We see him working out his perfect plan in ruth s life, just as he does with all his children romans 8. The book of ruth, which appears in the third section of the hebrew bible, ktuvim, writings, is a beautiful folktale written in four short chapters. So a man from bethlehem in judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of moab, along with his wife and two sons. Ruth now confessed her commitment to yahweh, israel, and naomi, a commitment based on her faith in yahweh. We are to imitate ruths commitment to naomi and god. Thus, since ruth was a valid jewish girl at her 1st marriage, after her husband has died without children, she became a yevama. The book of ruth is specific in its location on the bible timeline. When we commit ourselves to god, he commits himself to us. Apr 01, 2019 ruth is also one of the few women who are mentioned in the genealogy of jesus found in the book of matthew. Click to listen to an audio recording of this article, read by the author. But the point of the story is that the best is yet to come.
Apparently the story of a small and insignificant family, it is actually one of the building blocks in gods preparatory work as he sovereignly directed history towards the coming of the savior jesus christ. In fact, the hebrew word for thischesedappears multiple times throughout the story. Pastor charles charley chilton delivers message regarding commitment from the book of ruth. Ruth and orpah were both given the blessing from naomi to go back to their hometowns after their husbands had passed. And this was in a time when women werent ordinarily included in genealogies. Her commitment to stay with naomi was a selfless and beautiful act, and a vivid example to everyone who wants to know and represent the true, sacrificial love of christ. The book is named after one of its main characters, a young woman of moab, the greatgrandmother of david and an ancestress of jesus 4. The book of ruth provides details about part of the genealogy of king david and of the christ who is called the son of david refer to matthew 1. Come join haddon robinson, alice mathews, and mart dehaan as they look at the first part of the story of ruth and discover her motherinlaw naomis hopeless circumstances and ruth s amazing commitment. Both ruths had many wonderful qualities that i personally aspire to. How each chapter of the book of ruth points to jesus.
This is a summary on the biblical account of the lives of ruth and naomi. As we will read, naomi, an israelite, ended up in moab. She would abandon the gods of moab, and ruth and naomi would both be committed to the one true god of israel. The tradition is that the book of ruth was written by the prophet samuel. The book of ruth does not specifically name its author. So ruth grew up a pagan, in a land cursed by the foulness and ferocity of its gods. Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. By guiding her to the field of boaz a near kinsman to naomi b. In ruth, its the characters who act with chesed towards each other. Ruth s words of commitment serve as a beautiful example of commitment for any serious desire of a person to make a commitment. The book of ruth is more than just a beautiful, godordained, love story, although it is that.
Oct 16, 2019 the book of ruth is one of only two books of the bible to be named after women the other is esther. No matter your age or season of life, there is wisdom to learn from the lessons that unfold as we walk along with naomi, ruth, and boaz. In fact, the message of the book of ruth cannot be fully understood apart from the coming of our lord jesus christ. Ruth expressed her loyalty to naomi in a solemn vow, calling judgment upon herself if she ever left her ruth 1. The author was anonymous but some believe it was perhaps written by samuel the prophet. In time he spread the wings of his garment over ruth ruth 3. It describes one more stage in the purposes of god as they moved inexorably towards the final redemption of his people through jesus christ. Rewards through refining by i gordon anyone can sing in the day.
Christcentered living chooses commitment, not convenience. Ruth portrays a marriage between ruth, the young moabite woman after whom the book is named, and boaz, an upright and worthy man, who takes ruth and her widowed motherinlaw, naomi, into his home. Therefore, as we learn from the book of judges, the. While the book s brevity and beauty makes it easy to read in one sitting, we will let it. For both ruth and esther, god used stressful circumstances to bring about his eternal purposes.
Make sure to have a bible handy as this is a study that references and explains ruth and esther. The book of ruth focuses like a microscope on part of the detailed preparation god made in order to fulfil his purposes in redemptive history. Ruth s commitment to the god of naomi affected every generation to come, as she became an ancestor of king david and more importantly, jesus christ. When the cup is full and wealth rolls in abundance around him, any man can sing the praises of a god who gives a plenteous harvest but. They were of the clan of ephrath from bethlehem in judah. We will start a new study today of the book of ruth. The book of ruth is a beautiful story about ruth and naomi and ruth and boaz. Therefore, as we learn from the book of judges, the people of god were settled in the promised land but.
You should go and read matthew and find out the pattern of things to come. The exact date the book of ruth was written is uncertain. The story of ruth as you may never have thought of it before ruth might hold the title of best daughterinlaw ever. Here is the main idea, the purpose of the book, a few leading themes, an explanation of what it means for us today, and some study questions you can use in your small group or quiet time. Ruths words of commitment serve as a beautiful example of commitment for any serious desire of a person to make a commitment. This is what boaz does to ruth explain how the covenant commitment is illustrated in the book of ruth. The book of ruth is one of only two books of the bible to be named after women the other is esther. Why we read the book of ruth on shavuot my jewish learning. Sentiment without commitment is a shallow profession from which many could part with little discomfort. Relationships are important to humanity, and god calls us to a significant level of commitment to one another, writes tim riordan.
While the record is silent about the rest of her life, she probably didnt find happiness unless she learned the value of commitment. Make sure to have a bible handy as this is a study that references and explains ruth. Summary page for preaching outline and commentary on the book of ruth including big. A glimpse of the old testament reveals that the period known as. The lord and savior jesus christ came from the bloodline of ruth there are at least three biblical principles from this story of ruth which we can apply to our lives. Does anyone know if ruth s words to naomi or similar vows were used in ancient jewishmiddle eastern wedding ceremonies. Boaz is committed to the covenant by leaving barley for ruth, ruth is committed by honoring her mother in law, both keep their father and are rewarded by god. Step into the story the book of ruth is a beautiful story about ruth and.
But the book of ruth tells us that ruth couldnt be convinced. So we can see the book of ruth is prophetic in nature and speaking of something, an event that is coming soon. So ruth followed naomi and came to bethlehem in the land of judah during the beginning of the barley harvestearly spring. Like 1sa 12, it gives a series of intimate glimpses into the private lives of the members of an israelite family. No matter where you are, if you love god, the best is yet to. Apr 17, 2018 the introductory sermon on a series on the book of ruth. Even in the most devastating of times, there is hope for us if we follow god. The story begins with a famine in the days when the judges ruled ruth 1. One of the reasons i love the book so much is because my beloved, late grandmothers name was ruth. Every time i think about what the book of ruth means to me i revert to thoughts of my grandma. Bill heid top headline, worldview 1 comment print this article one reason so many marriages are floundering is because the husbands have not prepared themselves spiritually for their task. The book of ruth is the narrative of a love story, yet also has some important genealogy. Although she understood that the future with naomi might be hard and that staying in moab would be easier, ruth made a commitment to go with her motherinlaw.
You can read more indepth bible verses from the scripture below and use the articles and videos to understand the meaning behind this teachable event in the bible. Next week we will go back to the plight of jews and naomi. The story of ruth offers vital lessons to every generation and has enjoyed nearly universal acceptance by. Ruth is an example of how god can change a life and take it in a direction he has foreordained. Ruth opens with the words, in the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of bethlehem in judah went to sojourn in the country of moab. The book of ruth reflects a time of peace between israel and moab contrast jdg 3. This is the woman around whom the story in the book of ruth. The book of ruth focuses like a microscope on part of the detailed. Ruths commitment to the god of naomi affected every generation to come, as she became an ancestor of king david and more importantly, jesus christ. Our focus will be on ruths loyal love which goes far beyond the superficial contexts in which we sometimes use the word love. The book of ruth has always been one of my favorite books of the bible. Although ruth came from a pagan background in moab, once she met the god of israel, she became a living testimonial to him by faith. A beautiful example of covenant commitment is found in the biblical characters of ruth and boaz, whose story we read in the book of ruth.
The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the judges. Johnson informed them that it was taken from a book, which they all rejectedthe bible. Where she gathers grain and finds a place in the genealogy of christ. Second, it means, as far as she knows, a life of widowhood and childlessness, because naomi has no man to give, and if she married a nonrelative, her commitment to naomis family would be lost. Esthers obedience led to the preservation of her people at a moment in history when all seemed lost. The book of ruth is one of only two books of the bible to be named after. In traditional settings, the book of ruth is read on the second day of shavuot. To start off, i would suggest that you sit down and read through this beautiful book. But the book of ruth is more than it might appear at first glance. Here are some examples from the book of ruth that show how to drive with the traffic flow of redemptive history, not against it.
The story of ruth as you may never have thought of it before. The book of ruth is part of the biblical narrative of redemptive history. Then you will better understand the shadows contained in the book of ruth. Lessons from the book of ruth lesson 1 general introduction overview the book of ruth is a short narrative account that has its setting. Constable, a theology of joshua, judges, and ruth, in a biblical theology of the old testament, p110. Ruth s commitment was not dependent on naomis commitment or behavior.
Because of wiersbe, ive gained a new and expanded understanding of commitment and living a life of purpose. The power of commitment sermon by peter toy, ruth 1. Ruth s commitment to her destitute motherinlaw is simply astonishing. That is the unshakable truth about the life of the woman and the man who follow christ in the obedience of faith. This was a time when the people of israel had abandoned gods ways and fallen into idolatry, horrific social conditions, and a disastrous civil war, as told in the chapters of judges immediately preceding the book of ruth in christian bibles.
The book of ruth tells a touching story of the love and devotion of an ancestor of david and jesus christ. This summary of the book of ruth provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ruth. Ruth, a moabitess, stands out as a refreshing contrast to the declension of israel in the time of the judges. Even though its small, this remarkable book contains many principles with profound impact to our lives today. These beautiful words of commitment, which are sometimes included in wedding vows, show the deep loyalty that ruth had for naomi. In this lesson we will look at walking in hesed or. This was a big deal in their culture, but she was committed to naomi. I say it to the young who are strong and hopeful, and i say it to the old, for whom the outer nature is quickly wasting away. God is at workthe story of ruth part 1the worst of times.
Ruth heard about another godactually a fertility goddess who offered the moabites regeneration through the gratification of lust with harlot priestesses in the temple. Sermon exploring reasons for failed relationships book of ruth. It reads more like a short story and the insight in it runs deep. The hebrew word hesed is the word which has been translated most often as loyal love in the net bible. As we read the book of ruth, there are helpful truths to help us along our way, as we follow christ we hope you will begin reading from this book. There is a workrelated aspect to this love story, for there is real estate involved. Ruth exhibited faithfulness, respect, devotion, love, friendship and humility. Step into the story the book of ruth is a beautiful story about ruth and naomi and ruth and boaz. Aug 04, 2014 we will start a new study today of the book of ruth.
Ruth was a gentile not of the judeanisraeli descent but from another ethnic group, her background was a nation otherthan israel and she married a descendant. Bible study concerning the christian life as shown in the book of ruth. Naomi and ruth return to bethlehem when naomi heard in moab that the lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughtersinlaw prepared to return home from there. This book is beautifully designed by god to show how his grace can sustain a faithful testimony of individuals at a time when the general condition of things is low and naturally discouraging. We have also seen her working in boaz field and seen his gracious commitment to her in return. Jun 05, 2018 ruth determined to be loyal to her motherinlaw, even when naomi released her from the responsibility. Book of ruth bible study chapter 3 rewards through refining. While i do not think that ruth is literally marrying naomi there is of course the need for boaz in the book, im wondering if this is done in imitation of an ancient wedding ceremony. The book of ruth is regarded as one of the most beautifully written stories in the bible. The lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me, she said to naomi. Jan 02, 2020 ruth expressed her loyalty to naomi in a solemn vow, calling judgment upon herself if she ever left her ruth 1. Recently ive discovered the parallel between the familiar tale and a new covenant.
It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. In the end, orpah pictures those who decide to walk away to pursue happiness elsewhere. When the cup is full and wealth rolls in abundance around him, any man can sing the praises of a god who gives a plenteous harvest but no man can make a song in the night by himself. As the book of ruth later tells, ruth was sincere at her conversion ger tsedek or more correctly, gioret tsedakah, but orpah was not.
I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face postoperative, her mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. The first chapter examines the commitment of ruth in counting the cost of turning to the god of israel. Book of ruth bible study ruth chapter 1 counting the cost. Our focus will be on ruth s loyal love which goes far beyond the superficial contexts in which we sometimes use the word love. This word is used elsewhere in the bible to describe gods loyalty and faithfulness to israel source, p. Ruth made a commitment to follow naomis god as well ruth 1. As you work through the chapters of this indepth bible study, you will come to see gods holiness and wholeness revealed through the book of ruth. Explore how, when it seems like god is absent, he is actually at work for our good. The book of ruth follows the book of judges in our bibles because its setting was in that time period. The book of ruth is a beautiful piece of sacred literature, applauded by many for its literary excellence. Can you see why i said that the lesson of the book of ruth is that the life of the godly is not a straight line to glory. Just as ruth is about commitment to faith and to family, it is about gods commitment to his promises even when we cant see those promises being fulfilled. It celebrates the loyalty and reward of a young moabite widow ruth who chooses to follow her israelite motherinlaw naomi back to bethlehem after naomi was bereaved of her own husband and two sons. However, the prevalent view is a date between 1011 and 931 b.
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