1. Ruth 1-2 Faithful Living in Faithless Times

2. Recap Judges cycle: sin, servitude, salvation Judges cycle: sin, servitude, salvation The proof of discipline: God lifts His hand of restraint (Rom. 1:17f.) The proof of discipline: God lifts His hand of restraint (Rom. 1:17f.) How does God treat His faithful followers who live in a nation under His discipline? How does God treat His faithful followers who live in a nation under His discipline?

3. Ruth Ruth takes place during the time of the judges Ruth takes place during the time of the judges “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) Ruth and Boaz reveal God’s abundant grace in dark times Ruth and Boaz reveal God’s abundant grace in dark times Ruth and Boaz served the Lord faithfully, in spite of their sinful and idolatrous culture. Ruth and Boaz served the Lord faithfully, in spite of their sinful and idolatrous culture.

4. Ruth While God may discipline a nation, He can also bless the individuals in that nation who honor Him While God may discipline a nation, He can also bless the individuals in that nation who honor Him Daniel was not exempt from the exile but God blessed and used Daniel in Babylon Daniel was not exempt from the exile but God blessed and used Daniel in Babylon

5. Ruth A powerful love story A powerful love story God’s grace manifests itself through people God’s grace manifests itself through people God’s grace overcomes our fallen world God’s grace overcomes our fallen world The book teaches us about faithful living in faithless times because of the favor of the Lord The book teaches us about faithful living in faithless times because of the favor of the Lord

6. Ruth 1 : Act 1 – Tragedy and Loyalty Bethlehem = “house of bread” Bethlehem = “house of bread” Elimelech = “My God is king” Elimelech = “My God is king” Naomi = “pleasant” Naomi = “pleasant” Mahlon = “sick” or “sickly” Mahlon = “sick” or “sickly” Chilion = “dying” or “puny” Chilion = “dying” or “puny” Orpah = “stiff-necked” or “stubborn” Orpah = “stiff-necked” or “stubborn” Mr. Puny (Chilion) married Ms. Stubborn (Orpah) Mr. Puny (Chilion) married Ms. Stubborn (Orpah) Mr. Sick (Mahlon) married Ms. Comfort (Ruth) Mr. Sick (Mahlon) married Ms. Comfort (Ruth)

7. Ruth 1 : Act 1 – Tragedy and Loyalty Ephrathites were the upper-class of Bethlehem Ephrathites were the upper-class of Bethlehem This is a riches to rags story This is a riches to rags story Deut. 7:3-4 forbade Israelites from marrying foreigners so that they would not be tempted with idolatry (1:3-5) Deut. 7:3-4 forbade Israelites from marrying foreigners so that they would not be tempted with idolatry (1:3-5) Widows were physically, emotionally, and financially vulnerable Widows were physically, emotionally, and financially vulnerable

8. Ruth 1 : Act 1 – Tragedy and Loyalty Carrying on the family name was extremely important in this culture Carrying on the family name was extremely important in this culture It was the means of retaining the family’s land and inheritance (1:9) It was the means of retaining the family’s land and inheritance (1:9)

9. Ruth 1 : Act 1 – Tragedy and Loyalty Ruth shows great faith and takes the road of trusting God (1:16-17) Ruth shows great faith and takes the road of trusting God (1:16-17) Ruth is a conduit of God’s grace for Naomi Ruth is a conduit of God’s grace for Naomi Show kindness and God will reward you Show kindness and God will reward you Boaz will be Ruth’s reward for her kindness to Naomi Boaz will be Ruth’s reward for her kindness to Naomi

10. Ruth 1 : Act 1 – Tragedy and Loyalty Naomi can’t see that the answer to her prayers is right in front of her (1:18-21) Naomi can’t see that the answer to her prayers is right in front of her (1:18-21) Maintain an attitude of gratitude Maintain an attitude of gratitude Don’t let your circumstances dictate your theology Don’t let your circumstances dictate your theology

11. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl Boaz = “in him is strength” (2:1-3) Boaz = “in him is strength” (2:1-3) Mahlon = “sick” Mahlon = “sick” Ruth follows Proverbs in some Hebrew arrangements of the Old Testament Ruth follows Proverbs in some Hebrew arrangements of the Old Testament Ruth is a Proverbs 31 example – a virtuous woman Ruth is a Proverbs 31 example – a virtuous woman

12. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl Gleaners – poor people allowed to pick up leftovers after the reapers (2:1-3) Gleaners – poor people allowed to pick up leftovers after the reapers (2:1-3) She “happened” to go to Boaz’s field, a kinsman-redeemer She “happened” to go to Boaz’s field, a kinsman-redeemer Ordinary life is the glove that holds the sovereign hand of God Ordinary life is the glove that holds the sovereign hand of God God is the God of the ordinary God is the God of the ordinary

13. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl Naomi: “May the LORD deal kindly with you as you have dealt with those who have died and with me.” (Ruth 1:8) Naomi: “May the LORD deal kindly with you as you have dealt with those who have died and with me.” (Ruth 1:8) Ruth’s kindness is being rewarded by God through Boaz’s kindness (2:10) Ruth’s kindness is being rewarded by God through Boaz’s kindness (2:10) Boaz was obeying the Law of Moses (Lev. 19:9-10, 23:22; Deut. 24:19-22) Boaz was obeying the Law of Moses (Lev. 19:9-10, 23:22; Deut. 24:19-22)

14. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) God cares for His children as a hen protects her chicks (2:11-12) God cares for His children as a hen protects her chicks (2:11-12) God helps those who help other people God helps those who help other people

15. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25) The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25) One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. (Proverbs 19:17) One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. (Proverbs 19:17) “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42) “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

16. Ruth 2 : Act 2 – Boy Meets Girl A little kindness goes a long way A little kindness goes a long way Seek refuge in the Lord, under His wings Seek refuge in the Lord, under His wings Boaz will be the answer to his prayer (2:12) Boaz will be the answer to his prayer (2:12)

17. God Has “Two Hands” King David and Jesus Christ in His humanity, are descendants of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:16-22, Matt. 1:5-6) King David and Jesus Christ in His humanity, are descendants of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:16-22, Matt. 1:5-6) God used the Moabites to discipline Israel God used the Moabites to discipline Israel Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. (Judges 3:12) Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. (Judges 3:12)

18. God Has “Two Hands” God’s hand was against Israel for their idolatry and sin God’s hand was against Israel for their idolatry and sin God used the Moabites to discipline Israel God used the Moabites to discipline Israel But, God used a Moabite (Ruth) to bless Israel because this Moabite will be in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior and King of Israel But, God used a Moabite (Ruth) to bless Israel because this Moabite will be in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior and King of Israel

19. Ruth 1-2 Faithful living in faithless times is possible because of the favor of the Lord