><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Ruth) CHAPTER 1-2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Put yourself in Ruth's place, and consider the cost of her decision to follow Naomi into the land of Israel. Orpah, too, had been a good daughter(1:8), but what differences were there between her attitude and Ruth's? What lessons may Ruth teach us about our following CHrist? Cf Lk 9:23,57-62;14:25-33 2) Notice how an apparently chance happening(2:3,20) Was overruled by God for blessing. Can you recall similar experiences? Also, in chp2 what qualities are outstanding a) in Boaz, and b) in Ruth? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Ruth) Chapter 1-2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Ruth was loyal, v14, "...Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodby, but Ruth clung to her." She was willing to stick with Naomi, regardless of the consequences. Making an oath with the Lord really confirmed her devotion. From the start, Boaz showed his special sensitivity, not wanting to embarass Ruth, and telling his workers to leave extra for her. It shows how, although in bitter circumstances, God rewards those who are committed to righteousness, with good things. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Ruth 1 and 2 David's Great Grandmother Naomi was a hopeless woman who's husband and sons died. In her sight, "--- the Lord's hand has gone out against me!" 1:13. So often, we view our lives the same way and do not know what God's plan is for us. This book gave us the background of King David's family line. It tells us how Boaz maried Ruth, a Moabitish woman. Boaz was the son of Salmon, Ruth 4:21. Boaz's mother was Rahab, the harlot found in Jericho, Mt. 1:5. Boaz, the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jess, and Jess the father of David. So Boaz is great-grandfather of David and Ruth the great grandmother of David. There were two gentile women adopted into Christ family, Ruth and Rahab. Ruth 1:16-17 "..Where you go (refers to not lodge with the gentiles), I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people (refers to observe the 130 precepts) shall be my people, and your God (refers to worshiping no other gods), my God. Where you die (to be buried in their own county), I will die, and there I will be buried." It is a totally submissive loyalty. The World's Bible Handbook refer to Ruth as a book of Loyalty and Royalty. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Ruth's decision to follow Naomi was not just a temporary one. By following Naomi, she knew she was signing on for a rough trip. She had no inheritance, no position, and no forseeable hope for obtaining either. In the Christian life, we face a similar kind of commitment when following Christ. It is all or nothing, not a temporary decision, but one that requires our full commitment. Luke 9:23 23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 57-62 57 ¶ As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." 60 But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." 61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Lk 14:27-30 27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' May each of us consider the cost of following our Naomi - Jesus Christ. 2) Boaz has been described many times as a Redeemer figure, a model of Christ. In this chapter we get a look into his character. He is a gentle and generous man, a compassionate and merciful person. Ruth was a hard worker and a loyal daughter in law, not only working for herself, but also trying to get enough for Namoi as well. These two pictures and character studies show us two great examples to follow after. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Ruth) CHAPTER 3-4 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How does the whole story show the Lord's loving-kindness to those who trust Him? Cf La 3:22-26,31-33;Na 1:7;Rom 8:28. 2) What example are we given in chp4 on matters affecting the rights of others? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Ruth) Chapter 3-4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Trust must be "blind faith", as Ruth had. However, I believe it is based upon our knowledge that God is good, and has our best interests in mind. An analogy of a physician treating a sick patient suits well, I think. Although we do not understand why or how, we need to follow our physician's orders to restore our health. We trust their advice and judgement, no matter how bad the medicine tastes! How much more can we trust God's sovereign leading! Boaz was very unselfish. By redeeming this land of Elimelech's, there was a chance that it would be transferred to E.'s family, and not Boaz. That is why the other kinsman-redeemer did not accept the proposal after hearing about Ruth. Boaz was truly a man of compassion and character, deserving to be in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Ruth Chapters 3 and 4 Naomi - The Decision Maker This book started with three wives outlived their husbands in Moab. It was Naomi's idea to go back to Bethlehem - because there is hope there. It was Naomi's idea to tell her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to approach Boaz. And it turned out to be her kinsman, redeemer. The result was Ruth bore a son, Obed. Ruth 4:17 "….. the neighbor women gave Him a name, saying, 'There is a son born to Naomi.'" Ruth 4:14 - "Then the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of you old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." It was Naomi who was willingly to be a nurse to Obed. 4:16. Naomi means 'my delight', 'pleasant' or 'joy'. She renamed herself Mara, 'bitter'. Bitter was also the name of a place where God tested His people Israel as they set out on their Exodus journey, Marah in Ex. 15:23. Naomi's better years ended in joy when her daughter-in-law gave birth to Obed. May the Holy Spirit be my decision maker. May the Lord bless me through my 'in- laws', if it is His will. And May I have my grandchild that I would be willingly to be their nurse - to be close to my heart. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The first kindness is Ruth's following Naomi back to her home. The second kindness of Ruth is offering herself in marriage to Boaz when he was an older man and she was younger and would have been attractive to younger men(v10). The next act of kindness is Boaz's willingness to be the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth. The book of Ruth is a study in kindness and compassion. Lamentations 3:22-26 22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. 26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. 2) Chapter 4 sorts out the events in Chp3. Just because Boaz was willing to be the kinsman-redeemer didn't make that the case. He had to demonstrate it publicly and also work within the law. By going within the law the matter was settled properly and the function of redemption was made perfect and complete. So it is with Christ and His redemption of us. Without the Law, Christ's work is incomplete, the Law cannot be thrown out, but has it's place here and in the case of our salvation. It is the model upon which the redeeming work of Grace is based.