Zwipo 2 - KBTP & GNTD

But Ruth replied, 'Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

The love story of Ruth and Boaz is one of the most heartwarming narratives in the Bible. It highlights loyalty, kindness, and the providence of God. Below is a seven-part exploration of their story, showcasing key moments and lessons we can learn.

1. Ruth’s Loyal Love for Naomi

Bible Verse: “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'” (Ruth 1:16)

The story begins with Ruth’s decision to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the loss of their husbands. Despite being a Moabite with no obligation to remain, Ruth chooses loyalty and selfless love over personal comfort. Her declaration of commitment is a profound example of love rooted in devotion and faith.

Lesson: True love often involves sacrifice and putting others’ needs before your own.

2. Ruth’s Humility and Hard Work

Bible Verse: “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” (Ruth 2:2)

Arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth immediately seeks ways to provide for herself and Naomi. She humbly works in the fields, gleaning leftover grain, which was allowed under the law for the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10). Her actions reflect love expressed through diligence and service.

Lesson: Love is not just about words but is demonstrated through actions of care and responsibility.

3. Boaz’s Kindness Toward Ruth

Bible Verse: “The Lord bless you, my daughter. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier… You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.” (Ruth 3:10)

Boaz, a wealthy landowner and relative of Naomi, notices Ruth’s character and dedication. He treats her with kindness, ensuring she has more than enough grain and protection while working in his fields. Boaz’s actions are motivated by compassion and respect for Ruth’s integrity.

Lesson: Love involves recognizing and honoring the worth of others, especially their character and efforts.

4. Ruth’s Bold Request for Redemption

Bible Verse: “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9)

Following Naomi’s guidance, Ruth approaches Boaz at night, asking him to act as her kinsman-redeemer. This was not a romantic gesture in the modern sense but a cultural and legal request for protection and provision. Ruth’s boldness reflects her trust in both Boaz and God’s plan.

Lesson: Love sometimes requires stepping out in faith and making courageous decisions.

5. Boaz’s Integrity and Commitment

Bible Verse: “I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” (Ruth 3:11)

Boaz agrees to Ruth’s request but ensures the proper legal steps are taken first. He respects the traditions and laws of Israel, seeking permission from a closer relative before redeeming Ruth. His actions show his integrity and willingness to do things the right way.

Lesson: Love is honorable and seeks to uphold righteousness in all circumstances.

6. The Marriage of Ruth and Boaz

Bible Verse: “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13)

Boaz redeems Ruth and marries her, fulfilling his role as her kinsman-redeemer. Their union is not only a picture of love between two people but also a reflection of God’s faithfulness in providing for His people.

Lesson: God honors love that is rooted in obedience, faithfulness, and His divine plan.

7. God’s Providential Love Through Their Lineage

Bible Verse: “Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:16-17)

Ruth and Boaz’s love story is woven into God’s grand plan. Their son, Obed, becomes the grandfather of King David, placing them in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). This demonstrates how God uses love and faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Lesson: Love that honors God has eternal significance, impacting generations to come.

Conclusion

The story of Ruth and Boaz is more than a romance—it’s a testament to God’s providence and the power of love rooted in loyalty, humility, and faith. Their story encourages us to trust God’s plan, love selflessly, and honor Him in all our relationships.

Let this example inspire us to live with the same devotion and integrity, trusting that God is working behind the scenes to bring about His perfect plan for our lives.

Tjipo tje mathunde

1 “Ha nthu eyisa tjipo tjili tje mathunde kuna Yahwe, tjipo tjitje tjibe tjili bgwisa gwakanathiwa, adile mafuta muguli, alonge ne motsha unonuhwa zwinozipa muguli. 2 Abe eguzhisa ku bapirisiti, bakololo ba Aroni. Ngono mpirisiti anokole luboko guli zhele bgwisa ne mafuta ne motsha wago wose, apise ikoku kuli ikumbuludzo tje gobe le tjipo tjapisigwa Yahwe mu tjibeso tjinopisigwa zwibhayilo, tjipo tjinopisiwa mu moto, uli nnuhwo unonuhwa zwinozipa kuna Yahwe. 3 Ngono kunowobe kwasala kwe tjipo tje mathunde ngekwa Aroni ne bakololo babe, ikoku kwakayengemala kwazo ngoti kumwe kwe tjipo tjinopisiwa mu moto tjipisigwa Yahwe.

4 “Ha uzhisa tjipo tjili tjiwunga tjakabhikwa nge masimbe, ngatjibe tjakavangwa tjisina mbidzo. Zwibe zwili zwiwunga zwisina mbidzo zwe bgwisa gwakanathiwa gwakashanganyiwa ne mafuta, kene makokisi akazhodziwa mafuta.

5 “Ngono ha tjipo tjili tjipo tje mathunde, tjili tjiwunga tjakabhikiwa nge pani, tjibe tjili tje bgwisa gwakanathiwa gusina mbidzo, gwakashanganyiwa ne mafuta. 6 Utjikwamulanye ube utjidila mafuta, tjipo tje mathunde.

7 “Ngono ha tjipo tjili tjipo tje mathunde tjakabhikwa nge pani, tjibe tjakavangwa nge bgwisa gwakanathiwa gwakashanganyiwa ne mafuta. 8 Ngono uzhise kuna Yahwe tjipo tje mathunde tjakavangwa nge zwithu izwezwi, ngono ha tjizhisiwa ku mpirisiti, unowotjiyisa pa tjibeso tjinopisigwa zwibhayilo. 9 Ngono mpirisiti unowonokola mu tjipo itjetji tje mathunde gobe le ikumbuludzo, ebe episa ikoku mu tjibeso tjinopisigwa zwibhayilo, tjili tjipo tjinopisiwa mu moto kube nnuhwo unonuhwa zwinozipa kuna Yahwe. 10 Ngono kunowobe kwasala kwe tjipo tje mathunde kowobe kwa Aroni ne bakololo babe, ikoku kumwe kwakayengemala kwazo kwe zwipo zwinopisiwa mu moto zwipisigwa Yahwe.

11 “Akuna tjipo tje mathunde tjinopiwa Yahwe tjinovangwa nge mbidzo. Usitongopisa mbidzo kene butji gwe nyutji tjili tjipo tjinopisiwa mu moto kupisigwa Yahwe. 12 Zwitshwa zwe minda zwinotanga bidwa uzwizhise kuna Yahwe gole ne gole zwili zwipo, koga zwisitongopisiwa mu tjibeso tjinopisigwa zwibhayilo. 13 Tjipo tjimwe ne tjimwe tjitjo tje mathunde tjaunozhisa kuna Yahwe, utjilonge mwenyu, usitongoletja longa mwenyu, mwenyu umilile tjidumano tjisingapele pakati kuko ne Ndzimu uwo. Ulonge mwenyu mu zwipo zwizo zose zwe mathunde. 14 Ha uzhisa tjipo tje zwitshwa zwe kutanga zwe minda kuna Yahwe, abe ali mathunde akababiwa nge moto, ali mu tjiako tjitshwa, akakhwiwa. 15 Udile mafuta muali, ulonge ne motsha muali, ikoku, tjipo tje bgwisa. 16 Ngono mpirisiti unowopisa tjipo itjetji lili gobe le ikumbuludzo tje gobe le mathunde akakhwiwa, ntome kwe bgwisa ne kwe mafuta ne motsha wose, tjili tjipo tjinopisiwa mu moto kupisigwa Yahwe.”

Grain Offerings

1 When any of you present an offering of grain to the Lord, you must first grind it into flour. You must put olive oil and incense on it 2 and bring it to the Aaronite priests. The officiating priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil and all of the incense and burn it on the altar as a token that it has all been offered to the Lord. The odor of this food offering is pleasing to the Lord. 3 The rest of the grain offering belongs to the priests; it is very holy, since it is taken from the food offered to the Lord.

4 If the offering is bread baked in an oven, it must be made without yeast. It may be thick loaves made of flour mixed with olive oil or thin cakes brushed with olive oil.

5 If the offering is bread cooked on a griddle, it is to be made of flour mixed with olive oil but without yeast. 6 Crumble it up and pour the oil on it when you present it as an offering.

7 If the offering is bread cooked in a pan, it is to be made of flour and olive oil. 8 Bring it as an offering to the Lord and present it to the priest, who will take it to the altar. 9 The priest will take part of it as a token that it has all been offered to the Lord, and he will burn it on the altar. The odor of this food offering is pleasing to the Lord. 10 The rest of the offering belongs to the priests; it is very holy, since it is taken from the food offered to the Lord.

11 None of the grain offerings which you present to the Lord may be made with yeast; you must never use yeast or honey in food offered to the Lord. 12 An offering of the first grain that you harvest each year shall be brought to the Lord, but it is not to be burned on the altar. 13 Put salt on every grain offering, because salt represents the covenant between you and God. (You must put salt on all your offerings.) 14 When you bring to the Lord an offering of the first grain harvested, offer roasted grain or ground meal. 15 Add olive oil and put incense on it. 16 The priest will burn that part of the meal and oil that is to serve as a token, and also all the incense, as a food offering to the Lord.