When we open to the 3rd chapter of the book of ruth were coming into the middle of several story lines in the bible. Its story of gods concern for two widows and of ruth s devotion to her motherinlaw and first husband is inspiring and foreshadows the sacrificial love of the savior. Only two old testament books receive their names from women, ruth. Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. Our story opens on a nice jewish family with a problem. In our previous study, we saw how ruth came to be the daughterinlaw to naomi.
Ruth is a beautiful interlude of love set in the period of the judges in israel. It is a story about a family that lived during the time when israel had judges. Then he said, blessed are you of the lord, my daughter. Her daughterinlaw ruth came with her, since she had also lost her husband. There, they set up shop, eat some food, and live for about ten years. The genealogy at the end of the book is an important link to christ. And different versions of the jewish and christian bibles place this book in different places.
This could only happen through boaz marrying ruth, and providing children to carry on the name of elimelech. Have fun and see how this book can edify and teach women regarding the unity of the faith. And a certain man of bethlehem, judah, went to dwell in the country of. The problem is approached through a syntactical and grammatical analysis and justified in terms of the ideology in the book of ruth.
Outline of ruth the book of ruth recounts the story of elimelech. 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. The book of ruth ruth is a story about loyalty, love, and faith. God in the lives of ordinary people theology and steak. And a certain man of bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. Lessons from the book of ruth lesson 1 general introduction overview the book of ruth is a short narrative account that has its setting. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Ruth by elizabeth gaskell, free pdf, ebook global grey. The sovereignty of god is manifest in the story of ruth as how god in times of decline of his people preserved a seed in one of his servants that led to the birth of david and then to the birth of jesus the messiah. The book of ruth discussion questions week 1 day 1 what is your first overall impression from reading through the book of ruth. Even though its small, this remarkable book contains many principles with profound impact to our lives today. Why is this sowhy are biblical scholars so uncharacteristically agreed in.
The book of ruth is more than just a beautiful, godordained, love story, although it is that. Indeed, the book of ruth is a fresh breath of air after reading judges. Ruth was a moabite woman, whose sense of piety and devotion to her motherinlaw naomi led to her marriage to the prominent boaz of bethlehem in judah. A glimpse of the old testament reveals that the period known as. This chapter explores characters and point of view in the book of ruth as an example of narrative analysis. Commentary on the books of joshua and ruth bible study notes and comments by david e. Commentaries on bible books genesis joshua and ruth judges 1 samuel ezra, nehemiah, and esther job proverbs gospel of mark gospel of john. 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. The whole story ruth small group guide summit the church. Keep all of the above in mind as we now engage some of the bits and pieces jots and tittles of this fulfillment. Ultimately, however, ruth is an enduring love story of how god takes. What insights has the holy spirit already revealed to you. The book of ruth begins by getting rid of all the male characters in the drama, giving us a clear view of the women, reminding us that the story centers on them and their relationships with god. If a man died with no children, his brother was to take the widow and have a child with her, in.
Ruth is from the land of moab, where idolatry was prevalent. The book of ruth the argument this book is intituled after the name of ruth. Ruth boldly, yet humbly and properly, sought her rights. The book of ruth is a short narrative account that has its setting in the days. I had planned to write this lesson my first week, but i felt so much opposition from the enemy that i tabled it for a few weeks, waiting until the warfare had lifted and i could hear from the holy spirit. There are many other themes that run throughout the book of ruth that can be taught as well, such as the faith of ruth, the contrasting attitudes throughout the book between ruth and naomi, and the purity and chastity of the relationship between ruth and boaz. Lesson 1 i cant even begin to tell you how excited i am to study the ook of ruth with you.
It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. Some words have been emphasized by the author of this commentary using bold or. Ancient versions and modern translations consistently entitle this book after ruth the moabitess heroine, who is mentioned by name 12 times 1. The book is the only example of the law of the kinsmanredeemer in motion. Elimelech feared for the health and safety of his family, but instead of trusting god, he leaned on his own understandings. The book of ruth provides a contrast to the last two narratives in the book of judges. Ruth is the greatgrandmother of king david, whom we meet later in the book of 1 samuel. When she loses her job and home, he offers her comfort and shelter, only to cruelly desert her soon after. A study of the book of ruth coalition for christian outreach. A host of commentators through the ages have observed that the book of ruth is a splendid example of the storytellers art morris, p. What changes can you make to open yourself up to friendships that cross.
The book of ruth is an important historical work in hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible, as it traces the lineage of king david and ultimately that of the messiah, jesus christ. As one of two books of the bible named after women, and the only book of the old testament named. Ruth and boaz have a son, and the book closes with a surprise. Dake the book of ruth is the 8th book of the bible. There are many details in the book of ruth that leave the reader wondering. This outline is a suggested outline for the bible study leader to adapt to best fit.
The death of elimelech, and marriages of the sons to naomi and orpah c. If you have a group of 6 or more you may want to split up into smaller groups of 3 or 4 is it anyones first time reading through the book of ruth. The book of ruth is one of the most beautiful love stories in the bible. As such, it was never one of my favorites, mainly because i am a manly man that loved to read paul or the gospels, or even the conquest of canaan by joshua.
The book of ruth is dated almost to the period of the judges and is a story of romance, redemption, and loyalty. How can you be more selfless as a committed friend. A brief outline of the book affords a structural context from which thematic elements. Book of judges class notes center point bible institute. Famine has hit bethlehem, which forces elimelech and his wife, naomi, to move east to moab with their two sons to get some grub. Keep in mind that ruth was a moabite woman, and she was now. Ruth 3 commentary meaning summary sermon explaining the. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. Ruth s story is celebrated during the jewish festival of shavuot, the feast of weeks, 50 days after passover.
Ruth is a love story without the use of the word love. The book of ruth is one of only two books of the bible to be named after women the other is esther. Structural symmetry and its significance in the book of ruth. But when ruth learns about the true god jehovah, she comes to love him very much. It is probably one of the most preachable books in the entire old testament. Famine has hit bethlehem, which forces elimelech and his wife, naomi. Story of ruth first obviously were landing in the middle of the book of ruth. Bible commentary produced by tow project the book of ruth tells the extraordinary story of gods faithfulness to israel in the life and work of three ordinary people, naomi, ruth and boaz. Despite naomis protests, ruth determined to return to bethlehem with her. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. As they work through both economic hardship and prosperity, we see the hand of god at work most clearly in their. As he looked at the vine and the little branches holding up the luscious clusters of grapes, he thought of what he had learned in sunday school.
Wherein also figuratively is set forth the state of the church which is subject to manifold afflictions, and yet at length god giveth good and joyful issue, teaching us to abide with patience till god. Summary of the book of ruth the story of the bible. For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go. The depiction of israels god, also a character in the short story, is also briefly discussed. The book of ruth is regarded as one of the most beautifully written stories in the bible. In the hebrew bible, ruth stands with the song of solomon, lamentations, ecclesiastes, and esther. The story is told in the book of ruth, part of the biblical canon called ketuvim, or writings. The sons marry two local girls, ruth and orpah, during this time. Both major rounded or developed and minor flat characters in the narrative are examined. The simple love story is a key to understanding the plan of god for love, and marriage as revealed in the scripture.
Ruth, biblical character, a woman who after being widowed remains with her husbands mother. It is a narrative story that seems to be a parable for the readers of the time and for us today. The book of ruth historical context from zondervan. The book of ruth is the narrative of a love story, yet also has some important genealogy.
The sovereignty of god is manifest in the story of ruth as how god in times of decline of his people preserved a seed in one of his servants that led to. Study guide for ruth 3 by david guzik blue letter bible. Book of ruth, old testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Herbert lockyers all the women of the bible ruth, from reuth, means something worth seeing, or could also mean a female friend. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies, or.
This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Pdf the book of ruth 2018 edition gary everett, mdiv dmin. The story of ruth takes place during the time of the judges. Ruth hilton is an orphaned young seamstress who catches the eye of a gentleman, henry bellingham, who is captivated by her simplicity and beauty. Read the book of ruth in its entirety what do you know about the book of ruth. It is the first book of the bible without a prophecy or any particular message from god by a prophet to israel. The journey to moab of elimelech, naomi, and their two sons b. The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the judges. Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.
The author was anonymous but some believe it was perhaps written by samuel the prophet. Pdf this article delineates a ground work for shaping christian leadership characters by examining the book of ruth, a narrative of. Ruth portrays a marriage between ruth, the young moabite. Ruths dedication to naomi and to the religion of the god of israel is stated in ruth 1. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. The book of ruth and the entered apprentice degree by a. The impression one gains from the end of judges is that of a nation in chaos, with no moral compass or sense of right and wrong.