Week of Oct 9th "Ruth meets Boaz"

Lesson 3
Ruth Meets Boaz
Ruth 2-3:5
GOD IS OUR PROVIDER

This week we reviewed the beautiful masterpiece found in 1:16-17, then dove into the study of Chapter 2 and the first few verses of Chapter 3.

We get a new feeling here.  It is scene two in our drama, and what a change in scenery.
Scene one included death, famine, travel, depression, separation, loss, bitterness, poverty...
Scene two is something altogether different: barley harvest (abundance), hope (Naomi's new perspective), protection (Boaz protects Ruth), honorable sacrifice (Ruth taking risks by going to glean for her and Naomi's welfare).

Ruth suffers from the weight of being a Moabite woman in Israel, a widow, poor, really having no status - and alone except for Naomi.  YET she is honorable, virtuous, hard-working, confident, obedient.

In fields gleaning barley, she is noticed by Boaz, the landowner, who is also from the clan of Elimelech, and therefore one of the kinsman-redeemers.  Boaz, being a Godly man, takes interest in her welfare, offering her drink, food, protection, and blessings.

Ruth took great risk in going to glean, during the time of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" - she could have been insulted or harmed.

Boaz, as an honorable man, kept an honorable workplace.  He protected and respected his workers.  We can be sure that this was not the case in all of the fields in the area at this time in history - a time of lawlessness.  So just the fact that Ruth is in Boaz's fields shows how God protects His followers.  Our sovereign God not only arranges for Ruth and Naomi's welfare, but beyond that, He plays the role of matchmaker to ensure the continuation of the lineage in the family - one that we know becomes very important indeed.

Some further optional questions:
--Have you ever noticed God working in your circumstances?  Have you ever said, this is more than a "coincidence"?  If not, take a close look, God is working through you, in what may seem like random details of your life, He is there.

--In what ways do you care for God's people - those who have needs?

--In what ways do you show gratitude towards those who provide for you or offer you protection?

--What similarities can you draw between Boaz and Jesus, our redeemer?

--Would you have the courage to do as Ruth?  To respond, as she does in verse 5 "I will do whatever you say"?  Why or why not?

This week's homework will conclude our study of Ruth!