Ruth: A Story of Redemption and Divine Sovereignty

 

Summary

The Book of Ruth is a captivating narrative that many find inspiring and delightful. However, it is crucial to delve deeper than its surface story of faithfulness and virtue. The story of Ruth is not merely a tale of loyalty and love; it is a significant piece in the grand narrative of the Bible, pointing us to the gospel of grace and ultimately to Jesus Christ. Ruth, a Moabite woman, chooses to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of their husbands, despite the challenges they face as widows in a foreign land. Her decision to embrace Naomi's people and God leads her to Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer who marries her, thus securing their future and continuing the family line.

The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is central to understanding the Book of Ruth. According to Israelite law, a kinsman-redeemer was a close relative who could redeem a family member in distress by buying back land or marrying a widow to preserve the family lineage. Boaz's actions not only redeem Ruth and Naomi but also set the stage for the birth of King David, Ruth's great-grandson, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. This narrative illustrates God's sovereignty and providence, showing how He orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes.

Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew, highlights the inclusivity of God's plan. Despite being a foreigner and an outsider, Ruth becomes an integral part of the lineage of Christ, demonstrating that God's grace transcends racial and social boundaries. This story encourages us to see beyond the moral lessons and recognize the redemptive work of God through history, culminating in Jesus, our ultimate kinsman-redeemer.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Sovereignty in Our Lives: The story of Ruth reminds us that God is in control, even in seemingly accidental events. Ruth's "chance" encounter with Boaz was divinely orchestrated, showing that God works through our circumstances to fulfill His purposes. [05:15]

2. Faithfulness and Love: Ruth's unwavering loyalty to Naomi and her willingness to embrace a new people and God exemplify true faithfulness. Her actions teach us the importance of steadfast love and commitment, even when faced with uncertainty. [05:26]

3. The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer: Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our ultimate redeemer. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi, Jesus redeems us, bringing us into God's family and restoring what was lost. [06:09]

4. Inclusivity in God's Plan: Ruth's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy highlights that God's grace is available to all, regardless of race or background. Her story encourages us to embrace diversity and recognize that God can work through anyone who believes. [07:32]

5. The Bigger Picture of Redemption: The Book of Ruth is not just a moral story but a crucial part of God's redemptive plan. It points to the coming of King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, emphasizing that our lives are part of a larger narrative of redemption. [08:14]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Introduction to the Book of Ruth
[01:07] - The Danger of a Surface Reading
[01:31] - The Story of Ruth and Naomi
[02:21] - Naomi's Decision to Return
[03:05] - Ruth's Loyalty and Poverty
[03:21] - Gleaning in Boaz's Field
[03:51] - The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer
[04:59] - Boaz's Redemption of Ruth
[05:15] - God's Sovereignty in Ruth's Story
[06:09] - Redemption of Israel and Ruth
[06:48] - The Theme of Redemption
[07:17] - Ruth in Jesus' Genealogy
[08:00] - The Broader Narrative of Redemption
[08:14] - Conclusion: Ruth's Role in God's Plan

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Book of Ruth

#### Bible Reading
1. Ruth 1:16-17
2. Ruth 4:13-17
3. Matthew 1:5-6

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#### Observation Questions
1. What significant decision does Ruth make in Ruth 1:16-17, and how does it reflect her character? [02:51]
2. How does the role of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer unfold in Ruth 4:13-17, and what are the outcomes of his actions? [04:59]
3. In Matthew 1:5-6, how is Ruth included in the genealogy of Jesus, and why is this significant? [07:17]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of the kinsman-redeemer in the broader narrative of the Bible? [03:51]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi demonstrate the theme of faithfulness and love in the story? [05:26]
2. In what ways does the concept of the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ as our ultimate redeemer? [07:04]
3. How does Ruth's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy challenge traditional views on race and social status in the context of God's plan? [07:32]
4. What does the sermon imply about God's sovereignty in orchestrating events in the lives of Ruth and Naomi? [05:15]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision like Ruth. How did your faith influence your choice, and what was the outcome?
2. How can you demonstrate faithfulness and love in your relationships, even when faced with uncertainty or challenges? [05:26]
3. In what ways can you recognize and respond to God's sovereignty in your life, especially in situations that seem accidental or coincidental? [05:15]
4. How can the concept of the kinsman-redeemer inspire you to be a source of support and redemption for others in your community?
5. Ruth's story shows that God's grace transcends racial and social boundaries. How can you actively embrace diversity and inclusivity in your church or community? [07:32]
6. Consider the broader narrative of redemption in your own life. How can you align your actions with God's redemptive plan and purpose?
7. How does understanding Ruth's role in the lineage of Jesus encourage you to see your own life as part of a larger story of redemption? [08:14]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Divine Orchestration in Our Lives
In the story of Ruth, we see a profound example of God's sovereignty at work. Ruth's encounter with Boaz may seem like a mere coincidence, but it is a testament to how God orchestrates events to fulfill His divine purposes. Despite the challenges Ruth and Naomi faced as widows in a foreign land, God was actively working behind the scenes to bring about His plan. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's control over our lives, even when circumstances seem random or challenging. We are reminded that God is always at work, weaving together the threads of our lives into a beautiful tapestry that aligns with His will. [05:15]

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation that seemed coincidental. How might God have been working through it to fulfill His purposes in your life?


Day 2: Unwavering Loyalty and Commitment
Ruth's story is a powerful testament to faithfulness and love. Her decision to stay with Naomi, embrace a new people, and adopt Naomi's God demonstrates a deep commitment that transcends personal comfort and security. Ruth's actions teach us the importance of steadfast love and loyalty, even when faced with uncertainty and adversity. Her unwavering dedication to Naomi and her willingness to embrace a new life serve as a model for us to follow in our relationships and faith journey. [05:26]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where you can demonstrate greater loyalty and commitment. What steps can you take today to show steadfast love in that relationship?


Day 3: The Redeemer's Role in Restoration
The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is central to the Book of Ruth, and Boaz's role as a redeemer foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ. Boaz's actions not only redeem Ruth and Naomi but also point to the greater redemption that Jesus offers to all of humanity. Just as Boaz restored what was lost for Ruth and Naomi, Jesus redeems us, bringing us into God's family and restoring our brokenness. This narrative invites us to reflect on the redemptive work of Christ in our own lives and the hope we have in Him as our ultimate redeemer. [06:09]

"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 and restoration. How can you invite Jesus, your ultimate redeemer, into that area today?


Day 4: Embracing God's Inclusive Grace
Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus highlights the inclusivity of God's plan. Despite being a foreigner and an outsider, Ruth becomes an integral part of the lineage of Christ, demonstrating that God's grace transcends racial and social boundaries. This story encourages us to embrace diversity and recognize that God's grace is available to all who believe, regardless of their background. It challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards inclusivity and to extend God's grace to those around us. [07:32]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your community who may feel like an outsider. How can you extend God's inclusive grace to them today?


Day 5: Understanding the Bigger Picture of Redemption
The Book of Ruth is not just a story of moral lessons but a crucial part of God's redemptive plan. It points to the coming of King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, emphasizing that our lives are part of a larger narrative of redemption. This perspective invites us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and recognize the broader story of God's work in the world. We are encouraged to trust that our lives have purpose and meaning within God's grand narrative of redemption. [08:14]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how your current life circumstances fit into God's larger narrative of redemption. How can you align your daily actions with His redemptive purposes?

Quotes

The story of Ruth is about a Jewish Family an Israelite family that during a famine moves out of Israel to Moab in order to survive and when they're there the two sons are and they grow up and they marry moabite women but then disaster happens and not only is the uh the the father of the family does he die but both the sons die and that leaves Naomi the mother and wife alone with two moabite daughter-in-laws. [00:01:38]

Naomi has another daughter-in-law named Ruth who's yes she's a moabitus but she says I want to stay with you I love you and your people will be my people and your God will be my God and so she comes back with Naomi and they are living in total poverty and they have no family but what ends up happening is Ruth accidentally as it were uh starts to go out to glean the way poor people did the way poor people in in Israel were allowed to go and and glean uh grain out of the uh fields. [00:02:54]

The key to the entire story is the fact that according to Israelite law a Kinsmen Redeemer was was a near relative of somebody who died Naomi's husband and and he was able then to buy the land that she that belonged to Naomi's husband at a pretty great price but then ordinarily uh the Kinsmen Redeemer would also have to marry the wife of the dead person and the children of that man of the wife that would come out would not be in the man's name but in the name of the dead person. [00:03:41]

Boaz decides to do this for Ruth and for Naomi and as a result he redeems them he marries Ruth they have children and one of the children is uh the grand the grandfather of David the king so now what's all this mean okay number one this story is wonderful because it talks about how God's in charge of everything that even things that look like accidents this is God working number two it tells us that Ruth was just a faithful loving woman who just did the right thing just did the right thing and it turned out great. [00:04:57]

Ruth and Naomi have a problem they are poor and they have no family Boaz comes in and he's able to put them into a family and bring Ruth into into uh who was excluded because she was a foreigner into um the in into a family uh and that's really really wonderful but guess what the way in which they did it brought the king of Israel in other words Ruth and Naomi were being redeemed but so was Israel because Israel as we know needed a king. [00:05:39]

Ruth is pointing forward to the ultimate Kinsmen Redeemer Jesus Christ who because he became a human being is in a sense our Kinsmen but because he went to the Cross is Our Redeemer and so because she was the great grandmother of David ends up being one of the mothers of Jesus and in Jesus genealogy in the in in Matthew chapter one you see Ruth is one of the people that brought Jesus Christ into the world as it were. [00:07:16]

What we really like about the the genealogy there is when you you see Ruth who was an outsider she was a racial outsider yet she's brought on in and she becomes one of the mothers of Jesus so it doesn't matter your race it doesn't matter you uh you know Rahab is also in the genealogy she was a prostitute right so it doesn't matter your record it doesn't matter your race if you believe if you put your faith in the god of Israel then God can work through you and you can be part of God's family. [00:07:57]

The way we need to all be redeemed is we put into a family so you've got to be careful not to just look at Ruth as a Kind of Wonderful moralistic story about how you know we just love one another and be faithful but you have to see that Ruth was actually being used by God to move the storyline along to bring David and who points to the ultimate King Jesus Christ. [00:08:02]

It's pretty easy to read the book of Ruth the way you would read an esop's fable just a great story of faithfulness and virtue on the part of Ruth and not to see how it fits into the storyline because what we're trying to do in in every one of these books is ask the question what's the book about how does it fit into the storyline of the Bible and move that storyline along how does it point to the gospel of grace and how does it actually point us to Jesus himself. [00:01:03]

Ruth was actually being used by God to move the storyline along to bring David and who points to the ultimate King Jesus Christ. It's very easy to miss that with the Book of Ruth because it's so attractive in so many ways how so well as you know the story of Ruth is about a a Jewish Family an Israelite family that during a famine moves out of Israel to Moab in order to survive and when they're there the two sons are and they grow up and they marry moabite women. [00:01:47]

Boaz comes in and he's able to put them into a family and bring Ruth into into uh who was excluded because she was a foreigner into um the in into a family uh and that's really really wonderful but guess what the way in which they did it brought the king of Israel in other words Ruth and Naomi were being redeemed but so was Israel because Israel as we know needed a king that's the last thing we read at the end of the Book of Judges so if you read judges the last thing it says is it's not going to work unless we have a king. [00:06:06]

Ruth is pointing forward to the ultimate Kinsmen Redeemer Jesus Christ who because he became a human being is in a sense our Kinsmen but because he went to the Cross is Our Redeemer and so because she was the great grandmother of David ends up being one of the mothers of Jesus and in Jesus genealogy in the in in Matthew chapter one you see Ruth is one of the people that brought Jesus Christ into the world as it were and what we really like about the the genealogy there is when you you see Ruth who was an outsider she was a racial outsider yet she's brought on in and she becomes one of the mothers of Jesus. [00:07:16]

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Transcript
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