Ruth

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

We do not know when the book was actually written, but we know that the story took place during the reign of the judges so the Israelites reading would be living during that time or just after.

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

We can't figure out much about the author from the text but we know that they had a purpose in writing the story. They obviously found value in some part of it and it was important enough to include in the Bible. They do point out the significance of her being the one who redeems the family line and thus the line of David and Jesus. This is of great significance and that may be one of the biggest purposes in writing this story.

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”

I believe the main theme of this book is love. After the death of her husband, Ruth's love, commitment and faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi (1:8-10) leads to her finding new love with Boaz and the family line being restored. We see Boaz's unconditional, pure and welcoming love for Ruth. From the very first time he sees her, knowing who she is, he cares for her and sees that she is given all she needs (2:8-9, 14, 15b-16).

We see commitment a lot as well. Knowing that she had nothing to offer her daughter-in-laws, Naomi gives Ruth and Orpah, permission to leave, to go back to their gods and their people, but Ruth refuses. She fully commits herself to Naomi saying, “16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us.”

Ruth is extremely committed and it's recognized by Boaz twice (2:11-12, 3:10-13) and he also recognizes that the people of the town know she is a virtuous woman (2:11)

One sentence- A story of family redemption through pure and faithful love.

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   It shows the Israelites the importance and the ability to welcome non-Israelites into their lineage and inheritance. It's not about who you are or where you come from, it's about what you do and your submission to the Lord. Ruth submits to Naomi and Naomi's God, thus she takes a place amongst the Israelites and because the purity of her heart leads to the redemption of the family line, years later, David, one of the most prolific men of the Bible is birthed.
5. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   We see the character of God depicted through Boaz. He treats Ruth, a Moabite, with nothing but love. She has submitted to His ways and lives with purity of heart. (2:8-9) God is most concerned about the state of the heart.
   “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” We see that God is trustworthy to provide and Ruth knows this. And we see that Boaz trusts that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
6. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

As previously mentioned, we see Moabite committing to God and becoming part of the chosen people. God doesn't care about where you've come from or what what you've done, but He focuses on the heart. Have you laid aside everything of your former life and found rest and peace in Him? Have you obeyed His commands. We see this as an open door for all who want to follow Him.

Once she was taken into the home of Boaz the elders and people declared, “We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all he nation of Israel descended!” He uses a Moabitess to birth the lineage of David and Jesus!

7. Personal Application:

Seeing the dedication and purity of Ruth's heart spoke deeply to be. I'm sure if there were more written about her character and more stories about her life she would most likely fit the characteristics of Proverbs 31 woman. She was hard working, thankful and obedient. She trusted in the Lord and was of humble stature. She left her mother and father and went to live amongst complete strangers to ensure that her mother-in-law was cared for. Boaz blessed her saying, “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” May she be rewarded for her faithfulness! Oh, that the Lord would make me a woman of deeper passion, deeper love and deeper faithfulness both to Him and to the people in my life.

8. Point of Passion:

The book of Ruth is all about a family and how a family should work together and stick together to provide all they can for their members. From the beginning we see Elimilech taking the leadership role in his family and leading them out of Bethlehem to Moab to avoid the famine that had struck. When Elimilech and his sons die, the daughter in law Ruth commits herself to Naomi and finds a way to provide food for Naomi and herself. We see extended family coming alongside each other when Boaz helps Ruth out with collecting the wheat, and when he fulfills his obligation as one of the family redeemers and commits to her.

What can we learn from this? Family sticks together no matter the difficulties, they support, comfort, serve, love and provide for each other when a need arises. There's no backing down and they have each other's backs. What would our society look like today if we clung to these principles instead of jumping ship when something tough came along or a there was a need that needed to be met?