Dr Paul Allen

Jan van Scorel, Ruth and Naomi in the fields of Boaz. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Naomi has been left without a husband and without an heir and, Ruth, her daughter-in-law, has asked their relative Boaz if he will become a kinsman-redeemer. If he accepts, he will take all that belongs to Naomi and he will marry Ruth; the first child born to them will not be considered his child, but the child of Naomi and her now-dead husband, Elimelech . This child will not carry on Boaz’s name and family line, but Elimelech’s. Though it is a significant commitment and a significant sacrifice, Boaz is willing. Before he can do this, though, he must see if this other relative, who is more closely related to Naomi, will accept the role.  For that reason Boaz calls this man into a formal legal proceeding. He is a little bit crafty, first telling this man only that Naomi is seeking to sell all the land that belonged to Elimelech. He asks if this man will be willing to buy the land. At leas...

Summer, or Ruth and Boaz (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Naomi entreating Ruth and Orpah to return to the land of Moab by William Blake, 1795 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Ruth in Boaz's Field (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The narrative at the center of the book of Ruth (Ruth 3:1-8) depicts the scheming of Naomi and Ruth to attract the attention of Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer. The rest of the story (and history) hinges on Boaz's response to their efforts. What will it be? Will he prove himself a kinsman-redeemer and redeem these needy women? Will he portray righteousness and Christ -likeness? As the story unfolds, Ruth follows her mother-in-law's advice and after perfuming and adorning herself with fine clothing, she hides herself in Boaz's threshing house until he has feasted and drunk. Then, once he has fallen asleep, Ruth positions herself at Boaz's feet and waits for him to notice her. Startled, Boaz awakens and immediately questions Ruth's identity. Rut...

Image via Wikipedia Mourning  is one of life’s universal experiences. To mourn means to feel deep grief, sorrow, heartache, anguish, angst, pain, misery, unhappiness, and woe. It is the opposite of joy.  Mourning comes from loss that is perceived as irreversible, such as death , terminal illness , and devastating accidents. It is not expressed in the same way in every culture, but no matter where you live, sooner or later you will face “a time to mourn”. In spite of the fact that all human beings mourn, each person’s experience of grief is always unique.  The little book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells the story of a Moabite widow who became the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ . When Elimelech and his two sons died, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and she urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab . Ruth replied to Naomi with  empathy : “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For…your people s...

Image via Wikipedia Mourning  is one of life’s universal experiences. To mourn means to feel deep grief, sorrow, heartache, anguish, angst, pain, misery, unhappiness, and woe. It is the opposite of joy.  Mourning comes from loss that is perceived as irreversible, such as death , terminal illness , and devastating accidents. It is not expressed in the same way in every culture, but no matter where you live, sooner or later you will face “a time to mourn”. In spite of the fact that all human beings mourn, each person’s experience of grief is always unique.  The little book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells the story of a Moabite widow who became the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ . When Elimelech and his two sons died, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and she urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab . Ruth replied to Naomi with  empathy : “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For…your people s...