Ruth is a book about love and loyalty to our Father in heaven and our family on earth. It is one of the best books for a new small group to study because it gives an overview of the Old Testament history as well as points to our Savior Jesus Christ. Here are some of my notes for a brief introduction of Ruth.
BIG IDEA
When you work for God, God works for you.
KEY VERSE
Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.” (Ruth 4:14, New Living Translation[ref]Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015.[/ref])
AUTHOR
The author of the book of Ruth is not revealed, but the Talmud says that it was Samuel. Whomever wrote it, we don’t know for sure.
DATE
The events of the book take place “in the days when the judges ruled in Israel” (Ruth 1:1). That time period was 1350-1300 B.C.. But the book likely was written under the rule of King David (1010-970 B.C.) or King Solomon (970-930 B.C.).
AUDIENCE
The book of Ruth was written to the nation of Israel to describe David’s family background.
OUTLINE
- WEEPING (chapter 1)
- Because of No Food and No Husbands (1:1-5)
- Because of No Family Connections (1:6-18)
- Because of No Future (1:19-22)
- WORKING (chapter 2)
- [Ruth] To Provide for Themselves (2:1-3)
- [Boaz] To Find out Who Ruth Is (2:4-7)
- [Boaz] To Provide for Ruth (2:8-16)
- [Naomi] To Find Out Who Helped Them (2:17-23)
- WISHING (chapter 3)
- For a Good Permanent Home (3:1-7)
- For a Good Response from Boaz (3:8-15)
- For a Good Result (3:16-19)
- WORSHIPPING (chapter 4)
- Looking for the [man] Family Redeemer (4:1-2)
- Listening to the [man] Family Redeemer (4:3-6)
- Living as the [Boaz] Family Redeemer (4:7-12)
- Loving the [God] Family Redeemer (4:13-22)
THEMES
1. Hard work.
Ruth takes initiative to provide for her family (2:2-3) and she works hard throughout the book (2:7, 11, 15-23; 3:3-15).
2. Redemption.
Boaz is the early vessel God uses as a redeemer. See “family redeemer” (2:20; 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8), “redeem” (3:13, 4:4, 6) and “redeemer” (4:14).
3. Providence
A famine came on the land (probably because of disobedience by the people) on Israel (1:1). When Ruth went out to work she just “happened” to end up in Boaz’s field who was the family redeemer (2:3). When Boaz went to the gate to find the family redeemer, Ruth’s relative “just then” showed up (4:1).
PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1. Work in every circumstance.
Regardless of where you find yourself in life, live out your faith. Work for God and work for your family. Don’t sit. Stay busy and do ministry.
2. Trust God in every circumstance.
Life as a Christian means difficulty and trouble because we live in a fallen world. So when trouble comes and there are hard times, trust God will be faithful to get you through it.
For Further Study of the Book of Ruth I Suggest These Books
