Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-4 NIV

Associate Producer

Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

We’ll read the chapters, I’ll share some thoughts about the reading, and we’ll have Christmas Question number 6 today. This time you’ll hear the question asked by the Lovely Lady LeeAnn who called it in on the ls fam hotline! And then our Christmas expert, James Cooper of whychristmas.com has the answer.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Unsplash+

Comments on Ruth

I love this little book. The main characters Naomi, Ruth and Boaz are good and honorable people. Some of the people we’ve read about recently have not been overflowing with integrity, so it’s nice to read about good people for a change, don’t you think?

Naomi and Ruth seem to be gently and loving women. 

And Boaz seems so gracious. Notice how he greeted those who were working in his field. “The Lord be with you.” It seems like he genuinely liked them, that he didn’t look down on them as mere servants. I think their response confirms that: “The Lord bless you!”

Notice how the Lord directs our paths even before we know Him. Ruth had no idea that this field belonged to a relative of Naomi. But God knew, and He brought Boaz’s attention to her as she followed the harvesters, picking up the scraps they left behind.

Speaking of Ruth, there was something we read today that might have caused you to raise your eyebrows a bit. When Boaz was sleeping on the threshing floor and Ruth came in to lie at his feet, did that seem to you that she was being improper? Like maybe she was throwing herself at him? 

It wasn’t, really. According to Hebrew law, when a man died, his closest relative was to take his wife as his own. And since Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, was not aware of a closer relative than Boaz, she must have told Ruth that Boaz was to be her husband, since Ruth’s husband had died.

So actually, Ruth’s actions that night were somewhat restrained, since she laid by Boaz’s feet instead of lying next to him. 

And Boaz, this man of integrity, carefully restrained himself as well, even taking care to have her leave before anyone should see Ruth there. He knew that there was a closer relative that had first right of refusal, and he didn’t want Ruth’s good name compromised.

These were, without a doubt, good and honorable people.

Do you remember how yesterday’s episode ended? Remember that I told you that Perez is in Jesus’ genealogy? Well, guess what. So is Ruth. Yep. So that’s a nice bit of history to tuck into your memory banks.

James Cooper Links

Here

And Here

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Transcript

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Ruth 1-4: Good People (LSFAB S13E066)

[TEASER - 0:00]Maybe she was throwing herself at him?

[INTRO S13E066 - 0:10]This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we were reading through the entire Bible together in a year. The website is lifespringmedia.com. I am so glad you're here today. Welcome. It's always good to be with family. This is History Tuesday, and we're going to read the little book of Ruth. And the title for today's episode is "Good People." We'll read the chapters. I'll share some thoughts about the reading and we'll have Christmas question number six today. The Lovely Lady LeeAnn called in another couple of questions, and of course, I threw the questions to James Cooper of whychristmas.com. At the end of the show, I have a song from the fantastic singer-songwriter, Geoff Smith. Geoff Smith has been a talent in podcasting since almost t...