But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1 Timothy 5:8
Good morning, Beloved. It’s time once again to play “Name That Judge”. Here we go…
The 5th judge in Israel, who defeated the Midianites with an army of just 300 men.
The 2nd judge in Israel, who assasinated the obese king Eglon of Moab.
The 7th judge in Israel, who oversaw 30 cities in the land of Gilead.
The 3rd judge in Israel, who killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.
The 8th judge in Israel, who defeated the Ammonites but tragically lost his virgin daughter.
The 1st judge in Israel, who led his people against the king of Mesopotamia.
The 6th judge in Israel, who may have helped rebuild and revive the city Shechem.
The 4th judge of Israel, who inspired the nervous men of Israel to battle the Canaaites.
Bonus… The anti-judge, who served 3 years as an evil king and was struck with a millstone.
This morning we are going to meet and discuss the next judge of Israel. His story will take us beyond the book of Judges to another, shorter book of the Bible. It is a beautiful tale of loyalty, love, and redemption that took place during the era of the judges… the story of Ruth.
I. IBZAN (Judges 12:8-10)
The 9th judge of Israel was a man named Ibzan. He lived, served, and died in Bethlehem. Ibzan judged over this region for 7 years. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters, whom he permitted and even arranged to marry outside of the family. Following this approach, Ibzan established numerous positive relationships with other groups, tribes, and neighboring nations to foster a season of peace and stability. Apparently he was a wealthy, successful, and highly skilled diplomat.
The writings and teachings of the ancient Jewish rabbis (as recorded in the Talmud) state that Ibzan is the same person as Boaz (notice similarities in their spelling). However many modern scholars dispute this claim, citing credible Biblical evidence to the contrary. Some have argued that Ibzan judged in Bethlehem of Galilee to the north, within the tribal boundaries of Zebulun, while Boaz lived in the more well-known southern Bethlehem of Judah.
The Bible does not clearly or definitively identify Ibzan as Boaz. Having studied the issue, I am not fully convinced that they are the same man. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this series, seeing as we don’t know for certain, this seems to be a good place to insert the story of Ruth.
II. NAOMI AND RUTH (Ruth 1:1-22)
During these days a severe famine struck parts of Israel. Seeking better living conditions, Elimelech and his wife Naomi, along with their 2 sons Mahlon and Chilon, left their home in Bethlehem of Judah and moved to the country of Moab. Their family lived there for about 10 years. During this time Naomi’s husband died and her sons both married Moabite wives - namely Orpah and Ruth. Sadly, both of her sons died also, leaving Naomi as a childless widow with 2 foreign born, childless daughter-in-laws.
Naomi heard that the famine in Judah had ended, and decided to return to her homeland to live out the final years of her life. She urged her young daughter-in-laws to remain in Moab, to remarry, to start families of their own, and to have full, joyful lives. Upon her urging, Orpah agreed and decided to stay. However, Ruth was insistent on returning with her aged mother-in-law to Bethlehem, though it meant leaving her own family and country behind. Ruth deeply loved Naomi and was committed to taking care of her. She famously said, “Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” Ruth showed tremendous loyalty to and affection for Naomi.
When the pair arrived in Bethlehem, those who had known Naomi and her family prior to their departure asked her several questions. Naomi explained to them that she had lost her husband and both sons while living in Moab, and was returning to Israel “empty”. She told them to call her Mara, because God had dealt with her bitterly (Exodus 15:22-23). Naomi and Ruth reached Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
III. GLEANING IN BOAZ'S’ FIELDS (Ruth 2:1-23)
Naomi was a poor widow, but she was kin to a wealthy man in Bethlehem named Boaz through her marriage to Elimelech. She instructed Ruth to go and glean grain from the edges of the barley fields in accordance with the Jewish law so that the 2 women might have food to eat (Leviticus 23:22). Ruth departed and came to a field owned by Boaz where she spent the whole day gleaning. Boaz noticed her and asked his reapers who she was. They answered that she was the young woman who’d returned from Moab to care for Naomi.
Boaz went and spoke to Ruth. He told her to glean from his fields exclusively. He said that she could stay and work with his maids, and drink from the water his servants drew. Ruth was overwhelmed by Boaz’s kindness, especially since she was not an Israelite. In the same way, Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s love for and devotion to Naomi. He asked her to join them for mealtime (likely lunch), and after the meal was over he directed his servants to treat Ruth well and to purposely leave a portion of grain in the fields for her to glean.
At the end of the day, Ruth went back to Naomi’s house with over half a bushel of barley (around 20 liters). Naomi was delighted to see the abundance of grain and asked Ruth where she had gotten it. Ruth replied that she had worked all day in the fields of a man named Boaz and had somehow found favor in his sight. Hearing this, Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was actually a close relative of theirs. She further advised her daughter-in-law to continue gleaning solely in Boaz’s fields with his maids until the end of the barley and wheat harvest.
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up today’s message, I want to briefly return to the question of whether or not the judge Ibzan was indeed the same person as Boaz. Let me make an observation. Boaz showed exceptional kindness to Ruth, even though she was an outsider from the land of Moab. This is consistent with the fact that Ibzan encouraged his own children - both his sons and daughters - to marry foreigners. While this similarity alone doesn’t prove that Ibzan and Boaz were the same man, it is another piece of evidence that they might have been.
Finally, let’s consider the amazing character and compassion of Ruth. She sacrificed her own future in her native homeland of Moab to return with Naomi to Israel - a place where she had never been. Ruth knew how difficult life would be for Naomi without a husband or sons to provide for her in her old age, so she stepped up to fill the gap. Ruth exemplifies the Biblical mandate that families have to provide for and care for one another. While the church is commanded to assist widows and orphans, the first and foremost responsibility for their care falls on the immediate family.
Next week we will conclude the story of Ruth and Boaz, and return to the book of Judges. Until then, consider how you can be a blessing to your family. Call your parents and/or your children and tell them that you love them. Maybe they aren’t perfect, but neither are you - and they are the only family you’ve got.
Good morning, Beloved. It’s time once again to play “Name That Judge”. Here we go…
The 5th judge in Israel, who defeated the Midianites with an army of just 300 men.
The 2nd judge in Israel, who assasinated the obese king Eglon of Moab.
The 7th judge in Israel, who oversaw 30 cities in the land of Gilead.
The 3rd judge in Israel, who killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.
The 8th judge in Israel, who defeated the Ammonites but tragically lost his virgin daughter.
The 1st judge in Israel, who led his people against the king of Mesopotamia.
The 6th judge in Israel, who may have helped rebuild and revive the city Shechem.
The 4th judge of Israel, who inspired the nervous men of Israel to battle the Canaaites.
Bonus… The anti-judge, who served 3 years as an evil king and was struck with a millstone.
This morning we are going to meet and discuss the next judge of Israel. His story will take us beyond the book of Judges to another, shorter book of the Bible. It is a beautiful tale of loyalty, love, and redemption that took place during the era of the judges… the story of Ruth.
I. IBZAN (Judges 12:8-10)
The 9th judge of Israel was a man named Ibzan. He lived, served, and died in Bethlehem. Ibzan judged over this region for 7 years. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters, whom he permitted and even arranged to marry outside of the family. Following this approach, Ibzan established numerous positive relationships with other groups, tribes, and neighboring nations to foster a season of peace and stability. Apparently he was a wealthy, successful, and highly skilled diplomat.
The writings and teachings of the ancient Jewish rabbis (as recorded in the Talmud) state that Ibzan is the same person as Boaz (notice similarities in their spelling). However many modern scholars dispute this claim, citing credible Biblical evidence to the contrary. Some have argued that Ibzan judged in Bethlehem of Galilee to the north, within the tribal boundaries of Zebulun, while Boaz lived in the more well-known southern Bethlehem of Judah.
The Bible does not clearly or definitively identify Ibzan as Boaz. Having studied the issue, I am not fully convinced that they are the same man. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this series, seeing as we don’t know for certain, this seems to be a good place to insert the story of Ruth.
II. NAOMI AND RUTH (Ruth 1:1-22)
During these days a severe famine struck parts of Israel. Seeking better living conditions, Elimelech and his wife Naomi, along with their 2 sons Mahlon and Chilon, left their home in Bethlehem of Judah and moved to the country of Moab. Their family lived there for about 10 years. During this time Naomi’s husband died and her sons both married Moabite wives - namely Orpah and Ruth. Sadly, both of her sons died also, leaving Naomi as a childless widow with 2 foreign born, childless daughter-in-laws.
Naomi heard that the famine in Judah had ended, and decided to return to her homeland to live out the final years of her life. She urged her young daughter-in-laws to remain in Moab, to remarry, to start families of their own, and to have full, joyful lives. Upon her urging, Orpah agreed and decided to stay. However, Ruth was insistent on returning with her aged mother-in-law to Bethlehem, though it meant leaving her own family and country behind. Ruth deeply loved Naomi and was committed to taking care of her. She famously said, “Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” Ruth showed tremendous loyalty to and affection for Naomi.
When the pair arrived in Bethlehem, those who had known Naomi and her family prior to their departure asked her several questions. Naomi explained to them that she had lost her husband and both sons while living in Moab, and was returning to Israel “empty”. She told them to call her Mara, because God had dealt with her bitterly (Exodus 15:22-23). Naomi and Ruth reached Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
III. GLEANING IN BOAZ'S’ FIELDS (Ruth 2:1-23)
Naomi was a poor widow, but she was kin to a wealthy man in Bethlehem named Boaz through her marriage to Elimelech. She instructed Ruth to go and glean grain from the edges of the barley fields in accordance with the Jewish law so that the 2 women might have food to eat (Leviticus 23:22). Ruth departed and came to a field owned by Boaz where she spent the whole day gleaning. Boaz noticed her and asked his reapers who she was. They answered that she was the young woman who’d returned from Moab to care for Naomi.
Boaz went and spoke to Ruth. He told her to glean from his fields exclusively. He said that she could stay and work with his maids, and drink from the water his servants drew. Ruth was overwhelmed by Boaz’s kindness, especially since she was not an Israelite. In the same way, Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s love for and devotion to Naomi. He asked her to join them for mealtime (likely lunch), and after the meal was over he directed his servants to treat Ruth well and to purposely leave a portion of grain in the fields for her to glean.
At the end of the day, Ruth went back to Naomi’s house with over half a bushel of barley (around 20 liters). Naomi was delighted to see the abundance of grain and asked Ruth where she had gotten it. Ruth replied that she had worked all day in the fields of a man named Boaz and had somehow found favor in his sight. Hearing this, Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was actually a close relative of theirs. She further advised her daughter-in-law to continue gleaning solely in Boaz’s fields with his maids until the end of the barley and wheat harvest.
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up today’s message, I want to briefly return to the question of whether or not the judge Ibzan was indeed the same person as Boaz. Let me make an observation. Boaz showed exceptional kindness to Ruth, even though she was an outsider from the land of Moab. This is consistent with the fact that Ibzan encouraged his own children - both his sons and daughters - to marry foreigners. While this similarity alone doesn’t prove that Ibzan and Boaz were the same man, it is another piece of evidence that they might have been.
Finally, let’s consider the amazing character and compassion of Ruth. She sacrificed her own future in her native homeland of Moab to return with Naomi to Israel - a place where she had never been. Ruth knew how difficult life would be for Naomi without a husband or sons to provide for her in her old age, so she stepped up to fill the gap. Ruth exemplifies the Biblical mandate that families have to provide for and care for one another. While the church is commanded to assist widows and orphans, the first and foremost responsibility for their care falls on the immediate family.
Next week we will conclude the story of Ruth and Boaz, and return to the book of Judges. Until then, consider how you can be a blessing to your family. Call your parents and/or your children and tell them that you love them. Maybe they aren’t perfect, but neither are you - and they are the only family you’ve got.