Ruth: Chapter 4

Recap

In our previous studies, we have traced the journeys of Ruth and Naomi. The story began as everything fell apart: famine, fleeing, and funerals. But little by little, God’s invisible hand had been at work.  Naomi and Ruth returned home. Ruth gleans from a field, which she later learns is owned by a kinsman redeemer of her family, who looks with favour on her. A dangerous plot is hatched in the night, and Boaz agrees to take Ruth as his wife, but one last obstacle stands in the way: another man is closer in relation to Naomi and thus has the option to be the kinsman redeemer instead of Boaz.

Introduction

As we examine this final chapter of the Book of Ruth. We will see what it is all for: Redemption. God’s Hessed, Boaz’s Kindness, and Ruth’s faithful love lead to redemption.

Naomi is redeemed as a childless widow.

Ruth is redeemed as a widow and a foreigner.

Boaz is redeemed as an older man without children.

And most importantly, Israel is redeemed through a king who will come from Ruth and Boaz.

Hessed, covenant love/kindness, in this story, as in all stories, leads to redemption (or, as we like to call it at St. Pete’s, restoration).

With this in mind, let’s open up and explore the story.

[Read the passage out loud]

Three Quick Questions

1. Did anything stand out for you in the passage? (Look for repetition & contrasts)

2. Did you learn anything new or surprising about Jesus or God’s character?

3. Are there other stories or passages in Scripture that this passage might be referencing?

Why do you think the authors are connecting these passages?

Digging Deeper

1. When Boaz sets out to redeem Ruth, he first goes to one who is the closer Kinsman Redeemer of Naomi.
   Why do you think he does this?
   What does this reveal about Boaz’s intent?
   

2. The initial Kinsman Redeemer turns down the opportunity to redeem Naomi and Ruth, saying, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”
   Why do you think this is his response?
   What does this reveal about redemption for Boaz?
   

3. Why do you think the author stops emphasizing Ruth's identity as "the Moabite" at this point in the story?
   What might this reveal about belonging, redemption, and God's covenant community?
   

4. None of the characters performs spectacular miracles. Instead, they consistently act with faithfulness in ordinary circumstances.
   What does Ruth teach us about the significance of ordinary obedience?
   Where might God be calling you to faithfulness in the ordinary routines of life?
   

5. As we reflect on any book in the bible as a whole, a good question to ask is, “What would we lose in our understanding of God if we didn’t have this book of the bible in particular?”
   Take time to discuss what you feel would be missing in our understanding of God if Ruth were missing from the bible.
   

6. Wrap up by giving thanks to God for his character that is revealed to us in this story.

Benediction

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up! Galatians 6:9