Introduction to Ruth Author: Unknown. Although traditionally Samuel has been identified as the author. However some Jewish rabbis have identified Naomi as the author. Date: Probably written during the period of the Israelite monarchy (c. 1000-722 B.C.) Background: The book is interesting for its contrast with Judges. Though set during the time of Judges, it does not present the characteristic cycle of sin, suffering, pleading with God and redemption by God. However, Boaz exemplified the compassion and love of a redeemer. His life is an illustration of the compassion of Jesus, who is our Redeemer (Gal 3:13) Chapter 1 Elimelech's Family goes to Moab 1. Do you think Elimelech is honoring God by this move? (Ruth 1:1) 2. What does the famine tell you about Israel's faithfulness to God? (Deut. 11:13-17) 3. Clearly, life is not easier for them in Moab. Are the sons obedient to God? (Ruth 1:2-5) 4. Why is Naomi in a desperate situation? 5. Why did Naomi decide to return to Judah? (Ruth 1:6-7) 6. What is Naomi's blessing for Orpah and Ruth? (Ruth 1:8-9) 7. What are the arguments that Naomi uses to persuade the women to return to Moab? (Ruth 1:10-13) 8. What is the choice the two women make? (Ruth 1:14) 9. All this time in Moab, Ruth never confessed her allegiance to God. Why does she do it now? Ruth 1: 15-18)
10. Why does Naomi (pleasant) wish to be called Mara (bitter)? (Ruth 1:19-21) 11. What time of year was it when they returned to Bethlehem? (Ruth 1: 22) Chapter 2 Ruth Meets Boaz 1. What do we know about Boaz? (Ruth 2:1) 2. What did Ruth request of Naomi? (Ruth 2:2-3) 3. How is it that Ruth happened to come to the field of Boaz? 4. What would appear to be the relationship between Boaz and his workers? (Ruth 2:4) 5. What did Boaz ask of his servant (Ruth 2:4-5) 6. What was Ruth's attitude toward her work? (Ruth 2:6-7) 7. How does Boaz show kindness to Ruth? (Ruth 2: 8-9) 8. Why did Ruth bow to the ground? (Ruth 2:10-13) 9. What does Ruth ask Boaz? 10. What had Boaz heard about Ruth? 11. How does Ruth thank Boaz? 12. Is this the beginning of a romance? (Ruth 2:14-16) 13. Did Ruth have a successful first day at work? (Ruth 2:17-18) 14. What does Naomi ask Ruth? (Ruth 2: 19)
15. How did Naomi identify Boaz to Ruth, and what advice did she give her daughter-in-law? (2:20-23) 16. Based on her words in 2:20, do you think Naomi is already beginning to think ahead for Ruth? 17. What was the role of the kinsman/redeemer? (cp. Lev. 25:23-25, 47-49; Deut. 25:5-10; Job 19:25) Chapter 3 Ruth's Redemption 1. What did Naomi want to do for Ruth and how was this to be accomplished? (3:1-5) 2. What was Ruth requesting of Boaz by what she did at the threshing floor? (3:6-9; cp. Ezek. 16:8) 3. What was it about Ruth that so impressed Boaz? (3:10-11) 4. What problem had to be first worked out before Boaz was free to act as the near kinsman? (3:12) 5. How did Boaz seek to protect the good reputation of Ruth? (3:14-15, 17) 6. What did Naomi know about Boaz in her efforts to reassure Ruth? (3:18).
Lesson 2 Chapter 4 Boaz Redeems Ruth The gate of the city was always the place where the esteemed and honorable men of the city sat; for an ancient city in Israel, it was a combination of city council chamber and courtroom. 1. Who does Boaz gather at the city gate? (4:1-2) 2. What does Boaz ask of the relative? (4:3-4) 3. Besides buying something from Naomi, what other action is required? (4:5) 4. Why did this kinsman refuse redemption? (4:6) 5. How was this deal between Boaz and his kinsman concluded? (4:7-8) 6. What did Boaz tell the elders they were witnesses of? (4:9-10) 7. How was this like the story of Rachel and Leah? What was their claim to fame? (4:11-12) 8. What's so special about Perez? (Gen 38:24-30) 9. What can we learn from Naomi's blessing? (4: 13-16) (Romans 8:28) 10. Finally, we see the role of Ruth, the great grandmother of David. Who else is she an ancestor of? Quotes taken from: David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible Naomi's return to Bethlehem, and the roots of David in Bethlehem, going back to Ruth and Boaz, are why Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem to register in the census of Augustus (Luke 2:1-5). Ruth and Boaz are the reason why Jesus was born in Bethlehem! But the consideration of Jesus in this book of Ruth doesn't begin with the mention of King David; Jesus has been through the whole book, pictured by Boaz and the office of the kinsman-redeemer. The kinsman-redeemer had to be a family member; Jesus added humanity to His eternal deity so He could be our kinsman and save us. The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying family members out of slavery; Jesus redeemed us from slavery to sin and death. The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying back land that had been forfeited. Jesus will redeem the earth that man has "sold" over to Satan. Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, was not motivated by self-interest, but motivated by love for Ruth. Jesus' motivation for redeeming us is His great love for us. 1
Lesson 2 Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, had to have a plan to redeem Ruth unto himself - and some might have thought the plan to be foolish. Jesus has a plan to redeem us, and some might think the plan foolish (saving men by dying for them on a cruel cross?), yet the plan works and is glorious! Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, took her as his bride; the people Jesus has redeemed are collectively called His bride (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 21:9). Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, provided a glorious destiny for Ruth. Jesus, as our redeemer, provides a glorious destiny for us. But it all comes back to the idea of Jesus as our kinsman-redeemer; this is why He became a man. God might have sent an angel to save us, but the angel would not have been our kinsman. Jesus, in His eternal glory, without the addition of humanity to His divine nature might have saved us, but He would not have been our kinsman. A great prophet or priest would be our kinsman, but his own sin would have disqualified him as our redeemer. Only Jesus, the eternal God who added humanity to His eternal deity, can be both the kinsman and the redeemer for mankind! Isaiah 54:4-8 describes the beautiful ministry of the LORD as our goel - our kinsman-redeemer: From eternity, God planned to bring Ruth and Boaz together, and thus make Bethlehem His "entrance point" for the coming of Jesus as our true Kinsman-Redeemer, fully God and fully man. Spiritually, we need to come to Bethlehem and let Jesus redeem us! As in the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light: The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in the world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! 2