Faith, Redemption, and Community: Lessons from Ruth
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound story of Ruth, a narrative that beautifully illustrates the journey of faith birthed through hardship and the hope of redemption. As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the various events and services planned to celebrate this joyous time, including craft fairs, family services, and reflective communion gatherings. These events are designed to bring us together as a community, to celebrate, reflect, and connect with one another.
The story of Ruth begins with a series of tragedies that leave Naomi and her daughters-in-law in a precarious position. Despite the hardships, Ruth's faith is ignited, leading her to make a bold decision to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem. This decision is not just a geographical move but a spiritual one, as Ruth chooses to embrace Naomi's people and God as her own. Her determined faith, forged in the crucible of suffering, leads her to encounter Boaz, a kinsman redeemer, who plays a pivotal role in their redemption.
Boaz's role as a kinsman redeemer is a powerful metaphor for the gospel. Just as Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi, Jesus, through His incarnation, becomes our kinsman redeemer, offering us redemption and a new future. This story reminds us that while life is fraught with challenges, our faith can be strengthened through these trials, leading us to a deeper reliance on God.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life we have in Him. This act of remembrance is not only a proclamation of His death but also a celebration of the new hope and future secured for us. In our hardships, we are called to trust God, to sit still and see how He will work in our lives, knowing that our suffering is light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith in Hardship: Ruth's story teaches us that faith can be birthed in the midst of hardship. Her decision to follow Naomi and embrace her God demonstrates a faith that is resolute and determined, forged through suffering. This reminds us that our trials can lead us to a deeper reliance on God. [49:33]
- The Role of a Redeemer: Boaz's role as a kinsman redeemer is a powerful illustration of Jesus' work in our lives. Just as Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi, Jesus redeems us, offering a new future and hope. This redemption is a reminder of the gospel's transformative power in our lives. [59:41]
- Trusting God's Timing: Naomi's advice to "sit still" and see how the matter will fall is a call to trust God's timing and sovereignty. In our impatience and desire to control outcomes, we are reminded to let God be God and trust Him with our future. [01:05:41]
- Community and Support: The story highlights the importance of community support, as seen in Naomi's return to Bethlehem. In our own lives, we are called to support one another, leaving room for others to glean from our abundance and ensuring that no one is left in need. [57:20]
- A New Future in Christ: Ruth's integration into the Israelite community and her new future with Boaz is a reflection of our new identity in Christ. Despite our past, we are brought into God's family, given a new hope and future, and called to live with the assurance of His promises. [01:09:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[28:09] - Upcoming Christmas Events
[38:20] - Worship and Prayer
[39:27] - Introduction to Ruth
[40:43] - Context of Ruth's Story
[42:29] - Naomi's Loss and Hardship
[44:21] - The Reality of Hardship
[45:25] - Jesus' Words on Suffering
[46:27] - Personal Reflections on Hardship
[48:16] - Naomi's Decision to Return
[49:33] - Ruth's Determined Faith
[51:03] - Faith Birthed in Hardship
[52:31] - Ruth's Commitment to Yahweh
[53:27] - Determined Faith and Redemption
[54:07] - Community Responsibility
[57:20] - Ruth Meets Boaz
[58:07] - Boaz's Role as Redeemer
[59:41] - The Kinsman Redeemer Explained
[01:02:12] - Jesus as Our Redeemer
[01:04:00] - Redemption and New Future
[01:05:41] - Trusting God's Timing
[01:06:31] - Boaz Redeems Ruth
[01:07:33] - A New Future for Ruth and Naomi
[01:09:39] - Spiritual Significance of Redemption
[01:11:59] - Communion and Reflection
[01:12:53] - Sharing Communion Together
[01:14:13] - Prayer and Support
[01:16:28] - Proclaiming the Lord's Death
[01:21:58] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Ruth
Bible Reading:
- Ruth 1:1-18
- Ruth 2:8-12
- Ruth 4:11-17
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Observation Questions:
1. What circumstances led Naomi and her family to move to Moab, and what tragedies did they face there? [42:29]
2. How does Ruth demonstrate her faith and commitment to Naomi and Naomi's God? [49:33]
3. What role does Boaz play in Ruth and Naomi's story, and how is he described in the context of Israelite society? [59:41]
4. How does the story of Ruth conclude, and what significance does this have for Naomi and Ruth's future? [01:07:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Ruth's decision to follow Naomi and embrace her God reflect a deeper spiritual journey? What might this say about the nature of faith? [51:03]
2. In what ways does Boaz's role as a kinsman redeemer serve as a metaphor for Jesus' work in our lives? [01:02:12]
3. Naomi advises Ruth to "sit still" and trust in God's timing. How can this advice be applied to our own lives when facing uncertainty? [01:05:41]
4. How does the integration of Ruth into the Israelite community reflect the transformative power of redemption in our lives? [01:09:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced hardship. How did it impact your faith, and what steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God during difficult times? [49:33]
2. Boaz's actions as a kinsman redeemer illustrate the importance of community support. How can you actively support someone in your community who is in need? [57:20]
3. Consider the concept of "sitting still" and trusting God's timing. What is one area of your life where you struggle to relinquish control, and how can you practice trust in God's sovereignty this week? [01:05:41]
4. Ruth's story is one of transformation and new beginnings. How can you embrace your new identity in Christ and live with the assurance of His promises? [01:09:39]
5. As we approach the Christmas season, how can you incorporate the themes of redemption and hope from Ruth's story into your celebrations and interactions with others? [38:20]
6. Reflect on the role of faith in your life. How can you cultivate a faith that is resolute and determined, like Ruth's, especially in times of trial? [51:03]
7. How can the story of Ruth inspire you to be a source of hope and redemption in the lives of those around you? What practical steps can you take to embody this in your daily life? [01:04:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Forged in Hardship
Ruth's story is a testament to the power of faith that emerges from adversity. When faced with the loss of her husband and the uncertainty of her future, Ruth chooses to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem. This decision is not merely a change of location but a profound spiritual commitment to embrace Naomi's people and God as her own. Ruth's faith, born in the crucible of suffering, is resolute and determined. It is through these trials that her faith is strengthened, leading her to a deeper reliance on God. This narrative encourages us to see our own hardships as opportunities for spiritual growth and to trust that God is at work even in our darkest moments. [49:33]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent hardship you faced. How did it challenge your faith, and in what ways can you see God using it to strengthen your reliance on Him today?
Day 2: The Redeemer's Role
Boaz's role as a kinsman redeemer in Ruth's story is a powerful metaphor for the gospel. Just as Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi, offering them a new future and hope, Jesus becomes our kinsman redeemer through His incarnation. This act of redemption is transformative, providing us with a new identity and purpose. The story of Ruth and Boaz reminds us of the profound impact of redemption in our lives, encouraging us to embrace the new future that Jesus offers. It is a call to recognize the depth of God's love and the lengths He goes to redeem us. [59:41]
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need redemption. How can you invite Jesus to be your redeemer in this specific situation today?
Day 3: Trusting in Divine Timing
Naomi's advice to Ruth to "sit still" and see how the matter will unfold is a profound lesson in trusting God's timing and sovereignty. In our fast-paced world, we often desire to control outcomes and rush through processes. However, this story encourages us to let God be God, trusting Him with our future. It is a reminder that His plans are perfect, and His timing is impeccable. By relinquishing control and waiting on God, we open ourselves to His divine intervention and the blessings that come with it. [01:05:41]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing. What steps can you take today to surrender this to Him and wait patiently for His perfect plan?
Day 4: The Power of Community Support
The story of Ruth highlights the importance of community support, as seen in Naomi's return to Bethlehem. In times of need, the community comes together to support one another, ensuring that no one is left in want. This narrative calls us to be active participants in our communities, offering our resources and support to those around us. It is a reminder that we are not meant to journey through life alone but are called to bear one another's burdens and share in each other's joys and sorrows. [57:20]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who may be in need of support. How can you reach out to them today and offer your help or resources?
Day 5: Embracing a New Identity in Christ
Ruth's integration into the Israelite community and her new future with Boaz is a reflection of our new identity in Christ. Despite her past, Ruth is welcomed into God's family and given a new hope and future. This story is a powerful reminder that, through Christ, we are made new and called to live with the assurance of His promises. It encourages us to embrace our identity as children of God, living out our faith with confidence and hope. [01:09:39]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your identity in Christ. What old habits or beliefs do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new creation you are in Him?
Quotes
Hardship has a way of forging within us determined faith. Hardship has a way of giving birth to faith that is resolute and determined. And so Ruth makes a decision. She is going. She is determined. And this determined faith has been birthed by hardship. [00:53:27] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The Torah is giving ethical principles of, the community is to look after one another. It's not that you use up everything that you have. You maximize the profit of every field that you have. You've got a social responsibility to people in your community to leave enough in your fields that others can live and survive and make food without resorting to begging or without resorting to being demeaned. [00:57:20] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Boaz answered her, "Everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband's death has been fully reported to me. How you left your father and mother and your native land and how you came to a people you didn't previously know. May the Lord reward you for what you've done. And may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." [00:58:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Naomi said, "My daughter, wait until you find how things go, for he won't rest until he resolves it today." Pastor Bob always quoted it in the King James version. Let me read the King James version to you because I think it puts it slightly better. It says this, "Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall. For the man will not rest until he has finished the thing this day." [01:05:41] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Boaz took Ruth. She became his wife. He slept with her and the Lord granted conception to her. And she gave birth to a son. The woman said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel." [01:09:39] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The only way suffering can be described as light and momentary is when you know the future that stretches out for all eternity is fully blessed and fully guaranteed and God's given you a new future. It's the only way. [01:14:13] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And so church, this story of Ruth is a story of determined faith that is birthed in hardship, that leans into and comes to no redemption, is given a new future despite the pain and the hardship that she has been through. [01:16:28] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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