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Bible Study: The Book of
Bible Study: The Book of
Anne OBriens
BIBLE STUDY
The Book of
Ruth
1
This study notes provide the core content of a group of bible studies on the Book of Ruth. While the core message of the study has been captured for you to read, written text can not fully express the sense of anointing upon the discussion of the word or the joy of corporate fellowship. We encourage you to pray before you begin reading that the Lord would open your heart and mind to be receptive and responsive to Gods message contained within this study. There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile Gods truth to your own opinion or worldview, Gods truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds.
The
story
of
Ruth
is
like
a
rose
among
thorns.
Its
a
beautiful
story
set
in
most
desperate
times.
From
Genesis
through
to
Joshua
we
learn
the
story
of
how
God
chose
a
special
people
and
how
that,
in
Josephs
time,
they
ended
up
in
Egypt.
It
also
recounts
their
escape
from
Egypt
and
the
subsequent
40
years
in
the
wilderness,
after
which
they
finally
settled
in
the
Promised
Land.
And
then
the
Book
of
Judges
describes
the
difficulties
they
experienced
settling
into
the
land,
and
how
their
disobedience
brought
them
many
problems.
For,
although
Judges
were
leading
them,
they
gradually
became
more
depraved
and
grew
away
from
God.
The
last
verse
of
Judges
sums
up
the
situation:
everyone
did
that
which
was
right
in
his
own
eyes.
And
so
the
story
of
Ruth
begins
with
a
famine
in
Israel
most
likely
allowed
by
God
as
a
punishment
for
their
sin.
Read
Ruth
1
v
1-5:
Introducing
Naomis
family
We
see
Naomi
(whose
name
means
beautiful
and
agreeable)
and
her
husband
living
in
Moab
because
of
the
famine
in
Judah,
Israel.
(Judah
was
to
the
west
of
the
Dead
Sea,
Moab
was
to
the
East,
about
50
miles
away
from
their
home
in
Bethlehem).
Naomis
husband
died,
leaving
her
with
her
2
sons
and
their
wives.
Sadly,
after
10
years,
her
sons
also
died
and
she
was
left
with
her
daughters-in-law.
In
ordinary
circumstances
this
would
not
work.
Moab
was
Israels
enemy
and
Israelite
men
were
told
not
to
marry
Moabite
women.
Q.
Things
might
not
have
turned
out
so
badly
for
Naomi
had
she
stayed
behind
in
Bethlehem.
Do
you
think
Naomis
move
to
Moab
was
wrong,
was
it
a
mistake?
Did
she
have
to
pay
a
price
for
not
being
in
Gods
will?
Or
was
it
all
part
of
Gods
plan?
Can
God
still
use
us
even
when
we
make
mistakes?
If
we
do
wrong
we
often
have
to
suffer
the
consequences
of
our
action,
but
Praise
God,
he
shows
us
mercy
and
can
still
use
us.
Read
Ruth
1v
6-9a:
Naomi
shows
love
to
her
daughters-in
law
Naomi
was
free
to
return
to
her
home
where
there
was
no
longer
a
famine.
There
are
two
ways
of
looking
at
her
actions.
A)
She
could
have
asked
Ruth
and
Orpah
to
accompany
her,
but
thought
only
of
their
best
interests,
to
remain
in
Moab.
Or
B)
She
was
ashamed
to
go
back
to
Bethlehem
with
them
because
she
had
been
disobedient
in
allowing
her
sons
to
marry
foreigners.
Read
Ruth
1v9b-18:
Ruth
declares
her
intentions
Husbands
were
necessary
for
survival!
Here
we
have
three
women
who
are
actually
in
desperate
need.
If
a
Jewess
lost
her
husband
she
could
expect
his
brother
to
marry
her
and
provide
for
her.
This
couldnt
happen
for
Ruth
and
Orpah.
Therefore
Orpah
chose
to
stay
in
Moab.
But
Ruth
declares
her
love
and
commitment
both
to
Naomi
and
to
her
God.
Despite
all
the
errors
Naomi
had
made
and
her
subsequent
disappointment
and
even
bitterness,
she
had
still
maintained
a
testimony.
Ruth
found
she
was
accepted
by
the
one
true
God
and
avowed
to
follow
Him.
God
was
gracious
in
this
because
Naomi
need
not
be
ashamed
when
she
returned
to
Bethlehem.
Read
Ruth
1v19-22:
Naomi
goes
home
So
they
return
to
Bethlehem,
but
Naomi
is
no
longer
the
woman
who
had
left
several
years
before.
She
has
become
bitter
(Mara)
and
blames
God.
Maybe
at
this
point
Ruth
has
the
stronger
faith.
Q.
What
should
Naomi
have
done
to
get
right
with
God?
1
RUTH
The
character
of
Naomi:
She
knew
what
the
Lord
was
doing
when
the
famine
ended
and
she
wanted
to
be
in
the
place
of
blessing.
She
had
loving
concern
for
her
daughter-in-laws.
She
was
prayerful
,
unselfish
,
she
shared
faith
and
kindness.
She
was
bitter
because
she
couldnt
help
her
daughters-in-law.
She
accepted
Gods
will
but
was
in
despair,
but
she
was
helped
by
the
strong
bond
with
Ruth.
She
changed
her
name
but
not
her
character.
She
called
God
The
Almighty
(El
Shaddai)
showing
acceptance
of
His
plan
and
will.
Her
faith
was
a
beacon
in
unsettled
times.
Naomis
story
shows
us
that
even
when
we
make
errors
of
judgment,
God
in
his
grace
brings
us
back
to
the
place
of
blessing
if
we
continue
to
trust
in
him.
Ruth
chapter
2
Read
verses
1-3:
Ruth
finds
work
Ruth
was
a
young
widow
in
mourning.
She
was
also
a
foreigner.
Both
of
these
things
made
her
very
vulnerable
and
she
could
easily
have
been
exploited.
As
a
woman
and
an
outsider
we
would
think
she
had
no
rights.
But
God,
in
his
mercy,
had
made
provision
for
such
as
Ruth
in
the
Old
Testament
Law.
Leviticus
19v9-10
says:
When
you
reap
the
harvest
of
your
land,
do
not
reap
to
the
very
edges
of
your
field,
or
gather
the
gleanings
of
your
harvest
...
leave
them
for
the
poor
and
foreigner.
I
am
the
Lord
your
God.
Knowing
this
(from
Naomi)
Ruth
set
forth
to
find
a
field
to
glean
and
she
happened
upon
the
land
of
Boaz,
who
just
happened
to
be
related
to
Naomi.
This
was
no
coincidence,
but
a
God-incidence.
Her
steps
were
guided
by
God.
God
in
his
grace
was
looking
after
Ruth,
both
providing
and
protecting.
Read
verses
4-7:
Ruth
meets
Boaz
Boaz
was
a
man
of
standing
and
his
name
means
strength.
But
he
was
also
a
man
who
portrayed
Gods
grace
in
this
story.
Ruth
was
less
than
a
servant
or
hired
help
(referred
to
in
verse
6
merely
as
the
Moabite),
and
yet
Boaz
noticed
her
and
asked
after
her.
It
makes
one
wonder
was
he
already
falling
in
love
with
her?
Read
verses
8-12:
Boaz
introduces
himself
As
the
landowner,
Boaz
lowered
himself
to
talk
to
Ruth,
but
more
than
that
he
showed
her
kindness
(by
calling
her
daughter)
and
love,
and
also
promised
protection
for
her.
Q.
How
is
this
a
picture
of
what
Christ
has
done
for
us?
Boaz
made
the
first
move,
he
spoke
first.
It
was
not
Ruths
place
to
talk
with
him
as
she
was
merely
asking
for
permission
to
glean.
Read
verses
13-18:
Ruth
is
showed
favouritism!
Ruth
was
to
walk
with
those
who
followed
immediately
after
the
reapers
and
would
therefore
get
good
pickings
but
more
than
that,
Boaz
instructed
them
to
deliberately
leave
stalks
of
wheat
for
her.
Amazingly,
Boaz
shared
his
meal
with
her.
Doesnt
this
also
speak
of
how
Jesus
invites
us
to
share
with
him,
and
how
he
comes
down
to
our
level
and
raises
us
up
with
him?
As
gentiles,
we
are
undeserving
foreigners
too!
But
God
shares
his
grace
with
us
praise
his
name.
Q.
What
was
it
that
endeared
Ruth
to
Boaz?
Do
you
think
her
faith
in
God
made
a
difference
in
her
situation?
2
But
Ruth
still
had
to
work
hard
there
was
a
job
to
be
done.
She
had
to
provide
for
Naomi,
and
the
harvesters
had
to
get
the
harvest
in
while
the
time
was
right.
Likewise,
we
are
saved
to
serve.
An
ephah
(verse
17)
was
about
13
kilos
this
was
probably
enough
to
feed
Ruth
and
Naomi
for
a
week.
Read
verses
19-23:
Boaz
a
Kinsman
Redeemer
A
Kinsman
Redeemer
or
Guardian
Redeemer
This
is
a
legal
term
for
a
man,
usually
a
close
relative,
who
has
an
obligation
in
Jewish
Law
to
redeem
a
relative
who
is
in
serious
difficulty,
with
the
purpose
of
providing
for
them
and
giving
them
a
new
beginning.
As
Naomis
relative,
Boaz
could
redeem
(buy
back)
Elimelechs
property
and
keep
it
in
the
family.
The
redeemer
had
an
obligation
to
marry
the
wife
of
the
deceased
and
bring
up
her
children,
who
would
then
inherit
the
property
and
perpetuate
the
family
name.
Naomi
is
beginning
to
see
Gods
blessing
at
last.
Naomi
had
hope
because
of
who
Boaz
was.
In
the
same
way,
we
have
hope
because
of
who
Jesus
is.
Our
hope
is
a
sense
of
assurance
and
confidence
that
comes
through
trusting
God.
And
we
know
we
can
trust
him
because
He
is
our
Father
who
loves
us
and
has
paid
the
redemption
price
with
the
blood
of
his
own
son,
Jesus.
Both
Naomi
and
Ruth
had
hope
because
they
knew
they
could
trust
Boaz
who
was
an
older
relative
who
loved
them.
Ruth
chapter
3
When
reading
this
chapter
we
can
see
how
Boaz
and
Ruth
are
a
beautiful
analogy
of
our
relationship
with
God.
Read
verse
1:
Naomi
has
a
plan
for
Ruths
future!
Ruth
has
sacrificed
everything
for
Naomi,
leaving
her
country
and
family,
working
hard
in
the
fields
to
provide
food,
and
embracing
her
culture
and
her
God.
Naomi
wants
Ruth
to
be
blessed
with
a
home
and
children
and
shes
identified
a
good
husband!
Read
verses
2-5:
Naomi
prepares
Ruth.
Ruth
was
washed
Christ
...
makes
the
church
holy,
cleansing
her
by
the
washing
with
water
through
the
word.
And
we
must
get
rid
of
those
things
that
make
us
unclean.
Ruth
was
anointed
The
anointing
oil
speaks
of
the
work
of
the
Holy
Spirit,
with
perfume
preparing
us
to
meet
with
Jesus.
Ruth
was
Salvation
is
pictured
as
leaving
off
our
dirty
rags
dressed
in
her
(our
sinful
self)
and
putting
on
the
garments
best
clothes
of
righteousness.
Ruth
submitted
We
can
never
save
ourselves.
Relying
on
Gods
mercy
and
to
Boazs
grace
the
work
of
our
guardian
redeemer,
Jesus,
is
the
only
way
and
mercy
to
salvation.
Naomis
intention
was
that
Ruth
should
become
Boazs
wife.
She
wanted
only
the
best
for
her,
because
she
loved
her
as
her
own.
3
Q.
Do
we
merely
want
to
be
one
of
Gods
workers
or
followers,
or
do
we
want
the
best
-
to
be
the
Bride
of
Christ?
Are
we,
like
Ruth,
prepared
to
do
what
it
takes?
Read
verses
6-9:
Ruth
obeys
Naomis
plan.
As
we
know,
it
was
harvest
time
and
it
was
hard
work
getting
the
harvest
in.
However,
there
would
also
have
been
celebrations,
especially
as
this
harvest
followed
a
time
of
famine.
No
doubt
Boaz
and
his
workers
ate
and
drank
and
slept
well
at
the
end
of
the
day.
But,
sleeping
on
site,
Boaz
would
have
had
one
ear
open
because
he
was
there
to
protect
the
harvest.
Ruth,
obedient
to
Naomis
instructions,
crept
onto
the
scene
and
lay
at
his
feet.
This
was
not
a
sexual
act.
It
was
an
act
of
humility
and
a
claim
on
his
position
as
a
guardian-redeemer.
Spread
your
garment
over
me
is
both
a
suggestion
of
marriage
and
a
request
for
protection.
Q.
In
verse
9
what
2
descriptions
did
Ruth
give
of
herself?
(Compare
with
her
earlier
identity
as
a
Moabitess.)
Q.
How
can
the
way
we
identify
ourselves
affect
our
destiny?
Read
verses
10-14:
The
problem
with
Naomis
plan.
Ruth
showed
commitment
to
Naomi
and
to
Boaz
and
to
Gods
ways.
No
wonder
Boaz
described
Ruth
as
a
woman
of
noble
character.
The
words,
Dont
be
afraid
must
have
comforted
Ruth
in
this
situation.
We
see
how
Boaz
obviously
cared
for
Ruth,
but
there
is
a
hitch.
Legally,
the
nearest
kinsman
would
have
the
right
to
redeem
Ruth
and
there
was
a
younger
man
more
closely
related
than
Boaz.
Q.
When
things
go
wrong
with
our
plans
what
is
our
reaction?
Can
we
rest?
That
is
what
Ruth
did
because
she
trusted
in
Boaz.
Read
verses
15-18:
A
reward
for
Naomi.
Ruths
obedience
resulted
in
a
blessing
she
hadnt
asked
for.
Boaz
filled
her
shawl
with
grain
2
weeks
food
for
herself
and
Naomi.
This
generous
gesture
was
an
indication
of
Boazs
love
and
intention
to
care
and
provide.
Ruth
gave
her
all
to
God,
to
Naomi
and
to
Boaz.
God
blessed
her
with
abundance.
It
never
works
the
other
way
round!
That
is,
we
shouldnt
wait
for
God
to
bless
us
before
we
tithe
or
give
to
others
we
could
have
a
long
wait!.
Read
Luke
6v38
to
see
the
Biblical
principle
given
by
Jesus.
Ruth
Chapter
4
Picture
the
city
gate
it
was
a
wide
place
where
the
people
would
gather
both
to
talk
and
to
see
justice
administered;
it
was
also
the
place
where
the
poor
would
wait
for
aid.
Legal
transactions
also
took
place
here,
overseen
and
ratified
by
the
elders
of
the
town.
Read
verse
1:
Coincidences
or
God-incidences?
On
Ruths
first
day
in
Bethlehem,
she
unknowingly
chose
Boazs
field
to
glean
in.
And
as
it
happened
(2v4)
at
that
moment,
Boaz
also
arrived
and
noticed
her
possibly
one
amongst
many
extras
in
his
field
that
day
(2v5).
And
amazingly
Boaz
just
happened
to
be
a
guardian-redeemer
in
Naomis
family,
but
not
the
most
closely
related.
Having
decided
to
speak
to
the
other,
closer
relative
Boaz
went
to
the
town
gate
and
just
at
that
very
moment
the
other
man
came
along!
We
have
seen
Naomis
planning,
and
Boazs
willingness
to
provide.
But
at
every
stage
we
see
Gods
hand
guiding
events.
4
Read
verses
2-4:
A
Good
Man
Boaz
was
a
thoroughly
good
and
kind
man.
He
was
also
a
man
of
propriety.
That
is,
he
was
respectable,
decent,
courteous,
moral
and
discrete.
And
he
was
careful
to
maintain
moral
standards
and
formalities.
Everything
he
did
fulfilled
the
Law.
Q.
Can
you
see
how
Boaz
continues
to
be
a
picture
of
Christ?
For
a
legal
contract
to
be
binding
there
must
be
10
elders
as
witnesses
to
confirm
and
ratify
the
contract
(Deut.
25v23).
So,
wasting
no
time
Boaz
gathers
the
witnesses
and
speaks
to
the
other
relative.
But
what
Boaz
says
is
a
bit
of
a
surprise,
Naomi
is
selling
a
piece
of
land,
because
we
didnt
know
she
had
any
land!
Had
he
been
doing
some
research
to
find
out
about
Elimelechs
land?
We
are
not
told.
But
Boaz
has
obviously
thought
this
through.
The
relatives
reply
also
comes
as
a
surprise
I
will
buy
it!
(We
assume
the
relative
thought
he
would
buy
the
land
and
marry
Naomi
so
that
his
sons
would
have
a
double
inheritance.
He
perhaps
did
not
know
about
Ruth.)
Read
verses
5-8:
Boaz
declares
his
hand.
Boaz
explains:
On
the
day
you
buy
the
land
you
also
acquire
Ruth,
Naomis
daughter-in
law
(Levirate
marriage)
so
that
she
might
bear
sons
and
restore
the
name
of
Elimelech
and
his
inheritance.
Naturally,
this
was
disagreeable
to
the
other
relative
as
he
would
have
to
share
his
own
inheritance
with
them.
So
he
removed
his
sandal
in
the
presence
of
the
elders
and
gave
his
assent
to
Boaz
redeeming
Ruth.
It
was
in
order
that
he
might
marry
Ruth
that
Boaz
had
engineered
his
plan.
To
act
as
kinsman-redeemer
would
require
a
sacrifice
that
only
Boaz
was
prepared
to
make.
He
gave
of
himself
that
Ruth
might
be
free,
and
that
her
offspring
would
be
blessed.
Once
again
this
is
a
picture
of
Christ
it
was
an
act
motivated
by
love.
Read
verses
9-12:
Absent
for
her
own
engagement!
Everyone
witnessed
the
transaction
of
land
and
Boazs
promise
to
marry
Ruth
without
her
being
there!
The
witnesses
prayed
blessings
on
Boaz,
little
realising
that
they
were
prophetic.
Boaz
and
Bethlehem
did
indeed
become
famous,
and
Ruth
was
surely
blessed
in
her
offspring.
Ruth
a
widow,
a
foreigner,
a
poor
woman;
whose
only
right
was
to
glean
in
the
fields
was
now
established
in
the
ancestry
of
the
people
of
God.
Q.
How
is
Ruths
life
a
picture
of
our
relationship
with
Christ?
Read
verses
13-22:
The
genealogy
The
Lord
enabled
Ruth
to
conceive
all
life
proceeds
from
God
and
begins
with
God
and
is
not
to
be
taken
lightly.
Here
we
see
Naomi
as
the
proud
mother-in-law
and
grandparent,
rejoicing
that
Ruth
is
better
to
her
than
7
sons.
Naomis
faith
is
fully
restored
and
she
is
thankful
for
all
Gods
blessings.
God
has
changed
her
bitterness
into
joy.
Naomi
and
Ruth
were
given
a
future
and
a
hope.
Read
Matt
1v5.
God,
through
Jesus,
has
redeemed
us
and
given
us
an
inheritance
and
a
future
and
a
hope;
and
graciously
cares
for
us.
5