One of the most important short stories of all time, the book of Ruth, can show us many things about our life and God’s plan for it.
Our text in this study is: Ruth 1:1-2
Series: The Gleaning Lady
Gene Pensiero Jr
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Welcome to our study in the Old Testament book of Ruth. In this first episode of our Bible study series, we begin with an overview of the book and a careful examination of the first two verses of chapter one. Join us as we explore the rich meaning and lasting lessons within this biblical story.
The book of Ruth is an incredible story of faith, redemption, and loyal love. Often seen as a simple love story or a “chick flick,” we’ll discover that this short book is a powerful part of Holy Scripture filled with instruction for every season of life. It’s for men and women, for the faithful, and for those seeking to return to God. We see God’s providence at work alongside human obedience in the lives of three key characters: Naomi, the bitter widow who finds her way back to God; Ruth, the Moabitess who gives up everything to follow the Lord; and Boaz, the godly man who acts as their redeemer.
This study focuses on the setting of the story. The book of Ruth is set in the “time of the judges,” a dark and chaotic period in Israel’s history where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This setting makes the faith of Ruth and Boaz shine even brighter. In this challenging time, we find a family—Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons—leaving their home in Bethlehem (“the breadbasket”) due to a famine. This is a crucial decision, as they leave their inheritance and community to seek provision in Moab. We’ll see how this move, which they rationalize as a temporary sojourn, becomes a permanent settlement.
This first lesson from the book of Ruth teaches us a powerful truth: rationalizing our disobedience to God’s leading can lead to disaster. As we follow along in this story, we will learn about God’s faithfulness, even when people stray. We’ll also discover the biblical provisions for the destitute and outsiders, which reveal a side of the Law that is full of grace and mercy. The book of Ruth shows us that God’s loving-kindness, or hesed, is a lifestyle for believers.
In this series, we will explore the themes of salvation, redemption, and Jesus Christ as our Kinsman-Redeemer. The story is about how God can redeem a family and, ultimately, redeem all families through His people. Ultimately, we’ll see how Ruth, a gentile, becomes the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
We invite you to join us on this journey through the book of Ruth. We hope this series helps you grow in your understanding of the Bible, strengthen your relationship with Jesus, and learn how to apply these timeless truths to your own life. Whether you are a long-time Christian or just starting to explore Christianity, this series is for you.
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