Ruth-A Woman Of Noble Character

RUTH - A WOMAN OF NOBLE CHARACTER

Theme: Ruth is a romantic drama of the life of a Godly non-Jewish woman who had trust in Jehovah-Jirah.

Key Verses: Ruth 1:15-18

Key Word: Redeem

Key Phrase: Kinsman - Redeemer

Outline:

I. The Crisis of famine, death, poverty and depression (Ruth 1:1-2:3).

II. The Response of the Kinsman. Redeemer to persistence, hard work and faith.

III. The Deliverance and they lived happily ever after.

Historical Background:

This book is taken from the time of the Book of Judges. The nation Israel is in anarchy, chaos and apostasy.

The romantic story centers in upon a woman named Ruth.

Ruth was not Jewish but a Moabite who had married a Jew. Her ancestors were from Lot’s line. The Moabites were birthed by Lot having an incestuous union with his eldest daughter. (Gen. 19:30-38) The son born out of this sin was "Moab".

Moabites were into the cultic worship of local deities and Baal worship.

Ruth opens up with tragedy but ends in victory. We see a woman who responds to tragedy with a clear statement on her purpose in life. (Ruth 1: 16,17).

Illustration:

PURPOSE IN LIFE

"It is a great thing to discover what our purpose in life may be. A prominent Chicago clergyman was in his study one afternoon when his nephew, a strapping fellow, came in. ’Uncle, what are you going to preach about tomorrow? he asked. ’My text is To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,’ replied the clergyman. ’Uncle, why was I born?’ asked the boy. ’Indeed I do not know,’ said his uncle. ’No more do I’, responded the nephew, as he swung out of the door and down the hall.

That afternoon the Iroquois Theater fire occurred. The young man rushed to the scene. Throwing off his coat, he addressed himself to the rescue. Again and again he made his way into the building and returned with an unconscious victim. He had saved thirteen and started in for another.

They tried to hold him back, as the walls were about to fall, but he threw them off and started again. The great beam above the door fell and struck him on the head.

They took him to the hospital where he murmured his uncle’s name.

The clergyman came to his bedside just before he died. Taking his uncle’s hand, he whispered with his last breath, ’Uncle, to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world that I might save these thirteen.’ He had found the reason, and when you find yours, it will surely be somehow connected with the redemptive plans and purposes of God." -- Rev. Raymond M Huston, D.D.

T.S. Let’s look into this romantic drama of Ruth closer!

I. THE CRISIS OF FAMINE, DEATH, POVERTY AND DEPRESSION (Ruth 1:1-2:3)

A. The famine caused by sin and apostasy.

1. This famine was caused by Israel’s Apostasy. (Deut. 30: 15-20)

a. Famine is almost always a result of man’s apostasy.

2. The nation of Israel decided to choose the curse rather than the blessing.

B. The death of loved ones and the grief, pain and anger.

1. The father-in-law dies and his sons.

2. The grief of Naomi

a. Her hopelessness and response to God.

1.) Remember she grew up knowing about Jehovah.

T.S. Ruth’s character and her response to adversity, loss, stress, etc., is noticed by another.

II. THE RESPONSE OF THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER TO PERSISTENCE, HARD WORK, AND FAITH. (Ruth 2-12)

A. Boaz, the redeemer of Ruth

1. Kinsman - Redeemer

a. Background - This Hebrew term for kinsman is used to imply certain obligations arising out of the relationship, and has for its primary meaning, "coming to the help or rescue of one".

b. The g , l among the Hebrews was the nearest living male blood relation, and on him revolved certain duties to his next kin.

c. Redeemer - It was the duty of a kinsman to redeem the paternal estate which his nearest relative might have sold through poverty. (Ruth 4:4)

1.) He also was obligated as go-between, in case a person wished to make restitution to a relative.

2.) To buy his relative out of slavery.

3.) In Ruth, the kinsman redeemer had the right to redeem the land, which perhaps involved the marrying of the widow of the deceased owner, according to usage.

B. Boaz was a man of love, persistence, hard work and faith.

1. He was loyal to God in the midst of difficulties.

2. He was a man who made application of his relation to God in his relation to his fellow brothers and sisters.

3. He had a compassionate heart of love to God and Ruth.

III. THE DELIVERANCE AND BLESSED