1. Lesson 1

2. Setting During the times of the judges. Judges 17:6 There was no king in Israel. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. Probably at the beginning of the judges because Rahab is listed as Boaz’s mother and was probably alive Jericho, Rahab’s home, was the first city Israel conquered when they entered the land with Joshua Rahab RuthDavidJesus Joshua 2Judges(300+years)

3. Ruth 1 Elimelech moved his family to Moab due to a famine A famine in the land of Israel at that time would only be a result of Israel’s disobedience to the Law of God Moab’s origin: Lot’s incestual relationship Gen. 19:37 Vs. 11-13 refers to the Levirate law in Deut. 25:5-10 which explains the obligation of a brother to raise up a descendant for a dead brother to carry on his name. Genesis 38 Example of Judah and Tamar which was an ancestor of Naomi’s Naomi knew she needed a redeemer in her bitter situation

4. Ruth 2 Boaz is described as a man of great wealth Deut. 28:1-6 Wealth would come to a man of Israel if he were obedient to the Lord. The Lord Himself led Ruth to Boaz’s field to accomplish His purposes Ruth was hard working Boaz’s commands: Do not touch her v.s 9 Let her glean, do not insult her vs. 15 Pull out some grain, do not rebuke her vs. 16

5. Ruth 3 Relationship between Naomi and Ruth: Naomi instructed Ruth in how to follow the ways of her people. Ruth listened to and respected Naomi and worked to provide for her. Ez. 16:1-8 Ruth was asking Boaz to marry her Vs. 9 & 12 “Close relative” is the word “gaal” “To act as kinsman: to redeem; to avenge, do the part of a kinsman, ransom, deliver, to marry a childless widow of an older brother; redeem from difficulty or danger”

6. Ruth 4 Naomi needed to sell her land Nearest/ closest relative held the responsibility Marrying Ruth was not agreeable to him Boaz followed the law to the letter: honoring “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Boaz was an exception: he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The first child would become the heir of Naomi’s son, Mahlon, Ruth’s first husband.

7. Geneaology Perez ↓ Hezron ↓ Ram Amminadab (daughter Elisheba was the mother of Nadab and Abihu) Nahshon (leader of Judah, first to bring his offering to dedicate the altar) Salmon (married Rahab, a Gentile from Jericho) Boaz (married Ruth, a Gentile from Moab) Obed (Mahlon’s heir) Jesse (father of the second, and greatest king of Israel) David (a man after God’s own heart. One of his kin always on Israel’s throne)