Bible Study PH

Ruth 1

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Study Guide (HL)
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Introduction

  • The whole counsel of God
  • Our desire to is to teach through the whole Bible – Genesis to Revelation
  • Acts 20:27 – “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
  • We have finished Judges – and will continue on to the Book of Ruth…
  • We have already completed the 5 ‘book of the Law’ Genesis – Deuteronomy…
  • Ruth is the 3rd of the 12 books of the History of Israel in the Old Testament…
  • Overview of the book of Ruth…
    • We do not know who wrote the book – many believe it may have been Samuel…
      • The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the book of Judges…
      • Israel was ‘doing what was right in their own eyes’ – Judges 21:25…
      • And the book of Judges showed us how that devastated Israel as a nation…
      • The book of Ruth shows us how that devastated a single family…
      • But also how God took that family from the ashes – and did something incredible!
    • The book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful love stories ever recorded…
      • The whole story is an ‘illustration’ of the Love story of Jesus and the church…
      • Making the book of Ruth one of the most powerful books of the Old Testament!
    • Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after women…
      • Ruth is also the great-grandmother of King David…
      • And is one of the four women named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5…
  • The outline of Ruth… 
  • There are 4 chapters / 85 verses – in the book of Ruth…
  • We will cover 1 chapter a week (1 months) – because Ruth is a very important book…
  • Chapters 1 – Introduction – the background of the Love Story
  • Chapter 2 – The hero of the story – the introduction of Boaz – the kinsman redeemer…
  • Chapter 3 – The matchmaker – Naomi tells Ruth how to get to know Boaz
  • Chapter 4 – The problem / the Marriage – the climax and conclusion of the Love Story!

The introduction to the Love Story… (3 things)

  • 1st – A tragic beginning…vs. 1-5 Read: Ruth 1:1-5
    • 1st – There was a severe famine in the land of Israel… vs. 1
      • We are not told the exact timing of this famine – likely one of the rebellions of Israel…
      • The cycle of sin that characterized the book of Judges brought trials on Israel…
      • As a result of their sin – God would cut off the rain – causing a terrible famine…
      • Leviticus 26:19 – “I will break down your arrogant spirit by making the skies above as unyielding as iron and the earth beneath as hard as bronze.”
      • God knows how to get our attention – one of the best ways is food…
      • When we are full/in need nothing – we tend to get arrogant – ignore God…
      • Deuteronomy 31:20 – “When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them…”
      • So God will allows us to go through times of ‘famine’ – no food / no money…
      • He ‘punishes us’ for our sin – not cause He is angry with us – but because He loves us…
      • God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life!
    • 2nd – Elimelech (God is my King) from Bethlehem – left to live in Moab… vs. 2-5
      • Bethlehem means – ‘the house of bread’ – Moab was a land cursed by God…
        • So Elimelech left the ‘house of bread’ to find food in a cursed land…
        • Because he believed the world was a better place to find help than the Lord…
        • Often in life rather than going to the Lord in times of trouble – we run to the world…
        • If we listen to the advice of the world – we might find what looks like and answer…
        • But in the end we only find we have left the blessings of God…
        • Only to have ended up in the curse that comes from being apart from God!
      • He took his whole family with him…
        • Naomi (Pleasant) / and two sons Mahlon (sickly) and Chilion (failing)…
        • But While in Moab – Elimelech died – leaving Naomi with two sons…
        • Afterwards the two sons married two women from Moab…
        • Chilion married Orpah (strong neck) and Mahlon married Ruth (Friendship)…
        • Moab was a cursed nation – because of sin of Balaam – Deuteronomy 23:3…
        • Israel were never to help them – and they were certainly not to marry them…
        • A consequence of living for the world – is sacrificing our kids to the world…
        • If we are living for the world – then they will follow our example…
        • Do our kids see us always caught up in the care of this world…
        • Or do they see us living our lives for Jesus – just on Sunday – or every day!
      • Shortly afterwards both sons died – leaving Naomi all alone…
        • The family left the security of the Promised Land / married pagans…
        • Far from the better life they were expecting – instead everything in life fell apart!
        • When things do not go the way we want in life – there is a temptation to blame God
        • It is your fault God – why did YOU let things go wrong – I do not want you anymore…
        • Yet often we are actually suffering from our own poor decisions – sinful choices…
        • When we get sick – we ‘shake our fists’ at God – and say ‘this is all your fault’…
        • Forgetting that it is the lifestyle we have lived for years that led to our sickness…
        • When we have no money – we want to blame God for not providing…
        • Forgetting that all we foolishly spent on things we did not need…
  • 2nd – Going back home…vs. 6-13 Read: Ruth 1:6-13
    • 1st – Naomi heard the Lord had blessed His people… vs. 6-7
      • It is possible this was during the time of Gideon – Judges 6-7…
        • After God had given the victory to Israel – to Gideon and his band of 300 old men…
        • Prosperity returned again to the land of Israel – because they returned to God!
        • So Naomi packed up with her daughter-in-laws and prepared to leave Moab…
        • They were going back to Bethlehem – going back to the where they left God!
      • When we make that mistake of running to the world or depending on ourselves…
        • When everything begins to fall apart – and life seems to be a disaster…
        • The answer is simple – pick up where you left off – go back to Jesus!
        • He does not go anywhere – He is right where we left Him…
        • Waiting for us to find Him – the one and only answer to every problem!
        • James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
    • 2nd – On the way – Naomi wanted to send back her daughter-in-laws… vs. 8-13
      • She loved both girls – but realized there was not future for them with her…
        • Though the Law obligated the daughter-in-laws to stay in the family…
        • Deuteronomy 25:5 – “A widow must not marry outside the family.”
        • A widow of the dead man was not allowed to re-marry a stranger…
        • Instead she was to marry one of the brothers of her husband…
      • Naomi had no more sons for the girls to marry – and no husband to have more sons!
        • Even if Naomi remarried that day – would the girls wait for her sons to grow up!
        • There was no reason for them to remain widows – they should go and remarry…
        • There is a stigma in the culture that says a widow should not remarry…
        • But if a widow is under the age of 60 – the Bible says they should remarry…
        • II Timothy 4:14 – “Younger widows [should] marry again, have children…”
        • The reason is because otherwise they will have too much time on their hands…
        • I Timothy 4:13 – “They are likely to become lazy and spend their time gossiping from house to house, getting into other people’s business…”
      • This was a huge step of faith on the part of Naomi…
        • It meant she would have no family at all left – no one to take care of her…
        • But she had learned it was not family / or a nation you could count on…
        • Naomi had learned the only one to depend on was the Lord!
        • If we are depending on family / or a support check from the government…
        • We will inevitably learn that these things cannot be depended on…
        • Often the family we are looking to – is looking back at us for financial help…
        • And the government more often than not is too corrupt!
        • But whether the economy is good or bad – good times – or times of famine…
        • No matter what – God promises to take care of all of our needs… food / clothing…
        • Psalm 37:25 – “I have never seen the godly forsaken, their children beg for bread.”
  • 3rd – The vow of Ruth…vs. 14-22 Read: Ruth 1:14-22
    • 1st – Orpah and Ruth did not want to leave Naomi… vs. 14
      • But they had a choice – did they want to have an easy life  / or suffer with Naomi…
        • Did they want return to their home land – Moab / or go on to Israel…
        • Did they want to go back to their pagan ways / or continue on their walk with God…
      • Unfortunately Oprah choose to leave – she wept with Naomi…
        • Then she turned away and returned to her family / and to her pagan religion…
        • In the end she choose this world / over eternity with God in heaven…
  • You cannot go in two directions at the same time – you cannot worship two things…
  • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters…”
  • We are either going to be devoted to the world – to the pursuits of this life…
  • Or we are going to be devoted to the Lord – worshiping and following Him!
  • 2nd – Ruth refused to leave – she ‘clung’ to Naomi and would not let go… vs. 15-18
    • Naomi argued Oprah had returned to her people / to her gods – return with her…
      • But Ruth refused – and gave one of the most beautiful vows in all the Bible…
      • It is a vow that I have used many times in marriage ceremonies…
      • It is a vow that reflects the relationship we should have with Jesus Christ!
    • Where you go I will go / where you live I will live / your people shall be my people…
      • Ruth was no longer considering herself a Moabite – she saw herself as a Jew…
      • When we choose to follow Jesus – it means we walk away from our past…
      • We follow Jesus wherever He wants us to go – we no longer belong to this world…
      • Hebrews 11:13-16 – “[We are] strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a home… that is, a heavenly country.”
      • And that often means having to walk away from the people we knew before Jesus…
      • Walk away from the negative influence they have on our lives – start a fresh…
      • Luke 14:33 – “Whoever does not [say goodbye] to all he has cannot be My disciple.”
    • Your God will be my God…
      • Ruth was turning her back on her pagan religion – instead believing in God!
      • When we choose to follow Jesus – it means letting go of our religion…
      • If we have been raised in religion that can be very challenging – it was our identity…
      • But Religion has no power – only a relationship with God can save us from our sin!
    • Where you die I will die – the Lord punish me if anything but death separates us!
      • Ruth was in it for the long haul – she was not going anywhere…
      • She had made up her mind – and her relationship was the most important thing!
      • When we choose to follow Jesus – it means nothing is more important than Jesus…
      • The best this world has to offer – only last only a few years…
      • 10 million pesos – President of the Philippines – Movie star/singer…
      • What Jesus has in store for us is eternal!  Why would we sell ourselves short!
  • 3rd – Do not call me Naomi… vs. 19-22
    • Ruth and Naomi went together and returned to the city of Bethlehem…
      • When they arrived there was a stir – ‘is it really Naomi!’
      • Much like if someone has gone away to Manila / oversees to work…
      • When they come home (and they always do) there is a buzz at their arrival….
    • She told the people to call her Mara – meaning bitter…
      • She had left full – with a husband and two sons / and come back empty…
      • The Almighty had made life ‘bitter’ for her – she was no longer Naomi/pleasant…
      • But what Naomi did not see – was she came back with far more than she left with…
    • She came back with Ruth – one of the greatest women in history!
      • Too often we focus on the negative – and as a result miss what God is doing…
      • Anytime we get our eyes off Jesus and onto our circumstances we are in trouble…
      • If we focus what is happening around us: money (or lack of), or our job (or lack of)…
      • We are bound to be overwhelmed – filled with doubt and fear…
      • It is when we keep our eyes on Jesus that we see this great truth…

II Corinthians 4:18 – “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen [Jesus]. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”

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