Faithful Choices: The Journey of Ruth and Redemption
Summary
Today, I began our new teaching series on the Book of Ruth, a profound narrative that, although brief, offers deep insights into the providence and redemption of God through ordinary, faithful living. We started by locating Ruth in the Bible, nestled right after Judges and before 1 Samuel, emphasizing its significance in the timeline of Israel when judges ruled and people often did what was right in their own eyes.
In the narrative, we meet Elimelech and his family, who, facing a severe famine in Bethlehem, decide to move to Moab. This decision, driven by a desire to provide for his family, unfortunately led them away from God’s will. Elimelech’s name, meaning "My God is King," contrasts sharply with his actions, highlighting a theme that resonates deeply: the conflict between professing faith and living it out, especially under pressure.
The move to Moab resulted in significant consequences. Elimelech passed away, leaving Naomi and their sons, who eventually married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. This was contrary to God’s commands, illustrating the pitfalls of compromising one’s spiritual convictions for immediate practical needs. After the deaths of her sons, Naomi was left a widow in a foreign land, prompting her decision to return to Bethlehem. Ruth’s choice to accompany Naomi, renouncing her people and gods, marked a pivotal act of faith and loyalty, setting the stage for God’s redemptive work through her life.
Ruth’s story is not just about loyalty and love but also about repentance and redemption. Her decision to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem with Naomi was a physical act of repentance, which God honored by integrating her into the lineage of King David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. This narrative arc from despair to deliverance, from Moab back to Bethlehem, encapsulates the hope and restoration that God promises to those who turn back to Him.
Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of making choices that align with God’s will, even in mundane or challenging circumstances. The story of Ruth encourages us to consider how our daily decisions can lead to extraordinary outcomes when we walk in obedience and faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Significance of Ordinary Faithfulness: Ruth’s story teaches us that God’s work often isn't in the earthquakes and fires, but in the quiet, consistent acts of faithfulness. It’s in the mundane choices that we align our lives with God’s will, leading to extraordinary divine appointments and outcomes. [17:14]
2. The Dangers of Compromise: Elimelech’s decision to move to Moab, though seemingly practical, was a spiritual compromise that led to dire consequences. This serves as a cautionary tale about the cost of prioritizing material or immediate needs over spiritual integrity and obedience. [32:08]
3. Redemption Through Repentance: Ruth’s move from Moab to Bethlehem was a transformative act of repentance. This decision not only changed her life but also had historical significance through her lineage. True repentance brings us back into alignment with God’s purposes and promises. [44:23]
4. The Impact of Righteous Choices on Legacy: Ruth’s choice to follow Naomi and adopt her God as her own had a profound impact on her legacy, leading to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus. Our choices have the power to affect generations. [45:39]
5. God’s Presence in Our Struggles: The Book of Ruth shows that God is actively involved in our lives, even during times of loss and uncertainty. He works behind the scenes, orchestrating redemption and restoration from our trials. [21:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [15:15] - Introduction to the Book of Ruth
- [22:54] - Elimelech’s Decision to Move to Moab
- [32:08] - Consequences of Elimelech’s Decision
- [41:15] - Naomi’s Decision to Return to Bethlehem
- [44:23] - Ruth’s Loyalty and Decision to Follow Naomi
- [45:39] - Ruth’s Legacy and Redemption
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Book of Ruth - Week 1
#### Bible Reading
- Ruth 1:1-5: "In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband."
- Judges 21:25: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-15: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What prompted Elimelech to move his family from Bethlehem to Moab? ([22:54])
2. What were the names and meanings of Elimelech and Naomi’s sons? ([28:32])
3. How did Ruth respond to Naomi’s decision to return to Bethlehem? ([44:23])
4. What was the spiritual and cultural significance of Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi and adopt her God? ([44:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Elimelech’s decision to move to Moab reflect the broader theme of doing what is right in one’s own eyes, as described in Judges 21:25? ([25:04])
2. What are the implications of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and her decision to adopt Naomi’s God for her personal faith journey? ([44:23])
3. How does the story of Ruth illustrate the concept of redemption through repentance? ([44:23])
4. In what ways does the narrative of Ruth challenge the idea of compromising spiritual integrity for practical needs? ([32:08])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. Did you prioritize practical needs over spiritual integrity? How did that decision impact your faith journey? ([32:08])
2. Ruth’s story emphasizes the significance of ordinary faithfulness. What are some small, everyday decisions you can make to align your life more closely with God’s will? ([17:14])
3. Elimelech’s move to Moab had dire consequences. Are there areas in your life where you might be compromising your spiritual convictions for immediate benefits? How can you address these compromises? ([32:08])
4. Ruth’s act of repentance led to her becoming part of the lineage of King David and Jesus. What steps can you take to turn away from areas of sin in your life and move towards God’s purposes? ([44:23])
5. Naomi’s return to Bethlehem symbolizes a return to God. Is there a “Moab” in your life that you need to leave behind? What practical steps can you take this week to move closer to God? ([44:23])
6. How can you demonstrate loyalty and faithfulness in your relationships, similar to Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi? Think of a specific relationship where you can apply this principle. ([44:23])
7. The story of Ruth shows God’s presence in our struggles. How can you remain aware of God’s work in your life during times of loss and uncertainty? Share a recent experience where you felt God’s presence in a challenging situation. ([21:59])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Quiet Faithfulness
God's work is often manifested in the quiet, consistent acts of faithfulness that may seem mundane but are profoundly impactful. Ruth's story exemplifies how ordinary faithfulness can lead to extraordinary divine appointments. By choosing to stay loyal to Naomi and follow God, Ruth positioned herself into a narrative of significant biblical importance, ultimately influencing the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ. This teaches us the importance of aligning our daily decisions with God's will, recognizing that our seemingly small choices can have monumental outcomes. [17:14]
James 2:22-24 (ESV): "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
Reflection: What is one small act of faithfulness you can commit to today that aligns with God's will?
Day 2: The Perils of Compromise
Compromising spiritual convictions for practical needs can lead to unintended negative consequences, as illustrated by Elimelech's decision to move his family to Moab. This move, though practical due to the famine, was a spiritual compromise that led to his untimely death and his sons marrying outside of their faith. This narrative warns us of the dangers of prioritizing immediate or material needs over spiritual obedience and integrity. The story encourages us to consider the long-term spiritual impact of our decisions. [32:08]
1 Samuel 2:30 (ESV): "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.'"
Reflection: Can you identify a recent decision where you might have compromised your spiritual values for practical reasons? How can you rectify this?
Day 3: Redemption Through True Repentance
Ruth's decision to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem with Naomi represents a profound act of repentance and faith. This physical act of turning away from her past life and towards God's people was honored by God, integrating her into the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ. This story highlights the transformative power of repentance and how it realigns us with God's purposes and promises. [44:23]
Ezekiel 18:21-22 (ESV): "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done, he shall live."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to turn away from sin and towards God? How can you take a step towards repentance today?
Day 4: Legacy of Righteous Choices
Ruth's choice to embrace Naomi's God and follow her to Bethlehem had a lasting impact, not only on her own life but also on her legacy, influencing the lineage of significant biblical figures. This teaches us that our righteous choices can have profound effects on our legacy and the generations to come. It encourages us to make decisions that honor God, knowing they can lead to blessings beyond our own lifetimes. [45:39]
2 Chronicles 15:7 (ESV): "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded."
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that might positively affect your legacy and those of future generations?
Day 5: God's Presence in Our Struggles
The Book of Ruth beautifully illustrates that God is actively involved in our lives, even during times of loss and uncertainty. He works behind the scenes, orchestrating redemption and restoration from our trials. This reassures us of God's constant presence and His overarching plans for our redemption, even when we face challenging circumstances. [21:59]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle or loss. How can you more consciously seek and acknowledge God's presence and guidance in this situation?
Quotes
Quotes for Outreach:
1. "I don't know about you guys, but I think that we tend to overlook the ordinary. We want the extraordinary in our lives when it comes to God, but we tend to overlook the ordinary, meaning like the everyday mundane decisions and how those everyday decisions that seem mundane, how they add up to extraordinary things. We want the ordinary outcomes. We want the miraculous in our lives. We want the supernatural in our lives, but we overlook the providential work of God, the everyday behind the scenes kind of work of God that happens in our lives, right?" [17:14]
2. "It's a chick flick, and the stars are more like Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lawrence. And those, and I got one laugh from my daughter. Okay. That's fantastic. I love that. I love that. But that's more like that. There's no shootouts. There's no explosions. There's no car chases. There's just a couple of people talking a lot." [20:22]
3. "God is present in every, in every moment of the story and on every page. But here's what you're not going to find in the book of Ruth. You're not going to find the Red Sea parting. You're not going to find the sick being healed. You're not going to find people that were dead being raised back to life. You're not going to find any of that. Although you are going to find God in the midst of it, but you're not going to find God profoundly in the center of it, in the sense of like them, them talking about preaching about and all those kinds of things." [21:16]
Quotes for Members:
1. "My god is king. He didn't obey God. And under great pressure of trying to feed his family, he did what was right in his own eyes. Not what was right. In God's eyes, he went against God's way, and he moved his entire family to Moab. And he justifies it. I can almost guarantee you, he justifies it based on this, hey, I moved my family to Moab. I'm going to get a better job. I'm going to get more pay, and I'm going to be able to provide for my family and take care of my family." [32:08]
2. "So what's God asking you to turn your back on? What Moab is God asking you to turn your back on so that you can turn your face towards God? Oh, look, as your pastor, I think I can help you. I can help you with a few of those things. One might be a relationship. There might be a relationship God wants you to turn your back on, but you're not going to be able to turn your back on. So that you can turn your face towards him." [48:40]
3. "This is a beautiful picture of one word you hear us talk about all the time. It's a word called repentance. They left Moab. They left where God said, don't live. And they returned to God. They returned to Bethlehem, which is like returning to what God said, live this way. That's repentance. To get to the right place in your life, you have to leave the wrong one." [44:23]
4. "What do you do in your life when times are tough, when you're put in that temptation spot? What do you do? Let's just say for those who are dating in the room, do you stay pure in the dating relationship, or do you cave in, and you have all the sex before marriage? What do you do? Are you going to be faithful to God and let God be the king of your life, or are you going to move to Moab?" [34:31]
5. "Elimelech chose something. He chose his family's provision over their spiritual protection. And this, unfortunately, is what I'm watching happen in America today. I'm watching people chase the American dream, and we're choosing family's provision over spiritual protection. And we're willing to take a larger paycheck that moves us away from what God wants us to do, just so that our family is better taken care of." [32:08]
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