Ruth: Joy to the World

Evil in the Land

A- Evil in the Land

Allison and I: “God told me to marry you” = bad theology

Ruth = not a love story (at least not that kind)

Book begins: everything goes wrong

Famine covers “House of Bread” i.e. Bethlehem

The Ephrathites (i.e. “fruitfulness) move to a land of death and bear no fruit

Sometimes it seems like we hit every bump in the road all at once

Ruth’s Beginning shows a world where God is not King, and men rule according to their own devices

Retell the story (i.e. Orpah goes home, Ruth stays with Naomi)

Call Me Mara

Despite Ruth’s support, Naomi gets overwhelmed by the tragedies of life

Read

The New Revised Standard Version Naomi and Her Moabite Daughters-in-Law

19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them,

“Call me no longer Naomi,

call me Mara,

for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.

21 I went away full,

but the LORD has brought me back empty;

why call me Naomi

when the LORD has dealt harshly with me,

and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

Contrary to some thinking, it is totally alright to be angry and upset at God. (he knows you are anyway, whether you tell him or not!)

What Good Comes from Moab?

Retell the story: Ruth meets Boaz in the fields

Naomi sees this as God at work

Providence is in the eye of the beholder

God doesn’t always work with flash and bang

Namoi’s Plan: Seduce him

Read

The New Revised Standard Version Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 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 She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down.

The “Oh No!” moment: Ruth seems to be living out the story of Lot all over again

Difference: Unlike Lot’s Daughters, Ruth does not take advantage of Boaz

D- Sorrow To Dancing

Retell the Story: Boaz agrees to marry Ruth, even at risk to his personal finances

God, working through people like Boaz, brings joy to Naomi’s sorrow

Is this grace based on good works, or purely God’s love?

Why not both?

E- Do Your Best, Let God Do the Rest

God’s action isn’t explicitly mentioned until the end

Is this grace based on good works, or purely God’s love?

Why not both?

A New King

The story began in the time of the judges, but ends with hope for a future king who will rule with righteousness and bring joy to all those who mourn.