History :The book of Ruth is a love story, yet also has some important Genealogy. The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the Judges. It was written about 1046-1035 B.C. Key personalities include Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.
Its purpose was to demonstrate the kind of love, and faithfulness that God desires for us. It shows the difference between what happens when a nation does not follow in obedience to the covenant of God (Judges), and when God’s people follow in faithfulness within the covenant (Ruth).
• In chapter 1, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband and in-laws. Naomi decides to return to her home land of Bethlehem alone, however, Ruth insists on staying with her and adopting Naomi’s God as her own. “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (1:16).
• Chapter 2 we see Ruth gleaning in the fields of Naomi’s relative Boaz. Boaz out of compassion and obedience to the law allows Ruth to glean but also leaves extra grain for her purposely.
• In chapter 3, Naomi encourages Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz as a kinsman redeemer. Ruth obeys Naomi and asks for her rights and Boaz agrees but mentions that he must first be sure there are no others with first rights.
• Chapter 4 Boaz and Ruth are married and Ruth conceives a son named Obed, the grandfather of the great King David, in the lineage of Christ our Messiah.
Wise Women of the Bible NAOMI and RUTH
Meanings of names for your Interest Ruth Contancy Naomi Pleasant Marah bitter Elimelech My God is King Mahlon Sickness Chillion Consumption Orpah tobe stiff necked Boaz Fleetness Judah Praise Yahweh Bethlehen Land of plenty or House of Bread Moab Of His father
The story of Ruth and Naomi is a very important story in the Bible as it is picture of of Salvation, and Boaz the Redeemer
( Bible reading in blue )In the days when judges led Israel— there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah left home to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The man’s name was Elimelech ; his wife’s name was Naomi; his sons were named Mahlon and Chilion—all Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They all went to the country of Moab and settled there.
Naomis DisCONTENT
Elimelech ,Naomi and their family were going through a tough time.There was a famine, however running away from the problem was not the answer . They left Judah and went to a place where God was not worshipped. Elimelech means “My God is King” yet when trouble came he left . In our lives its easy to run away from God when things are tough but God is always there for us and He brings us through and blesses us once more . For Naomi running away did not make make things better . In fact for Naomi’s family things got worse.At first it seemed good to get away from pressure but as time went on Naomi became empty inside.
3-5 Elimelech died and Naomi was left, she and her two sons. The sons took Moabite wives; the name of the first was Orpah, the second Ruth.
Naomi CONTINUEDThey lived there in Moab for the next ten years. But then the two brothers, Mahlon and Chilion, died. Now the woman was left without either her young men or her husband.6-7 One day she got herself together, she and her two daughters-in-law, to leave the country of Moab and set out for home; she had heard that God had blessed his people with plenty.
Naomi COMES HOMEAnd so she started out from the place she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law with her, on the road back to the land of Judah.
Naomi went through a very hard time but one day she heard how things were good in Judah and she decided to go back .She knew where to go .she had not forgotten God entirely She went to the place where she had been with Gods people. She was going back to the “Land of Bread and Praise”.She later says even though things we tough in Judah before she first left ,she had been “full compared to the emptiness she felt now. “
Naomi the CARING MOTHER IN LAW
8-9 After a short while on the road, Naomi told her two daughters-in-law, “Go back. Go home and live with your mothers. And may God treat you as graciously as you treated your deceased husbands and me. May God give each of you a new home and a new husband!” She kissed them and they cried openly.
10 They said, “No, we’re going on with you to your people.”
These girls respected Naomi but emotion alone would not see them through
11-13 But Naomi was firm: “Go back, my dear daughters. Why would you come with me? Do you suppose I still have sons in my womb who can become your future husbands? Go back, dear daughters—on your way, please! ….14 Again they cried openly. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye; but Ruth embraced her and held on.
Ruths CHOICE
15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back home to live with her own people and gods; go with her.”
Ruths COMMITMENT
16-17 But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”
This is dedication. Ruth had made up her mind decided to follow Naomi and Naomis God .Her faithful statement must have been a joy to Naomi. She must have learned from her husband and Naomi about God and his people and she was willing to leave everything else
We see that despite where she was her daughters in law still respected her and her God
18-19 When Naomi saw that Ruth had her heart set on going with her, she gave in. And so the two of them traveled on together to Bethlehem.
When they arrived in Bethlehem the whole town was soon buzzing: “Is this really our Naomi? And after all this time!”
20-21 But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi;(Pleasant friendly, agreeable, nice, likeable, easy going, lovely, good-humoured, personable, hospitable, approachable, good-natured, companionable); call me Marah (Bitter).
Interesting no one ever called her Marah they knew she was still the same person,she felt bitter , but she had come back to God and he would lovingly and tenderly heal her heart ,give her hope.The problems were not caused by God but she had gone her own way and suffered .God had wonderful plans for Naomi and for faithful Ruth
22 And so Naomi was back, and Ruth the girl from Moab with her, back from the country of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Harvest is a time of blessing and rejoicing
Ruth cared for Naomi and went out to glean in the fields, she just happened to end up in the field of Boaz . He showed her favour .
When Naomi found out she was excited,this man was a near relative and the custom was in those days that the nearest kinsman could take over the property of a deceased person and that would include his family . Boaz made enquiries but there was someone else who was a closer relative.Boaz paid the relative for the property and in doing so he was able to marry Ruth .
He had seen her faithfulness and now it was rewarded.
She not only did she follow Naomi but she married to Boaz . He was her redeemer. The bible says that Jesus paid for us with his death and we are his
The town women said to Naomi, “Blessed be God! He didn’t leave you without family to carry on your life. May this baby grow up to be famous in Israel! He’ll make you young again! He’ll take care of you in old age. And this daughter-in-law who has brought him into the world and loves you so much, why, she’s worth more to you than seven sons!”
Mathew 1 5 shows Ruth was chosen to be in geneology of Christ