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Godly Women of Devotion
Ruth: Gracious Caring

Ruth 1:1-20 (Monday)
“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband." Then she kissed them and they wept aloud and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."” (NIV)
1) Do you feel Naomi and her husband made the right choice in leading their family out of Bethlehem (House of Bread) into the land of Moab, even during a season of such terrible famine? Others appeared to have stuck it out (Ruth 1:6). What do you think might have been the driving force behind their leaving Judah?
2) One Bible commentator stated that, “It is better to starve in the will of God, than to eat the enemy’s bread!” This is so true! Our fear that God cannot satisfy, or that God is not able, or that God will not be faithful is very thing that drives us away from Him and leads us down that deadly path of trying to meet or satisfy our own needs! Fear is only the byproduct of a deeper sin—unbelief! Have you ever experienced those same fears, those same doubts? Please share.
3) While this story primarily focuses on young Ruth, as we study this week’s lesson, let’s not skip over how God graciously moves in the life of Naomi (her name means pleasantness!) If we fail to plunge into her struggles and rejoice at her leaps of faith—her ultimate triumph and blessing, we will certainly miss rich evidences of God’s mercy and grace!
4) The book of Ruth is a love story—a story of God’s love for us! As we read through this week’s lesson, my prayer is that we will be able to “have eyes that see” how God’s foreknowledge, purpose and plan for our lives can never be interpreted as a matter of mere chance! Beloved, please know that no detail of your life is missed by our God! Not one tear, not one moment of your pain escapes our Father’s notice! God is not in any way limited by our fears, our doubts, our mistakes or even our failures! No! God is more than able to take our poor choices, our greatest sorrows and turn them into our greatest victories! He is El Roi—the One Who Sees Us!
5) I don’t believe that this family intended to stay in Moab very long—just until the famine passed. The Moabites were Israel’s enemy! But, we can see how sometimes wrong choices can end up costing us dearly! Naomi and her husband dwelt in Moab long enough for their sons to marry and long enough for all three women to become widows—quite a lengthy and costly sojourn! Naomi does appear to have been at a very carnal (unspiritual) season of her life, but as we read through this week’s lesson we will see that Naomi had to have exhibited strength and faith enough to make a powerful impact and dramtic change in the life of one pagan Moabite woman, Ruth! And, seeing that impact, I believe, went a long way in furthering to build up Naomi’s own faith and hope in God!
6) Was Naomi returning to Bethlehem to seek out her God, or food for her belly?
7) What was Naomi thinking? Sending her daughter-in-laws back among pagans? Yes, not being too spiritually minded there! What does James 2:14-17 say about seeing to the needs of others when it is within our power to do so? What type of need did these Moabite women have?
8) Now, what do we know about this land of Moab? Read Genesis 19, especially verses 27-37. What a way to start a nation! Some other facts about Moab:
a) Moabites, though descendants of righteous Lot (2 Peter 2:4-9), practiced divination and sorcery. At one point, their king sought to have curses brought down upon the people of Israel (Numbers 22-24!) Israel, of course, are the descendants of righteous Abraham—Lot’s uncle!)
b) Israel bedded with Moabite women and were led into even further spiritual prostitution with the pagan god, Baal (Numbers 25!) (Here we go again with that womanly influence we can yield!)
c) God’s law specifically denied fellowship of the Moabites with the Israelites to the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3!)
d) Moses died and was buried by God Himself in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy 34:5!)
i) True, the Moabites were an ungodly people, yet for the sake of Lot, they were given an inheritance by God. As Israel was being prepared to enter into their promise land, God forbade the Israelites to harass the Moabites (Deuteronomy 2:9.) Oh, yes, God gave this same command for the other ill-conceived son of Lot! See Deuteronomy 2:19. Talk about God’s mercy and grace! What a Savior!
Ruth 1:11-18 (Tuesday)
“But Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me--even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons-- would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!" At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” (NIV)
1) Oh, how we can wrongly interpret God’s intentions! Why did Naomi see her life as bitter and not blessed? What was the truth? (See Friday’s Scripture passage!) Have you ever misjudged God in a particular circumstance in your life? Share.
2) Take careful notice that Naomi offers her daughters no hope of providing another husband for them from her family lineage! Oh, this is key! The law does make special provision for the brother of a woman’s husband to marry the widow and raise up a child in his dead brother’s name and to retain the property for the family. If it was not possible for a brother to redeem the wife and property, the “duty” or “honor” (depending on how one looked at it) fell to the closest kinsman. The purpose behind this law was that no family name would die out in all of Israel and that the land and property would not fall into unscrupulous hands. Again, at this point, Naomi offers no hope to her daughters!
3) Let’s take a deeper look into this law regarding a kinsman redeemer:
a) The laws that provided for the continuation of the family name and property are found Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and Leviticus 25:23-34. The rights to Elimelech’s (Naomi’s husband) property would naturally fall to his sons and down to the daughters-in-law or back to Naomi, but apparently the property carried a hefty mortgage or some type of lien. Neither Naomi or Ruth was able to redeem, or purchase back the property. Therein, lies the delimna--hence the need for a kinsman redeemer! Oh, not just anyone could step in to take on this responsibility. If one wished to redeem both Ruth and her property, he must be the nearest kinsman (Leviticus 25:25), and he must have the means and ability to pay the price in order to redeem back the property in full! But, I think most importantly, he must be willing!
b) Can you think of any reason why this would have to be a totally selfless act on the part of the kinsman redeemer?
c) What are some possible reasons a near kinsman might not want to take on such a responsibility?
4) Orpah loved Naomi and was truly saddened, yet she leaves without much of a struggle. What do you think was her reasoning or motive(s)?
5) Many have quoted these verses (vs. 16-17) to one anther as part of their marriage vows. Yet, these words were actually spoken by the daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law! Wow! What on earth lead to such devotion?
6) Ruth wanted Naomi’s God to be her God and Naomi’s people to be her people. Ruth had many gods and people of her own? What’s going on here?
7) I guess this is where I see that while Naomi may have allowed herself to become spiritually numb, but she was definitely not spiritually dead—her light had to be shining! Who did Ruth call upon to “deal with her” if anything but death separated she and Naomi? Naomi had been light indeed!
a) Mothers-in laws—what steps are you taking to build a meaningful, rewarding and lasting relationship with your daughter(s)-in law? For that matter, your son(s)-in laws?
b) Daughters-in-law—what steps are you taking to build a meaningful, rewarding and lasting relationship with your mother-in-law?
8) Whether you are a mother-in-law or a daughter-in-law, please read Titus 2:3-5. What woman among us wouldn’t benefit from the wisdom and experience of a God-fearing woman! Oh, be that woman!
a) Do you have to be mature in years to fulfill the role of an older woman training up a younger woman? Explain your reasoning!
9) Is there anything or anyone in your life that you would cling to as strongly as Ruth did? This verse reminds me of how Mary Magdalene clung to Jesus after He was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:1-9 and John 20:17!)
Ruth 2:1-7 (Wednesday)
“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter." So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back. Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?" The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, `Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter."” (NIV)
1) I know verse 1 tells us that Boaz is Naomi’s kinsman, but remember, at this point, Ruth does not know this! That’s not the reason for Ruth gleaming in his fields! Ruth was hoping to be able to glean enough wheat for her beloved mother-in-law and herself— the most basic essential for life—bread! This was backbreaking work, but it meant survival for these women--they were destitute! Read Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19 which shows us how God makes provision for widows, orphans and the poor!
2) Why this field? Why this man? “As it turned out”—right! Oh, I pray you know that nothing, absolutely nothing happens by chance! God’s predestined plan is already in motion for each of us—just as it was for Naomi, Ruth and Boaz! God is a God of purpose! God worked all things for the good of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz and, as I mentioned, for you and me, too!
3) What type of man does this passage tell us Boaz was?
4) Oh, young Ruth catches Boaz’ eye! Do you think this was just merely a physical attraction?
5) What can we learn about young Ruth from verses 5-7?
6) What does Ruth’s work ethic tell you about her character?
Ruth 2:8-12 (Thursday)
“So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled." At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me--a foreigner?" Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (NIV)
1) We see that Boaz is already putting a “covering” or shield of protection and concern around Ruth—no other field, stay with the girls (don’t work alone) and drink whenever you thirst! Do you think this graciousness was a common practice for Boaz?
2) Do you see Ruth’s humility—bowing and referring to herself as a foreigner to Israel? Do you see our relationship with Jesus in any of this? If so, explain.
3) You can just imagine how word of Naomi and Ruth had spread through that community. Naomi bringing home a Moabite! Do you think that type of gossip may have been why Naomi tried to send Ruth away? Remember, Israelites and Moabites were not to mix! What would this have been evidence of in Naomi’s life?
4) Did Boaz seem at all concerned that Ruth was not of Jewish descent? What does he mention that he had heard about Ruth? What impressed Boaz most about what he had heard regarding Ruth?
5) Under whose wings do you take refuge?
Ruth 4:13-17 (Friday)
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (NIV)
1) Well, you really need to read this whole book, because unfortunately, there was an even closer kinsman! Thankfully, for Ruth, Boaz and Naomi, he was unwilling! Here’s what this week’s commentary has to say about that kinsman:
“The other kinsman was willing to buy the land until he learned that Ruth was a part of the transaction, and then he backed out. His explanation was that, in marrying Ruth, he would jeopardize his own inheritance. If he had a son by Ruth, and that son were his only surviving heir, Mahlon’s property and part of his own estate would go to Elimelech’s family. The fact that Ruth was a Moabitess may also have been a problem to him. (Both Mahlon and Chilion had married Moabite women and died!)
Boaz was undoubtedly relieved when his relative stepped aside and opened the way for Ruth to become his wife. It’s worth noting that the nearer kinsman tried to protect his name and inheritance; but we don’t even know what his name was or what happened to his family! Boaz took the risk of love and obedience, and his name is written down in Scripture and held in honor. “He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17, nkjv).”
2) Naomi had named herself Mara (Ruth 1:20) which means bitter! Now look at her! A daughter, a son and a grandson on her lap! How blessed! So, we too are blessed through this happy family. You see Jesus Christ is a descendant of Obed. This same Jesus, son of David—rightful heir to the throne of earth and heaven! Yes, Jesus descendant of a Moabite and an Israelite! Jew and Gentile! Glory to God! Amen!
3) I love this story because to me it is a beautiful picture of Christ and his bride, the church. As sinners, we are foreigners to our God. We are spiritually poor, with no Bread of Life to sustain us! Our lives are bankrupt and we have no hope on our own of redeeming ourselves, but, because of God’s rich mercy and grace—we too, have a kinsman redeemer! Christ Jesus was and still is willing and more than able to pay the high price to redeem us back and He did so at the cross—shedding His blood for you and me! Oh, accept His gracious offer of “covering” and hide in the shadow of His wings! You are His beloved!