Bible Studies

THE BOOK OF RUTH

by Henry Jaegers
03/09/19
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RUTH

The time of the narrative:  During the period of the Judges

The writer of the book: Usually ascribed to Samuel

The story of Ruth is the story coming out from the dark ages of Israel's history. It is a story of a woman born out of a nation hostile to God coming into contact with a man from Judah, totally abandoned to his God amidst all the hostilities and adversities that abounded in him in his circumstances. Yet he was a man of God who was untouched by these difficulties and faithful to God despite all of them

The story in the book of Ruth is a narrative that tells us how two people, who were drastically different in their backgrounds and in their substance was brought together by the grace of God resulting in a generation of godliness that extended all the way to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a story of a woman who was reduced to a point of hopelessness, who refuse to go back to her old way of life when difficulties arose and chose to follow a woman about to enter a place and a time of great difficulty.

It is the story of a woman void of any religious advantages who held onto her integrity and faith, willing to forsake all of her past life for life yet unknown.

Ruth and her mother mother-in-law, Naomi, ventured forth, like Abraham to a land to which God would lead them. In this journey, this Moabite woman was brought into contact with this strong, faithful godly man who accepted her with all of her backgrounds and saw in her a beauty which captured his heart.

Through difficult circumstances, the journey, together they progressed until they became man and wife, but all did not end there. Through their godly union there came forth a son named Obed who became the father of a son who produced Israel's greatest king. But it didn't stop there. The lineage of the King continued until there came forth a man above all men who were called “David's greater son” Jesus Christ.

 We find the prophet Micah speaking concerning the little town of Bethlehem, these words: "but thou Bethlehem, Ephratah, though thou be little among the nations of Israel, yet out of thee shall he come forth who is to be ruler unto me, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting”. (Micah 5:2)

The story of Ruth is the story of the grace of God taking one who was esteemed unworthy by others and cause her to be the mother of a godly line hither before unknown. (See Matthew 1:1-5)

This is truly a story of the grace of God active in the life of those counted unworthy by the world.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 1. What Caused Elimelech to leave Judah and head for Moab?

 2. Discuss what would cause an Israelite man to marry Moabite women.

 3. Discuss why Oprah decided to go back to Moab. Read verse 12.

 4.From verse 16. 17, discuss the extent of Ruth’s commitment to follow Naomi.

 5. From the following verses, describe what quality of man Boaz was.2:4,5,8,9,10,11,14,13,

 6. In verses 3: 1-4 discuss the counsel that Naomi gave to Ruth.

 7. In verse 8, why was Boaz afraid?

 8. In verse 10,11, discuss Boaz’ words of respect for Ruth.

 9. What kept Boaz from committing himself to marry Ruth? See Verse 3:13,

 10. How did Boaz show his integrity in 4:5

 11. Why did the Kinsman refuse Boaz offer? In verse 6 What great messages are found surrounding the birth of Ruth’s child?