Grace and Hope in the Book of Ruth The story of Ruth is like a rose among thorns. It follows the Book of Judges, and the events took place during that most desperate of times. In fact, it begins with a famine. It also shows us that despite the last verse of Judges (“everyone did what was right in their own eyes”), there were still some who followed the Lord, some who God could use to work out his purposes for mankind. Chapter 1 – God’s grace to Naomi Read verses 1-7 Naomi’s family moved to Moab because there was a famine in Israel. She followed her husband there, but sadly he and her two sons died in Moab, leaving her with two daughters-in-law. It could be said that everything they did was wrong: leaving Israel, intermarrying with the “enemy”, finding their own way to solve their problems. But, in his GRACE, God can still use us when we make mistakes. In this case, as Naomi and Ruth returned to Israel, God was going to (indirectly) use Ruth to bring the nation back on track. Read verses 16-19: Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but Ruth declaring her love for Naomi and for God, decided to go to Israel with Naomi. Naomi is an example to us of still maintaining a testimony when absolutely everything has gone, even though she felt bitter and let down. God showed his grace in Ruth’s conversion. Naomi would have been dis-graced had she returned to Israel with a Moabite daughter-inlaw. But Ruth was a convert who had embraced the Israelite faith. Culturally, it was impossible for a woman to exist without a husband or father to provide for her, and the law made provision for this. It was important that Ruth believed and came under the Law – as will be seen later. Q. In what ways did God show his grace to Naomi?
Chapter 2 – God’s grace in Provision through Boaz Read verses 4-9: God, in his grace was already working. There was now no famine in Israel. God, in his grace, had already made provision for such as Ruth, in the Law: Leviticus 19:9,10 – “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest … leave them for the poor and foreigner. I am the Lord your God.” When Ruth set foot in the field, Boaz just happened to arrive. His “coincidental” arrival was all part of God’s gracious provision. In this story, Boaz was a man who portrayed and typified God’s grace. a) Ruth was less than a servant, but Boaz noticed her and spoke an order of protection and provision over her (v9). b) Boaz showed her kindness and called her daughter (v8) c) He showed her favouritism (14) and gave her a sense of worth. As gentiles, we are undeserving foreigners too. But God lifts us up and shares his grace with us – praise His Name. Read verse 20: Naomi explained to Ruth the Jewish Law of Guardian Redemption. 6