Session IV, Day 2

As Valentines Day approaches many of us begin to think of how we can show those we love just how much we care.  When I think of this tradition in the context of Ruth and Naomi's time showing love came in much more practical and life sustaining ways than flowers or a box of chocolates.  We will read on in the next few weeks about the provision Boaz showed Ruth and Naomi by redeeming them.  What a exceptional way to show he cared!

ASSIGNMENT:
Without looking back to yesterday's post, see if you can fill in the blanks to the following questions...
1)  redeem ____________  once owned by an impoverished relative.

2)  redeem impoverished relatives who had been forced to sell themselves           into_________________ .

3)  avenge the _____________ of a relative.

4)  act as the recipient of restitution paid for a __________ committed against a _________________ relative.

5)  assist relative in a  __________________ so that justice would be served.

6)  redeem a ______________ facing old age alone without anyone to care for her.

Let's Discuss!

Do we have any New Testament instruction similar to the kinsman-redeemer tradition in the Old Testament?  Why do you think this is was so important?  Is it still important today?

Session IV, Day 1

Happy Monday!  Today we will start our study of Ruth, chapter 2, but before we begin we are going to look more in depth at the role of the kinsman-redeemer.  This is an important relationship for us to understand in the context of the book of Ruth.  Almost everything that happens from chapter 2 – 4 is related to this concept.  

Here is what we found out about how the kinsman-redeemer could function...

1)  redeem property once owned by an impoverished relative which might have been sold out of economic necessity

2)  redeem impoverished relatives who were forced to sell themselves into servitude

3)  avenge the murder of a relative

4)  act as recipient of money/property paid for a wrong committed against a deceased relative

5)  assist relative in a lawsuit so that justice could be served

6)  redeem a clan widow facing old age along without anyone to care for her

To Make a Connection... Look up Lev. 25:47ff to read the first time the general concept of the kinsman-redeemer is introduced in the Bible

ASSIGNMENT:

Read Ruth 2:1-6.

Grab your notebook and answer the following questions...

1. What do we learn about Boaz from 2:1? 

2.  How did Ruth respond to her current circumstances?

3.  What custom is described in Lev. 19:9-10?

          a.  Who are the people for whom provision is made? 

          b.  What do we learn from Deut. 24:19-22 that was not stated in the Lev. 19   passage?

* In Deut. 27 and 28, Moses reminds the people of the blessings/curses that accompany obedience/disobedience.  Deut. 27:19 states "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow..."

4.  The possibility of a land-owner refusing to allow the impoverished to glean from his field may be a concern to Ruth.  What does she say that indicates her concern?

5.  What does the exchange between Boaz and his workers indicate?

Just for fun...  

Although the kinsman-redeemer had the responsibility to redeem the needy in his clan, the choice to do so remained his.  Can you remember?  If he refused, his family line would then be known as the ________  __  __  ______________ (Deut. 25:10)? 

Session III, Day 3

Today is a day for personal reflection.  Grab your Bible, notebook, and pen. Find a quiet spot to still your mind and work through the following questions.  I then encourage you to get on the discussion board and share some of what you have learned under the heading "Goals."

ASSIGNMENT:
In Ruth 1, we got a snap shot of how Naomi handled and interpreted her suffering.  We know that God has not promised that our lives would be free of suffering. It also doesn’t appear that God’s goal is to keep us happy or to make our dreams come true.

1. What would you say ARE some of His goals for us?

What did Peter say in I Peter 1:15 regarding what God has called us to be?


What does Jesus say about rest in Matt. 11:28-30?
Comment on your understanding of the rest Jesus promised.


2. What does 2 Cor. 4:16-18 say to us …
About our physical state?
About our spiritual state?
About our focus?

Session III, Day 2

Happy Wednesday!  You have made it through the first part of a very dreary week.  I hope today's time in study warms you from the inside out.

ASSIGNMENT:
Read Ruth 1:19-22

On Friday we looked at the meanings of different names in the book of Ruth.  We learned the Naomi means "pleasant" and yet when she returned to Bethlehem she asked her friends to "call me Mara, for the Almighty has made my life very bitter."   To make a connection, look up Exodus 15:22-23.  What similar word was used, and what did it describe. 

In Monday's post 4 overall themes found in Ruth were listed.  Go back and peruse Ruth 1.  What verse found there states one of these themes?  


*Again, you are encouraged you go back and read through the previous discussion on the board.  There have already been some wonderful insights made about some of the verses we are looking at today.

PONDER THIS:

As we read through the book of Ruth, and, for that matter, any portion of the Bible, we should look for examples of God’s sovereignty.  This is not always easy for our human eye to detect. By the same token, we should move through our days with an eye out for what God is doing in our lives as well.  In Ruth 1:20-21 it appears that Naomi understood this and recognized the soveriegn power of the Lord at work in her life. 

Session III, Day 1

Welcome back to week three of our online study of the book of Ruth. As we peel back the layers of the narrative, it is amazing how many stories we find there and also how many lessons apply to us today.  Keep an eye out as you study for the following threads.

1) This is the story of Naomi – moving from a life of emptiness in Moab to a life of fulfillment in Bethlehem, Judah.
2) It is also the story of Ruth’s compassion and loyalty to her mother-in-law – and her willingness to give up a familiar life for the unknown.
3) It is the story of minute details – we see God involved in the seemingly small events of our characters’ lives.
4) It is also a BIG story – of God manipulating history as He hand-picked the ancestors of King David and Jesus Christ, Messiah!

ASSIGNMENT:
Today we are going to be taking our first online Quiz.  Do not be intimidated!  This is simply a means of review and a tool to help you look more closely at certain passages of scripture.  Today our focus will be on Ruth 1:6-18.  Read through these verses and then CLICK HERE to get started.

Session II Day 3

We’ve reached the end of week 2 of our study of Ruth.  I pray that the Lord shows kindness to you as you study His word and go about your daily life.

ASSIGNMENT:

Read Ruth 1:6-9.  As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem, Ruth and Orpah chose to go with her.  How did Naomi respond to this according to vs. 8-9?

**There is a key Hebrew word in 1:8 that has been translated as kindness in our NIV translations.  The Hebrew word is hesed, for which there is no satisfactory English translation.  Usually it is translated into such words as “loving-kindness, mercy, steadfast love, loyalty.”  Essentially hesed is used to describe God’s divine nature.  In the book of Ruth, the word is used 3 times: 1:8, 2:20, and 3:10.  It sometimes expresses kindness at the human level as a result of prior commitment, however it is never used in referring to situations when one person simply does something nice for another.  It always implies a response not only to God’s commands but also a response to God’s faithfulness.

Below is a list of names and their meanings of characters introduced in the first chapter.

·         Elimelech: “my God is king”

·         Naomi: “pleasant/sweet one”; Mara: “bitterness”

·         Ruth: “friend”

·         Orpah: “back of the neck”

·         Mahlon: “weak/sick”

·         Kilion: “failing”

Based on our reading of chapter 1, write in your notebook whether or not you feel each character’s name is significant to the narrative, and if so, what makes the name significant?  Can you think of other examples in the Bible of significant names?  

Session II Day 2

Today’s focus will be on the prologue (plus one verse) of the Ruth narrative.  As you work through today’s assignment, think back to the title/heading you gave these verses on Monday.  After you’ve taken the time to look more closely at these verses, would you change the title you gave them on Monday or did you choose an appropriate title then?  A great deal happens in these first few verses yet we aren’t given many details about these events.

 

ASSIGNMENT:

Read Ruth 1:1-5 and identify (and list in your notebook) the many difficulties Elimelech’s family encountered.

One of the worst fates a woman of this era could face would be to be widowed and without children/grandchildren to care for her physical needs.  Having descendants to carry on the family name and bloodline was also of the utmost importance in this culture.

However, Naomi is about to see an indication that God is at work …

Read Ruth 1:6.  What is the good news here?

**Note: Verse 6 in the NASB reads: …for she had heard…that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.  The cross reference is Gen. 50:24.  “Visited” refers to the helpful actions of a superior to those under him.  In Ruth, Naomi understands that the Lord Himself has provided food for His people.

(Whether God caused the famine, the death of the men in the family, & the infertility of Ruth & Orpah or not, He was responsible for the rescue!)

Don’t forget to keep an eye on our discussion board.  You can weigh in on discussions that have already been started or start your own discussion.  This is a great way for us to interact with each other and learn more as we dive into God’s word.