Ruth

This story of Ruth in this Ruth Bible study easily grabs your attention. 

On one hand it’s a love story between Ruth and Boaz.  Their first meeting quickly hooks you to see what happens next.  The unexpected appearance of another suitor only intensifies your curiosity.  Soon you find yourself cheering for Boaz and praying for his success.  

On the other hand, a tragic shadow hangs over the romance.  You ache for Naomi, who without an heir will cease to have a family.  You wonder what will happen to her.  

Chapter 1

Read Ruth Chapter 1

• Where is the country of Moab in relation to Judah and why do you think there was no famine there as there was in Judah?

• Read Deuteronomy 23:3-6. In light of these scriptures, what do you think Elimelech’s decision to go to Moab?

• Based on your review of Genesis 19:30-38, who was the father and mother of Moab, the first Moabite? Also, how are Naomi and the mother of Moab similar?

• Why would Naomi tell the women of Bethlehem not to call her Naomi and to call her Mara instead?

• There is a fundamental difference in the decisions of Orpah and Ruth from reading Ruth Chapter 1 verses 15 and 16. What is that difference?

• Orpah was concerned for herself more than for Naomi but Ruth was more concerned for Naomi than for herself. With what we know about the spiritual choices each made, how does this insight affect your future choices?

Chapter 2

Read Ruth Chapter 2

• Whose idea was it to glean (gather) grain in the fields?

• Did Ruth know she was gleaning in the field of Boaz?  

• What time of day was the plan made to glean in the grain fields?

• How was Ruth known to the young man in charge of the reapers?

• Why was Ruth so surprised to be treated with favor by Boaz?

• What is the hardest part about your job? How do you react when doing a job that perhaps isn't to your full potential? What attitude should we have?  (Read Colossians 3:23)

• How was Ruth known to Boaz?

• What can you determine about the character of Boaz from the reading of Ruth Chapter 2?

• Have you ever struggled in helping someone because they are different from you?

Chapter 3

Read Ruth Chapter 3

• What exactly did Naomi instruct Ruth to do in the beginning of Chapter 3?

• There is limited biblical and extra biblical evidence for the legal precedence of ancient Israelites regarding the role of the kinsman-redeemer. Precisely how the ancient reader understood the role is not clear but it was obviously not as ambiguous as it is for today's reader.

• Much has been written about Naomi's instructions to Ruth regarding the uncovering of Boaz' feet in verse 4. It's been speculated that this language was understood to mean that Ruth was to uncover his genitals for a sexual encounter. Based on your reading of the text, does this seem probable? Why or why not?

• Who were the three people who knew of Ruth being at the threshing floor and why was it necessary that only they know of her presence?

• What were the dangers Ruth faced in Naomi's plan?

• Did Ruth follow Noami's plan exactly?

Chapter 4

Read Ruth Chapter 4

• What preparations does Boaz make in order to speak to Ruth’s kinsmen redeemer in verses 1-2?

• What do these preparations say about Boaz?

• When in your life have you felt the most prepared?  Why? When have you felt the least prepared? Why?

• How would you describe the manner in which Boaz presented his case to the kinsmen redeemer in verses 3-5?

• Upon hearing the news of Ruth, the kinsmen redeemer refuses to complete redeem Ruth and states his reason in verse 6. How are we like the first kinsmen redeemer?

• In verse 11, the elders pray that the Lord make Ruth like Rachel and Leah. What does this verse mean? Read Genesis 29:32-35 and Genesis 30: 22-24.

• What type of legacy has Ruth established by looking at verse 15? What type of legacy do you want to leave behind?