Hebrew Nation Online Hebrew Nation Radio

A Wedding of Words

Ruth's One-Way Flight









Each year, it is traditional to read the scroll of Ruth at Shavuot. We might say the three scrolls of Ruth, Esther, and Song of Songs are the Bridal Scrolls of return from exile.









There are many wonderful ideas about why Ruth commemmorates the giving of the Torah in addition to the story's setting, the time between the first fruits of the barley harvest at Pesach and the wheat harvest at Shavuot.









Sometimes the simplest answer is the most memorable. What happened to Israel in leaving Egypt at Pesach is what happened to Ruth in leaving Moab and arriving at the House of Bread (Beit Lechem) at Pesach. The Israelites left Egypt as strangers there before she became a Bride, and Ruth left Moab to become a stranger in Judah before she became part of the Bride.









The clue is in the wings that carried the Israelites and Ruth to their destinations, the wildernes and the Promised Land. In Hebrew, "wing" is kanaf  (??????). And why were they carried their places? To engage in a covenant of the Ten Words:









“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings (??????), and brought you to Myself.” (Ex 19:4)

“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings (??????) you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12)

He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering (??????) over your maid, for you are a close relative.” (Ruth 3:9)









Were Israel and Ruth flown to a place of refuge, or were they moved to holier places in their journeys?









Yes.









“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment (??????) of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” (Zec 8:23)









The setting of Ruth’s story is Beit Lechem, the House of Bread, where Judah was recovering from the famine. The wilderness also was a place of miraculous, Heavenly Bread and Living Water. A place of covering, anointing, preparation, and clean clothes for a nation of priests. The wilderness was where the Bride was purified with the Torah as she walked as she walked after her Bridegroom, picking up what He dropped for her each morning.









Let’s see if there are wilderness template parallels in the story of Ruth:









The Ten Words to the Bride

at Shavuot, Mount Sinai,

Via Moshe, Friend of the Bridegroom

become Ten Witnesses to the Bride’s purity and offspring.









Think of the Ten Words (Commandments) as Ten Witnesses, the observable grace of the Bride in preparing for her Bridegroom according to their everlasting agreement. Ruth's character exhibited this grace in the Word, witnessed by ten elders of Beit Lechem:









...for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. (3:11) He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. (Ru 4:2)

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today...(v. 9)

All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman.” (v. 11-12)

Parsha "Naso" (Numbers 4:21 through chapter 7) continues with the numbers - this time the other sons of Levi, and their assignments, but continues with SO much more. Including what Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship suggests is one of the most central in Scripture, even if is perhaps also one of the most 'overlooked.'



But it is notable for so many reasons: A look at authority in marriage, and beyond. And, at the same time, a procedure for what turns out to be the only enumerated process in the Torah for which a miracle is mandated as a result!



And then there's the 'longest chapter in the Book,' and most redundant, too. Why?



The Erev Shabbat reading:



https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SSM-6-14-24-Naso-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3





The Sabbath Day midrash begins with an observation about a common thread that connects every aspect of the apparently disparate elements of this parsha, submission, and the Authority to which it is rendered.



But it is the 'cup of abominations' that not only ties the pieces together, but should help us understand what it at play today, and coming to a head 'soon'.





"Naso: Submission and Authority"



https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WT-CooH-6-15-24-Naso-Submission-and-Authority-podcast-xxx.mp3





The combined two-part teaching is (finally!) here:

This weekend is the celebration of the feast of Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. We will be reading from Psalm 68 and playing the music of the Table of Showbread in the 639 Hz frequency from the Frequency of Fellowship album. This feast of Shavuot represents the restoration of the Kingdom of Yashua/Jesus so that righteousness will be the order of the day instead of the abominations that we observe all around us in the world today. This feast helps us look forward to that restoration and it also reminds us that we have been given the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth even in this world of lies. The Holy Spirit is our guide, and we can trust Him. May this season find you in joy and Shalom. Blessings.



Produced by Steve Rees - Calming Harp



For donations to our projects click: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XSTKYU9744WN2



Mail checks or Money Orders to: Steve Rees - 160-A Inland Beach Rd. - Lucedale, MS 39452



If you like what you hear please subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/peregrinnatti



To find us on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/peregrinnatti



Calming Harp Page: https://www.facebook.com/Calming-Harp…



If you would like to write a testimony of how this music has helped you email me at: steve@calmingharp.com



To purchase CDs and MP3s go to our website: https://calmingharp.com/



To donate to the ministry of the Calming Harp: https://calmingharp.com/marketplace



Steve Rees has been producing Harp Music from the Psalms of David for the past 20 years. He has discovered a connection between the Hebrew text of the Psalms and music notes that develop into chord progressions that form the basis for musical compositions that have been appreciated by thousands of followers. We invite you to join the many lives that have been positively affected by this wonderful music.

The Torah teachers continue the study of the Book of the prophet YesheYahu, or Isaiah, into chapter 40, which begins an entirely different theme...and one of the most well-known, as Ray points out, in classical music.

News, commentary, and some observations about Truth, beauty, and literally 'crapping on everything,' for the week ending Saturday, 8 June, 2024.

David and Mark discuss some of the major events (and insanity) of the last week, but, more importantly, how those of us who know what is already in-progress can share with friends, loved ones, and maybe even our local sheriff, to help them come to grips with "coming Reality."