The Regular Guys Bible Study
The Regular Guys Bible Study podcast -- RGBS -- is a podcast for regular guys by regular guys (not theologians) studying the Bible together. It's brought to you by a couple of goofy guys who just want to study the Bible together and show you that anyone can read and study the Bible. In fact, you SHOULD read and study the Bible yourself. We're here to show you how we do it, and, hopefully, we can have some fun along the way.
The Regular Guys Bible Study
Ruth 3
Ever wondered how loyalty and strategic thinking could change the course of history? Tune in to our Regular Guys Bible Study Podcast as we unfold the captivating narrative of Ruth, Chapter 3. We begin with a sprinkle of humor, debating whether our intro music is dance-worthy, before recapping Naomi's dramatic return to Bethlehem from Moab after a series of heartbreaking losses. Ruth’s steadfast loyalty in sticking with her mother-in-law Naomi sets the stage for their return to Bethlehem, a town bustling with historical significance, especially during the festive season. We explore Ruth's resilient spirit as she gleans in the fields and crosses paths with Boaz, a man who might hold the key to her future.
Join us as we dissect the nuances of Ruth and Boaz's burgeoning relationship. We speculate about Boaz’s status and motivations, imagining the many facets of his character. Our discussion touches on the cultural intricacies of redemption and lineage, spotlighting Ruth and Naomi's clever maneuvers at the threshing floor, including a strategic escape that avoids scandal. As we wrap up, we tantalize you with hints of what Chapter 4 holds and share a hearty laugh, reflecting the genuine camaraderie of our study group. Stick with us as we journey through these timeless stories, uncovering lessons and laughter along the way.
You are listening to the Regular Guys Bible Study Podcast, the Bible study for regular guys by regular guys. We are your hosts, ken and Steve, and we are just regular guys studying the Bible together not theologians hey Steve, hey Ken, you know I look disappointed.
Speaker 2:I did not see you really dancing to the intro music and I know you like to see me move music and I know you like to see me move.
Speaker 1:It's because I got the moves and you do have the moves um and I would like to see them busted. Busting the moves okay, next time all right next time, um all right. We are on Ruth, chapter 3.
Speaker 2:This is our first venture into Old Testament Bible stuff for this podcast.
Speaker 1:Well, technically, ruth, chapter 1 was yes, I'm not saying this particular podcast is our first, I'm saying this season.
Speaker 2:You're confusing me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I can tell, tell this season, which is season six. I believe I lost count um yeah it's pretty high number 60 to go. That's true. After this, there's only 60 more books of the bible wow, some of those will take a year they could. That's true, um our, our church is going through acts um and been over a year now it's been over a year. Um, we're getting close, though I think, uh, when is it? Is it february?
Speaker 2:well, we're we're doing advent now, so it. So we're skipping this month for Acts and then going back. I think.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think we finish up in February, though, so that's exciting and actually, guys, I strongly advocate for going to a church that preaches the Bible, which is what our church does. I mean they don't teach topical lessons typically. I mean they are probably this month, during Advent.
Speaker 2:Don't typically teach topical. Teach topical what they don't typically teach topical.
Speaker 1:Typically teach topical Say that five times fast, Not really.
Speaker 2:Steve, I can see you thinking about it.
Speaker 1:Oh man. All right, All right. So anyway, we are on Ruth, chapter three. It is a short book. It's only got four chapters and actually I think this is going to be a pretty quick. It's going to be a quick one.
Speaker 2:I'm not thinking I have a lot to say well, but we'll see.
Speaker 1:I mean, we could do three and four didn't really read four oh, okay. Well, let's do three um and um. Why don't you give us, or do you want me to give, a quick summary of what's happened so far?
Speaker 2:I would love for you to give a quick summary, or would you like to do that? You give the summary and I'll read the chapter All right, I'll give the summary.
Speaker 1:You correct me where I blow it and then you read the chapter. All right? So here's the summary of what has happened so far. To remind you what's his name Naomi and her husband went to another land because of a drought Abimelech Abimelech and her two sons. And while their sons were away in the land of the Moabites, her sons married two daughters. Then her husband and her sons died, and it's just Naomi and her two daughters, and she begged them to go back to their homelands. One did Ruth said you know, your people are my people, your God is my God and I'm going to stay with you no matter what. So Ruth travels back.
Speaker 1:There's some commotion in the city where they travel, where their hometown is Bethlehem. Where do we hear about Bethlehem? That's where Jesus was born. He's got a big day coming up, doesn't he? He does him. That's where jesus was born, um, and he's got a big day coming up, doesn't he? He does um, it's, um, it's. We are in december right now, when we're recording this. There's a big, big birthday celebration happening soon, um, anyway, um. So there's some commotion there. People recognize naomi and they know that she has this girl with her. Uh, she goes out and looks in like gleans in the fields behind the harvesters, trying to pick up any stuff. She finds favor with a man named Boaz, who just happens to be a relative of Naomi and a potential redeemer to Ruth, and she has just finished like two months of gleaning in the fields behind his harvesters of wheat and barley. And now we come to this section.
Speaker 2:All right, I'm going to correct one thing there. Yes, otherwise it was a really good summary.
Speaker 1:Thank you.
Speaker 2:I'm impressed. I don't think it ever says wheat. I only think it says barley, is that?
Speaker 1:right. Let's see Gleaning, until the end of the barley and wheat harvest.
Speaker 2:You just had to back up one verse, Steve. You're right, huh, hmm.
Speaker 1:All right Now. There was no correction.
Speaker 2:There's mud on my face. I'm a big disgrace, but I didn't wave my can all over the place like you wanted me to at the beginning.
Speaker 1:They help All right, Rock us Steve.
Speaker 2:All right. Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her should I use the voices or not?
Speaker 1:No, that's so distracting.
Speaker 2:My daughter. Should I not seek rest for you that it may be well with you? Is not Boaz our relative with whose young women you were? That just sounds weird, the way that's written.
Speaker 2:Yeah, see, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor. Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies, then go and uncover his feet and lie down and he will tell you what to do. And she replied all that you say I will do.
Speaker 1:All right, let's just stop there for a second and let's just talk about that section real quick, because I don't think there's going to be a lot to say, but I do want to make sure I mention things that I looked up and noticed. Okay, first of all, winnowing barley. What is winnowing barley? Do you know?
Speaker 2:I believe that's where you separate the actual grain from all the chaff that is right.
Speaker 1:There is the um, oh, shoot. What's the other term? Um, there's first you. What is the process of crushing the grain, the barley? Um, anyway, there, you first crush it in some, some way, and I don't remember what that's called is that threshing? That's threshing.
Speaker 2:Yes, that is the threshing is when you crush there in verse two all right oh winnowing at the threshing floor Threshing floor.
Speaker 1:yes, okay, so winnowing. Then what they would do is take like a tool and throw the stuff up in the air. And so they would try to pick a nice windy day and they would throw it up in the air, the chaff would blow away and the barley would land back down. Okay, so let me talk. All right, so, but before that she says my daughter, should I not seek rest for you? So what is that talking about?
Speaker 2:I believe this is she's referring to. Ruth is a widow now and to help her seek rest would be to give her a husband with, eventually, a child.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's what she's speaking about here, and I think it's also about you know, know, the life of a widow um is very hard, um. So in those times especially, I mean it's it's hard in these times, but it was especially hard in those times unless you're good looking like ruth, where someone just gives you six. Uh things of grain. We haven't gotten to that point part yet, steve sorry um, anyway.
Speaker 1:So, um, yeah. So she's basically saying let I I want you to present yourself to boaz, as sounds a little risque if you it does.
Speaker 2:I looked it up and, from what I read, this is not sexual I agree that it doesn't have to be, but in today's framework, oh, this would definitely end up being sexual.
Speaker 1:Okay, I agree, and I was also thinking you know, if Boaz was not a good man of God, I'll bet he takes advantage of her in this situation, perhaps. But he is a good man of God. But we haven't gotten to that part yet either.
Speaker 1:But when he lies down, observe the place, his feet that's just weird um, I looked that up and that is a um some, a sign of servitude. So she's saying you know, I, I want, I want to serve you, and humility, um so, and then you know, you think it could also just be a way of getting his attention, because his feet get cold.
Speaker 2:He's going to wake up. He's going to find her there.
Speaker 1:Maybe so, but I assume. I think she, her feet, his feet are on her. That's what I believe he's she's laying at his feet, so I assume she is supplying the warmth to his feet.
Speaker 2:Could be. His feet are probably really dirty.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and she like washed up and put on some perfume and stuff that's so she could smell her own perfume over his feet probably so all right, continue, steve all right.
Speaker 2:so she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over and behold a woman lay at his feet. He said who are you? She said I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer. And he said May you be blessed by the Lord.
Speaker 2:My daughter, you have made this last kindness greater than the first, in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask for. My fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I remain tonight and in the morning. If he will redeem you, good, let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning. Okay, so she lay it. Let's stop there again morning. Okay, so she lay it.
Speaker 1:Let's stop there again, Steve.
Speaker 2:Sorry.
Speaker 1:Sorry, all right, so um. So Boaz goes in right and after he's done doing the uh, the winnowing, he eats and drinks.
Speaker 2:I think it's probably kind of a party.
Speaker 1:Uh, it could be, and he gets a little drunk, I think.
Speaker 2:I think he does too, I mean he's merry.
Speaker 1:I think if he drinks till he's merry, that means he drank heavily and he lays down on the barley, which is kind of gross. If you think about it, it's going into. You're gonna eat it later, yeah yeah, it's kind of disgusting um, but you know what they didn't have? The it's probably no dirtier than anything else around them true so um and it probably gets cooked. So yeah, I guess I don't know. I mean he roasted some in the last chapter right and gave it to her, so that was cooked.
Speaker 2:I assume it eventually gets made into flour and then into bread.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I think you're right. All right. So then what happens? He gets startled. I mean, she does what she was told lays down. He gets startled. Why do you think he didn't recognize her? It's dark out, that's what I'm thinking. Why didn't he just turn on a light? It's not so easy. Yeah, I assume it's not so easy. Um, yeah, I assume it's dark.
Speaker 2:um, I also assume she looks quite different.
Speaker 1:Um well, she's probably got her head covered, and well, she probably did before too, I guess oh yeah, yeah, they're probably yeah, but anyway, I think the main thing is it's pitch black, um, and this is on the threshing floor. This sounds like it's inside, but maybe not, I don't know. No, if they were winnowing yeah, but you wouldn't.
Speaker 2:You wouldn't want to risk the rain coming and getting your grain wet.
Speaker 1:I'll bet you're right. I'll bet the windowed barley has to be taken inside or covered.
Speaker 2:I would think so, yeah, All right. So in verses 10 through 13, you can't really tell if he's excited or indifferent about becoming the Redeemer. What? Okay, at one point in verse 10, he seems really excited. Let's see. Where is it. May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first. Okay, he sounds excited there, but then he points out but there's this other guy, you know what? If he wants you, he can have you.
Speaker 1:Look, I think they had an order right of redeemers, and so this other person had to be offered the redeemer. The redeemership first.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:That's my understanding that the closer the relative, that person was the redeemer and then it would move down the line. So this other person was the first Redeemer. And have you read chapter four? Yet I have. There is a reason why that person might say no, no, no, I'm the Redeemer and it's not necessarily Ruth.
Speaker 2:Yeah, don't give it away.
Speaker 1:I'm not going to give it away, I wouldn't do that. So I think he's just doing the right thing and he doesn't want her to be upset if he is not able to redeem her. So he says you know, if he's going to do it, then good, you know what are you doing, you're bouncing on my chair now is when you're busting a move, so um, anyway.
Speaker 1:So I I think he's just um softening what could be a bad blow for her, because I think Boaz is a good man, right? We don't know if this other guy is a good man or not.
Speaker 2:True.
Speaker 1:He could be a total jerk. He could be, and I think Boaz is probably wealthy as well.
Speaker 2:I'm pretty sure he is.
Speaker 1:There are signs in the first chapter that are he's got servants, yeah, he's got servants and workers and he is.
Speaker 1:There are signs in the first chapter that are he's got servants, yeah, he's got servants and workers and he was Land, he was somewhere else and I guess where did he go and came back, I don't know. He's got workers and servants and he seems like he's doing well, okay, so all right. So he says I think he is very excited because I think she's young Um and she he expected her to be going after these young men in the that work for him, maybe Um, and instead she has asked to be redeemed by him and instead she has asked to be redeemed by him.
Speaker 2:You know, one thing that strikes me is it never mentions whether he's already married or not.
Speaker 1:I think that's irrelevant to the story, Steve.
Speaker 2:I think it is. It's in chapter four. We'll get to it. We'll come back to that if we remember.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay, yeah, I know, but I know that as the part of a redeemer it didn't matter. Is what I'm saying, I guess.
Speaker 2:Oh, I see what you're saying. Yeah, okay, fair enough.
Speaker 1:Now, maybe he didn't have any sons, yeah, so I don't know possible I don't know. Yeah, I think he must not have had sons actually, and I think we can find that out at the end of chapter four maybe, because through, well, I'll get no, we're not gonna, we're not gonna spoil.
Speaker 2:You just need to stick to the story, yeah yeah, yeah, All right.
Speaker 1:So anyway. Then he says, okay, I'm glad we had this conversation, let's, you know, just lay back down and let's go to sleep and we'll deal with this in the morning. And then what happened? Steve 14. It's your turn to read again One more thing I wanted to bring up. Okay, it's your turn to read again One more thing I wanted to.
Speaker 2:Oh, no, Okay, Say it. So back on that excited, not excited thing. It seems like either the lineage and Redeemer pecking order is common knowledge or he actually went and researched it in advance to having known this when she showed up uh, I mean they're trained in the law, right um?
Speaker 1:a good jew knows the law, I'll bet he just knows could be.
Speaker 2:It might not be that big a family.
Speaker 1:But yeah, it might. Maybe not, but he might have researched it because you know he definitely has heard of Naomi and Ruth and knows about their families. He even mentioned you know multiple times about hearing good things about them, so he could have researched it.
Speaker 2:Yep, anyway, I'll read now. All right. So she lay at his feet until the morning but arose before one could recognize another and he said let it not be known that the woman came to the fresh threshing floor not freshing, thor and he said bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out. So she held it and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city and when she came to her mother-in-law she said how did you fare, my daughter?
Speaker 2:Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying these six measures of barley he gave to me for he said to me, you must not go back empty-handed. All right, that last line that Naomi says means that she thinks that he really is excited about this man. You have to wonder if, like the old women in the name, the whole town are like doing this backroom dealing of matchmaking and other stuff uh, yeah, maybe I don't know.
Speaker 1:That's that's a good question. I don't know what happened back then, um, okay. So, um, and you know how, we said it was dark earlier and they, so he couldn't recognize her. And here it says when they got up, she got up so early that no one could recognize each other.
Speaker 2:Apparently it was scandalous if she were to be found there.
Speaker 1:I think, especially since he is not the first Redeemer in the Order and it could have been seen also as scandalous from a sexual standpoint, right, so she's leaving there. So I think one reason he gives her these six measures of barley is just in case somebody sees her. It'll just be that she went and bought some barley, I don't know.
Speaker 2:Maybe, but I read the NIV and instead of garment it says shawl, which to me is a better visual than garment, because it's like the scarf over her head, right? I don't know what's a shawl. I think it's like a scarf uh, okay, yeah, I I guess, I don't know but on the flip side, if she's supposed to keep her head covered, and now it's full of grain, I was imagining like she holds out.
Speaker 1:You know how they have the large cloak Apron type thing yeah and it's like just kind of fill that thing up and she holds it up, but I don't really know, Is there any significance to it being six?
Speaker 2:Not that I know of.
Speaker 1:I don't either. Nothing that I found says it, but it's because you know, six is the imperfect number.
Speaker 2:He's holding back that seventh, I guess.
Speaker 1:All right. So what else? Anything else here, steve?
Speaker 2:do you think ruth had much of a choice? There was boaz and this other guy. Maybe perhaps some others that are either at the same or lower uh redeemership than boaz I.
Speaker 1:I don't think she had much of a chance to be redeemed. Um, it sounds like she had two options for a redeemer, right? Uh Boaz and this other guy, two that we know of, two that we know of Right there. I guess there could have been others, but the point is she could have. She didn't have kids yet, right. So she, I think, is still a decent catch for one of the other guys single guys and it sounds to me like she's not unattractive. And it sounds to me like she's not unattractive.
Speaker 2:So, like you know, he was surprised that. You know one of the big blessings. You're saying that, though, because she's got really good character and a hard worker right. Yes, that's what you find attractive.
Speaker 1:Yes, somebody who works in the field. Well, like my wife. My wife grew up on a farm.
Speaker 2:She did a lot of farming, just waiting to see if you were digging a hole for yourself.
Speaker 1:No, I'm not digging a hole unless it's six feet deep. Um, oh, is that right? Six feet or 10 feet? What is a grave? Six, six feet? Um anyway, um no. But I think you know when he says um no. But I think you know when he says the greatest kindness, greater than the first, in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. You know, I think to me he recognizes that she could have.
Speaker 1:That seems true, so but if she had, then it probably would have been a violation of the redemption um custom. Uh yeah, I don't really know how that works.
Speaker 2:Honestly, if that's an option um or to be redeemed.
Speaker 1:I don't know. I don't know how it works. That's a. Maybe we should look that up, steve maybe you should have. Maybe you should have maybe you should maybe you should have all right, okay. Well, I don't know what else to say here, steve. I think um. You know it's a pretty short one, but it is, it's um. It sets up chapter four, where ruth will either be redeemed by boaz or not redeemed by boazune in next time. What?
Speaker 2:will happen.
Speaker 1:You know what? If you really want to know now you could just read it. Read Ruth, chapter 4.
Speaker 2:That's true.
Speaker 1:All right, I think that's all I got Steve.
Speaker 2:You have anything else?
Speaker 1:Nothing else. Well, I think we're good to go.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think we're good, let's do the.
Speaker 1:All right, I want to see you busting a move now. Woo, oh man. Oh, that's not her. Oh, oh, my gosh, did you rip?
Speaker 2:your pants on that the regular guy's Bible study. No, I always have a little there.
Speaker 1:LLC. Production. All rights reserved. See you guys. Bye.
