It is the faith of a foreigner Ruth that shines amidst spiritual dryness. Ruth, eventually becomes the daughter-in-law of Rahab (another foreigner) forming the godly line that Kings (including Jesus) emanate.
Hear Audio
Snapshot
- Ruth – a background
- Accountability and Perception
- Discussion
- Accountability and Choice
- Accountability and Attitude
- Discussion
Ruth – A Background: Names and Story Line
The meaning of people’s names in the story reflects some truths:
- Elimelech -God is king
- Naomi –Pleasant
- Marah – Bitter
- Mahlom – Sickly
- Chilom – Failing
- Ruth – Friendship
- Orphah – Stubborn/Stiff
- Boaz – Swift Strength
- Bethlehem – House of Bread.
Ruth – A Background: Moabitess
- Their origin – Genesis 19: 36,37. Moab sounds like the Hebrew for “from father”.
- Their condemnation – Deuteronomy 23:3. Cursed upto 10 generations. Ruth was the 8th
- “Ruth, the Moabitess” is mentioned 6 times in the short book.
Ruth – Fast Forward: Geneology
Genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew
|
Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah & Tamar Perez Hezron Ram |
Amminadab Nahshon Salmon & Rahab Boaz & Ruth Obed Jesse David & Bathsheba |
Solomon & Naamah Rehoboam Abijam Asa Jehosaphat Jehoram Uzziah |
Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah Manasseh Amon Josiah Jeconiah |
Shealtiel Zerubbabel Abiud Eliakim Azor Zadok Achim |
Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph & Mary Jesus |
- What was Ruth’s direct experience with this Jewish family?
- What was the basis of Ruth’s choice
The driver of Ruth’s choice was Accountability To God
Ruth: Accountability to God
Some verses which reflect Ruth’s accountability to God are:
- Ruth 1:17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.
- Ruth 2:11,12 ‘Boaz replied,… “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”’
Accountability to God Transforms
- PERCEPTION (What you see)
- ATTITUDE (What you think and feel)
- CHOICES (What you decide)
- ACTIONS (What you do)
Accountability and Perception-Discussion
In the book of Ruth, what are the perceptions of Orpah, unknown kinsman, Ruth, Boaz, Naomi. Share.
References:
- Elimelech: Judges 21:25, Ruth 1:2,3
- Orpah: Ruth 1:9-13
- Unknown kinsman: Ruth 4:2-6
- Naomi: Ruth 1:20
- Boaz: Ruth3:10-14
- Ruth: Ruth 2:12
Accountability and Perception
- Orpah saw her widowhood, famine, a dead hope and a old widowed mother in law.
- The unknown kinsman saw a moabitess, a widow and a lost inheritance
- Naomi sees her emptiness and abandonment by God
Accountability and Perception
Ruth sees her accountability to God, a loving mother in law and a heritage with God’s people.
Boaz saw a devoted lady, a woman of noble character, a relative and a great heritage
Ruth: Accountability and Choices
- Contrast Ruth’s choices with other choices made – Elimelech, his sons, etc.
- Who were they accountable to?
How can we demonstrate accountability to God in:
- Big decisions?
- Daily choices?
Accountability and Choices
Accountability and Attitude, Action – Gods Response
|
Ruth’s Attitude |
Ruth’s Action |
God’s Response |
|
Humbles herself |
Gives herself completely to work as a poor gleaner Risks rape, abuse |
God leads her to a field where she will be cared for and protected |
|
Serves her mother in law |
Works for her Cooks for her |
God gives her a saviour in Boaz |
|
Obeys without question |
Spends the night in Boaz’s barn Asks him to “cover” her |
God gives her a new life and makes her part of a royal heritage |
Recap:Accountability to God Transforms
Accountability can transform your life by transforming:
- PERCEPTION (What you see)
- ATTITUDE (What you think and feel)
- CHOICES (What you decide)
- ACTIONS (What you do)
Video Clip:Perception
I learned in an extremely hard way that the accountability falls with me.Stephen Baldwin
References
- Ruth: Choices and Decision Making – Anand Pillai