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Ruth

Chapter 1

1:4 - Deuteronomy (23:3) says that no Moabite shall "enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation." Yet Ruth was King David's grandmother (Ru.4:13, 17), and she was also a Moabite.

* Deuteronomy 23:3 states that a Moabite should not "enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to the tenth generation."  This passage is referring to the Moabites mentioned in verse 4.  It is not necessarily a blanket statement for all Moabites and especially not proselytized ones.

* The phrase "enter into the congregation (or assembly) of the Lord" is referring to the assemblies that the Israelites had.  This did not specifically forbid Boaz to marry Ruth.  Marriage is not mentioned.

* Since Ruth was a widow, Boaz was obligated to take her as a wife.  He was obeying their law.  Therefore, this law superceded the specific statement about the Moabites that would not help the Israelites (mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:3).  Ruth was "grafted" into their people because Boaz was her kinsman redeemer.

Chapter 3

3:3-4 - Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) advises Ruth as to how to best seduce Boaz. He tells her to wait until he is a bit drunk and has fallen asleep. Then "go in and uncover his feet [a biblical euphemism for male genitals], and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what to do."

* This Hebrew word for "drink" does not infer alcohol or drunkenness.

* "Go in and uncover his feet" is not a biblical euphemism for male genitals.  There are other words for male genitals, but this Hebrew word literally means "feet."

3:6-9 - Ruth does as Naomi says, and then at midnight Boaz wakes up and finds Ruth "at his feet." He asks who she is, and she says, "I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore your skirt over thine handmaid."

* This is correct.  Boaz' alleged drunkenness is never mentioned or implied.

* Ruth correctly states that Boaz is her kinsman.  This gives him the right and responsibility to take her as wife (since she had been widowed).

3:11-14 - Boaz seems agreeable to the suggestion and says, "I will do thee all that thou requirest." Next he asks her to "Tarry this night ... lie down until the morning." so Naomi "lay at his feet until morning."

* This is correct.  Incidentally, there are no implications of sexual intercourse.

Chapter 4

4:10 - Boaz purchases Ruth to be his wife.

* This "purchase" was a dowry.  He didn't buy Ruth to be a slave.  Boaz had a lot of money and simply gave some to Ruth's family.

* Boaz assumes the role of the kinsman redeemer.  He redeems Ruth.  This is much like Jesus Christ and it foreshadows what He does.  

* Jesus Christ is our kinsman redeemer.  Salvation was to the Jews, first.  God loved them and gave them salvation.  The rest of the people rejected Him and were labeled pagans.  However, Jesus Christ came and bridged that gap.  He is our kinsman redeemer.

4:13 - Boaz "went in unto her [Ruth]" and "the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son." Another God-assisted conception results in a baby boy. Son of a gun.

* This is correct.  Ruth was a woman.  Boaz was a man.  The two of them produced a son.

4:17 - Ruth, the grandmother of King David, was a Moabite. But according to Dt.23:3, no Moabite will "enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to the tenth generation.

* Deuteronomy 23:3 states that a Moabite should not "enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to the tenth generation."  This passage is referring to the Moabites mentioned in verse 4.  It is not necessarily a blanket statement for all Moabites and especially not proselytized ones.

* The phrase "enter into the congregation (or assembly) of the Lord" is referring to the assemblies that the Israelites had.  This did not specifically forbid Boaz to marry Ruth.  Marriage is not mentioned.

* Since Ruth was a widow, Boaz was obligated to take her as a wife.  He was obeying their law.  Therefore, this law superceded the specific statement about the Moabites that would not help the Israelites (mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:3).  Ruth was "grafted" into their people because Boaz was her kinsman redeemer.

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