Ruth

1
Ruth

• Chapters 1-4
• A Warm Glow amid the Darkness
• of the Era of the Judges.
• A Pearl among the Swine
• of the Time of Judges.

2
Lessons from Ruth 1

• The Gentiles were able to clearly recognize godly
  principles and accept godly character. 116-17.
  Some, like Ruth, saw the godly example of the
  Jews and declared the LORD as God.
• (Another lesson from chapter 2,3,4 ---- During
  the time of the judges, not everyone was like
  evil Micah of Ephraim some were like righteous
  Boaz of Judah. Not all towns were like Gibeah
  some were as admirable as Bethlehem. God is at
  work among the righteous, even in dark times.)

3
Comparing Ruth to Abraham

• Abraham received a promise of land from God.
• Abr. had Divine blessing pronounced on him.
• Abr. had a spouse, possessions, servants.

• Ruth had no promise of land or a home.
• She had no Divine blessing given to her from
  early on.
• She gave up chance for a marriage in Moab to
  support a former mother in law in her old age.

4
How Gorgeous is Gods Word

• Ruth is Example of
• Chiastic Structure
• e.g., a Ringed Arrangement
• of ABC then CBA

5

• Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
• Naomi receives a son (417)

6

• A Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
• B The possible redeemer introduced (21)
• C Ruth and Naomi's plan begins (22)
• D Ruth and Boaz's field (23)
• E Boaz comes from Bethlehem (24)
• F Boaz is introduced to Ruth Who is
  she?" (25-7)
• G Boaz provides food for Ruth Ruth
  brings ephah to Naomi (28-18)
• H Naomi blesses Boaz (219)
• I Boaz is in position to redeem
  (220)
• J Ruth joins Boaz's workers,
  is protected (221-23)
• K Naomi seeks security,
  comfort, rest for Ruth (31-8)
• J' Ruth requests Boaz's
  protection in marriage (39)
• I' Ruth asks Boaz to act as
  redeemer (39)
• H' Boaz blesses Ruth (310)
• G' Boaz promises Ruth brings 6
  measures to Naomi (311-15)
• F' Boaz will conclude the matter with
  Ruth (316-18)
• E' Boaz goes to Bethlehem (41)
• D' Ruth and a field that was Naomis
  (42-12)
• C' Ruth and Naomi's plan ends (43)

7

• Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
• Naomi seeks security and rest for Ruth (31-8)
• Naomi receives a son (417)

8
Bethlehem
Moab
9
Moab
Bethlehem
10
Chapter 2 Ruth Meets Boaz

• What does Naomi call Ruth in 22?
• What is gleaning (Lev 199,10, Deut 2419)?
• What was Boazs greeting in 24? Their response?
  Does this sound typical from what we know of the
  Judges?

11
Chapter 2 Boaz is Kind

• In what ways is Boaz kind to Ruth in 28-10?
• What encouraged Boaz to show Ruth kindness in
  211-13?

Shouldnt a man of wealth be hard and oppressive?
12
Chapter 2 Ruth is Kind

• In what ways does Boaz continue to show kindness
  to Ruth in 14-16, particularly v 15?
• According to verse 14, what does Ruth do on
  behalf of Naomi?
• How is Naomis faith in Gods goodness revived in
  220?

13
Why are the people in this farm field in
Bethlehem so kind, thoughtful and caring? Are
their actions genuine?
14
Chapter 3 Ruths Appeal to Boaz

• At the advice of Naomi, Ruth makes an appeal to
  Boaz to redeem her rightful inheritance as
  Mahlons widow (the land that was sold by Naomi
  in 43) and take her as a wife under the
  principle of a levirate (brother-in-law)
  marriage. Boaz receives Ruths appeal with joy
  (310-11).

15
Chapter 3 Ruths Appeal to Boaz

• What had the town come to think of Ruth in verse
  11?
• And what leads to the conclusion that Boaz is
  older than Ruth in verse 10?
• What is Boazs only concern before taking Ruth as
  his wife in verses 12,13?

16
Chapter 4 Boaz Clears the Legal Hurdles

• Boaz is a man of principle so will resolve the
  matter of a closer relative to Ruth who has the
  right of redemption. The court is convened in
  the gate of the city and the opportunity for
  redemption is presented to the closer relative.
  He concedes the right of redemption to Boaz.
  Boaz receives the blessing of the elders.

17
Chapter 4 A Blessed Marriage

• Marriage to a Gentile seems to have been
  mitigated by the fact that Ruth has adopted both
  the worship and the character of an Israelite
  she has renounced her homeland in favor of
  Israel she is a proselyte.

18
Chapter 4 A Blessed Marriage

• Marriage to a Gentile seems to have been
  mitigated by the fact that Ruth has adopted both
  the worship and the character of an Israelite
  she is a proselyte.
• According to 410, what was more important than
  the nationality of Ruth?
• The elders and people pray that Ruth will be made
  like whom in 411?

19
Chapter 413-22The Family of Ruth and Boaz

• Naomi is given a grandson, Obed, who would be
  grandfather of a king.
• Further, through Ruth, a Gentile enters into the
  lineage of Christ.
• Ruth was said to be better than what to Naomi in
  415?
• Who is the noteworthy grandson of Obed?

20
God uses the faithfulness of ordinary people to
do great things

• Your people will be my people and your God my
  God . . . May the LORD deal with me, be it ever
  so severely, if even death separates you and me.
  
• Ruth 116-17

21

• Be kindly affectioned one to another with
  brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one
  another . . .
• Romans 1210