YWAM - RUTH

Biblical Account

The book of Ruth is a Hebrew short story of four chapters, set in the time of the judges (ca. 1030–1010 bc; Ruth 1:1).

Synopsis of the book:

Ruth is the story of a Moabite woman named Ruth who marries into an Israelite family before becoming widowed. Ruth maintains faithful love toward her mother-in-law, Naomi—also a widow—and returns with her to Bethlehem, where Ruth works to provide for them both. Ruth then marries Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s husband, and gives Naomi a grandchild—redeeming them from poverty and setting up the line of the future King David.

Etymology

The name “Ruth” occurs in the Bible only in relation to the main character of the book of Ruth. Outside of this book, the name occurs only in Matt 1:5, in the genealogy of Jesus. “Ruth” is related to the word meaning “friendship” (רְעוּת, re'uth). The root of this word (רעה, r'h) is well attested in the Old Testament and variously means “neighbor,” “friend,” or “female companion.”

Key words:

Redemption, tradition, culture, faithfulness, obedience.

Also if you could stress on that fact that - To be God’s people in OT - you did not have to be an Israelite; you could be anyone as long as you choose to follow Yahweh.

Chapter 1

Backstory:

Ruth 1:1–5 ESV

1 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, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Judges govern over Israel

The family needed to move to Moab

Town where they don’t have any church, no faith based community, and no support

The husband died

The boys married Moabites.

The sons died - no provision, no support or safety.

The widows need to move from Moab (to Bethlehem in Judah)

People remember her, they notice Naomi - Mara

Why did the other daughter in laws go and why did Ruth stay?

Both of them decided to go, but then Ruth finally went.

You didn’t have to be an Israelites to be a part of God’s nation. Passport didn’t mean much.

Names

Elimelek – Strength of a king (attempt to live life according to our own strength)

Naomi – Beautiful Grace of God Mara – Bitterness Mahlon – Sickly Kilion – Failing

Moab – Incest Orpah – Stubbornness Ruth – Friendship

Boaz – Strong Redeemer/Pillar

Chapter 2

Ruth goes to work because they needed a provider.

Hard labor, we assume that they are no rich because at least one needs to work

Ruth is cleaning up leftovers after the workers

The workers had respect for his boss - Boaz

Boaz noticing Ruth

Boaz made it easy on Ruth because he was feeling indifferent towards Ruth

Traditions

Respect

That is the attitude that he had with people

Holiday during the book of Ruth - Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)

Second annual pilgrim festival for which God’s people were required to travel to Jerusalem.

Shavuot arrived 50 days after the Passover celebration; in the NT is called - The Pentecost

This feast celebrates the harvest and the giving of the Law, but it also includes a special concern for the poor, foreigners, fatherless, and widows.

Two loaves of leavened, salted bread, baked fresh from ripened grain (from the newly harvested wheat), and a sickle (harvest imagery) were symbols of Shavuot

Chapter 3

Here is where things take a huge turn!

Ruth 3:1–5 ESV

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

Why did Naomi tell Ruth what to do?

What is so important in uncovering the feet?

Why did Ruth sleeping at Boaz feet, (uncovered his feet is usually seen as a euphemism for of having sex in the OT; so, what really happened here? Is it an euphemism or a sign of taking refuge, asking help?)

Chapter 4 - Redemption Ark

Ruth 4:1–4 ESV

1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Culture and traditions

Significance of elders

Significance of redemption

THERE IS ALWAYS A BUT

Why Boaz had to deal with the nearest family member of Ruth before he could marry Ruth. (insman-Redeemer)

Redemption story