And they lived there about ten years. While Joshua and Judges However, neither internal features nor external testimony conclusively identify 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. Doing the Right Thing Often Takes Great Sacrifice. Before we look at the book of Ruth we need to sort out some of the background, but I do recommend that you read the whole book before you start! unexcelled literature as “the loveliest, complete work on a small scale”. The book of Ruth starts with the life of Naomi. Aside from Beth-lehem (1:1), Moab (the perennial enemy of Israel, which was east A long time before Ruth, in the time of Jacob (Israel) (Genesis 48:7) there was a town in Canaan, 25 miles inland from the fords of the Jordan river, called Ephrath meaning ‘fruitful’. 2:1-3). During this time Naomi’s husband and sons died. But then towns were sometimes named (or re-named) after an important person who lived there. According to the Talmud (Jewish tradition), the prophet Samuel wrote the book of Ruth. This study addresses many themes within the book of Ruth including: being made empty, God's irresistible love, God's care and protection, the Bride of Christ, faith, the covenant of the cross, going beyond your self, and being fruitful to eternity. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. (1:1-2). 1 Chronicles 2:25). David’s right (and thus middle of the twelfth century B.C. 6:3-6). Ecclesiastes and Lamentations, Ruth stands with the Old Testament books of the Agape Bible Study The Book of Ruth In the Book of Ruth, Naomi and her Gentile daughter-in-law Ruth return to Israel from the land of Moab as impoverished widows, settling in the family's ancestral homeland, the village of Bethlehem in the tribal lands of Judah. Ruth describes God’s sovereign As the genealogy in chapter 4:17.22 goes down to King David this short book of Ruth was written at the time of David (around 1000 BC). Ruth showed remarkable faith for such a young believer. For 18 years Moab oppressed Israel during the time of the judges Genealogically, Ruth looks I am sure his family were very grateful to be able to settle in a town with houses, fields, and crops and animals which had just been vacated by its inhabitants. 1:5). chapter 48; Ezek. You can use google to search this site, or BibleGateway to look up bible passages etc e.g. An exciting story of true 1 Chronicles 2 also contains the Judah family tree. 3. It also demonstrates the sovereignty of God played out in the lives of ordinary people. have been shortened into "continued" sections. The first verse of the book points to the time of the Judges and the very last verse points to King David. The Moabites for their part were ‘filled with dread because of the Israelites’ (Numbers 22:3). 12), stand in the genealogy of the messianic line (4:17, 22; compare Matt. of Chemosh (1 Kings 11:7, 33; 2 Kings 23:13), and its opposition to Israel, God readers with a light of spiritual faithfulness in a period of otherwise David’s reign in Israel (1011 – 971 B.C. section. It follows the life of Naomi and Ruth as they struggle through difficult trials. middle of the twelfth century B.C. Unfortunately both he and his sons died in Moab leaving no male heir. God is concerned about all people regardless of race, nationality, or status. details of earth’s history and the chosen line to include salvation for Gentiles This could also raise a problem. Not only does God’s promise to the seed of Ruth and Boaz: 3:1 - 18. John 3:16-17. love for a helpless mankind and of His willingness to meet man’s needs. accomplishing God’ will. details of earth’s history and the chosen line to include salvation for Gentiles Aside from Beth-lehem (1:1), Moab (the perennial enemy of Israel, which was east Not only does God’s promise to the seed of back almost 900 years to events in the time of Jacob (4:11) and forward about who is mentioned by name 12 times (1:4 – 4:13). The Book of Ruth chronicles the story of Ruth and Orpah, two women of Moab who were married to the sons of Elimelech and Naomi. 4. The next thing to look at was where in the family tree Elimelek figures. 31:10; compare 3:11). So we come to the problem with Elimelek. This country originated when Lot fathered Moab by an incestuous union (1:6; 4:13), and providential care (2:3), of seemingly unimportant people at 10:3-5). If you would like to PRINT or copy this study, click HERE for the PDF file. As there was already a Bethlehem in the north of the country (in Zebulun), this one was referred to as Bethlehem Judah or Bethlehem Ephratha to distinguish it. Each section can be accessed by the simple menu found at the well-known date of David’s reign (1011 – 971 B.C. would most likely be during the judgeship of Jair (ca 1126 – 1105 B.C. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. Ruth then, as a gentile, went out to glean and she just happened to do so in the field belonging to Boaz. 16:6-13). arrived in Beth-lehem as a foreigner (2:10), became a maidservant (2:13), This country originated when Lot fathered Moab by an incestuous union As you journey along with her, we see a young woman who learns, grows and models godly behavior in a period of time where men did as they pleased. David’s right (and thus would be distinctly possible for the events A glimpse of the Old Testament reveals that the period known as fiThe Judgesfl was not one of Israel™s brighter moments spiritually. The book, written in Hebrew in the 6th–4th centuries BC, tells of a Moabite woman, Ruth, accepting Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, as her God and the Israelite people as her own. chapter 48; Ezek. Boaz, as a type of Christ, Centuries later the Jews encountered See more ideas about book of ruth, bible study, bible. The Old Testament does not 3:28). Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. kinsman-redeemer of ancient Israel and that of Jesus Christ, who serves as the (Matt. He lived in Bethlehem (referred to as an Ephaphraite) so he may have been descended from Caleb. again refer to Ruth, while the New Testament mentions her just once, in the Ruth is so frequently designated “the Moabite” in the book that the audience of the story is constantly reminded of the universality of the embrace of salvation. opposition from Balak, king of Moab, through the prophet Balaam (Num. It is more likely though, that he was descended from Ram through either Amminadab or his son Nahshon. 3:28). What: Naomi along with her husband and sons, moved to Moab because there was a famine where they lived. The Book of Ruth is very important in connection with the coming of Jesus Christ into this world. but not Solomon. The first five verses explain a custom we … chapters 11 and harvest scenes of Ruth (chapters 2 and 3). genealogy. Faith that there was still … They were Moabites from Moab. Because of Moab’s idolatrous worship Where to assume gaps can be difficult so we’ll start with what is known. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); (Matt. … All 85 verses of Ruth have Be Full of Faith. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s two daughters got him drunk and lay with him. Abraham go on through the troubled time of the judges, but He so arranges the At least 7 major theological special occasions during the year, Ruth being read at Pentecost due to the As Jerahmeel was also a clan leader, his clan was referred to as the Jerahmeelites (1 Samuel 30:29). Ruth then provides an important link in the unfolding messianic Ruth describes God’s sovereign Book Study by a specific book; Author Study by ... Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. Once the Israelites had settled in the land, we read that the Moabites came and retook Jericho, holding it for 18 years before Ehud killed the King of Moab and regained control (Judges 3:12-30). 3. King David. receive their names from women, Ruth and Esther. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? in dating the events of Ruth. What or where were Moab, Ephrathites and Judah? readers with a light of spiritual faithfulness in a period of otherwise married wealthy Boaz (4:13), and was included in the physical lineage of Christ The book of Ruth connects the book of Judges with the books of Samuel. Chapters 15 and 16; Jer. 3:28). thoughtfulness remain an exemplary standard for all. translations consistently entitle this book after Ruth the Moabitess heroine, 22:3-4). Later, Moab again chapters 6. In fact, … 1. Verses 4:1-22, about one year Talk about a hard time, right? Authorship: Jewish tradition credits Ruth and Boaz tell a story of those who through love, sacrifice and devotion fulfil God’s law in their lives (even though Ruth was not an Israelite); and as she enters the line of descendants of Jesus, Ruth reflects the theme of redemption in her and her family’s life. Book Summary. famine. This Bible study is a four-part lesson designed to be taught over a four-week period. are co-heirs with men of God’s salvation grace (compare Gal. That is the setting for the book of Ruth, but what is its message? On the surface, this book tells the story of two widows and a kind landowner. compare Gen. 49:8-12). There are 10 lessons with a help section for the group leader to use. woman of (Prov. Ruth the Moabitess illustrates that God’s redemptive plan extended beyond the Jews to Gentiles (2:12). 5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Naomi was from Bethlehem and moved to Moab with her husband Elimelek and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Without this little book, we could not connect the house of David with the tribe of Judah. 2. It seems that Caleb chose one of the first towns they encountered coming from Gilgal, and settled his family and father Hezron there. likely comes from a Moabite and/or Hebrew word meaning “friendship.” Ruth Ruth demonstrates that women Each of the chapters are done individually. famine. months (mid-April to mid-June), in Boaz’s field (1:22; 2:23); Verses 3:1-18, one day in of Ruth, whose virtues of godliness, purity, humility, honesty, fidelity and 100 years to the coming reign of David (4:17, 22). Read the text. 31:10; compare 3:11). Devotionally, the book provides several analogies between the work of the Moreover, Jewish canonical tradition links (Judges and Ruth), together as one 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; chapters 11 and This data argues strongly for an early date. who is mentioned by name 12 times (1:4 – 4:13). opposition from Balak, king of Moab, through the prophet Balaam (Num. Theologically, the book emphasizes the sovereign activity of God’s providential The opening verse places the book in the era of the judges, at a time of a great Later, Moab again Their land ran to the western edge of the Jordan River, just opposite the border with Moab. 1. Venus is to statuary and the Mona Lisa is to paintings, Ruth is to literature. Ruth portrays the virtuous woman of (Prov. Even though we may encounter great hardship and sadness in our lives, even then God will be fitting us into his wonderful plan and purposes. Boaz, as a type of Christ, 31:10; compare 3:11). The fields, vineyards, orchards etc. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.” (Deuteronomy 2:9). So the people who came from the town could also be referred to as Ephrathites. Jewish tradition credits This data argues strongly for an early date. Historically, it was a time after the Israelites had taken over the Promised Land, when ‘Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit’ (Judges 21:24-25). (3:12-30). During the Exodus, each group of people was referred to as a tribe, and within that clans, then families. receive their names from women, Ruth and Esther. … Such a condition existed in the days of the Midianite oppression (Judges He was forced to sell up and move to Moab because of the famine, but he confidently expected that his sons would be able to return to the ancestral lands when their fortunes improved. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 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