1. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …

2. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth When The Judges Ruled Israel

3. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  As disappointing as the previous stories on the judges are, this story is as refreshing  Its setting Ù the days of the judges v. 1  We cannot say for certain which judge was ruling at the time…it would have to be early in the period (not long after Joshua’s death) to account for Boaz’s age & parents

4. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  As disappointing as the previous stories on the judges are, this story is as refreshing  We can most likely say it would not have been in the days of Ehud Judg 3:12-14  It is doubtful Elimelech would have taken his family into the land of the oppressing nation [Moab]

5. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  This short book reinforces the notion that even if everyone around you is not serving God faithfully, you still can [Boaz]  It also emphasizes the importance of having a good heart…the willingness to be taught about God and live for Him [Ruth]

6. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  A famine was in the land v. 1a  God had earlier promised to bring famine if Israel ever served idols Deut 28:15, 22-24  A man named Elimelech decided to take his wife Naomi & 2 sons (Mahlon & Chilion) to the land of Moab for relief vv. 1b-2

7. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  After some time in Moab Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi only with her 2 sons v. 3  The sons take for themselves Moabite women for wives v. 4a [Orpah & Ruth]  After 10 years, the sons also die…Naomi is bereft of her husband & 2 sons vv. 4b-5

8. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Eventually, Naomi hears that God had “visited His people” with food v. 6  She arose to return to Judah…her 2 daughters-in-law went with her  Naomi tries to persuade Orpah & Ruth to stay in Moab…even remarry vv. 8-9

9. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s attempt to persuade vv. 8-13  She hoped the Lord would be as kind to them as they had been to her & the dead  She wished they would each find happiness and marry again  Initially, both said “No”…they wouldn’t stay

10. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s attempt to persuade vv. 8-13  She was too old to remarry  She was not going to bear children again  Even if she did remarry & bear sons, would both Orpah & Ruth wait until they grew old enough to marry?

11. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  The daughters-in-law respond vv. 14-18  All 3 women wept openly  Orpah kissed Naomi…Ruth clung to Naomi  Orpah decided to stay in Moab…she would return to her father & to her gods  Naomi encouraged Ruth to do likewise

12. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  The daughters-in-law respond vv. 14-18  Ruth would not be persuaded  “Do not urge me to leave you, for where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God.”

13. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  The daughters-in-law respond vv. 14-18  Obviously, Ruth had learned something about Naomi’s people and her God  She was not staying with Naomi just because of some emotional attachment  She had been converted to Jehovah

14. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  The daughters-in-law respond vv. 14-18  The seriousness of Ruth’s words are seen in that she placed herself under an oath  Nothing but death was going to separate Ruth from Naomi  Naomi stopped trying to persuade Ruth

15. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s present outlook vv. 13, 20-21  An important part of this story…an element where we must make application ourselves A “hard” condition “…the Lord’s hand has gone forth against me” v. 13

16. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s present outlook vv. 13, 20-21  An important part of this story…an element where we must make application ourselves “…the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” v. 20

17. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s present outlook vv. 13, 20-21  An important part of this story…an element where we must make application ourselves “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” v. 21

18. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s present outlook vv. 13, 20-21  An important part of this story…an element where we must make application ourselves “The Lord has witnessed against me… the Almighty has afflicted me.” v. 21

19. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Naomi’s present outlook vv. 13, 20-21  There was no truth to Naomi’s words…God had not treated her as she claimed  Many times people speak harshly about life in their grief…even towards God [Job]

20. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Back in Bethlehem vv. 19-22  After being gone 10+ years, the city was “stirred” when they saw Naomi & Ruth  The women asked, “Is this Naomi?”  Naomi refused her name [“Pleasant”] … she wanted to be called “Mara” [“Bitter”]

21. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Back in Bethlehem vv. 19-22  Naomi was consumed in her grief…in no way could she envision any future blessings coming her way 4:16-17  N.T. saints are exhorted similarly today 2 Cor 4:17-18

22. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Naomi & Ruth Ruth 1  Back in Bethlehem vv. 19-22  Naomi & Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest  This is somewhere around March or April on our modern calendar

23. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …