lesson five friendship and favor

Transcription

1 lesson five friendship and favor Ruth 2:1 18 Memory Verse: May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done. Ruth 2:12, NLT Background: Naomi and Ruth are back in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth asks Naomi to let her go out into the fields to glean. Reflection: Have you ever had a major transition in life where you stepped out in faith without knowing what the outcome would be? How did God guide you through that time? Stop and give thanks for God s presence and guidance through those times. work Work is first mentioned in the Bible in association with God s creative work in the beginning (Genesis 2:2(2x), 3) incorporating a variety of activities including making, speaking, forming, placing, creating, and blessing His awesome creation and creatures, including man and woman. Work was decreed for man before the Fall, following the pattern established by God, as God blessed Adam and Eve, instructing them to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it, to rule over the animals, and to display the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26 28). God then placed man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and to keep it (Genesis 2:15), to name the animals (Genesis 2:19 20), and God s ultimate accomplishment was providing a special unique helper suitable to achieve His dominion mandate (Genesis 2:20 25). God rested after His creative work, and established the pattern for man to rest as well (Exodus 20:8 11; 31:17; Luke 13:14; Hebrews 4:4, 10). Unfortunately, after the Fall man was cursed and work became painful, difficult, sweaty, exhausting, and toilsome, relationships became difficult, and the cursed ground produced thorns, thistles, and weeds (Genesis 3:14 19). Work is necessary to provide resources to sustain life, work well done provides satisfaction and enjoyment, and work glorifies God by following His example and fulfilling His instructions (Ecclesiastes 2:24 25). Ruth worked [Ruth 2:12, 19 (2x)] with diligence gleaning in the fields in an agricultural culture to provide for herself and her mother in law. God provided for the poor (needy, stranger, alien, widow, orphan) in the Law by allowing them to glean the remnant from grain fields, olive trees, and grape vineyards, which they did not own, promising a blessing to landowners who obeyed His command, reminding them that they had been slaves in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:9 10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19 22). continued on next page... 38

2 Grain Harvesting Activities Specific Procedure Reference in Ruth Reapers cut the grain in the field with hand sickles [usually men] Ruth 2:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14 [7x in Ruth] Binding the grain into bundles (sheaves) [usually women] Ruth 2:7, 15, 16 Gleaning the grain from the stalks left behind by the reapers Ruth 2:2, 3, 7, 8 15 (2x), 16, 17 (2x), 18, 19, 23 [12x in Ruth] Transporting the sheaves to the threshing floor Ruth 3:2 Threshing (beating) to loosen the grain from the straw Ruth 2:17; 3:14 Winnowing by tossing the grain into the air Ruth 3:2 Sifting the grain to remove impurities Ruth 3:7 Bagging the grain for storage The barley harvest (Ruth 1:22; 2:23) typically occurred in March and April, placing Ruth and Naomi s return to Bethlehem in the spring. The wheat harvest followed in May and June (Ruth 2:23). This annual cycle of agricultural seasons dovetails beautifully with the annual celebration of the Biblical Feasts [See Appendix E, The Biblical Calendar: Agricultural Seasons and Festivals]. Interestingly, Ruth s harvesting transpires during the time of Passover and the Crucifixion, and the Book of Ruth is read annually in the synagogue during Pentecost. Ruth s hard work was recognized and blessed by Boaz: The Lord will reward your work (Ruth 2:12). Naomi also recognized the blessing when Ruth threshed (beat out) what she had gleaned, an ephah of barley (about half a bushel or 30 pounds), enough for Ruth and Naomi to eat for 5 days (Ruth 2:19 20). Christ did the work of God, setting a pattern for believers (John 4:34; 5:17; 6:28 29; 17:4; Mark 6:3), for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Work is frequently mentioned in the Bible: Work brings God glory (John 17:4; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians. 10:31) Work should be done for Christ with sincerity (Colossians 3:22 24) Work pleases God and fulfills His will (Ephesians 6:6 7) Work can impact others with the power of Christ as they see your light (Matthew 5:16) Work is motivated by the comfort, strength, hope and grace of God (2 Thessalonians 2:16 17) If any would not work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11 12; Proverbs 6:6 11) God knows our works (Revelation 2:2, 5; 3:15) Work will be revealed, evaluated and rewarded by God (Hebrews 6:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13 15; 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 22:12) Knowing this, believers should abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58), abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8), be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10), be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1), and do the work of an evangelist in harvesting the world for Christ (2 Timothy 4:5; Matthew 9:37 38). We will work throughout eternity as we reign and rule with Christ. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23 24 NASB 39

3 days one and two Read Ruth 2: Look up the Scripture below from several different versions of the Bible and summarize: a. Deuteronomy 24:19 21 b. Leviticus 19:9 10 c. Leviticus 23:22 2. How would you define gleaning? Who can glean? 3. If this is the law, why do you think Ruth says at the end of verse 2:2 by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it? 4. How is Ruth a friend to Naomi? 5. Sharing: How would you contrast friendship with Christ at the center (Biblical friendship) with the world s view of friendship? Share any supporting Scripture. What can you do to strengthen your friendships? 6. Compare and contrast what you learn about Boaz and Ruth from verses 2:1 4. What do these verses tell us about Boaz and Ruth s character? Why? 40

4 7. In verse 2:3b, it says And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father in law, Elimelech. Do you think this was coincidence? Why or why not? 8. Sharing: Have you ever had an event or events occur in your life that you believe could only have been orchestrated by God? Explain. Digging Deeper: Look up the following Scripture and read what Jesus said about friendship. Matthew 12:28 31 Matthew 22:36 40 John 15:12 15 In 1 Samuel, we read about the friendship of David and Jonathan. Read 1 Samuel 18:1 4; 19:4 7; 20:11 17 and describe the unique qualities of this friendship. How has being a follower of Christ affected your friendships? Memory Verse: May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done. Ruth 2:12, NLT 41

5 day three Read Ruth 2:5 9 The Torah (Jewish Law) did not require farmers to allow gleaners into the fields until after the sheaves had been taken to the threshing floor. 1. What can we learn about Ruth s character in these verses? 2. What favor does Boaz give Ruth? 3. Why do you think Boaz allowed Ruth to glean right behind his workers? 4. Read verse 2:9. Why do you think this verse is significant? 5. Sharing: Have you ever felt like an outsider in a situation? Describe the situation and how you felt. What did you do? How can we help someone in our work place, family, friends, church, etc., feel loved and welcome? Share any Scriptures that come to mind. 6. Read through the word box at the beginning of the lesson. What did you learn about the work of the harvest? What else stood out to you? 42

6 day four Read Ruth 2: In verse 10, Ruth fell to her feet to thank Boaz for what he had done for her. Think creatively about how we can thank God today for the salvation He has given us and what He has done in our lives. List any ideas here. 2. In verse 12, how do you think Boaz knew Ruth had become a believer in the God of Israel? 3. Sharing: Is there someone who comes to your mind who has been a blessing to others and may need kindness and help this week? What is your plan to show him or her favor? 4. Favor from God does not necessarily mean material prosperity. What are other examples of favor or blessings from God? 5. Sharing: Have you found favor in a situation? Describe the situation. Write a prayer thanking God for what He has done in your life. Memory Verse: May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done. Ruth 2:12, NLT 43

7 day five Read Ruth 2: How do you see God s providence in the book of Ruth so far? 2. God uses those who are faithful to fulfill His plans and promises. We may not even see fruit in our lifetimes. Read Romans 8:28. How do you think God is using the faithfulness of Ruth and Boaz to fulfill His plan? 3. In verse 2:14 it says she ate and was satisfied and had some left In what ways do you think our American culture is not satisfied? How does this impact us? 4. Verse 15 says Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her What do you think Boaz meant by do not insult her? personal response to God Exodus 33:11 tells us that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend and Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23 say Abraham was called the friend of God. Do you consider yourself a friend of God? Describe what your relationship with God is like. If you are not a believer, then take a moment to pray and ask God to come into your life to begin a relationship with Him. If you are a believer, then pray for God to strengthen your relationship and to help you love well in all your relationships. 44