Paleo Times May 2001 Newsletter

Please keep the following brethren and sisters in your prayers: Vivienne Martin, Vin Sanders, Norma and Clem Daulton - Norma is living with RSDA in her hand, wrist, and shoulder which is extremely painful. Clem's lower back and the two nerves that were pinched still give him a great deal of trouble., Shirley Smith, Margie Weaver - Margie has cancer of the lymph glands in her throat., Pat and Irene May - Irene has been suffering a series of heart attacks, and each time the doctors just change the medication which is not helping. Pat has been very dependant on his wife, because he is also a heart patient, and has lost a leg with thrombosis., George W. Parks, Kevin Kelsey, John Clements, Keith Simmons, Ron Larson, Glenda Bolinsky, Samuel and Tina Ndoumbe, Nyasha Kerurah Rasyth And Mykal Rasyth, Carol Sedney, Nina McCord, Tom (Mordecai) and JoAnne Mitchell and sons Ariel and Ethan, John and Adriana Dupus, Joe Marshall, Freda Petersen, Jeff and Tammi Wilson, Diane Mastropaolo, Mary J. Thurman, Yahchan Andersen, Paul A. Andersen, Les Stoner, Marylyn Patterson, Scott Wright, The Morrow Family, Gloria M. Colon, Gary and Norma McDaniel, Anisa Norwood, Laura Pillars, Samm Morales, Steve Bock, Niyoka Carter, Rick Goldsmith, Mayra Solis, Yochann An'dersen, Kathy Stoner, Eva Vega, The Thomas Family, Donna Rose, Thelma Miller, Elizabeth L. Bryant, Deacon Joseph Butcher, Thomas James Hurley, Floriano Abenojar, Anita Garbes, and the many others striving to be better servants of Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah.

The last New Moon was seen on May 23rd by a few brethren in the southwest US. The New Moon was seen in Jerusalem on May 24th at sunset and by brethren in the US. The next New Moon will most likely be seen June 22nd. Please look for this up coming New Moon and send us your report. We will share them with brethren around the world through the Paleo Times weekly email update. You can email your report to newmoon@paleotimes.org or call 573-896-8090.

The following compositions are articles and short stories submitted by brethren and sisters to edify the Assembly. If you have written a composition that you would like included please submit it through email or postal mail.

Our Heavenly Father holds us accountable for what WE understand, and how we act upon it. He will take responsibility for the level of our understanding. He blesses us accordingly to our understanding and convictions. As some one stated, "it's a level playing field for all of us that way."

Isn't it wonderful? Our Father knows how long we have to live. He has all this time to teach us. The teacher is the one that is responsible for what we understand if we are really wanting to learn, and obeying Him. I am so glad that each of us is different just as a family of children are different. All sizes, shapes, ages and maturity. We are brothers and sisters in the family of our Father. He is patient, kind and thoughtful in our ability to learn. Let us take note of 1 Cor. 13: His awesome love. Be like that toward others in all things to all people.

We each grow and learn at a different rate. The parent sees that child and nudges it along to use what it has learned. Sometimes the parent knows the child can do something and has to push that child to go on and try. A parent is wise in how fast to teach.

We all are learning at the rate we are willing to let the Father teach us. Some have harder times understanding something, but eventually it 'clicks'. Just as an older child sees that a two or three old can not understand why a square block will not go in a round hole. They see that the child has to grow in mind to be able to figure it out. We need to let each one grow spiritually in an area to figure it out as our Heavely Father works with them. Yet a three or four year old may see something, and ask the older sibling why don't you do this. They could see it and it was so plain and simple to them. Age or how long we have been a believer does not make one know it all. Let us all love each other. Let our Father guide us.

This question has been dealt with by many, religious associations, generally with "their" own self-interpretation, so as to promote doctrinal thinking to suit "their" beliefs. Their conclusions can only be tested one way, and that is through the Written Word in Scripture.

We must first understand, Scripture does not contradict itself; Yahweh is not the author of confusion. The Word will not deceive, or trick those who obediently believe, But, be warned! The Word will become a "stumbling block" to those who intend to deceive, even those who are deceived by false teachings.

Almighty Father has given us all we need to know for our salvation through His Word, we must be truly grateful to Him for all the extra information He has revealed through His Son, and the prophetic Writings in the Sacred Scriptures with instructions, signs, and warnings of what is to come, which all adds to the proof of His very Existence.

Let us read in Scripture about these two witnesses:

Revelation 11: 1 John was given a measuring rod, and told by the angel to measure the Temple, the Altar, and those that worship therein. (Here we see as in other passages of Scripture, Judgment will begin at the Temple, read Ezekiel chapters 8 & 9, and note 9:4-6. Also note: 1st Peter 4:17)

2. But the court, and everything outside the Temple is not to be measured, for it is given to the Gentiles to tread under foot forty, and two months. (Three and a half years)

3. I will give power to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy 1260 days in sackcloth. (This is the same period the witnesses will be preaching. Rev. 12:6.)

4. These are the two olive trees, and the two lamp stands which stand before the mighty one of the earth. (Here John gives meaning to the prophecy in Zechariah 4. John tells us who this mighty one is, Revelation 9:11, 13:4-15, who will be worshipped as the Almighty as explained again later)

5. If anyone attempts to kill these witnesses, they shall devour their attackers by fire which will come out of their mouths, and if any tries a particular way to kill them, in that manner they shall be killed.

6. They will have power to stop the rain all the days of their preaching, also turn water into blood, and smite the earth with all types of plagues, as often as they will. (a type of Moses and Aaron)

7. When they are finished preaching, (completed their job), the beast which came out of the pit, shall war with them, overpower them, and kill them.

8. Their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, spiritually called Sodom, and Egypt, where our Messiah was slain. (Jerusalem!)

9. And some people on the earth will see their dead bodies lying there for three, and a half days, and will not place them in graves.

10. All people on earth, shall rejoice, and make merry, and give one another gifts, because of their death.

11. After three and a half days, the Spirit of life from Yahweh entered into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.

12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying; Come up hither, and they ascended in a cloud; in front of their enemies' eyes.

13. At that same moment, there was a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city fell, seven thousand men were slain, and those left, were afraid and gave homage to the Almighty of heaven.

14. The second woe is past; look the third comes quickly.

Messiah's Words John recorded in the Book of Revelation, contains many symbols, and duel prophecies, mixed with direct literal warnings, and information for His people, which the rest of the world cannot, and will never understand until their spiritual blindness is healed. We read that even in the highest heavens there was no being who could open, or unlock this Book, except Messiah, the Lamb of Yahweh.

In dealing with prophecy there are specific factors which must be considered. #1 The time setting of the particular prophecy. #2 The place where it will happen. #3 Who or what is involved.

The time setting is very clear that these two witnesses do their Work during a sequence of events in the last days of man's rule on earth, and only after the opening of the Sixth Seal in Revelation. They appear on the scene three and a half years before the beginning of the Third and final Woe, which introduces the Second Coming of Messiah, when Yahshua Himself will perform Judgment on the earth. There is no way anyone living at this time could identify these two witnesses, who will be worthily qualified for this assignment. But when they appear believers will certainly know, and understand; yet the rest of the world will hate everything they stand for. That is why such rejoicing takes place when they are eventually killed. Their joy will be short lived, for we are told that three and half days later these witnesses are to be resurrected, this being at Messiah's Return.

The Word gives us a very clear clue as to where the witnesses will be completing their work, and finally be killed by the beast himself, Satan. Verse 8 tells us it will be where our Saviour Himself died, which was in Jerusalem. Being more specific, it was in a street (singular) in that great city (singular). Spiritually called Sodom (a symbol of immoral living) and Egypt (a symbol of total sin). Yet there is a Temple there. It is also prophesied that Jerusalem is to be trodden by the Gentiles at this period. We see most people in Jerusalem today do not recognize Yahshua as the Messiah; even mainstream Christian religions do not recognize the True Messiah.

Again the Word tells us that there are TWO witnesses, (Not two groups of witnesses) which speak out a warning to the religious leader who has assumed High priest of this worldly system. Note particularly verse 4 of the following:

2nd Thessalonians 2:1 Now we implore you, concerning the coming of our Master Yahshua the Messiah, and the gathering of His saints unto Him.

2. That you do not allow your minds to suddenly become unsettled, and thrown into confusion, neither by any revelation, or by a rumor you heard, or by a letter as coming from us, to the affect that the day of Yahweh is already here.

3. Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day will not come except there comes falling away (apostasy: rebellion against Yahweh: definite rejection of Yahweh) first, and the object of lawlessness is uncovered, the one who is doomed to destruction. (Daniel Chapter 11 )

4. Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly, and insolently against, and over all that is called by Yahweh, or that is worshipped, even to seat himself in the temple of Yahweh, and openly declaring himself as Yahweh.

5. Do you not remember, when I was yet with you, I told you of these things?

An important part of this prophecy to notice, is that of its duality, the witnesses being a type of Moses and Aaron, where they themselves stood before Pharaoh, the head of the system ruling at that period, and with the help of Yahweh they also called on plagues to befall Egypt.

Bringing all this into consideration, we are able to understand that the conclusions of sects who take on the responsibility of naming these witnesses do not in any way correspond with Scripture.

Looking at a few of their examples of what, or who they say the witnesses are, this becomes an interesting example of human reasoning:

Reincarnated Moses & Elijah: If they are resurrected as Spirits, how do they die?

The Old & New Testament: Have you heard of Writings being killed?

The Jews & the Christians: Neither follow Yahshua the Messiah!

The Catholics & World Council of Churches: Neither keep Yahweh's Laws!

A Reborn Jew, and a Christian: In Messiah there is only One Body!

Jehovah Witnesses named two men in the early years: But they are Dead!

World Wide Church of God named their leader & his son: The father has died!

And so they go on trying to satisfy themselves, according to human ingenuity. The world has not seen the end of this sort of speculation.

Let us look again into what we have been told though Scripture.

These particular witnesses will do Yahweh's bidding in the very last days, immediately before Messiah's Coming.

These Two Witnesses will have the gift of the Separated (Holy) Spirit, hence the symbol of the olive trees, and the two oil lamps standing before the deity of the earth. Olive trees supply the oil representing the Separated Spirit, and the lamps represent the two messengers being alive with the Spirit.

They will both be preaching using the True Names of the Eternal, and His Son, and applying all the laws of Yahweh, concerning the Sabbath, and the Sacred Days, according to the Word, and will confirm all their preaching in the authority of Yahshua the Messiah.

True believers who hold Scripture as their absolute authority to guide them into the only "way of life", would not attempt to name, or guess who these witnesses are going to be. As we have seen in the past with those who do such things only lead to self esteem on the part of the sect, or persons involved. True believers know that these witnesses, who ever they are, will be revealed by our Almighty Father in His Time, as the last days approach.

Almighty Father's people are to stay alert at all times, keeping close to the Word of Yahweh in obedience, and prayer, and to Watch out on the developments happening on the earth at all times, especially now as the final day of man's rule is fast approaching. I repeat, Yahweh will reveal these two Witnesses in His time.

Just pray, should you be preserved at this time, that you will be backing, and encouraging these servants of Yahweh, and not belong to those of the world who will not be able to tolerate or comprehend their preaching, and wish them dead.

Yahweh be with you in your studies of His Word, in Yahshua the Messiah's Great Name.

Shavuot is marked with the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Shavuot is also considered the time when Yahweh delivered the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. We find in Exodus 19:1 and Exodus 19:11 that in the third month on the third day that Yahweh returned to Mount Sinai to deliver the law to Moses. This is why many Jewish sources put the delivery of the law at the Feast of Weeks.

In the New Testament when the disciples were gathered for the Feast of Weeks the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples. They went forth that same day and taught a multitude from the scriptures. Three thousand brethren were baptized that Pentecost. (Acts 2) There is a story that brings out some of the features of this time. The story of Ruth is a time-honored tradition for the Feast of Weeks. Lets look at Ruth:

Chapter 1 Verse 1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion--Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Naomi didn't have it very easy. They moved from Israel and the safety of the land that Yahweh protected. Not only were they strangers in the land of Moab but they worshipped differently than the Moabites. The Moabites are the descendants of Lot. Elimelech Naomi's husband was attempting to provide for his family and so he moved his family to an area that he most likely felt would provide for his family. Elimelech means my Elohim is king. Naomi unfortunately lost her husband.

Verse 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

Naomi's sons both married which would of provided for Naomi a home and perhaps enough to live. Both Naomi's sons died. Ruth is mentioned here as Naomi's daughter-in-law. Ruth means friendship in Hebrew.

Verse 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that Yahweh had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each to her mother's house. Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 "Yahweh grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 "Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 "would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me!"

Naomi hears that Yahweh is blessing His people and decides due to her terrible hardship to return to the land of Judah. She asks her daughter in-laws to return to their families because she would no longer be able to provide for the women. Naomi was too old to provide the daughter in laws with any sons. She tries to get them to move on. This is where Ruth shows her love for Almighty Yahweh.

Verse 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her deities; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your Elohim, my Elohim. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me." 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

Ruth puts her trust in Yahweh. She also makes it clear that she doesn't want to return to the pagan ways of her upbringing. She goes forward willing to stick through the hard times with Naomi. She says that even at death she wished to be buried where ever Naomi is buried. The amazing thing is that Ruth would give up all that she knows to follow Yahweh and to be with Naomi. This shows the dedication of a truly righteous woman.

Verse 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 "I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?" 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

This would have been around the time of Passover that they enter Bethlehem. This shows the importance of a name. Naomi wanted to be called Mara meaning bitterness. Naomi means my delight and she didn't know how she lived up to such a name. She lost her Husband and two sons and here she is returning with her daughter-in-law a Moabitess. The people of Bethlehem recognized Naomi and were excited to see her. It was at least ten years that they spent in the land of Moab.

Chapter 2 Verse 1 There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." 3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Ruth receives Naomi's permission to glean the fields behind the reapers. It is law that the corners of the fields were to be left for the poor. This was one way that Yahweh made sure that even the poor wouldn't go hungry. Leviticus 23:22, "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am Yahweh your Elohim." Ruth was blessed because she is able to glean in a relative's field. Boaz is a relative of Elimelech.

Verse 4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, "Yahweh be with you!" And they answered him, "Yahweh bless you!"

Boaz did not treat his servants poorly. We see here that he greeted them in Yahweh's name. Also he must have been fair to the reapers because they returned his greeting with a request for Yahweh's blessing on Boaz. Boaz was a respected master of the reapers.

Verse 5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?" 6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

The supervisor of the reaper defines Ruth in relationship to Naomi. Since Naomi was married to Elimelech this may have served to inform Boaz of Ruth's relation.

Verse 7 "And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house." 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. 9 "Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn." 10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" 11 And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

Ruth asks Boaz, "why have I found favor in your eyes?" Boaz lets her know that he has been told of her hardship. Ruth was also important to Boaz because she left her own people to some extent to follow Yahweh. Boaz saw Ruth's sacrifices for Yahweh and her mother-in-law Naomi and was very pleased with her.

Verse 12 "Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given you by Yahweh Elohim of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." 13 Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my master; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants." 14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, "Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar." So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.

Boaz asks a blessing on Ruth that she receives full payment for her search for safety under Yahweh's protection. Ruth is not just blessed with the grain that she is allowed to glean but also the food that Boaz has given her. Through all this Ruth remains humble saying that she appreciates being treated like Boaz's maidservants yet she didn't put herself on the same plain as one of them. She even kept some of the parched grain that she couldn't eat to share with Naomi.

Verse 15 And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 "Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her." 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Boaz allowed Ruth to even glean among the sheaves. This was grain that the maidservants had not yet picked up. She gleaned an ephah of barley, which is about 9 gallons of barley. This was quite a bit of grain and would have been a handsome days work when you consider that this was just the droppings of grain.

Verse 18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, "Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you." So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, "The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz." 20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he of Yahweh, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!" And Naomi said to her, "This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives." 21 Ruth the Moabitess said, "He also said to me, 'You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'" 22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field." 23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

Naomi was very happy that one of their relatives had taken to Ruth so well. Ruth was so happy that she would be able to glean until the end of the barley and wheat harvest. This would give Naomi and her enough food and money to make it through the year. Yahweh with their return had truly blessed them many times over. Ruth's faith had brought her into a great situation.

Chapter 3 Verse 1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 "Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 "Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 "Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." 5 And she said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."

Naomi looking out for her daughter-in-law sent her to Boaz as a servant. Ruth didn't compromise her righteousness in anyway rather she waited for Boaz to make a decision as to what she should do. She waited as a servant at his feet. Naomi apparently hoped that Boaz would marry Ruth. She had her clean up and wear her best clothes.

Verse 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative." 10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of Yahweh, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

Boaz was very impressed with Ruth. She didn't throw herself at the young men. She rather followed the scriptures as to who should take her as wife after her other relatives had died. Boaz was a close relative to Elimelech.

Verse 11 "And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 "Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 "Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you--good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as Yahweh lives! Lie down until morning." 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 15 Also he said, "Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 So when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, "These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'" 18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."

Boaz also concerned about following the law correctly knew of a relative that was closer to Elimelech than he was. Boaz was going to first bring this up with the relative to see if he would take her as his wife. Boaz was adamant that if the relative would not marry Ruth that he was next in line and that he would definitely marry her. Boaz sent Ruth home with six ephahs of barley to once again show Naomi that her efforts were fruitful.

Chapter 4 Verse 1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, "Come aside, friend, sit down here." So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here." So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the close relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 "And I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.'" And he said, "I will redeem it." 5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance." 6 And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."

Boaz put together the close relative and the elders as witnesses that no wrongdoing had taken place. The relative was more than happy to buy the land but when he found out that Ruth came with the land he was not willing to split his inheritance. With Ruth they would keep Elimelech and Mahlon's name going but this would also mean that some of the relative's inheritance would be split among Ruth's children. The relative then offered the right of redemption to Boaz.

Verse 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal. 9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. 10 "Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day."

So the deal was struck that Boaz would buy Elimelech's inheritance. With the inheritance he would keep the name alive by marring Ruth. The exchange of the sandal is interesting too because of the importance of the feet to a workingman. This brings a whole new meaning to the saying to walk in a mile someone's shoes.

Verse 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. Yahweh make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 "May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which Yahweh will give you from this young woman." 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 "And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "There is a son born to Naomi." And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Boaz completed his promise and married Ruth. Ruth gave birth to a son named Obed. Obed was the grandfather of David and as you continue down the line you find that Yahshua was born to this family.

Ruth is an example of how we should be. Willing to give up what ever it takes to follow Yahweh. Pentecost had the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. We pray that the Holy Spirit guides us as it guided Ruth. The harvest of grain and first fruits is the harvest that we strive to be part. The first resurrection is the most important harvest. Those in the first resurrection will be in a kingdom of priests with Yahshua the Messiah. This is why the law is so important and why the Feast of Weeks is so important. They are all bound together into a wonderful plan of first fruits. With the giving of the law around Pentecost and also the out pouring of the spirit maybe we to will be found worthy of the first resurrection.

We must remain humble as Ruth even when times became great she kept her obedience. She knew that there was much more to look forward to. Ruth had endured the hardest of times but she continued searching for Almighty Yahweh. She forsook the culture that she knew for a better life under Yahweh.

Even in hard times we must stay steadfast. Lets strive for the righteousness that Yahshua lived through out his life. Lets look for the brightness of the future. A brightness that will blow away the worsening tribulation we are in right now.

Rev. 20:6, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

What a beautiful plan that Yahweh has shown! Praise Yahweh!

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