Ruth
Chapters 1-4
A “Warm Glow amid the Darkness”
of the Era of the Judges.
A “Pearl among the Swine”
of the Time of Judges.
Lessons from Ruth 1
The Gentiles were able to clearly recognize godly
principles and accept godly character. 1:16-17.
Some, like Ruth, saw the godly example of the
Jews and declared the LORD as God.
(Another lesson from chapter 2,3,4 ---- During the
time of the judges, not everyone was like evil
Micah of Ephraim: some were like righteous Boaz
of Judah. Not all towns were like Gibeah: some
were as admirable as Bethlehem. God is at work
among the righteous, even in dark times.)
Comparing Ruth to Abraham
•Abraham received a
promise of land from
God.
•Abr. had Divine
blessing pronounced on
him.
•Ruth had no promise of
land or a home.
•Abr. had a spouse,
possessions, servants.
•She gave up chance for a
marriage in Moab to
support a former mother
in law in her old age.
•She had no Divine
blessing given to her from
early on.
How Gorgeous is God’s
Word
Ruth is Example of
Chiastic Structure –
e.g., a Ringed Arrangement
of ABC then C’B’A’
Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
Naomi receives a son (4:17)
A Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
B The possible redeemer introduced (2:1)
C Ruth and Naomi's plan begins (2:2)
D Ruth and Boaz's field (2:3)
E Boaz comes from Bethlehem (2:4)
F Boaz is introduced to Ruth: “Who is she?" (2:5-7)
G Boaz provides food for Ruth & Ruth brings ephah to Naomi (2:8-18)
H Naomi blesses Boaz (2:19)
I Boaz is in position to redeem (2:20)
J Ruth joins Boaz's workers, is protected (2:21-23)
K Naomi seeks security, comfort, rest for Ruth (3:1-8)
J' Ruth requests Boaz's protection in marriage (3:9)
I' Ruth asks Boaz to act as redeemer (3:9)
H' Boaz blesses Ruth (3:10)
G' Boaz promises & Ruth brings 6 measures to Naomi (3:11-15)
F' Boaz will conclude the matter with Ruth (3:16-18)
E' Boaz goes to Bethlehem (4:1)
D' Ruth and a field that was Naomi’s (4:2-12)
C' Ruth and Naomi's plan ends (4:3)
B' The redeemer redeems (4:14-16)
A' Naomi receives a son (4:17)
Naomi too old to conceive (ch. 1)
Naomi seeks security and rest for Ruth (3:1-8)
Naomi receives a son (4:17)
Bethlehem
Moab
Moab
Bethlehem
Chapter 2 – Ruth Meets Boaz
What does Naomi call Ruth in 2:2?
What is gleaning (Lev 19:9,10, Deut
24:19)?
What was Boaz’s greeting in 2:4? Their
response? Does this sound typical
from what we know of the Judges?
Chapter 2 – Boaz is Kind
In what ways is Boaz kind to Ruth in
2:8-10?
What encouraged Boaz to show Ruth
kindness in 2:11-13?
Shouldn’t a man of wealth be hard and oppressive?
Chapter 2 – Ruth is Kind
In what ways does Boaz continue to show
kindness to Ruth in 14-16, particularly v 15?
According to verse 14, what does Ruth do on
behalf of Naomi?
How is Naomi’s faith in God’s goodness revived
in 2:20?
Why are the people in this
farm field in Bethlehem so
kind, thoughtful and
caring? Are their actions
genuine?
Chapter 3 – Ruth’s Appeal to
Boaz
At the advice of Naomi, Ruth makes an
appeal to Boaz to redeem her rightful
inheritance as Mahlon’s widow (the
land that was sold by Naomi in 4:3)
and take her as a wife under the
principle of a levirate (brother-in-law)
marriage. Boaz receives Ruth’s
appeal with joy (3:10-11).
Chapter 3 – Ruth’s Appeal to
Boaz
What had the town come to think of
Ruth in verse 11?
And what leads to the conclusion that
Boaz is older than Ruth in verse 10?
What is Boaz’s only concern before
taking Ruth as his wife in verses
12,13?
Chapter 4 – Boaz Clears the
Legal Hurdles
Boaz is a man of principle so will resolve
the matter of a closer relative to Ruth
who has the right of redemption. The
court is convened in the gate of the
city and the opportunity for
redemption is presented to the closer
relative. He concedes the right of
redemption to Boaz. Boaz receives
the blessing of the elders.
Chapter 4
A Blessed Marriage
Marriage to a Gentile seems to have
been mitigated by the fact that Ruth
has adopted both the worship and
the character of an Israelite: she has
renounced her homeland in favor of
Israel: she is a proselyte.
Chapter 4
A Blessed Marriage
Marriage to a Gentile seems to have been
mitigated by the fact that Ruth has
adopted both the worship and the
character of an Israelite: she is a
proselyte.
According to 4:10, what was more
important than the nationality of Ruth?
The elders and people pray that Ruth will
be made like whom in 4:11?
Chapter 4:13-22
The Family of Ruth and Boaz
Naomi is given a grandson, Obed, who
would be grandfather of a king.
Further, through Ruth, a Gentile enters into
the lineage of Christ.
Ruth was said to be better than what to
Naomi in 4:15?
Who is the noteworthy grandson of Obed?
God uses the faithfulness of
ordinary people to do great
things
“Your people will be my people and
your God my God . . . May the LORD
deal with me, be it ever so severely, if
even death separates you and me.”
Ruth 1:16-17
“Be kindly affectioned one to
another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one
another . . .”
Romans 12:10