Lesson 2 - "Ruth"

(Please read all 4 chapters of Ruth) If at all possible, read it in two different translations for a better understanding.


"The book of Ruth gives us 'a realistic portrait of life with ist's struggles and tragedies, yet describes how the faith and faithfulness of godly people enable God to turn tragedy into triumph and defeat into redemption' (from the Full Life Study Bible (c) 1992 Life Publishers International)"

1. How did Ruth, a Moabite, end up being involved with a Jewish family?

2. After the death of her husband, Ruth was free to remarry among her own people. Instead, she chose to go along with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem. What do you believe influenced her decision?

3. In your own words, write out your perception of Ruth. Her character.

4. What was Ruth's attitude towards Naomi? Towards Boaz?

5. What was Boaz' attitude towards Ruth?

6. Reread Ruth 1:16 & 17, then read Matthew 10:39 and Ruth 4:13-17. Explain, please, how Jesus' words were proven true in Ruth's life.

HONEST REFLECTION: Have I laid things aside in my own life to humbly serve another? or have I hung on when I felt the Lord's gentle leading to let go? Be specific!Do I alow my love for the Lord to show by reaching out across the 'barriers'? (racial, financial, social, denominational)

7. In what ways did the Lord reward Ruth for her faithfulness?

8. What do you think is the significance of Ruth becoming the mother of Obed (father of Jesse, father of David?)

The following excerpts are from All the Women of the Bible, by Edith Deen: "By her perseverance and faithfulness, she had achieved the seemingly impossible. She had been lifted out of obscurity and poverty to influence and plenty." and "Love had worked the miracle in Ruth's life. She was beloved by all because she was so lovable. She had proved that love can lift one out of poverty and obscurity, love can bring forth a wonderful child, love can shed its rays, like sunlight, on all whom it touches, even a forlorn and weary mother-in-law. Ruth's love had even penetrated the barriers of race."

The following excerpt is from All the Women of the Bible, by Herbert Lockyer: "The firm decision of Ruth to follow Jehovah, and to completely identify herself with His people, brought her a rich reward when she became the ancestress of the Savior who came into the world to save idolaters and sinners of every race. With her surrender to the calims of God, Ruth's 'beauty of heart, generosity of soul, firmness of duty and meekness' were sanctified, and were used to place her winsome portrait among the immortals. There are thousands of Christian parents whose heavy load would be lifted if only their unsaved children would come home one day confessing 'Thy God shall be my God, thy people my people.' The miracle happened in the heathen heart of Ruth, and God is still the same today as when He won the young widow of Moab for Himself."

AFTERTHOUGHT: How is it possible for me to learn to walk in this kind of faithful obedience and service?

Proverbs 2:1-11   Proverbs 3:5 & 6   Matthew 6:25-34   Matthew 19:29 & 20:26    Jeremiah 29:11-13