Bible Study: Book of Ruth Chapter 4. Bethlehem was where Jehovah was worshipped but Moab was a place where heathen, false gods were worshipped. Its evident that Naomi understands that God wants her to continue her relationship with Ruth and she expresses these feelings with thanks and recognition. Install Feel The Words, and access it like a regular app. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. The Book of Ruth, the second of the Tanakh's five scrolls to be read on Shavu'ot, turns on at least one of these mandated forms of charity. Dont over spiritualize your relationship. Install Feel The Words on your home screen, and access it just like a regular app. Now, what are some of these characteristics that you should be looking for in your Boaz? Naomi hatches a "plan" to join Ruth and Boaz for "good" ( Ruth 2:22 ). As much as is possible, try to get to know your significant other through the people he or she interacts with outside of your presence. There is no bitterness or hostility that shadows over their relationship. Often, we think of the Book of Ruth as "outdated" or "too old," yet there are important lessons we can learn. While you may be going through pain in your current heartbreak, its important to realize that this is all for a reason. Their sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. At that stage of his life some things were of little consequence to him. Her name might have formed the core of the qualities she possessed. She was allowed to take from the gathered ones also. Ruth's courage in the face of adversity will inspire you to trust God with your future. When these two women arrive back in Naomis home town, they are destitute, devastated, and broken. We all must understand the importance of being thankful and recognizing others that make a difference within our life especially within our relationships. Both of these women showed faith and clung to the belief that better days were ahead. So the Book of Ruth would roughly equate to the Book of Friendship in Hebrew. Because of Boaz's wise (perhaps shrewd) way of framing the occasion, this was the first time the nearer kinsman considered this, and it was a pretty big question to take in all at once. At the time this story is unfolding, Israel had strayed from Gods will. Ruth could have waited on the benevolence of stranger to come to her door but she did not. She was childless. Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with her two sons. If she had to go it alone, it would be 10 times harder. Ruth was a Moabite and a widow. Remember to thank and recognize your partner each day. Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse. This was backbreaking work. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. No earth-shattering miracles, like the Red Sea parting, happen in her life. They were being punished with a famine. Thank you xo much for all the lessons you have scooped out for us from the story of Ruth. But we explore just a few that specifically have to do with dating. She admitted that she felt that God had dealt with her bitterly. Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem to be near family. Ruth 1:1: " In the days when the judges ruled,there was a famine in the land". So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. She was a convert to Judaism and she knew very little about Jewish rules. She doesnt have great riches or great position. Its a popular saying: Im waiting for my Boaz. In that society, kinsmen had a duty to make sure that if a relative of theirs died without children, that relatives name would live on. He and his wife Naomi, along with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, left for Moab. (6-7) Ruth lays down at Boaz's feet. Go get married. A selfish man will give you headaches. God had every intention of Ruth being part of the story for the lineage of Jesus. Naomi was too old to remarry or to work. When Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi, this was a massive life transition. Boaz was a family member of Elimelech, Naomis deceased husband. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 . His father was Salmon, an Israelite prince. Sell, buy or rent Meditating in God's Word Judges and Ruth Bible Study Series | Book 1 of 1 | Judg 9781953930200 1953930204, we buy used or new for best buyback price with FREE shipping and offer great deals for buyers. They were living in Moab when both of their husbands died. The point is, we cant say for sure but it is likely that he had a wife. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc Used by permission. Their choices do not mean that one is better than the other. . Many interpreters read Ruth as a happy-ending romance featuring Ruth, the beautiful young Moabite widow who captivated the heart of the older wealthy landowner Boaz. 1. Everyone makes mistakes and no one should judge the other for their past actions as a man or woman. Through Naomi and Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, were able to see the heavenly presence that takes place because of love. Mary was a young virgin who was already engaged to Joseph when she became pregnant with Jesus, and she showed great courage in her willingness to bear the scorn and shame that came with a pregnancy that occurred before marriage. The law is also very useful, because it shows us our defections and stains. Inspiring to Christians single or married, this love story displays God's sovereignty over difficult circumstances in every stage and season of life. Her country of origin already made her an outcast, and being a childless widow gave her plenty of reason to shrink back into a shell and simply live her life in obscurity. First, I will tell you the summary of the story from the Bible, and then I will talk about the morals of this story. Boaz therefore went to a meeting in which he was able to win Ruth from that family member. They have nothing, so Ruth goes to work in the grain fields so they have enough food to eat. They had hope for their future. Soon, Naomi becomes aware that Boaz has a thing for Ruth. Having touched God's heart, she also touched the heart of one of God's champion followers Boaz. God has a redeemer for our lives His name is Jesus Christ. The reality that Ruth experiences is relatable to couples in love today. She chose to serve the God of Naomi, and she believed there was still life left for her to live. There are many but I will only go over 6 of them. 4:17). But one thing is clear: Boaz was extremely attracted to her characteristics of being hardworking and morally sound. Elimelech passes away, and about 10 years later, both of Naomis sons die, as well. Her best days were not behind. Book of Ruth, Old Testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. Bathsheba (referred to as Uriahs wife in the genealogy of Jesus) only became Davids wife after David took her for himself and killed her husband. No matter what, they see it all and because they are there each day its easy to get lost in that safety net. One of the major lessons we can deduce from the book of Ruth and Ruth's story is that choosing to serve God requires faith and determination even in uncertain times. The Book of Ruth provides us with a great story about love. Everyone loves in a different way and has a unique relationship that cannot be replicated or reproduced. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. On the other hand, Ruths husband had died leaving her without children and she was still young. Boaz saw the beauty in love and accepted Ruth for who she was. The book of Ruth begins by looking at the life of Naomi. Issues that require mental and emotional effort should probably happen when people are not tired and hungry. He wanted to conduct things in such a way that it was above board and unquestionable. Naomi was essentially empty and devastated after she lost her husband and sons. The Book of Ruth is literally the Book of Friendship. Everyone can find something relatable in Ruths love story. The LORD bless you, my daughter, he replied. And wasnt she quite the friend to her mother-in-law Naomi? The word root for the name "Ruth"in Hebrew, "Rooth"means "friendship" or "friend.". As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. He brought well-needed solutions. 1. Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth decided to move back to Bethlehem in Judah because they were heartbroken and lost. As women, we can look up to Ruth as an example of goodness and someone worth emulating. Here we glean 13 moral lessons from Ruth's story. In that instant, she decided, Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.. Even though we are basically desolate because of our sinful actions, we will all be forgiven and have the opportunity to make our lives better. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible is one of the most romantic in Scripture. It means to refuse to rush or settle with someone who does not meet Gods approval. The good thing is that Boaz wasnt concerned about Ruths past. She stepped out and took advantage of what was available to her. She lived a simple live in obscurity. Ruth's and Naomi's journey from heartbreak to hope offers an Old Testament glimpse into God's redemptive power as He transforms a bitter widow and a former idolater into a family legacy . Good, godly relationships should not produce more problems and stress than you bargained for. Look out for a man who is willing to wait for you without pressure. Naomi's husband died, and her sons married Moabite women. At the beginning of the story, we meet Elimelech, the husband of Naomi. 3: Ruth appeals to Boaz to be the kinsman-redeemer. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. Lesson no. 4:17). In this video, I share 6 practical lessons to learn from the book of Ruth, especially as it relates to Christian relationship. ( Ruth 2:2). It was later in the story that any signs of romantic love were expressed. 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