Podcast: Play in new window
~Class Notes
NAOMI and RUTH:
The topic of this study is “influence”. Before we get started today, I think it’s important that we stop for a minute and ask ourselves: What is influence? What does it mean to you?
Let’s begin today by reading Ruth 1:1-2.
In these verse we learn five important things:
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. We are introduced to Elimelech and his family: wife (Naomi), son#1 (Mahlon), and son #2 (Chilion).
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
NOTE: The Moabites worshipped a god named Chemosh. The name Chemosh means “destroyer” or “fish god”. He was their chief deity, but Numbers 25:2 suggests that they may have also worshipped other false gods.
Read Ruth 1:3. What happened?
Let’s continue by reading Ruth 1:4.
Naomi’s sons married ________________________________________________.
We are told in verse 4 that one wife was named ___________________ and the other was named _______________. We also learn that they, along with Naomi and her sons, lived in _______________ for about _________________________.
Read Ruth 1:5-18. So what happened?
Ruth, whose name means __________________________, was determined to _________________________________________, regardless of the situation and the personal cost.
In verses 16-17, we hear Ruth’s ____________________________, and her pledge to be with Ruth and God’s people. She was committing herself to _____________.
Taking Ruth home with her would bring new challenges.
Challenge #1: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Challenge #2: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Read Ruth 1:19-22.
After __________________ in Moab, Naomi returned home to people who ________________________________ and ______________________________. She replied (in verse 20), “ Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ”
The name Naomi means _________________.
Mara means _________________.
Naomi and Ruth had returned to Bethlehem at the _________________________.
Read Ruth 2:1-7.
Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had a wealthy relative named _________________.
Notes on these verses:
Reference Leviticus 19:9-10… and then 23:22. Notes on these verses:
Ruth saw the necessity of _______________________________ and obtained Naomi’s permission to _____________________________.
When Boaz asked the lead servant about her, the servant replied, “ She is the young _______________________ who returned with ________________ from the ___________________________ .”
Read Ruth 2:8-16. Notes on these verses: Let’s see what happens.
Read Ruth 2:17-23.
NOTE: An ephah of barley would be enough to sustain Ruth and Naomi for ___________________, possibly more. An ephah was approximately ______________ as much as a gleaner could hope to gather on a good day. When Naomi learned that is was Boaz who had helped Ruth, and she knew immediately that they had been _______________________________________.
In verse 20, Naomi describes Boaz as ____________________________________.
NOTE: The Hebrew word for “one of our closest relatives” is ____________. The term means that he is much more than just a simple “kinsman”. In fact, Old Testament scholars often use the term “kinsman-redeemer” in its place .
Read Ruth 3:1-13.
Ruth stayed in Boaz’s fields until the ____________________________________, as instructed by Naomi.
The name Boaz means _______________________________________________.
Naomi instructed Ruth on what to do. Her plan did NOT follow Jewish customs.
Ruth was to:
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
6. Wait for him to tell you what to do.
NOTE: In verse 13, Boaz uses the phrase ____________________________, which was the most solemn, binding oath an Israelite could make.
Read Ruth 3:14-4:6 What happened? ___________________________________
NOTE: The city gate was the place for important assemblies. It was also the place where legal business transactions could be publicly made. The goel would be responsible for ______________________________________.
Initially, the other relative agreed to ________________________, thus taking the property. But when he found out that the deal also included ________________, everything changed.
The unnamed relative gave up his right to become the goel, and _______________________________________________________________.
A formal contract was then publicly sealed in the customary fashion: the relative ___________________________________ and gave it to _________________, effectively granting Boaz the right to ____________________________________.
Read Ruth 4:9-10. Redemption at last.
Read Ruth 4:13-17.
“Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may His name become famous in Israel. May He also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, have given birth to him. ” (4:14-15)
Ruth’s story is a redemption reminder for all believers. First a sinner, then redeemed and brought into a position of favor, endowed with great riches and privilege, exalted to be a part of our Savior’s family, and deeply loved. And just look at the long-term influence she had on so many… both then, and now!
~Homework
For a printed copy of the notes above and some personal homework and reflection Click Here.
