Scripture Text: Ruth 1:1-2:23
Memory Verse: “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’” Ruth 1:16
Introduction:
Historically, the book of Ruth describes events in the life of an Israelite family during the time of the judges. Geographically, the setting begins in the land of Moab east of the Dead Sea and moves to a location in or near Bethlehem of Judah. Because the book traces Ruth’s descendants no further than King David, it was most likely written during David’s reign. The book’s author is nowhere identified in scripture, though Jewish tradition attributes authorship to Samuel.
Ruth was written to describe how through self-giving love and the righteous fulfillment of God’s law a virtuous and devout young Moabite woman became the great-grandmother of Israel’s King David. The book was also written to preserve an admirable story from the time of the judges about a godly family whose faithfulness in hardship stood in sharp contrast to the general spiritual and moral decline in Israel at that time.
As the book opens, we meet a Jewish family which left Bethlehem of Judah because of famine, and settled in the land of Moab, southeast of the Dead Sea. Elimelech and Naomi had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. After Elimelech died, his sons married Moabite wives, Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. After ten years, Mahlon and Chilion died, leaving
Naomi with two foreign daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decided to move back to Judah when she heard that there was plenty of food there. Ruth would not leave Naomi. She chose Naomi’s destination, her dwelling, her people, her God, and even her burial place.
When Boaz asked the identity of Ruth who was gleaning in his field, he learned that she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law and that she had become a convert to the Jewish faith. Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s dead husband, making him a kinsman-redeemer.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- When we suffer great adversity in our lives, does that mean that God has forsaken us or is punishing us? (Ruth 1:1-5; Romans 8:28, 36)
- What was the attitude Ruth had toward God and Naomi? (Ruth 1:14-18; Matthew 10:39; Ruth 4:13-17)
- As a natural reaction, we often blamed God for our misfortune. Is God a God who is just waiting to punish us when we step out of line with His will? (Ruth 1:19-22; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Psalms 33; Isaiah 43; 1 Peter 5)
- How does the story of Ruth show how God provides for our lives? (Ruth 2:4-16; Psalms 17:8; 36:7; 63:7; Philippians 4:13)
Applying the Word
Compare Ruth and the “virtuous woman” from Proverbs.
Her family commitment noted by others. (Ruth 2:11-12; Proverbs 31:11-12)
She provided sustenance for her household. (Ruth 2:14, 18; Proverbs 31:15)
She gave attention to her appearance. (Ruth 3:3, 5; Proverbs 31:22)
Her selfless lifestyle drew praise from others. (Ruth 2:11; 3:10; 4:15; Proverbs 31:28)
She committed herself to Yahweh as God. (Ruth 1:16; Proverbs 31:30)