Sermon Central
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Introduction To The Book Of Ruth Series
Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: A basic intro to Ruth, discussing its biblical and historical setting, basic story line, theme, author, date, outline, major and minor characters, location and basic teachings with a concluding discussion question about participant goals for the study.
Let’s now turn to a handout I have prepared for you that gives you some pertinent introductory information about Ruth:
I. THE THEME OF RUTH – There is a two-fold theme in the book of Ruth.
A. The way in which God guides His children in the details of everyday life.
B. The way in which God founded the Family within the Nation through which the Messiah would come. Note Matthew 1:5-6 – “And Salmon begat Booz (Boaz) of Rachab; and Booz (Boaz) begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.” This remember, is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
II. AUTHOR: Unknown
III. PERIOD AND DATE: During the period of the Judges, approximately 10th Century B.C.
IV. OUTLINE: Two suggested outlines:
A. Unger’s –
1. Ruth Deciding by Faith (Chapter 1)
2. Ruth Gleaning under Grace (Chapter 2)
3. Ruth Communing in Fellowship (Chapter 3)
4. Ruth Resting in Redemption (Chapter 4)
B. Schofield’s –
1. Ruth Deciding (Chapter 1)
2. Ruth Serving (Chapter 2)
3. Ruth Resting (Chapter 3)
4. Ruth’s Reward (Chapter 4)
V. MAJOR CHARACTERS: (NOTE: You will see that the names of the characters are significant to understand the book of Ruth, so that is why I have included the meanings of names here.)
A. Ruth (means “friendship”)
B. Naomi (means “pleasant”) – Mother-in-law of Ruth
C. Boaz – a distant relative of Naomi’s who desired to have Ruth as his wife, and after following the customs of the day, wed Ruth.
VI. MINOR CHARACTERS:
A. Elimelech (means “my God is King”) – Naomi’s husband
B. Mahlon (means “sick”) – one of Naomi’s two sons
C. Chilion (means “pining”) – Naomi’s second son
D. Orpah – one of Naomi’s two daughters-in-law (Ruth being the other)
E. The near kinsman (unnamed) – A relative of Naomi who was either not able, or not willing to marry Ruth, and therefore deferred the responsibility to Boaz who was both able and willing to marry her.
VII. LOCATION: This story takes place in two places:
A. Moab (chapter 1) – means “God’s washpot” and is always a symbol of the world in the Bible.
B. Bethlehem–Judah (chapters 2-4) – means “house of bread and praise.” (NOTE MAP ON REVERSE SIDE OF HANDOUT.)
VIII. BASIC TEACHINGS:
A. Gentiles, as well as Jews, are capable of being joined to God’s people through repentance and faith in Jehovah.
B. God rewards faithfulness.
C. The foreshadowing of Christ’s work on the cross for His people in the “kinsman-redeemer” concept.
CONCLUDING DISCUSSION QUESTION: What do you want to learn from the book of Ruth? That is, what do you want to take away from this study?
