BIB101A- Session 2- Learning Activity- RUTH
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RUTH STORY OF REDEMPTION
Carolyn J. Eubanks
Biblical Studies and Theological Studies
BIB-101A: Introduction to the Bible
Dr. Paul R. Cole
September 17, 2023
Introduction
This book of the Bible takes its name from the Moabitess daughter-in-law of Naomi. Naomi left Israel during a famine and returned years after her husband and sons died. Ruth committed herself to Naomi and Israel's God. Although in poverty, Ruth's virtue and character won the admiration of a relative of Naomi's husband, who married her. The union led to the birth of Obed, the grandfather of Israel's greatest king, David.
How does scripture describe Ruth? As women, we can see Ruth as an example of goodness and someone worth emulating. Ruth embodies many positive traits. She is known for her faithfulness, loyalty, virtue, and love. In the Bible, she was a hard worker who cared for those around her. Ruth’s famous words to Naomi express her commitment; Ruth 1:16 says, “But
Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God (
Holy
Bible, New International Version, 1973/2011). She left her past behind when she chose to stay with Naomi. She acted on faith in God and relied on him for her future. What can we glean about Ruth’s character from the text? From what I gather, the story of Ruth shows how God is at work in the day-to-day activities of ordinary people. All the characters face life’s everyday challenges (death, moving, lack of financial resources, familial responsibilities) and find God weaving a story of redemption out of all the details. God can do anything! Why do you think Ruth’s story is included in scripture? The reason is that it’s a story about God and how he restores those who look to him with hope; Ruth had hope through it all. Also, it’s about God’s covenant faithfulness, which contributes to the overall covenantal storyline that unifies in the Bible.
What do you think we’re supposed to learn from the story of Ruth? This question challenged me to be attentive as I read the story, and God revealed so many meaningful lessons in this story of Ruth to me, some things I never noticed in reading this story. They are as follows:
The book of Ruth should teach us loyalty; she is an excellent example of commitment, both to the people we love and our God. The story also shows how to love others and follow bravely where God leads.
The story of Ruth showed me that no one is out of God’s reach. No history is too dark, no life too messy, and no mistake too big that we can fall into God’s loving arms and let him use it all for His glory.
Ruth in the Bible should remind us to look for God’s fingerprints in everything we do in every situation and see how He works it all for His glory and purpose.
Ruth should teach us that no mistake is too big for God’s grace. If I can take away one thing from the story of Ruth, it would be that no error or failure is too big for God’s grace
to cover. God’s grace was on Ruth during the tragedy.
The story of Ruth should remind us not to let pain chase us from God. It’s so easy to let life’s hardships drive us away from God when this is the time when we should be running
to Him even more and faster. The truth is that life is hard, and we can’t do it on our own,
but we have a Heavenly Father ready and willing to walk through it with us and carry our
burdens.
Ruth reminds me that God is faithful. God is faithful in every season. God is not dead, nor does He sleep. Trust in His timing. Trust that He does have a plan for you. Rest in the Knowledge that He is faithful in every season.
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How do you see God using Ruth in His grand story of the redemption of Israel?
Ruth and Naomi were Moabites, and in those days, the Israelites looked down upon the Moabite people; they considered the Moabites inferior. So, by choosing Ruth, God chose one of the “least of these” and the basis for the lineage of a future king of Israel and the Messiah who would save the world. Conclusion
The Book of Ruth is a beautiful example of God turning a hopeless situation into something glorious. The story began in tragedy with famine and death. But because of Ruth’s loyalty and faithfulness, God rewarded her. From our reading, Bickel and Jantz's synopsis was, “The Book of Ruth demonstrates that it is possible to live by godly principles in a society that does just the opposite. God honored Ruth for her loyalty” (Bickel & Jantz, 2003 chapter 5, pp 104-116). The story of Ruth still boils down to the divine redemption that shows God's grace for all people.
References
Bickel, B & Jantz, S. (2003). Knowing the Bible 101: A guide to God’s word in plain language.
Harvest House Publishers
Holy Bible, New International Version, (2011), Zondervan. (Original work published 1973).