Under Jehovah's Wings

Under Jehovah's Wings – Ruth 4:11-22 It is said that their marriage was accompanied by the prayers and blessings of the elders and the people present at the ceremony. It was the custom of those times for the oldest elder to recite the blessing and for the other elders, with the rest of the people, to join him, so that it seems as if they had all pronounced the blessings that appear in the sacred text. (11)

I. Public prayers, even if only one prays aloud.

A. There may be several in turn, "all those present must pray inwardly with him."

1. From here we must learn to bless and accompany with prayers the marriages of our brothers and sisters.

2. The prayer - blessing of the elders (11-22) contains three parts: a) In the first, Ruth (11), the new Israelite, is wished a fecundity (fertility, to produce) like that of Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob. Where the nation Israel arose with the children. b) In the second, Boaz is wished to acquire (gain, get) new luster (brightness, light, radiance) and new strength, which will make him prosper in the family business and give him honor, wisdom, and success among all the families of Bethlehem of Ephrathah. c) In the third, the family of Boaz and Ruth is wished a descendant like that of Perez (or Perez- breach), the firstborn of Judah, as if to say: "May your house be like that of Perez, as numerous and illustrious as that of Perez. The people of Bethlehem were descendants of Perez. Now they prayed that the family of Boaz, which was only one of the families of Bethlehem, might become in the course of years as numerous and illustrious as the whole descendants of the patriarch were now. David was born in Bethlehem. Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

3. Boaz took her as his wife.

4. (13) Boaz had prayed that this pious proselyte (a convert to the Jewish religion) would receive a full reward from the God of Israel for her bravery and steadfastness, since she had come to take refuge under Jehovah's wings. (Ruth 2:12)

5. Now he was precisely the instrument ordained by God to give Ruth the reward that Boaz had desired for her.

6. As Naomi's daughter-in-law, she remained a daughter-in-law, for Naomi had not been forgotten, but was now the chief sharer in the joy and praise of the women of Bethlehem.

7. Just as marriage was directed and celebrated by prayer, so the birth of the child was celebrated with thanksgiving.

8. (14) "Praise be to the Lord," say the women of Bethlehem to Naomi, "who made it so that you did not lack today a redeeming kinsman (he who redeems, rescues, delivers from pain, scarcity, loss); so was Ruth to Naomi.

9. The child now becomes the redeemer "because he means the secure future of the family", the son of a daughter-in-law who loves her mother-in-law more than her mother, and "is of more value to her than seven sons". (15)

10. The bonds of love are stronger than those of nature.

11. (16) Naomi responds by "taking the child in her lap (skirt, protection, comfort); and being his governess (16) (caretaker, educating him in God, the commandments, rules of the Israelites).

12. If Boaz is Elimelech's brother (3), which is probable, as stated in verse 3; putting the child on her lap would be a symbol of adoption of Naomi's child, because of Ruth's trust, love, faithfulness, trust, and covenant with Naomi.

13. Such was Ruth's faithfulness, trust, security, love for Naomi.

14. It is not at all the adoption of Ruth to separate the child from Ruth's trust and love, so that Naomi may be dear, carried very well earned.

15. The Neighbors (17): Naomi has a son.

16. They call him Obed, "servant" (God's understanding).

17. The name was very appropriate for the son of such pious parents.

18. Ruth thus becomes part of the lineage of ancestors of David and Jesus Christ, which was a greater honor. Amen.