YHWH, Is Redeemer
Ruth 4
Purpose: To see God’s hand in redemption.
- The Would-Be Redeemer (Ruth 4:1-6)
- The Lesser Redeemer (Ruth 4:7-12)
- The Greater Redeemer (Ruth 4:13-17)
- YHWH, Our Redeemer (Ruth 4:18-22)
Both in the story of Ruth, and in our own story, it is God who is working through His providence to redeem a people for His own inheritance.
There Is a Redeemer
Ruth 3
Purpose: To see the greater redemption in Christ.
- Redemption Planned (Ruth 3:1-5)
- Redemption Sought. (Ruth 3:6-12)
- Redemption Found. (Ruth 3:13-18)
We see in the details of Ruth and Naomi’s redemption in Boaz a picture of the greater redemption Christians find when they humbly submit themselves to Christ for salvation.
The Lord of Providence Restores Hope
Ruth 2
Purpose: To act on our trust in the Lord based on our persevering hope in God’s providence.
- The Lord prepares Ruth to be blessed despite her unawareness. (Ruth 2:1-2)
Introduction of Boaz – a kinsman
Conversation between Ruth and Naomi
Relevance of Ruth being referred to as a Moabitess
The act of gleaning and what it means
- The Lord provides for Ruth based on her faith and hope in the Lord. (Ruth 2:3-17)
Faith and hope acted upon by Ruth
The character of Boaz on display
Ruth and Boaz meet
- The Lord restores hope when we sincerely trust Him. (Ruth 2:18-23)
Ruth reports back to Naomi
Hope is restored
Naomi’s outlook and attitude change
- The Lord is in control of all things.
How do we respond when life throws a curveball?
Do we place our hope in Him?
How big or small is the Lord in your life?
When we trust in the Lord and His providence, by faith placed into action, even when we do not know what lies ahead, our hope is then truly in Christ alone.
YHWH, LORD of All!
Chapter 1
Purpose: To trust the LORD in all things.
- The LORD Controls Nature (Ruth 1:1-7)
- The LORD is Worthy of Worship (Ruth 1:8-18)
Dialogue in Moab
What does Naomi want her d’s-in-law to do? (vv. 8-13)
Why? – Kinsman Marriage (see Deut. 25:5-10)
How does the writer of this book want us to view God?
What is Ruth doing in going with Naomi? (vv. 14-18)
- The LORD, Our Only Hope (Ruth 1:19-22)
Returning to Bethlehem
What do verses 20 and 13 have in common
What does this say about the writer’s concern?
What does this say about Naomi’s view of God
The beginning of the harvest! (v. 22) Why is this important?
- Character Studies in Ruth Ch. 1
Naomi – 1:13, 20
Destitute – no family = no
inheritance/welfare/health care/social security
Widowed, depressed, and hurting, has the LORD left her?
“Bitter” is the same word used in 13 and 20
Ruth – 1:18; Matthew 1:5
Moabite
Widowed (same position as Naomi) – she could have gone back to family
Personal commitment and sacrifice – 1:16-17
To whom is the commitment and sacrifice
What does it cost her?
What does Ruth believe about God?
How would you describe Ruth’s character/behavior?
YHWH LORD – 1:1, 6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21
In full control of famine and food in the ‘natural realm’
In full control of hardship and blessing in the ‘human realm’
How is our God referred to here?
Any miracles performed, religious activity done, prophets speaking for God?
Does God act in this way (i.e., vv. 13, 20) in people’s lives? (See Job 2:10)
When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are believing in YHWH, the LORD of all creation and providence in our lives!