However, the life of a foreign widow with nothing becomes so significant that it is recorded in the Bible, and her name is linked to Jesus ancestry. For Christians, the Book of Ruth is an early echo of the divinity of Jesus. 1. You may argue that she maintained her modesty because she was an outsider (Moabite), but that was not the case. 12 Meaningful Lessons We Can Learn from Ruth in the Bible Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. For Ruth everything seemed hopeless when she lost her husband even worse for Naomi. But instead, her heart accepted what she felt was right.We must keep that in mind as leaders. Boaz recognizes that he is not in line to act as a kinsmen-redeemer. These lessons take us beyond the story and begin to unravel the mystery about how God works in the world. Redemption is possible only through a KinsmanRedeemer. It is a lovely work of sacred literature. Enabling JavaScript in your browser will allow you to experience all the features of our site. This story serves as a reminder that God hears our requests and is dependable in fulfilling them at the appropriate time. The Book of Ruth provides many relationship lessons that perpetuate the meaning of true love. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, Isaiah 53:5 Meaning of He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions, 40 Transcendent Bible Scriptures on Eternal Life, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. I love the phrase God works in mysterious ways because we never know what He is actually doing. Object Lesson: Ruth and Naomi by Leonard Baskin How Do We Know When it Is Time to Give Up? Do What You Know Is Right, Not What Looks Right to Others The logical thing for Ruth to do when her husband died was to go home to her own family and look for a new husband. Do What You Know Is Right, Not What Looks Right to Others: After her husband passed away, Ruth should have returned home to her family and started looking for a new husband. JM gutierrez. At first glance, the book of Ruth may appear to be nothing more than a quaint romance. Your potential as a leader rises when you do what is right and what is in your heart. Naomi later on lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. As Naomi and Ruth reestablished their lives in Israel, they looked for ways to make ends meet. The Moabites are traced back to the lineage of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. In the present sequence of the Hebrew canon it is placed among the "Writings" immediately after the Book of Proverbs, which ends with a powerful portrayal of "the woman of worth" (Prv 31:10-31; cf. However, the primary purpose of the Book of Ruth is the presentation of an important phase in the doctrine of redemption. Numerous people have praised the Book of Ruth for its literary brilliance. Ezra and Nehemiah demanded that Jews divorce foreign wives; Ruth shows that outsiders who profess faith in Israel's God can be fully assimilated into Jewish society. Moving back home, Naomi argues, would allow them to re-marry and begin a new stage in their lives. Bloodlines are second to faith (a hallmark of the Torah, where second sons repeatedly win the birthrights that should pass to their elder brothers). with her instead of looking to her own interests. 10 Powerful Lessons From the Book of Ruth. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16). When Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of Israel's heroic king, David, it means that not only could a foreigner be completely assimilated, but he or she might be God's instrument for some higher good. Ruth was given the choice by Naomi to go home, go back to her family, homeland, religious practices, saying, Each of you go back to your mothers home. Look at this pledge of loyalty: Do not urge me to leave you or return from following you. 5 Important Lessons You Should Know from the Book of Ruth This ritual required a public statement in front of the elders that Boaz was willing to take the necessary actions to redeem Ruth and marry her. As I started writing this article; however, I found so much depth and lessons that were waiting to be learned from this compact book of the Bible. Read 5 Essential Lessons You Need to Know from Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17) - Your Daily Bible Verse - August 1 from today's daily devotional. The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought, ). The loyalty that Ruth shows Naomi is richly rewarded, as is her fealty to the one true God of her mother-in-law. Who Was Naomi? Life is a continuous learning experience, and as we keep rising and falling, like Ruth, we will recommit to our purpose and shine our unique individual light into . God uses Ruths story to show us how His love breaks down racial and religious barriers. Even though he was waiting for the right moment and circumstances to redeem her, he still protected her reputation and provided generously for her needs (Ruth 3:14-15). The book of Ruth does not always get the respect it deserves. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you. Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV). When her family leaves the Promised Land to escape a famine and things only get worse. 5 Spiritual Lessons From The Book Of Ruth - Think About Such Things Even though nothing is going her way, she remains fearless, and her faith is unshakeable. Loss Is Hard The book of Ruth starts with the life of Naomi. God provided a means for family and economic security for Ruth and Naomi for the rest of their lives. Ruth chose to go with her mother-in-law, exhibiting her love for both Naomi and the God of Israel. Since Boaz was the great-grandfather of David (4:21), the book recounts events that She decided to glean in a nearby, field and follow the harvesters. He could have simply redeemed the property, and Ruth, without interference. #4 We Should Generously Provide for Others and Recognize Their Service to God. Those gleaning would provide daily food and perhaps a little left over for the future. She told Ruth to get dressed up in, her best clothes and perfume and go to Boaz. 7 LESSONS TO LEARN FROM RUTH - I Need A Word In the first chapter of Ruth, we are told some of the backstory of how her first husband's family came to move lands . like a short story and the insight in it runs deep. Your people will be my people and your God my God., ) How many times have we made choices to be in a place that we think will, give us what we want? He also freely acknowledged that, while he was perfectly willing to redeem her, there was another closer relative that had the initial right of kinsman-redeemer, and that he deserved the right to redeem her first (Ruth 3:12-13). Gods promises remain firm even though your faith could be waning. Thus, not only was the act of being a kinsman-redeemer important for the protection and care of the widow, but it also ensured that land ownership did not move outside ones traditional family heritage. Ruth is the story of a little foreign girl who came out of paganism and idolatry in the land of Moab. The book of Ruth is amazing story about providence, love, and redemption. She isnt very wealthy or well-positioned. The important element, however, is that Boaz is a direct descendant of this heroine of the faith. Thus, it is possible that Rahab was Boazs grandmother or even great grandmother. mad at God for what may feel like a ruined life? This book is the story of how a Christian Influencer, Quonda Renee, started her brand from nothing, and using social media, has grown to over 3.4 million followers (and counting) for the faith-based platformI Need A WORD. Copyright 2023 Bscholarly LLC. Many of the famous stories of the Old Testament detail the highs and lows of Davids life. Then He gave up His life for us. This is due to a famine in Judah. If a man died, leaving a widow and/or children, it was incumbent on the other males of the family to redeem the widow. Ruth was a woman of faith and loyalty. When he woke up and asked, what she was doing she stated, I am your servant Ruth, she said. Reaffirm your loyalty to the work God has given you to do. Each inductive study contains outlines, discussion questions, cross-references, and verse by verse commentary which you can use for personal study or to facilitate a group. Land allotted to the tribe of Judah, for example, was not to be given to the tribe of Zebulun. The book of Ruth shows that Almighty God, in his providentia, is arranging the timing of Naomi and Ruth's initiatives to accomplish His gracious and loving purposes and plans. As Naomi left, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to return to their native land and people. Naomi suggested she do that. Elimelech passes away, and about 10 years later, both of Naomi's sons die, as well. The Book of Ruth, a Story From the Bible - Learn Religions When we dig a bit deeper, however, we find an exciting story of God working for the salvation of his people. Tucked between the books of Judges and 1st Samuel, it can be easily missed when thumbing through the Old Testament. In creative and exciting ways, God brings about Gods purposes through unlikely circumstances and people. To find their way in the dark, people must have faith that God will guide them to their destination. Specifically, they're based on the idea that God had direct, intimate relationships with the descendants of Abraham, the Jews, and was involved directly in shaping Israel's history. Your email address will not be published. Maybe thats why its so captivating. David was Israel's greatest hero, a messiah (God-sent leader) in his own right. Naomi knew she couldnt provide the, women new husbands and she wanted them to take the obvious choice for moving, forward for another marriage, if it was Gods will. 10 Powerful Lessons From the Book of Ruth, DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd, 0% found this document useful, Mark this document as useful, 0% found this document not useful, Mark this document as not useful, Save 10 Powerful Lessons From the Book of Ruth For Later, The Book of Ruth has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible. Relevant easy to understand verse by verse commentary. His love and timing are perfect in every way. In Leonard Baskin's bronze sculpture Ruth and Naomi, the biblical women are bound together by shared sadness and mutual support. During a famine, a man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, east from their home in Bethlehem in Judea to a country called Moab. Prayer Is A Powerful Weapon 5 Effective Jesus Wasnt Trying To Be Cool, He Obeyed Gods Word For You Today: Jesus Is Your Friend, American Idol Finalist Megan Danielle Glorifies God In Go Rest High On That Mountain, Turn Down The Noise And Find God In Your Stillness, Prayer Is A Powerful Weapon 5 Effective Strategies For Breakthrough, How To Personally Apply The Word Of God For Healing, Live In The Present Moment In His Presence, Toddler Prays For Baby Sister Before Going To Bed. You see, its simple to develop a chip on our shoulders as things start to improve. Naomi has lost her husband and 2 sons in the space of 10 years. Ruth has only four brief chapters, but it is a mighty midget with a mighty message. Once we understand the intensity and the seriousness of our sin - we realize we really aren't as good as we thought. Be diligent even when God blessings is on you Exploring the life and faith of Ruth in the Bible. They likely did not live long enough to see Davids reign, but this is proof that God may be working things in your life that will play out for His will in generations long after yours. When he heard about Ruths story, he makes sure that she is safe, provided for and cared for (Ruth 2:8-9). Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). https://www.learnreligions.com/the-book-of-ruth-117383 (accessed July 9, 2023). The Book of Ruth - Bible Gateway Once they reached Bethlehem, Naomi and Ruth sought food by gleaning grain from the field of a kinsman, Boaz. David is the greatest of kings, a military strategist beyond compare, and the author of many of the Psalms. Rather than take advantage of Ruths vulnerability, Boaz praised her character and even recognized her devotion to him as a relative. Pick an online lesson from our Ruth Bible study guide below to get started. What Does the Bible Say about Streams in the Desert? It's an intimate family tale of misfortune, crafty use of kinship ties, and ultimately, loyalty. 1: God does not play favoritism Ruth is a widow. This book describes the struggles taking place both internally and externally, to grow personally and professionally, and the Power of God the Ultimate Influencer who continues to lift Quonda above and through the storms. 7 Powerful Truths from the Story of Esther: Photo Credit: Unsplash 1. We are all sinners. The Hebrews observed her and admired her rather than dismissing her as a stranger. 5. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Emily also has a goal to empower women by reminding them they are beautiful in God's sight and His sight is what matters most. This little detail is important because it tells of the change God can put in people. We just sit back and enjoy the ride. Naomi blessed them both when their firstborn son came and praised God for bringing them together (Ruth 4:13-15). 1.) 6 Female Celebrities Who Openly Follow Christ, Steven Furtick's Elevation Church Leaves the SBC, Moms, You Have Permission to Invest in Yourselves, A Prayer to Watch How We Live - Your Daily Prayer - July 5, 5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity. He offers love and forgiveness to those cast aside and deemed beyond the scope of religious sensibility. Ruth abandoned his family and journey with Naomi back home; though they were divested and weary the end of all the sorrows was great joy. Boaz saw Ruth and asked his harvesters who she was and they told him the story of Ruth. Join with us and see how God may change your life through this study of Ruth! In the present sequence of the Hebrew canon it is placed among the "Writings" immediately after the Book of Proverbs, which ends with a powerful portrayal of "the woman of worth" (Prv 31:10-31; cf. There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. She was already an outsider because of her nationality, and being a childless widow gave her even more excuses to withdraw into herself and lead a life of seclusion. 7 Powerful Lessons We Can Learn from the Story of Ruth - Bible Knowledge As it happened is a wonderful way to describe the activity of God, working behind the scenes to bring about Gods good purposes. He is taking us somewhere that is beyond our wildest dreams. It offers us a wealth of knowledge. When Boaz marries Ruth, he acts as the kinsmen redeemer of Elimelechs family. Naomi later on, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. Her heart and life had crumbled. The Lord blessed Ruth with not only financial security but also a loving husband who saw her worth and she remained humble throughout. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Do This One Thing to Find Purpose and Fulfillment, 10 Convincing Reasons to Live the Abundant Life, Write Gods Word on the Tablet of Your Heart, Are there other lessons from Ruth that you have learned? It reads more. The reason these Scripturesincluding Ruthcannot be broken is that they are God's word. She has authored a number of books on faith and religion. Moral Of The Story Of Ruth In The Bible & Vital Lessons. The summary of the story is that of an ordinary Moabite widow who becomes not just significant in the history of Israel but one who is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She was already frustrated, bitter, confuse on how to continue with life. Needless to say, Naomi was upset. In the original version of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah, Ruth's story is part of "the writings" (Ketuvim in Hebrew), along with Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. Additionally, the narrative is significant. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We hope you enjoy studying the gospel of Ruth in your own small group. Yahweh is mentioned in each chapter yet never appears to speak or act. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022 GOD TV, Simco Media LLC. When life brings trouble on us it is not easy to still hope on God for better days but this is exactly what God wants us to do. #7 Treat Others with Respect and Loving Care. By Ruth staying back with her she received some form of strength, even when the blessing kept coming she didnt hide anything from Naomi. She let Boaz know of, her interest by lying at his feet after he had fallen asleep. 6 Lessons from the book of Romans. Ruths partner also died. It is here where she meets Boaz, whom she eventually marries. Ruth finds a way to support her mother-in-law - by gathering leftovers of grain that harvesters would leave in fields. Answered. What comes out when we are upset by the trials of life? Be obedient, be patient, and be willing to let God use you. By following her instinct and doing what she knew was right, that landed her in big blessings, she became known for good things in turn she was respected, blessed and honored. In fact, it has several messages. Thus for Christians, the Book of Ruth represents an early sign that the Messiah would liberate all of humankind, not solely the Jews. Moral Lesson 1: The Value Of Making Wise Choices. She remained loyal to her mother-in-law, who would have been the only family either one of them would have. Ruth Commentaries | Precept Austin The book of Ruth is one of the Bible's most inspiring accounts of faithfulness, love, and God's providence. Im sure many do. Her two sons found wives, Ruth Each lecture focuses on a key character in Ruth and what they represent. Astle, Cynthia. Boaz also figures prominently in this book and is a type of Christ, pouring out care upon Ruth. Boaz, who later plays a huge role in Ruths life, begins his relationship by being a generous landowner. He was ready to accept her as she was, but he was also obedient to Gods laws concerning matters like this. Ruth is the primary liturgical text in Judaism for the celebration of the feast of Weeks (Shabuot). Ruth's outstanding commitment to moving forward in her spiritual and personal development is a powerful lesson for each of us as we prepare to once again receive the Torah on Shavuot. Ruth E-book You can download our complete Ruth Bible study in one convenient e-book for any device wherever you go. Providentially, she ended in the field belonging to Boaz. Javascript is not enabled in your browser. It almost seems out of place. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/the-book-of-ruth-117383. Ruth and Boaz - Bible Story Beautiful Meaning and Lessons - Crosswalk With such tragedy in her life, she decided to return home. #8 Wait for Gods Timing and Follow His Commands. Even though she still loved them and they loved her, she thought it would be best for them to stay in Moab. When Ruth asked why she, a foreigner, should receive such kindness, Boaz replied that he had learned of Ruth's faithfulness to her mother-in-law, and he prayed that the God of Israel would bless Ruth for her loyalty. Lessons We Can Learn From The Story Of Ruth - Bscholarly Ruth Bible Study Guide - 4 Free Online Lessons With Discussion Questions. Ruth could have met anyone in that field - it just so happened that she met Boaz. Even though many discriminated against her, God loved her just the same. View More. Ruth and Boaz were married, and they started a family together. The love story of Ruth and Boaz has always been one of my favorites! Required fields are marked *. She vowed that she would accompany Naomi to Bethlehem, leaving her homeland and her family behind, and she would not let her past limit her.She decided to worship Naomis God because she still thought she had time to live.When you choose faith, your history does not determine where you end up. Ruth married the wealthy man, Boaz. Three great lessons emerge from the book of Ruth that can help us every day in our lives. Instead, he chooses to remain honest. One of the most provocative statements in the book of Ruth occurs when Ruth goes to glean some wheat. Contemporary biblical scholars now tend to categorize the books as "theological and didactic historiography." One of the moral lessons we can get from the bible story of Ruth is the importance of making wise choices as Ruth did in Ruth 1:16-18 that made her choose to stay with Naomi despite Orpah choosing otherwise. Her work ethic did not go unnoticed as a foreman would, speak about her labor to Boaz shortly after his notice of her: "Shes been at it steady, ever since, from early morning until now, without so much as a break. (, Yes, ladies. It is painful to lose a child and a spouse. From this characteristic of Ruth, we learn that we can follow the Lord wherever He is leading us even though we don't see the whole path. Instead, they clung to one another, and their unity helped them achieve the breakthrough they required. Beyond this, the Lord seems somewhat absent throughout the books events. He could have married Ruth immediately, but he submitted to Gods ordinances about the closer relative. Our lives are being looked at. As the article goes on, well take a closer look at some significant life lessons we may draw from Ruths tale. At the first availably opportunity, Boaz spoke with the nearer kinsman-redeemer and offered him the right to redeem Ruth.