Ruth: A Story of Redemption A Study of the Book of Ruth Ruth: A Story of Redemption A Study of the Book of Ruth Lesson 1 Ruth 1 Return to Bethlehem January 10, 2010

I.Introduction to Ruth, Lesson 1 A.“What a witch!” B.What a breath of fresh air (after Gibeah)! C.What an encouragement in dark days! D.The setting: the period of the judges (1:1). E.Israel and the Moabites 1.Their origin (Genesis 19:30-38) 2.Their opposition to Israel (Numbers 22-24) 3.Their seduction of Israelites (Numbers 25:1-9) 4.Forbidden from the assembly (Deuteronomy 23:3-6) 5.Eglon and Moab (Judges 3:15-30)

II.The Story Re-told (1:1-22) A.Sojourn in Moab (1:1-5) 1. The famine and a family’s flight 2. Elimelech’s death 3. Marriage to Moabites 4. Death of two sons 5. Naomi’s “hopeless” plight B.Return to Bethlehem (1:6-7) C.Naomi’s appeal – go home (1:8-15) 1. First effort (1:8-10) – both women stay 2. Second effort (1:11-14) – Orpah leaves 3. Final effort and Ruth’s response (1:15-17) D.Naomi’s acceptance (1:18) E.The response in Bethlehem (1:19-22)

III.Observations A.There is no clear link to a particular time or events in Judges. B.There is no statement that any others fled Israel for Moab. C.Those who stayed in Bethlehem seemed to fare well. D.Naomi’s sufferings (famine, death, no children) seem to be divine discipline. E.Moab is not the place of blessing. F.Ruth’s barrenness was divinely caused, & divinely reversed (4:13). G.Much emphasis on marriage and family. H.Naomi’s chances between “slim” and “none.”

IV.Contrasts A.Ruth and Orpah 1.Both set out for Bethlehem with Naomi. 2.Both initially refused to heed Naomi’s advice and leave her. 3.Orpah chose the path which seemed in her best interest (marriage and children). 4.Ruth chose the path which seemed against her best interest, in favor of serving Naomi. B.Ruth and Naomi 1.Verse 9 – God bless you with security through a new (Moabite) husband. Orpah & Naomi stay.

2.There is no way you will be blessed by staying with me, for I cannot produce a husband for you. Since I am cursed, how can you be blessed (vss )? Orpah leaves, Ruth remains. 3.You should do as Orpah did: Return to your people and your gods (vs. 15). a.I will remain with you. b.I will become a part of your people. c.I will trust your God. d.I am with you till you die. e.And when I die, I’ll die in Israel, so help me God.

IV. Conclusion A.It was the worst of times, the best of times. B.Hope in earthly things (marriage, family, bread). C.Doing what is right in your own eyes (appearances) vs. faith. D.The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3). E.Sovereignty gone south – blaming God for our sin and resulting suffering. F.God is bringing about our salvation when appearances are all to the contrary. G.Naomi is more a Moabite than Ruth, and Ruth is more an Israelite than Naomi (compare Genesis 19:30-38).

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for January 10, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.