1.

Think about what Naomi asked Ruth to do in verses 1-4. What do the expressions “find a home for you” and “Is not Boaz…a kinsman of ours” suggest about the purpose Naomi had in mind for the marriage?  What can we learn from Naomi? (2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 9:15, 25:1)

** The purpose is to fulfill God’s redemptive purpose, that is, producing [spiritual] children who would serve God’s kingdom purpose fully.

** 1) Marriage serves God’s purpose as it is described in Genesis 1:26-28. 

2) We need to pray to build up house churches among believing couples. 

3) Like the Apostle Paul, we need to teach the Bible and pray that each of our Bible students would come to meet Jesus and be united into a blessed relationship with Him. 

2.

Consider what Ruth did in verses 5-9.  In what ways was this not easy for her?  Yet, why did she do it? What can we learn from her?

** It departs from the more popular way of finding (or “catching” if you will) a marriage partner such as dating or chatting. 

It also involves the danger of being misunderstood by many. 

** She did it simply because she trusted in God who is with Naomi and with those who put trust in Him. In addition she understood Naomi’s purpose, that is, to serve God’s redemptive purpose by maintaining the name of each person belonging to the family of God.

** We learn the importance of establishing God’s families through faith and obedience, with God’s purpose in mind, not just man’s fleshly purposes. We must repent of humanistic ideas about marriage which is based on fleshly things such as financial benefits or mental comforts.  

3. 

Read verses 10-15. What does this passage tell us about: 1) Boaz; 2) Ruth; and 3) their relationship before their marriage?    

** Boaz was a spiritual man who understood the spiritual purpose of marriage. He also exercised self-control. He had a keen sense of the moral value and nobility of a woman. He is also very sacrificial, considerate, and kind to the weak. He is also humble. 

** Ruth calls herself a “servant” girl, indicating that she did not consider herself more highly than she was before God. She was also a simple woman who was concerned about God’s will. She did not entertain all kinds of human thoughts that could have come to her mind. In many ways she reminds us of Mary the mother Jesus who simply obeyed God’s direction saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.” 

** The two must keep themselves pure. No cohabitation, no pre-trial, no premarital sex, etc. 

4. 

Upon hearing Ruth’s report, Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter…”  Ruth’s waiting period was just one day, but for some it could be a lot longer.  Why did Naomi ask Ruth to wait?  What can we learn from Naomi? (Romans 8:24-26; Matthew 25:1-13)

** She saw that Boaz was a righteous man, a man who is sincere, kind, and yet diligent. 

** Either one day or one century, waiting itself is never an easy thing to do. But if we have faith in the Lord whom we know is truly faithful, we can truly wait for the Lord to act. The Lord is faithful. He also loves each of us. He knows each person’s needs. And he does not abandon his flock. Although on many occasions it may seem that he is not concerned about us, he always works behind the scenes, making  sure that at God’s right time all things including the issue of marriage will be worked out seamlessly. 

We also learn then that we need to wait for the return of the Lord, for it is the time when we will know what it is to be in a perfect love relationship with Jesus Christ. 

5. 

Skim through Ruth 4:1-10 and compare Boaz with the kinsman redeemer who was first in line.  Why did the former refuse to exercise his right to redeem?  What does his response show about the sacrifice a redeemer makes?  What did Jesus do to redeem men from the power of sin and Satan? (Micah 6:3-5; Luke 1:68; 1 Peter 1:17-19; 1 Corinthians 5:7)  What can we learn from Boaz? (Philippians 2:7; 2 Timothy 4:6)

** He did not redeem not because he could not but because he did not. At first he said he would, but later he backed out, indicating that what he said, that is, “I cannot do it” is a lie; the truth is that although he is perfectly “able” [financially or otherwise] he decided not to do it, thinking that some terrible disaster (such as the one that hit Elimelech’s two sons) might happen to him, should he marry a Moabitess. This shows us that he is basically a self-seeking man; he is not concerned about other’s predicaments, nor their needs. 

** It shows us that unless one is willing to “endanger” one’s own estate (as well as all other interests of his own), one will not be able to work to redeem others’ from their own predicaments. 

** He gave his life. He endangered himself, even to the point of standing trial and all the terrible treatments all in our place. He took in his body all the insults and condemnations that were and are due to us. 

** We need to love others (our sheep) just as Jesus loved us. 

6.

In verses 11-12 the elders blessed Ruth, Boaz, and the offspring of their union.  What can we learn from them about the purpose of marriage?  

** They used the expression “built the house of Israel.” The house of Israel refers to more than just a Jewish nation. Rather it refers to the spiritual house where God chose to reveal himself, and use his people as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 

They understood this purpose of God found in marriage, and blessed Boaz’s decision accordingly.

7.

Verses 13-22 describe the fruit of Ruth and Boaz’s marriage, that is, Obed.  How is he related to: 1) David; and 2) the Savior of the world? (Matthew 1:1; 2:10)  What can we learn from this?

** Vs. 22; from the line of David came the Messiah, Jesus. 

** This conclusion reminds us of: 

1) What Jesus said in John 15:16 where Jesus expressed his purpose of calling each Christian to him, which is for him go out and bear fruit that lasts forever; and 

2) Romans 1:5, that is, through faith and obedience, we can bring people from among all Gentiles to the obedience hat comes through faith.