The Book of Ruth
Leader’s Study Guide
The Romance of Redemption
Christ and the Church in the
Book of Ruth
The
Romance of Redemption
Human Author: Unknown, perhaps Samuel
Divine Author: God the Holy Spirit
Date of Writing: c. 990 BC
Key Thought: The Romance of Redemption
Key Verse: Ruth 3:13
“….then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth…”
Ruth 1
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the
judges ruled [judged], that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man
of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of
1:1 The story of Ruth is one of the great stories in human
history. The drama begins with a famine in the
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his
wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of
Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the country of
1:2 During this difficult period, a
1:2
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left
of her two sons and her husband.
1:3-5 Once in the land, more tragedy struck. Elimelech died
suddenly and without warning. Naomi was left with her two sons and a depressing
future. For a little while, life returned to normal for the two sons came of
age and married. Naomi was able to find some female companionship in her two
daughters in laws, Orpah and Ruth. Then great tragedy came again. Mahlon and
Chilion also died. It is possible that these men were never in the best of
health as their
names
indicate. They left behind weeping wives and a distraught mother.
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 how that the LORD
had visited his people in giving them bread.
1:6 Those who have been to the graveside of a loved one know the
sorrow that grips the soul. Life does not seem to be worth living.
Nevertheless, in some wonderful way, Naomi found the inner strength needed to
make basic decision about the future.
·
She would leave Moab.
·
She would return to Bethlehem.
·
She would go home.
The
basis for these decisions was practical. Naomi had heard how the Lord had
visited His people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two
daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of
Judah.
1:7 The
spiritual lessons of this section are precious.
First, the Lord is ultimately in control of nature. While there are Laws of
Nature, the Laws are simply the manifestation of Divine faithfulness. God can
and does sovereignly supply, or withholds, the forces that govern the affairs
of man. Agricultural prosperity should be attributed to the blessing of God.
Famines too are part of His sovereign control as He uses natures to change
individuals and their dwelling places.
Second, the Lord will visit His
people. God has a "people." It
is a humbling truth, but from the sea of humanity, God has a chosen people that
He calls His own. According to the gospel message the people of God are not
according to race but regeneration. The regenerate consists of all who have
received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour because of electing love.
The
doctrine of election is one of the great truths of Scripture and is part of the
dogma of the church. The Baptist Confession of 1689 teaches “By the decree of God, for
the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated or
foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Scripture can be cites to support the teaching
of election.
·
Elect men. Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world:
·
Elect Angels. 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe
these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by
partiality.
The purpose of electing
souls to salvation is “to the praise of His glorious grace.” Ephesians 1:5-6
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Third, the gifts of divine grace
and the doctrine of election are designed to draw individuals to the Lord, not
drive them away. Naomi wanted to go home when she
has heard how the Lord has visited His people and she remembered to whom she
belonged.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her
mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead,
and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the
house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and
wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy
people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me?
Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
1:11 Naomi tried to persuade her daughters to turn back if they so desired by reminding them that even the Levirate Law would not apply. This Mosaic law required a man to marry the widow of a brother who died with no male heir. The term levirate means "husband's brother." The purpose of the law was to provide an heir for the dead brother, thereby preserving his name and protecting any estate. The law also was designed to provide for the welfare of the widows (Deut 25:5-10).
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an
husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also
to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them
from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes
that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
1: 8-13 Initially, both Orpah and Ruth decided to go with Naomi
(Ruth 1:10). However, as the journey progressed, Orpah had a change of heart.
The thought of leaving her extended family and friends was too much. She would
remain behind. Besides, as Naomi reminded her, it was not practical (Ruth
1:11-13). So Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and departed.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her
mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her
people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
1:15 In one fateful moment Orpah made her decision. She turned away from the true God to return to her idols. Let the church warn others about turning back. Rather, let sinners turn their eyes upon Jesus.
“O soul, are you weary
and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn
your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Helen H. Lemmel
~*~
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from
following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou
lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God:
1:16 They God, my God. The conversion of Ruth
to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was essential for her entrance back into
the Land of Promise to live among the people of the Covenant. By Law no Hebrew
was to marry a Gentile (Deut. 7:2,3). And no Moabite was to enter into the
congregation of the Lord (Deut. 23:3).
The Law shut Ruth out, but grace took her in.
In this way Ruth reflects the converted Christian, shut out by the Law and
contemned but given salvation by grace. Romans 8:3 For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD
do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
1:16-17 Because Ruth had grown
especially close to Naomi she was determined not to leave her. Ruth's decision
has given rise to one of the greatest expression of friendship love in the
world.
“A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift,
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.”
~*~
Jesus is
a faithful Friend.
A friend of Jesus! O what
bliss
That one so vile as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
O what blessèd, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
A Friend when other
friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend Who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!
A Friend when sickness lays
me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!
A Friend when life’s short
race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!
Jospeh C. Ludgate
~*~
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass,
when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and
they said, Is this Naomi?
1:18-19 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to remain with her, the journey continued. It was a long journey of 100 miles, on foot, over barren treacherous land. Some of the mountains that had to be crossed were over a mile high. Finally, the journey ended. Bethlehem was in sight. But the spirit of Naomi did not rejoice. Her heart had
grown hard with the difficulties of life. Disillusioned and distressed, Naomi instructed her former neighbors to call her Mara, which means bitter (Ruth 1:20-22).
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara [bitter]: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then
call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty
hath afflicted me?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with
her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in
the beginning of barley harvest.
1:20-22 A spirit of bitterness now saturated Naomi’s heart. She no
longer found faith in God. She was a very angry woman reflected in the words
she spoke and the change in her name. In contrast to the bitterness of Naomi is
the blessed response of Ruth to the adversities of life. There is no record
that she became bitter but she did become a source of blessing to her mother-in-law
by sharing in her life. Ruth was not just a daughter in law, she was a friend.
“A friend is one who
helps you bridge the gaps between loneliness and fellowship, frustration and
confidence, despair and hope, setbacks and success.” Ruth was a friend. She was a
blessing to others.
The Book of Ruth
1. Where is Moab located and
why did some Hebrews go there?
Answer. Moab
(from father) was located in the
territory east of the Dead Sea. Elimelech thought there would be work and food
in the land of Moab when famine came to Judah.
2. What three basis decisions
did Naomi make?
Answer.
3. Why did Orpah turned aback
from going to Judah?
Answer. The
thought of leaving her extended family and friends was too much for Orpah. She
would remain behind.
4. What name change did Naomi
request and why?
Answer. Ruth 1:20-21 And she said unto them, Call me
not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21
I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call
ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath
afflicted me?
5. What was the Levirate Law?
Answer. This Mosaic law required a man to marry the widow
of a brother who died with no male heir. The term levirate means "husband's
brother." The purpose of the law was to provide an heir for the dead
brother, thereby preserving his name and protecting any estate.
1. Do you consider yourself to
be among the “people” of God? If so, on what basis? If not, why not?
2. Do you enjoy a faithful
friend such as Ruth was to Naomi? Would you like one? How strong are most of
the friendships you have?
3. Do you believe Orpah was
saved? Was Ruth converted? Defend your answer for each.
4. Was the Levirate Law
practical and beyond that was it moral and ethical?
5. Have you ever been bitter
with God? If so, please share why.
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Ruth 2
1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
2:1 Boaz (in him is
strength) is a fitting type of Christ as Ruth is a lovely picture of the
Church.
2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field,
and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And
she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
2:2 The characteristics of a virtuous woman discussed in Proverbs 31:10-31 are demonstrated by Ruth.
The Virtuous Woman
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price
is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so
that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all
the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with
her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from
afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her
household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the
fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with
strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is
good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh
herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband
is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She
maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant 25
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her
blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done
virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is
vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of
the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap [chance] was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
2:3 Hap. While many events seem to happen by chance the Bible reveals the sovereign God works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). For the Christian there are no accidents in life, only incidents.
“Thy works, O God! Around us
lie
In varied grandeur, earth
and sky
Proclaim Thy love, Thy
wisdom tell
And say, ‘Thou doest all
things well.’”
~*~
Kalai, Molokai
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The
LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
2:4 Here is a wonderful public greeting to be used socially among God’s people.
Salutation: “The Lord be with you.”
Response: “The Lord bless thee.”
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose
damsel is this?
2:5 The heart of love is thoughtful and inquisitive.
It seeks to know as much about the object of its desire as possible. Christian
husbands are commanded to dwell with their wives according to knowledge “as
being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered”
(1 Peter 3:7).
6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is
the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers
among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until
now, that she tarried a little in the house.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and
go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch
thee? And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which
the young men have drawn.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
2:5 As Ruth was astonished at the great grace shown to her so ever person who has been the object of redeeming grace stands amazed that salvation has come to their soul and that while yet a sinner Christ died (Rom. 5:8).
“O boundless love divine!