� Reading 2 - Ruth 3-4

3 - Chapter 3 doesn’t give us a time element, so we don’t know how much time has elapsed between chapters 2 and 3. Notice how divine providence does not eliminate human activity (verse 5). The whole scene of Ruth uncovering Boaz’s feet (verses 7-14) is very strange to us our own engagement customs probably seem odd to other cultures. Regrettably, some have tried to make this into some sort of sexual encounter, but such would be a violation of the Law, goes completely against the character of both Ruth and Boaz, and defies how the Bible holds them up as examples. The customs are different than ours but that doesn’t mean they are sinful! Boaz goes to great lengths to compliment Ruth’s character (verse 11) and protect her reputation (verse 14).

4 - Chapter 4 finishes the story with the happiest of endings. The near kinsmen is challenged by Boaz to buy Naomi’s field (verse 4) but decides not to when he realizes he also must take Ruth as a wife if he buys the field (verse 5). It would cost to buy the land and then it would not be his or his children’s – it would belong to any children he had with Ruth. His unwillingness to marry Ruth clears the way for Boaz to marry her (verses 9-10). Naomi had begun with a bitter word (1:13, 20) but now finds God has provided more than she could ever have imagined (verses 14). She is now in the line of David and even Jesus Christ (verse 22). This book stands as a marvelous testimony that it is possible to live right in bad times, and how God blesses those who will trust Him!

Psalm 37

This psalm is a little different because it is an acrostic. That means that every stanza begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza is usually four lines. Acrostic psalms are artistic, showing much thought went into the poetry here, as well as providing a way for the student to more easily memorize it. It may be a way of saying “We’ve covered this from A to Z.” However, acrostics are notoriously difficult to outline because rather than sticking to a plan the writer has to “jump around” to get whatever words he can find that start with the needed letter of the alphabet. This psalm offers the wisdom of God’s way, while urging that God’s people do not fret over evildoers (verses 1, 7) even if they seem to be in control (verses 12-15). God will deal with them in His time and way (verses 9-10). These ideas are repeated again then, with the wicked attacking (verses 12-15), while the righteous live their quiet and holy lives (verse 16) and God judging the wicked (verses 17-20), and then the cycle repeats several more times (verses 21-40). The emphasis is to take a long view of life (verses 27-31) and not give in to the temptation to join with the wicked who cannot last (verses 35-36).

4 - Luke wants us to see Peter’s courage (verse 8). What has happened to the man so timid he would not stand up to a servant girl the night Jesus was betrayed? He is now “filled with the Spirit!” Notice how authentic and beyond question New Testament miracles are (verse 14). The benevolent spirit of verse 32 would be important as so many Jews, now Christians were remaining in Jerusalem. Luke loves to introduce us to major characters with a quick preview before they come fully on stage. So we meet Barnabas in verse 36.