Background: Written as a story between two major covenantal parts:
- Genesis – Judges: Abrahamic Covenant
- 1 Samuel – Kings: David Covenant
3 Purposes of Ruth (there are others)
- Kings
- Example of God’s laws
- Shows how God is involved in the day to day joys of our lives
The book of Ruth is read by Jewish people during the festival of Shavuot – when God gave the Israelites the Torah and the law. Why do you think this is?
Questions for this day?
Chapter 1 questions from last week:
- Why was Ruth shown special favor when she didn’t do anything overtly “spiritually faithful?”
- How old was Ruth?
- What do Naomi’s two names mean? Why didn’t anyone call her that?
- What kind of mother-in-law was Ruth that her two daughters-in-law loved her so?
- Why was the town disturbed at Naomi’s return?
- What made Naomi feel full when she left Bethlehem and empty when she returned?
- How did Naomi feel about having a Moabite daughter in law?
- Was it okay for Naomi’s sons to marry Moabie women?
- Was it wrong for Orpah to leave Naomi?
- Why did Naomi leave Moab?
- What is the connection of Bethlehem?
- What is an Ephrathite?
Moab?
Read and Discuss
Ruth 1 – mark it up!
Discussion Questions
- Can you relate to Elimelek’s desire to leave the troubled Bethlehem?
- As we are immigrants/child of immigrants, how do you view Ruth’s story?
- How do the different characters seem to feel about God?
- The Biblical concept of “Hesed”
- How do Naomi and Ruth reflect Hesed in chapter 1?
- How does Naomi and Ruth’s reflection of Hesed to each other show God’s Hesed to us?
- How do Naomi and Ruth reflect Hesed in chapter 1?
- What are God’s actions in chapter 1? What do the different characters say God’s actions are?
- What are some modern parallels to us that you note today?
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