16:41):
peaceful and content, lying stretched out under the stars. Careful
not to disturb him, Ruth folded the bottom of the
blanket back to reveal his feet. She then delicately laid
herself down beside his feet. Naomi had given Ruth these
very specific directions to place herself in this position of
(17:02):
vulnerability and humility. It was a simple but direct action.
The opening move in a proposal of marriage a Hebrew
man was to symbolically take his wife under the edge
of his garment, just as the Lord protected his beloved
nation of Israel. Ruth's heart beat wildly against her rib cage,
(17:24):
as flutters of nervousness swept her body. This was an
ambitious move for her to make, but she desperately hoped
that it would not be in vain and that she
would not be put to shame. A combination of the
subtle movement and then the cool night air on his
exposed feet caused Boas to jerk awake. For an instant,
(17:45):
he forgot where he was, but then he realized he
was not alone. Boa sat up and looked around, seeing nothing.
He then looked down to see not only his exposed feet,
but the outline.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Of a figure who's there.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
To his astonishment, the figure lifted her head and met
his gaze. The moonlight illuminated her face as she rose
to her knees. It was the beautiful young woman from
earlier that night. Boaz was again taken with her beauty,
and now that she was so close, the smell of
her perfumed oils was intoxicating, sweet, earthy warm notes that
(18:26):
reminded him of an abundant autumn harvest. He was rooted
to the spot as her rich, dark eyes searched his intently.
The woman then inclined her head respectfully and answered.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Him, it's Ruth, your humble servant.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Boaz blinked at her in the dark. Of course this
was Ruth. It all made sense now. His mind quickly
filled in the gaps between the beauty before him and
the woman he had come to know. What are you
doing here, Ruth?
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Bo As?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
I I have come to ask you to spread the
wing of your garment over me, for you are a
family redeemer.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Ruth's breath court. As she waited for his answer, she
tried desperately to read the thoughts beyond boaz His surprised features.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
I'm amazed you would think of me at all.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Of course, Boas, who else?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I come here, vulnerable but confident in your character?
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Will you redeem me?
Speaker 5 (19:34):
May the Lord bless you, my daughter. I was taken
with your loyalty to your mother in law and our
God before, but now I'm amazed at your faithfulness. You're
so young, so lovely. Surely you could pursue younger men,
men who are richer, more vigorous, more handsome, would make
(19:56):
you far happier than I could. Instead, you think only
of your commitment to your family. You would seek to
redeem your husband's family and secure a future for your
mother in law over your own. Interests.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Ruth blushed at his praise, and Boas could not help
but smile as the charming effect it had on her high,
delicate cheekbones.
Speaker 8 (20:19):
What you say is all true, but I must confess
I have placed my own heart, my own hope, in
waiting to hear your answer. You are my family's kinsman, redeemer,
but I have also come to admire you as a
man of valor and integrity.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Ruth was astonished by her own boldness, but she couldn't
stop the words from pouring out straight from her heart.
They were true, every single one. She was rewarded with
a broad, unrestrained smile. Now it was BoA's turn to blush,
and Ruth was struck by how much pleasure she felt
(21:01):
in catching him off.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
God, I will do as you ask. Do not be
afraid or worry about what any one in town says,
for they've all seen your noble character. They've come to
see what I have seen in you. Since the moment
that I have learned your name and heard what you
did for Naomi.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Ruth could barely contain her smile. Soon her cheeks would hurt.
But then she saw a cloud of hesitation fall over
Boaz's face. He quickly masked it with an expression that
was the picture of duty.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Though there is another, another man. Let me start again.
It is true that I am a family redeemer, but
there is a redeemer who is closer than I am.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Boaz saw the disappointment he felt mirrored in her wide,
opulent eyes.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
What what should I do?
Speaker 5 (22:00):
But stay here tonight. I would not have you wandering
alone back to Naomi in the dark. You'll be safe,
and tomorrow I'll go and find the other redeemer. If
he wants to redeem you, then that is good, That
is right, he should be given the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yes, you're right, I understand.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Ruth nodded. Boas was right, this was the right thing
to do, but she could not deny the dismay looming
over her heart. Boas his own heart sank at the
sight of her fallen smile, and he found himself speaking
before he realized what he was saying.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
But if he doesn't want to redeem you, as the
Lord lives, I will. I will gladly redeem you.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
You think you will not want to redeem me?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
No, well you know what I mean. Ah, I'm sure
only a very good reason would prevent him it tomorrow.
I will not rest until this is resolved. I promise
you you will be redeemed.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Boaz did not finish the rest of what he wanted
to say. He wanted it to be him, but he
also did not want to make a promise he could
not keep. He found another blanket and draped it over
her shoulders before retreating back to his own Ruth pulled
the blanket in close and then curled up on her side,
(23:32):
back where she was when Boaz woke to find her.
Boaz laid back in his makeshift bed and found himself
wishing he could indeed wrap her in his own blanket,
spreading the wing of his garment over her as the
saying went. But he knew that he must honor the
law and see how the Lord would receive his faithfulness.
(23:53):
And so Boaz sat in vigil, watching over both his
harvest and Ruth until the sun started to rise over
the hills of Bethlehem. Naomi and Ruth took turns pacing
around the cramped stone living space. They had been waiting
all day for word from the city gate or from
(24:16):
Boaz or the other kinsman redeemer himself Ruth had returned
just before dawn that morning, before anyone else was stirring
in the town, with over thirty pounds of barley for
her and for Naomi wild generosity or bride price.
Speaker 6 (24:33):
Time would tell Boaz is a shrewd man. He will
leave no stone unturned.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yes, Naomi, you are right.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
We will just have to wait and see.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Naomi had said as much a half dozen different times,
and in twice as many ways. Ruth smiled. Naomi was
nearly as nervous as she was, but there was nothing
to do but wait. Ruth believed that Boas would not
re until they had an answer. Their patience was finally
rewarded when they heard hurried footsteps on the path to
(25:07):
their stone farmhouse in the late afternoon. Both women jumped
to their feet and hurried to the door. Ruth's breath
caught in her throat as she rose, her feet hesitant
but her heart racing. She reached the door and opened
it slowly. The creak of the wood was the only
sound before the whorld erupted into joyous commotion. A parade
(25:31):
of people stood outside, their shouts of joy and exultation
filling the air. Trumpets blared triumphantly, and women stepped forward
with arms laden with fragrant oils, flowers, and garments of
gleaming white. Before Ruth could process what was happening, they
swept into the house like a tide, their hands gentle
(25:53):
yet insistent, as they adorned her with the finery of
a bride. They called her Indeed, the words swirled around Ruth,
along with garlands of wild flowers. She felt the press
of hands smoothing her hair and settling a delicate veil
over her brow. When the men knelt and presented her
(26:15):
with a seat, she lowered herself into it. The seat
was lifted high, carried upon their shoulders as they began
their triumphant march. Ruth's heart swelled as the cheers rose
around her. The procession moved down the road toward the
threshing floor, where Boaz waited. Naomi walked behind the parade,
(26:37):
her heart brimming with an emotion she had not felt
in years. Delight. Tears streamed down Naomi's weathered cheeks as
she whispered praises to the Lord. She thought of the
bitter name she had once claimed, Marah, and how far
the Lord had brought her since those dark days. The
(26:58):
sweetness of her true name, Naomi returned to her in waves.
The Lord had never abandoned her. His hand was carrying
her all along through the loyalty of her daughter in law, Ruth,
Faithful Ruth, redeemed Ruth. The crowd reached the threshing floor.
(27:21):
There stood Boaz. His posture was tall and proud, his
expression radiant with joy as he caught the sight of Ruth.
The men set Ruth gently at the start of the isle.
She remained there for a moment, her hands trembling slightly
as she took in the scene before her. Her gaze
(27:42):
lingered on Boaz, her redeemer, and she thought of the
journey that had led her to this moment. She remembered
the tears shed at Marlin's grave, the night spent in
prayer beneath the vast, unyielding sky. She thought of the
aching march from Moab, the wi weariness of gleaning in
the fields. All of it, every sorrow and trial, had
(28:06):
been a thread in the tapestry of God's plan. She
breathed deeply, steadying herself, and stepped forward. Each step was
a prayer of gratitude, a declaration of faith the brokenness
of her past melted away with each stride, her path
(28:26):
illuminated by the rising sun of redemption. When she reached Boaz,
she took his hand. His fingers were rough, but his
touch was gentle. Boaz looked at Ruth, his heart near
to bursting. She was radiant, her beauty not merely in
her outward adornment, but in the strength and faith that
(28:49):
shone through her. She was a testament to the grace
of God, a living emblem of redemption.
Speaker 5 (28:58):
Ruth Moab, yet beloved of Israel. Today I take you
to be my wife and the sight of the Lord,
our God. And before the witnesses of this assembly, you
are no longer a stranger among us, but grafted into
the people of Israel, as the Lord has redeemed me
(29:20):
and my house. So I vow to redeem you, to
cherish you, and to honor you all the days of
my life.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Boas I stand here today not because of my worth,
but because of the kindness of our God and your
steadfast heart, I pledge myself to you as your wife,
to love you and serve you with loyalty as I
have loved and served Naomi. May the God of Israel,
(29:52):
under whose wings I.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Have sought refuge.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
Bless this union and guide our steps together.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
As it is written in the scrolls of our forefathers,
it is not good for man to be alone. I
will make a helper suitable for him. Ruth, you are
my helper, my companion, and the delight of my heart.
I will love you as my own soul, honor you
as my partner, and protect you as my bride.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Where you go, I will go. Where you dwell, I
will dwell. Your people will be my people, and your
God my God.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
The vows they exchanged echoed like music in the hearts
of all who gathered. The people cheered, their voices a
chorus of celebration, their faces alight with the realization that
they were witnessing more than a union of two souls.
This was a foretaste of something greater, a glimpse of
(30:56):
God's ultimate plan of redemption for his people. Boaz and
Ruth's love story became a part of the grander narrative
of God's faithfulness. Through their union, a lineage was forged
that would bring forth kings and eventually the King. Years later,
(31:19):
when their son Obed was born, Naomi cradled him in
her arms, her heart overflowing with joy. The women of
Bethlehem gathered around, their voices lifting in song.
Speaker 6 (31:32):
Blessed be the Lord who has not left you without
a redeemer. This child shall be to you a restorer
of life.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
Their words were not merely a blessing, but a prophecy.
Obed would grow to father Jesse, and Jesse would father David,
the Shepherd, King of Israel. Through suffering and sorrow, through
loyalty and love, God's redemptive plan unfolded.
Speaker 7 (32:09):
The threshing floor. It's a place of separation. It's where
grain is beaten, sifted and refined, where the valuable is
drawn from the worthless. But it's way more than that.
It's a space where decisions are made, destinies are revealed,
and the ordinary becomes sacred. And isn't that what we
(32:30):
see in Ruth's story? Picture her there under the cloak
of night, vulnerable in every sense of the word, a
widow of foreigner, a woman with no rights to claim,
no inheritance to demand. She approaches Baas not with arrogance,
but with the quiet strength of Kresaid, faithful, self giving love.
(32:53):
Kresaid is The heartbeat of this story, as we talked
about in the last episode, Kressied, is the heart beat
of the Chosen People. It's not duty and it's not convenience.
Is the kind of love that sacrifices for the good
of another, even when there's no guarantee of return. Bos
(33:14):
meets Ruth's vulnerability with a response that is just as stunning.
He could have turned Ruth away, He could have cited
her Moabite heritage as a reason to avoid entanglement, because
Boss didn't owe Ruth anything, but his actions went beyond obligation.
(33:35):
He acted with kindness and integrity and courage. And that's
where the Jewish sages pause and marvel because Ruth wasn't
just anyone. She was a Moabite, a woman from a
nation that the people of Israel were commanded to keep
(33:56):
at arm's length. She wasn't part of the Chosen piece people.
And yet it was through her faithfulness that Ruth becomes
a living example of what Israel is called to be,
a people who show love to the stranger, who keep
their promises, and who trust in God's provision even when
(34:17):
the odds seem impossible. On the threshing floors of life,
the places where everything feels uncertain, where we are all
stripped of pretense. God meets us there. Let's go all
the way back to the beginning of the book of
Ruth to Elimelech. If it weren't for Elimelech deserting the
(34:40):
Holy Land and moving to Moab, then Ruth, the Moabite princess,
would never have met one of the Chosen People, much
less married one and become the mother of Jewish royalty,
the matriarch of the family that produced the great King David.
There is an important lesson here for all of us,
even oh we don't fully understand it, we know that
(35:02):
greatness can come from tragedy, and even from an act
that seems to threaten disaster. A Hebrew baby was placed
in the Nile River to die, and he became the
Great Moses, the faithful shepherd of the Chosen People. So too,
Elimelech deserted his people. But God was preparing the beginnings
(35:23):
of the Davidic house, which our tradition tells us is
the ancestry of redemption, in which the righteous Ruth and
Boaz said in motion. So let's trust God's master plan
even when at the moment we might not understand it.
The story of Ruth and BoA's is ultimately the story
of redemption. Redemption that moves through the ordinary, a field,
(35:47):
a threshing floor, a small town in Bethlehem. And isn't
that exactly God's way? He works not only in grand miracles,
but in the quiet acts of faithfulness that ripple into eternity.
What does Ruth's story teach us well? That God is
faithful even when the way a head feels uncertain, That
(36:10):
small acts of courage and faithfulness are part of something
far greater than we can ever imagine. Maybe you, right
now are standing at a threshing floor moment in your
own life, unsure of what comes next. Well take heart,
my friend, because God meets us in those places like Ruth.
Step forward in faith like Boaz. Reflect God's kindness to
(36:35):
those around you, and always remember this. God's work often
begins in the ordinary, because with him the ordinary becomes
sacred ground.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
You can listen to the Chosen People with the Isle
exstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the pray
dot Com app today. This Pray don't com un production
is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents.
Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are
the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yil Eckstein.
(37:13):
Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are
voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and
the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and
(37:37):
Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin,
kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot
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(37:59):
leave a review,
Previously on the Chosen people. Where are you going?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Little mobidis? What am I going to do? Where will
I go?
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Please?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Faster? May I glean behind your workers.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
You're welcome to join the women in gloom at the edges.
Speaker 5 (00:20):
Don't go and gathering in another field, Stay on this one.
You may stay close to my servants, see which field
they're harvesting in, and follow them.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Why have I found such bafor with you? Don't you
recognize that I am a foreigner?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Ruth?
Speaker 6 (00:38):
Where did you gather today? May the Lord bless the
man who noticed you.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
The name of the man is Boaz, Boaz, son of
Salmon and rayhab.
Speaker 6 (00:48):
Bo As you said, Boaz.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yes, do you know him? He said, he remembers you.
Speaker 6 (00:56):
I suppose he is not the only one who has
remember us.
Speaker 7 (01:06):
In the quiet obedience of two lives. God's eternal plan
takes root shell, Oh, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, I'm l extein with international fellowship
of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
How to broken things become whole again? When all seems lost,
(01:27):
when grief has taken root, and hope feels like a
distant memory. How does restoration begin in Ruth three and four,
we're drawn into a story that's both tender and profound.
It begins in the quiet of the threshing floor, a
place of decision and risk. It ends with joy, a
joy that still ripples through generations, weaving its way into eternity.
(01:51):
And it makes us wonder what small acts of faithfulness
might God be using to shape a much bigger story.
This story he feels like an embrace, a picture of
how God weaves beauty into the lives of those who
trust him. It's bold but not brash, romantic but not
in a shallow way. Ruth's courage to approach Boaz moves
(02:14):
me every single time I read it. She knew the risks,
what he might think, what others might say, but she
stepped forward anyways. And Boaz his kindness is breathtaking. He
didn't have to respond the way that he did, but
he chose to honor Ruth, to see her faithfulness, to
step into the role of redeemer with grace and strength.
(02:38):
But this story isn't about just two people. It's about
God's covenantal faithfulness working quietly in the fields of Bethlehem.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Ruth nervously tugged at her head covering and smoothed it
against her long, wavy hair. Walking along the now familiar
paths of Boass fields, the playful evening breeze danced across
her bare face. The sun was just beginning to dip
under the horizon, lighting up the dense, plump clouds with
(03:15):
a comforting orange glow. The moon rose shyly in the distance,
its cheery yellow luminance, lighting Ruth's way to the threshing floor,
where Boas would surely be. Ruth could hear laughter and merriment,
and see oil lamps and torches flicker to life in
the distance. The days were growing warm as late springs
(03:39):
started to turn to summer, and the heat of the
air charged the mild smell of barley with a sweet,
earthy aroma that made Ruth feel more alive than she
had in years. She could feel her heart beating so
ferociously that she could hear the pounding in her ears.
She drew a steadying breath, again, adjusted her head covering,
(04:03):
and recounted Naomi's instructions for what must have been the
hundredth time, remembering Naomi's joy as she explained who Boas
was to their family still brought a smile to Ruth's face,
though it was weeks later.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Ha ha, Ruth, my daughter, my child, don't you realize who
Boas is to us? Who he could be to us?
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Ruth stared blankly at her mother in law, still overwhelmed
by the radiant beauty in her rare smile brought on
by this joyous revelation. Ruth shook her head and Naomi continued.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
Boas is a close relative of my late husband. He
is one of our kinsman redeemers. He has the right
to buy back the land we lost before we left
for Moab. And Ruth, he has shown you such favor.
He surely understands who you are and what the favor
would signify. Oh, Ruth, my child, you look so confused.
(05:07):
Don't you understand what that would mean?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
No, I don't understand, but I've not seen such joy
on your face in many, many years.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
Naomi cupped Ruth's face with both hands, and Ruth was
startled at the tenderness of the touch. Naomi had been
unreachable and numb for so long, but her maternal kindness
melted Ruth's heart. Naomi carefully explained to Ruth, how the
law of the Hebrews outlined both the process for redeeming
(05:41):
a family's property and for preserving a lineage through the
duty of a brother in law or, in this case,
a kinsman redeemer. Ruth marveled once again at the gracious
care the Lord had woven into his laws for his people.
The vulnerable were to be provided for, and even what
(06:01):
was lost could be restored, if only there were those
faithful enough to uphold these statutes.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
So when you say that Boaz has shown me favor,
what you mean to say is.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You think you would marry someone like me. I'm not
an Israelite woman.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
I did not grow up under your laws.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
Perhaps my daughter. Perhaps By all accounts, Boaz is an
honorable man. He understands the laws and upholds them. I
do not think he would extend such favor and protection
toward you to mislead you.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
But he's already done so much for us. The food
he gave me today alone could feed us for weeks.
I couldn't imagine asking for more, even hoping for more.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
This would be too much.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Ruth, Oh, Ruth, my dear, you have sacrificed so much
to stay by my side. Shouldn't I find rest for
you so that you will be taken care of h
I would not have survived without you. You have done
for me a great kindness I could never repay.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
I made a pledge. I will never turn my back
on you or our God.
Speaker 6 (07:17):
There's that faith of yours. Promise me this child. Over
the weeks of harvest, stay close to Boaz and his workers.
Observe his character and his actions toward you. Ask the
Lord to show you with your very eyes that Boaz
could be our family redeemer. Together, let's trust that our
(07:37):
hope has not been misplaced.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I can do that. We'll find our way forward together.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Over the rest of the harvest season, Ruth obediently observed
Boaz and his steadfast, faithful nature. He was fair and
measured in all that he did, but he was also
generous and took the time to talk with his servants
and understood who they were. They were not a means
to an end to him, but rather respected and valued
(08:07):
as fellow human beings. Slowly, but surely, Ruth found her
heart open to the possibility of marriage again. She did
not feel the same giddy excitement she experienced with Marlin
when he first began courting her, but that was many
years ago, and so much had happened since. Instead, Ruth
(08:29):
discovered a deeper, more discerning admiration for Boaz when he
greeted her each morning and saw her off each evening.
The trust and reliability he exuded felt far more meaningful
to her than the fleeting rush of youthful passion. However,
she did feel a flash of anticipation that surprised her
(08:51):
as each step took her closer and closer to him.
Naomi had instructed her on how to approach Boaz and
what to say to him. Though being near Boaz put
her at ease, the boldness and bigness of what she
was about to ask caused her pulse to race and
her hands to sweat. But she had abandoned her widow's garments,
(09:15):
washed applied perfumed oil on her skin, and donned her
finest clothes in preparation. There was no going back now.
Boaz looked up from his task of straightening the piles
of grain when the familiar scraping sound of the board
running over the sheaves of barley stopped. The donkey stamped
(09:37):
its feet, sensing its task of pulling the threshing sled
was complete. The harvesters threw the last of the barley
into the air in celebration. Boas grinned as the warm
late spring breeze eagerly took the chaff away, and the
last of their barley came cascading down on the threshing floor.
His harvesters let up a cheer and join them.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Ha ha ha, Praise the Lord, What a bountiful harvest
this year, Yes, Master, praise the Lord.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Boaz's foreman, Mallark, smiled and handed Boaz a cup of
wine to celebrate. With the last of the winnowing complete,
there was nothing more to be done today. Tonight Boas
would sleep outside beside the freshly sorted grain, and tomorrow
his harvesters would return to measure and load the grain
(10:29):
to be transported to the granaries. The harvesters similarly accepted
cups of wine and food that had been brought out
by Boaz's other servants and even the harvester's families. They
had all worked hard throughout the harvesting season, and the
slight reprieve of the growing season could be celebrated for
one night before they continued their work. Tomorrow. Boaz took
(10:53):
a swig of wine and turned to address the small
crowd of workers, their families, and even the gleaners who
had remained with them throughout the season. He quickly scanned
the crowd for a certain familiar dark widow's veil he
had come to anticipate. Ruth was not there. He frowned, slightly,
surprised to find how her absence affected him, but Boaz
(11:16):
brushed his disappointment aside and congratulated his harvesters on their
work this season.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
The Lord be with you all. The Lord bless you.
Thank you for your diligence in my fields this season. Look,
the Lord has blessed the efforts of our hands. Tonight
we celebrate the abundance of his provision. Well done, everyone,
Well done.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
The small crowd erupted into cheers once more. Their voices
then softened to excited murmurs as the mood steadily shifted
to celebration. More wine was poured and food was passed
from person to person. Torches and oil lamps flicked to life,
casting a warm glow that pushed back the encroaching darkness.
(12:05):
Laughter and chatter filled the air, and someone began strumming
a lyre its gentle melody weaving through the gathering like
joy personified. A few tambourines and drums joined in, and
the music eventually rose. With the light of the lanterns.
People danced around the threshing floor, celebrating a life well
(12:25):
lived and a community well loved. Ruth approached the gathering undetected.
She allowed the cheery atmosphere to waft over her and
soothe her nervousness. By the time she joined a circle
of familiar faces, she found that her smile could not
be contained.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Ruth, is that you. I hardly recognized you.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
The women excitedly welcomed Ruth and praised her for her beauty.
Ruth knew they lightly guessed the reason she had revealed
her face. At last, she kept catching men on the
outskirts of their circles, stealing glances in her direction. Some
of the older, sharper eyed women caught it as well.
Ruth just smiled dismissively at their arched eyebrows and meaningful glances.
(13:14):
Ruth saw where Boaz was, but she was determined to
heed her mother in law's advice and avoid his attention
until after the celebration had concluded, Boaz served barley loaves
to his servants. He walked among the people serving them
instead of expecting to be served. Boaz was just about
(13:34):
to sit himself when the laugh of a young woman
piqued his ears. It was lovely, almost like an accompanying
instrument to join the lyre. Boaz again scanned the knots
of people throughout the threshing floor to try and pinpoint
where it was coming from. Just then the laugh sounded again,
and he saw it belong to a lovely young woman,
(13:56):
whose head was thrown back in jovial laughter. Even from
this distance, he was captivated by her bright, dark eyes,
large and inviting over a winning smile. Her cloak and dress,
in rich hues of scarlet and a deep blue, were
not extravagant, but well made. His breath caught at the
(14:17):
full effect of her vibrant, lovely and inviting. As quickly
as she appeared, she disappeared into the crowd again.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Master Boaz, you look as though you've seen a ghost.
Ah come back to us. It's a celebration. Even serious
old Malac is enjoying himself. I thought, I saw, ha,
ha ha, You're right you're right, Should we get Malach another?
(14:51):
Or would that be pushing our luck with that?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Boaz tried to shake the image of that woman from
his mind and turned his attention back to playing host
and master. They all carried on until the moon had
risen fully into the sky. The servants and their families
slowly started to depart, until it was just Boas and
his group.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
Ooh, go home, my friends, No, I insist, I can
manage watching over the grain tonight. I'll just be why.
It'll be morning before we know it, and you'll all
be back here anyway. You'll be glad you had a
few hours of sleep too, I warrant.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Malark, and the others reluctantly did as their master bid.
Boas doused the torches and oil lamps, then settled down
with a woven blanket beside one of the stacks of
grain to sleep. His belly was full of good food,
and though the warmth of the wine had faded hours ago,
the satisfaction of friendship and success lingered, filling him with
(15:58):
a deep contentment as he drifted off to sleep. Ruth
once more hurried along the path between fields to the
threshing floor, guided only by the light of the waning moon.
It was important that the women and the others had
seen her leave the gathering. She shuddered to think of
what rumors would be stirred up by her being seen
(16:21):
lingering alone with the master of the property. What she
was to do now would be a risk, but she
had every hope that Boas would prove to be the
man she had come to know him to be. A
soft cadence of heavy breathing helped her pinpoint where Boaz
slumbered by the grain in the darkness. He looked so
(16:41):
peaceful and content, lying stretched out under the stars. Careful
not to disturb him, Ruth folded the bottom of the
blanket back to reveal his feet. She then delicately laid
herself down beside his feet. Naomi had given Ruth these
very specific directions to place herself in this position of
(17:02):
vulnerability and humility. It was a simple but direct action.
The opening move in a proposal of marriage a Hebrew
man was to symbolically take his wife under the edge
of his garment, just as the Lord protected his beloved
nation of Israel. Ruth's heart beat wildly against her rib cage,
(17:24):
as flutters of nervousness swept her body. This was an
ambitious move for her to make, but she desperately hoped
that it would not be in vain and that she
would not be put to shame. A combination of the
subtle movement and then the cool night air on his
exposed feet caused Boas to jerk awake. For an instant,
(17:45):
he forgot where he was, but then he realized he
was not alone. Boa sat up and looked around, seeing nothing.
He then looked down to see not only his exposed feet,
but the outline.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Of a figure who's there.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
To his astonishment, the figure lifted her head and met
his gaze. The moonlight illuminated her face as she rose
to her knees. It was the beautiful young woman from
earlier that night. Boaz was again taken with her beauty,
and now that she was so close, the smell of
her perfumed oils was intoxicating, sweet, earthy warm notes that
(18:26):
reminded him of an abundant autumn harvest. He was rooted
to the spot as her rich, dark eyes searched his intently.
The woman then inclined her head respectfully and answered.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Him, it's Ruth, your humble servant.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Boaz blinked at her in the dark. Of course this
was Ruth. It all made sense now. His mind quickly
filled in the gaps between the beauty before him and
the woman he had come to know. What are you
doing here, Ruth?
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Bo As?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
I I have come to ask you to spread the
wing of your garment over me, for you are a
family redeemer.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Ruth's breath court. As she waited for his answer, she
tried desperately to read the thoughts beyond boaz His surprised features.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
I'm amazed you would think of me at all.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Of course, Boas, who else?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I come here, vulnerable but confident in your character?
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Will you redeem me?
Speaker 5 (19:34):
May the Lord bless you, my daughter. I was taken
with your loyalty to your mother in law and our
God before, but now I'm amazed at your faithfulness. You're
so young, so lovely. Surely you could pursue younger men,
men who are richer, more vigorous, more handsome, would make
(19:56):
you far happier than I could. Instead, you think only
of your commitment to your family. You would seek to
redeem your husband's family and secure a future for your
mother in law over your own. Interests.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Ruth blushed at his praise, and Boas could not help
but smile as the charming effect it had on her high,
delicate cheekbones.
Speaker 8 (20:19):
What you say is all true, but I must confess
I have placed my own heart, my own hope, in
waiting to hear your answer. You are my family's kinsman, redeemer,
but I have also come to admire you as a
man of valor and integrity.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Ruth was astonished by her own boldness, but she couldn't
stop the words from pouring out straight from her heart.
They were true, every single one. She was rewarded with
a broad, unrestrained smile. Now it was BoA's turn to blush,
and Ruth was struck by how much pleasure she felt
(21:01):
in catching him off.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
God, I will do as you ask. Do not be
afraid or worry about what any one in town says,
for they've all seen your noble character. They've come to
see what I have seen in you. Since the moment
that I have learned your name and heard what you
did for Naomi.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Ruth could barely contain her smile. Soon her cheeks would hurt.
But then she saw a cloud of hesitation fall over
Boaz's face. He quickly masked it with an expression that
was the picture of duty.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Though there is another, another man. Let me start again.
It is true that I am a family redeemer, but
there is a redeemer who is closer than I am.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Boaz saw the disappointment he felt mirrored in her wide,
opulent eyes.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
What what should I do?
Speaker 5 (22:00):
But stay here tonight. I would not have you wandering
alone back to Naomi in the dark. You'll be safe,
and tomorrow I'll go and find the other redeemer. If
he wants to redeem you, then that is good, That
is right, he should be given the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yes, you're right, I understand.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Ruth nodded. Boas was right, this was the right thing
to do, but she could not deny the dismay looming
over her heart. Boas his own heart sank at the
sight of her fallen smile, and he found himself speaking
before he realized what he was saying.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
But if he doesn't want to redeem you, as the
Lord lives, I will. I will gladly redeem you.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
You think you will not want to redeem me?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
No, well you know what I mean. Ah, I'm sure
only a very good reason would prevent him it tomorrow.
I will not rest until this is resolved. I promise
you you will be redeemed.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Boaz did not finish the rest of what he wanted
to say. He wanted it to be him, but he
also did not want to make a promise he could
not keep. He found another blanket and draped it over
her shoulders before retreating back to his own Ruth pulled
the blanket in close and then curled up on her side,
(23:32):
back where she was when Boaz woke to find her.
Boaz laid back in his makeshift bed and found himself
wishing he could indeed wrap her in his own blanket,
spreading the wing of his garment over her as the
saying went. But he knew that he must honor the
law and see how the Lord would receive his faithfulness.
(23:53):
And so Boaz sat in vigil, watching over both his
harvest and Ruth until the sun started to rise over
the hills of Bethlehem. Naomi and Ruth took turns pacing
around the cramped stone living space. They had been waiting
all day for word from the city gate or from
(24:16):
Boaz or the other kinsman redeemer himself Ruth had returned
just before dawn that morning, before anyone else was stirring
in the town, with over thirty pounds of barley for
her and for Naomi wild generosity or bride price.
Speaker 6 (24:33):
Time would tell Boaz is a shrewd man. He will
leave no stone unturned.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yes, Naomi, you are right.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
We will just have to wait and see.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Naomi had said as much a half dozen different times,
and in twice as many ways. Ruth smiled. Naomi was
nearly as nervous as she was, but there was nothing
to do but wait. Ruth believed that Boas would not
re until they had an answer. Their patience was finally
rewarded when they heard hurried footsteps on the path to
(25:07):
their stone farmhouse in the late afternoon. Both women jumped
to their feet and hurried to the door. Ruth's breath
caught in her throat as she rose, her feet hesitant
but her heart racing. She reached the door and opened
it slowly. The creak of the wood was the only
sound before the whorld erupted into joyous commotion. A parade
(25:31):
of people stood outside, their shouts of joy and exultation
filling the air. Trumpets blared triumphantly, and women stepped forward
with arms laden with fragrant oils, flowers, and garments of
gleaming white. Before Ruth could process what was happening, they
swept into the house like a tide, their hands gentle
(25:53):
yet insistent, as they adorned her with the finery of
a bride. They called her Indeed, the words swirled around Ruth,
along with garlands of wild flowers. She felt the press
of hands smoothing her hair and settling a delicate veil
over her brow. When the men knelt and presented her
(26:15):
with a seat, she lowered herself into it. The seat
was lifted high, carried upon their shoulders as they began
their triumphant march. Ruth's heart swelled as the cheers rose
around her. The procession moved down the road toward the
threshing floor, where Boaz waited. Naomi walked behind the parade,
(26:37):
her heart brimming with an emotion she had not felt
in years. Delight. Tears streamed down Naomi's weathered cheeks as
she whispered praises to the Lord. She thought of the
bitter name she had once claimed, Marah, and how far
the Lord had brought her since those dark days. The
(26:58):
sweetness of her true name, Naomi returned to her in waves.
The Lord had never abandoned her. His hand was carrying
her all along through the loyalty of her daughter in law, Ruth,
Faithful Ruth, redeemed Ruth. The crowd reached the threshing floor.
(27:21):
There stood Boaz. His posture was tall and proud, his
expression radiant with joy as he caught the sight of Ruth.
The men set Ruth gently at the start of the isle.
She remained there for a moment, her hands trembling slightly
as she took in the scene before her. Her gaze
(27:42):
lingered on Boaz, her redeemer, and she thought of the
journey that had led her to this moment. She remembered
the tears shed at Marlin's grave, the night spent in
prayer beneath the vast, unyielding sky. She thought of the
aching march from Moab, the wi weariness of gleaning in
the fields. All of it, every sorrow and trial, had
(28:06):
been a thread in the tapestry of God's plan. She
breathed deeply, steadying herself, and stepped forward. Each step was
a prayer of gratitude, a declaration of faith the brokenness
of her past melted away with each stride, her path
(28:26):
illuminated by the rising sun of redemption. When she reached Boaz,
she took his hand. His fingers were rough, but his
touch was gentle. Boaz looked at Ruth, his heart near
to bursting. She was radiant, her beauty not merely in
her outward adornment, but in the strength and faith that
(28:49):
shone through her. She was a testament to the grace
of God, a living emblem of redemption.
Speaker 5 (28:58):
Ruth Moab, yet beloved of Israel. Today I take you
to be my wife and the sight of the Lord,
our God. And before the witnesses of this assembly, you
are no longer a stranger among us, but grafted into
the people of Israel, as the Lord has redeemed me
(29:20):
and my house. So I vow to redeem you, to
cherish you, and to honor you all the days of
my life.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Boas I stand here today not because of my worth,
but because of the kindness of our God and your
steadfast heart, I pledge myself to you as your wife,
to love you and serve you with loyalty as I
have loved and served Naomi. May the God of Israel,
(29:52):
under whose wings I.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Have sought refuge.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
Bless this union and guide our steps together.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
As it is written in the scrolls of our forefathers,
it is not good for man to be alone. I
will make a helper suitable for him. Ruth, you are
my helper, my companion, and the delight of my heart.
I will love you as my own soul, honor you
as my partner, and protect you as my bride.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Where you go, I will go. Where you dwell, I
will dwell. Your people will be my people, and your
God my God.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
The vows they exchanged echoed like music in the hearts
of all who gathered. The people cheered, their voices a
chorus of celebration, their faces alight with the realization that
they were witnessing more than a union of two souls.
This was a foretaste of something greater, a glimpse of
(30:56):
God's ultimate plan of redemption for his people. Boaz and
Ruth's love story became a part of the grander narrative
of God's faithfulness. Through their union, a lineage was forged
that would bring forth kings and eventually the King. Years later,
(31:19):
when their son Obed was born, Naomi cradled him in
her arms, her heart overflowing with joy. The women of
Bethlehem gathered around, their voices lifting in song.
Speaker 6 (31:32):
Blessed be the Lord who has not left you without
a redeemer. This child shall be to you a restorer
of life.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
Their words were not merely a blessing, but a prophecy.
Obed would grow to father Jesse, and Jesse would father David,
the Shepherd, King of Israel. Through suffering and sorrow, through
loyalty and love, God's redemptive plan unfolded.
Speaker 7 (32:09):
The threshing floor. It's a place of separation. It's where
grain is beaten, sifted and refined, where the valuable is
drawn from the worthless. But it's way more than that.
It's a space where decisions are made, destinies are revealed,
and the ordinary becomes sacred. And isn't that what we
(32:30):
see in Ruth's story? Picture her there under the cloak
of night, vulnerable in every sense of the word, a
widow of foreigner, a woman with no rights to claim,
no inheritance to demand. She approaches Baas not with arrogance,
but with the quiet strength of Kresaid, faithful, self giving love.
(32:53):
Kresaid is The heartbeat of this story, as we talked
about in the last episode, Kressied, is the heart beat
of the Chosen People. It's not duty and it's not convenience.
Is the kind of love that sacrifices for the good
of another, even when there's no guarantee of return. Bos
(33:14):
meets Ruth's vulnerability with a response that is just as stunning.
He could have turned Ruth away, He could have cited
her Moabite heritage as a reason to avoid entanglement, because
Boss didn't owe Ruth anything, but his actions went beyond obligation.
(33:35):
He acted with kindness and integrity and courage. And that's
where the Jewish sages pause and marvel because Ruth wasn't
just anyone. She was a Moabite, a woman from a
nation that the people of Israel were commanded to keep
(33:56):
at arm's length. She wasn't part of the Chosen piece people.
And yet it was through her faithfulness that Ruth becomes
a living example of what Israel is called to be,
a people who show love to the stranger, who keep
their promises, and who trust in God's provision even when
(34:17):
the odds seem impossible. On the threshing floors of life,
the places where everything feels uncertain, where we are all
stripped of pretense. God meets us there. Let's go all
the way back to the beginning of the book of
Ruth to Elimelech. If it weren't for Elimelech deserting the
(34:40):
Holy Land and moving to Moab, then Ruth, the Moabite princess,
would never have met one of the Chosen People, much
less married one and become the mother of Jewish royalty,
the matriarch of the family that produced the great King David.
There is an important lesson here for all of us,
even oh we don't fully understand it, we know that
(35:02):
greatness can come from tragedy, and even from an act
that seems to threaten disaster. A Hebrew baby was placed
in the Nile River to die, and he became the
Great Moses, the faithful shepherd of the Chosen People. So too,
Elimelech deserted his people. But God was preparing the beginnings
(35:23):
of the Davidic house, which our tradition tells us is
the ancestry of redemption, in which the righteous Ruth and
Boaz said in motion. So let's trust God's master plan
even when at the moment we might not understand it.
The story of Ruth and BoA's is ultimately the story
of redemption. Redemption that moves through the ordinary, a field,
(35:47):
a threshing floor, a small town in Bethlehem. And isn't
that exactly God's way? He works not only in grand miracles,
but in the quiet acts of faithfulness that ripple into eternity.
What does Ruth's story teach us well? That God is
faithful even when the way a head feels uncertain, That
(36:10):
small acts of courage and faithfulness are part of something
far greater than we can ever imagine. Maybe you, right
now are standing at a threshing floor moment in your
own life, unsure of what comes next. Well take heart,
my friend, because God meets us in those places like Ruth.
Step forward in faith like Boaz. Reflect God's kindness to
(36:35):
those around you, and always remember this. God's work often
begins in the ordinary, because with him the ordinary becomes
sacred ground.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
You can listen to the Chosen People with the Isle
exstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the pray
dot Com app today. This Pray don't com un production
is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents.
Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are
the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yil Eckstein.
(37:13):
Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are
voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and
the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and
(37:37):
Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin,
kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot
com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on
the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you
enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and
(37:59):
leave a review,
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