Welcome to this daily study of the Book of Ruth. The purpose of this study is to enhance your spiritual relationship. One method of study is to first read the section for the day. Then, by reviewing the text, answer the questions. Most of the questions may be answered by merely quoting the verse which is cited in the question. The answer to some questions is not explicit in the verse. These are marked with an asterisk (*), and may require some additional reflection on the material, or material from other books of the Bible. Finally, when you reach a question which is marked with a (§), spend some time contemplating how what you have read can enhance your spiritual life. You may find that these questions require a considerable amount of thought over a period of time. Quietly, in a relaxed state of mind, reflect on the question and find out where it seems to be leading you to consider. You are, of course, never required to share your answers unless you feel comfortable doing so. The LORD your GOD will bless your study of her word.
In the previous lesson, the Letter from Paul to the Corinthians was studied. Corinth was a cosmopolitan trading center of the Roman world. Like busy cities of all ages, a great number of influences left their mark, and served as a distraction to a spiritual relationship. Paul attempts to focus the Corinthians on their responsibilities in their newly acquired spiritual understanding. More than just a set of rules toward a better behaviour, Paul also articulates the theology of the first century Christians by explaining the resurrection, the Eucharist, the proper attitude towards supporting the ministry and other issues which are still pertinent to a spiritual life centuries later.
While Judges was an historical record of the time of the Judges, the Book of Ruth is about individuals, namely, two women, Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. The faithfulness and obedience of Ruth toward her mother-in-law has been the source of admiration throughout the centuries. Further, Naomi's faith in her GOD was unshakeable. Together these two women faced what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles.
Goethe called it "the loveliest complete work on a small scale." It would be a remarkable story in its own right, however, it transcends the temporal and is a foreshadow of the Messiah in the role of the kinsman redeemer. In addition, GOD's control of history is demonstrated as these two women are plucked from the stream of history to play an essential role as ancestors of both David the Greatest King of Israel and the Christ Jesus.
In the next lesson, the Letter from Paul to the church at Thessolonica will be studied. Paul's introduction to the city as recorded in Acts 17 was a turbulent one. In fact, an angry mob chased him out. Undaunted, Paul established a church, in this, one of his earliest letters, is revealed a passionate and caring response.
Who are the members of Naomi's family mentioned in verse 2?
Where did they go to live? Locate the region on a map, noting its distance from Bethelem.
According to Genesis 19:36ff, from do the Moabites descend?
In Deuteronomy 2:9, what instructions did Moses receive regarding the Moabites?
Who did Naomi's sons marry in verse 4?
From verses 3 through 5, what happened to Naomi's family?
(§) Have you had the experience of moving to a new area or starting in a new job or school? What were your concerns? How did you work through the experience?
Why was Naomi returning to Israel according to verse 6?
In verse 8, what did Naomi say to her daughters-in-law?
What did Orpah do in verse 14?
How was Ruth's response different in verse 16?
What name did Naomi adopt in verse 20? What does it mean? What does "Naomi" mean?
(§) Consider Ruth's statement of verse 14. Can you see yourself making such a statement in your own circumstances?
From verse 1, who is Naomi relative?
In which field in verse 3 did Ruth work?
In verses 8 and 9, what did Boaz say to Ruth?
What did Boaz tell his men in verse 16?
How did Naomi describe Boaz in verse 20?
From Leviticus 25:25, what is the Law of the "kinsman redeemer" ?
How has GOD through the Christ redeemed you to allow you to gain a fuller spiritual relationship?
What are Naomi's instructions in verses 3 and 4?
What did Ruth say in verse 9 when she was discovered?
In verse 13, what did Boaz pledge to do?
What did Ruth bring back to Naomi in verse 17?
(§) What are some of the risks Ruth accepted? How might you benefit from her courage?
What did Boaz say in verse 4 and how did the kinsman redeemer respond?
In verse 5, what did Boaz add?
What was the kinsman redeemer's response in verse 6?
What is the name given to Ruth's son in verse 17?
From verses 21 and 22, what is the relationship between David and Ruth?
(§) How has GOD's provision been revealed to you?
What were the conditions of Israel at the time of Ruth according to Judges 2:10-13?
From Ruth 1:4, where was Ruth from?
What did Ruth say to Naomi say to Naomi in 1:16 and 17?
In John 9:39, what is recorded?
(§) How might the faithfulness of Ruth enhance your spiritual life?
Recommended Reading
Julian of Norwich Catherine of Genoa
The period of the Judges was one of turbulence and unrest. Tribal jealousies and foreign oppressions weakened the Israelites politically. Idolatry sapped the moral strength of the people who had experienced the power of God at the time of the Exodus. The story of Ruth, however, presents a deferent side of life during the period of the Judges. Here we read of the joys and sorrows of a godly family from Bethlehem. Ruth, the Moabitess, who became a worshipper of Israel's God, exhibited a faith and loyalty at that time rare in Israel. After the sorrow of losing her first husband, Ruth returned to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, married Boaz and became an ancestress of King David.
Perhaps one of the main reasons the book was preserved and revered in Israel was because, in the providence of God, Ruth became an ancestress of David the King. It demonstrated that even the ancestry of the greatest king of Israel was not purely Jewish, and the introduction of Ruth, a Moabitess, into David's family tree meant that later the "son of David,", the Messiah, would also be one of her descendants.
It is an incomparable love story. With tenderness and beauty, the author tells of the faithfulness of a foreign daughter-in-law to the widowed mother-in-law. With the loss of her own husband, Ruth had no ties of blood, marriage, or inheritance to bind her to Naomi. Yet with a steadfast love strong and moving, she clings to her and helps to support her. Such love is rewarded in the most dramatic way. It is her very faithfulness in working at the task of gleaning in order to keep Naomi and herself from starving which brings her to the attention of Boaz. This most eligible of bachelors was attracted to her apparently because of her beauty of character, as well as her natural beauty. The persistence with which Boaz sought out the nearest of kin in order to gain the right to marry Ruth, discloses not only some interesting marriage customs -- but also the depth of his love for Ruth. This is one of the greatest love stories of all ages.
The greatest theological message lies in its powerful portrayal of the sovereign purpose of God working out through all the joys and tragedies of life. Famine, death, loneliness, voluntary exile, and unshakable fidelity combine to fulfil the sure purpose of God. Nothing is able to block the achievement of Divine Will. This is the deepest message of Ruth. Even the faithfulness of Ruth in the humble task of gleaning was used in God's purpose to bring Ruth and Boaz together, to bring the Child Obed -- and eventually to bring David, and David's Greater Son.
Samuel J Schultz, Th D; The Open Bible, It is written heritage edition, Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, 1975.
So Naomi said, "See, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law." But Ruth replied, "Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus and more may the LORD do to me if anything but death parts me from you." When Naomi saw how determined she was to go with her, she ceased to argue with her; and the two went on until they reached Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:15-19)