The Faith Of A Foreign Woman

02/25/2019 The Faith Of A Foreign Woman

Series: The Story Of The Bible 

https://vimeo.com/316709809

What Does The Bible Say?

Ruth

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.  (Ruth 1:1–5 NLT)

Ruth’s story takes place during the time of the Judges.

The story takes place primarily in Bethlehem of Judah.

God again uses a famine to accomplish His purpose.

14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. 15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”  (Ruth 1:14–17 NLT)

Ruth, the daughter-in-law from Moab, would not leave her mother-in-law.

19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. 20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.  (Ruth 1:19–22 NLT) 

Have you ever felt abandoned by God?

Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. 2 One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. (Ruth 2:1–3 NLT)

Do what you are supposed to do because God is always working behind the scenes.

10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” 11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” (Ruth 2:10-12 NLT)

God is our refuge; we are never abandoned by Him.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9 NLT)

God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. (Galatians 4:5 NLT)

Jesus is our Kinsmen-Redeemer.

5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). (Matthew 1:5 NLT)

14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. (Ruth 4:14–17 NLT)

God never abandoned Naomi; He was working on a bigger story for humanity. 

How Can You Obey:

What risks are you taking to help others?

Are you praying and mentoring your children so that one day they may be used by God?

Question 1 of 5

Naomi was a person of faith, but she also questioned God, and was deeply honest with her struggles (Ruth 1:19-21). In what ways did Naomi’s losses impact how she viewed God and His work in her life?

Question 2 of 5

When you think of how Naomi’s life went from Mara (bitter) to Naomi (beautiful), what were the ways God extended grace to this faithful woman? Think of one person you can come alongside to remind them that they are loved and beautiful. What is one thing you can do this week to extend God’s grace to them?

Question 3 of 5

Boaz offered another family member the opportunity to pay and redeem the land of Naomi’s dead husband and his two sons. When this other family member realized it would cost him a great deal with little financial gain, he declined. So Boaz paid for all the property and allowed the name of Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) to be remembered. Give examples of things God calls Christians to do that cost us a great deal, but do not pay off much in the eyes of the world.

Question 4 of 5

How did Jesus’ life model service and sacrifice for people who really had no way to pay him back?

Question 5 of 5 

What has Jesus given you that you could never pay back? How can we express gratitude for His amazing generosity?