Gospel Reflections from the Book of Ruth

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Check out this chart of Ruth for a broad overview of the book of Ruth. An author interestingly wrote and titled the book of Ruth as "Loving God Enough To Break The Rules." In this interview, another author explains how one can preach the gospel from the book of Ruth.

I'll start with a few gospel reflections from Ruth, with the Intro, Outline, and Content below.

• Noami experienced heart breaking loss, sorrow and bitterness which she interprets as God dealing with her for some sin (Ruth 1:13,20). But God encouraged her through Ruth's decision and confession to be with her unto death (Ruth 1:16,17). Thank God who does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10).


• Ruth was an "outsider" who had no possibility to ever be included and counted as an "insider." She was a Moabitess, and therefore excluded from the people of God (Deut 23:3). She cannot be welcomed into Israel, the people of God. But through Naomi's help and Boaz's generosity and love, she became a part of the family of God. Boaz becomes her redeemer (Ruth 2:20).


• The book began with bitterness for Noami and ended with blessing (Ruth 4:14,15).

Intro: Set in the period of the judges, the book of Ruth is the classic love story of the Bible. Unlike most books in the Bible, the story of Ruth is told from a woman's perspective, and it has a woman as the protagonist, and it gives attention to feminine values and feelings.

Ruth is a Moabite widow who married the Bethlehemite Boaz. She became an ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:17,22) and of the Messiah (Matt 1:1,5,6). This book highlights how God's people experience his sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. These often come disguised in hard circumstances and are mediated through the kindness of others.

Outline:

1. Introduction: Naomi Bereft of Family (Ruth 1:1-5)


2. Scene 1: Naomi Returns to Bethlehem with Ruth (Ruth 1:6-22)


3. Scene 2: Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field (Ruth 2:1-23)


4. Scene 3: Ruth, at the Threshing Floor, Asks Boaz to Marry Her (Ruth 3:1-18)


5. Scene 4: Boaz Arranges Redemption at the Gate (Ruth 4:1-12)


6. Conclusion: Naomi Blessed with a New Family (Ruth 4:13-27)


7. Genealogy: Extended Blessing (Ruth 4:18-22)

Content: In the period of the judges, Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons leave Bethlehem because of a famine to sojourn in Moab. Naomi's husband, Elimelech, dies there. Mahlon and Chilion, the sons, marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Ten years later the sons die too, leaving no children. Naomi is bereft of family (Ruth 1:1-5). Learning that the famine in Israel is over, she decides to return to Bethlehem; Orpah stays behind, but Ruth accompanies Naomi (Ruth 1:6-22). At harvest time, Ruth goes to glean in a field that happens to belong to Elimelech's relative, Boaz (Ruth 2:1-23). Naomi knows he is an eligible kinsman-redeemer. Following Naomi's daring plan, in a midnight encounter at the threshing floor Ruth boldly asks him, as a redeemer, to marry her (Ruth 3:1-18). After a closer kinsman refuses to take Ruth, Boaz redeems all the property of the deceased and marries Ruth (Ruth 4:1-12). They have a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-22).

Ruth's words in the book (as compared with Naomi's or Boaz's) are surprisingly few; the story, however, hangs on them. Ruth expresses her lifelong commitment to Naomi, “May the Lord do so to me … if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:17), which takes her from Moab to Judah. She resolves to provide for Naomi (“Let me go … and glean,” Ruth 2:2), which brings her from Bethlehem to Boaz's field. She invites Boaz to “spread your wings over your servant” (Ruth 3:9), which leads her from childless widowhood to marriage and motherhood (Ruth 4:13).

Practical Application: See the hidden hand and the goodness of God even in the bitterness of life.

The Gospel in Ruth: Though we may be bitter like Noami or a helpless outsider like Ruth, God intervenes in our lives and redeems us only by his mercy and grace.

What's next? Ecclesiastes (the Preacher).

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