Delta Church of Christ Family Night Bible Study
Bible Study ~ “Ruth - Life” Ruth 4
Perhaps one of the most loved books of the Bible, the book of Ruth is a powerful exploration of "hesed": the ancient Hebrew word meaning "loving-kindness."
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
500 Providence St, Delta, OH 43515, USA
Wednesday 6:00 PM
In the final chapter of Ruth, we see God restore life in what was once a hopeless situation. We are reminded that God is always with us, gives life, and calls each of us to love.
Opening Questions
We are in the final chapter of Ruth. The theme of Ruth is hesed. Tell us how hesed in Ruth chapters one through three was displayed by: Naomi, Orpah, Ruth and Boaz.
Last week, we finished chapter three with Boaz telling Ruth he would do what it took to be her family redeemer or guardian redeemer. What is a family redeemer?
Cliffhanger: At the end of Ruth 3, Boaz has to check with someone before he can become Ruth's family redeemer. How long will this take? Let’s ask Naomi:
We are in the final chapter of Ruth. The theme of Ruth is hesed. Tell us how hesed in Ruth chapters one through three was displayed by: Naomi, Orpah, Ruth and Boaz.
Last week, we finished chapter three with Boaz telling Ruth he would do what it took to be her family redeemer or guardian redeemer. What is a family redeemer?
Cliffhanger: At the end of Ruth 3, Boaz has to check with someone before he can become Ruth's family redeemer. How long will this take? Let’s ask Naomi:
We don’t know for sure, but why do you believe Naomi thinks this will be settled quickly?
Who does Boaz have to check with and why? So, where should he go?
Who does Boaz have to check with and why? So, where should he go?
Unpack the Text
Chapter 4 moves from the world of the women, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah, to the world of men and business. There is a change in tone you might notice:
Chapter 4 moves from the world of the women, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah, to the world of men and business. There is a change in tone you might notice:
Why did Boaz go to the town gate to meet the family redeemer? Why didn't Boaz go to the home of the family redeemer?
Based on verse two, what can we guess happens at the town gate?
Why was this a busy location?
What would be this same type of location say, in early America?
Why did Boaz need witnesses for his meeting with the family redeemer?
When do we need witnesses?
So, what makes this meeting with Boaz's relative different than a typical encounter?
Boaz refers to the family redeemer as "friend" rather than using his name. The English translation of the Hebrew misses this a bit. The translation actually more closely resembles “Mr. So-and-so.” Why do you think that is?
The decision not to provide a name appears deliberate on the author’s part. We will later find out a possible reason for this, but why do you think this “Mr. So-and-so” is not named?
A reminder: in ancient times, if a man died without a son, the closest male relative would marry his widow and have a son in his name to carry on the family and inherit the family land. Since this is the Law, it requires what kind of process to resolve?
Based on verse two, what can we guess happens at the town gate?
Why was this a busy location?
What would be this same type of location say, in early America?
Why did Boaz need witnesses for his meeting with the family redeemer?
When do we need witnesses?
So, what makes this meeting with Boaz's relative different than a typical encounter?
Boaz refers to the family redeemer as "friend" rather than using his name. The English translation of the Hebrew misses this a bit. The translation actually more closely resembles “Mr. So-and-so.” Why do you think that is?
The decision not to provide a name appears deliberate on the author’s part. We will later find out a possible reason for this, but why do you think this “Mr. So-and-so” is not named?
A reminder: in ancient times, if a man died without a son, the closest male relative would marry his widow and have a son in his name to carry on the family and inherit the family land. Since this is the Law, it requires what kind of process to resolve?
What might this “Mr. So-and-so” gain from this legal process?
Why would the family redeemer care about the selling of Elimelech's property?
Why would the family redeemer care about the selling of Elimelech's property?
What makes you think that Boaz might be bluffing about this?
If Naomi doesn’t really own the property, who owns it?
We are not told how Naomi could be selling this property or her legal claim to it. How could she sell land that according to law passed from a man to his son or to his kinsmen? Property could pass from father to daughter if there was no son, but the law did made no provision for passing an inheritance from husband to wife. Do you believe Boaz knew this?
So, is Boaz taking a chance with this Mr. So-and-so?
The law required a family redeemer to pay for the rights to the land so it would stay in the family. So, what do you think Boaz is asking of the family redeemer?
If Naomi doesn’t really own the property, who owns it?
We are not told how Naomi could be selling this property or her legal claim to it. How could she sell land that according to law passed from a man to his son or to his kinsmen? Property could pass from father to daughter if there was no son, but the law did made no provision for passing an inheritance from husband to wife. Do you believe Boaz knew this?
So, is Boaz taking a chance with this Mr. So-and-so?
The law required a family redeemer to pay for the rights to the land so it would stay in the family. So, what do you think Boaz is asking of the family redeemer?
What did the family redeemer say that he would do?
The Hebrew makes this what is called the “emphatic I” as in “I, I will redeem it, absolutely, without question.” What was Mr. So-and-so thinking?
Do you think Mr. So-and-so’s response surprised Boaz? Why or why not?
It seems like Boaz hasn't given all the details to the family redeemer. What is missing?
Well, who do you think the family redeemer think he would marry to keep the land in the family?
Why wouldn't the family redeemer worry about this possibility?
It was important that land was carefully divided and kept within families. The family redeemer was required to marry the widow of the original landowner so that together, they could have children to keep the property in the family. Who was the landowner (according to Boaz)? Who was the widow?
Mr. So-and-so knew this part of the story. So, why didn’t he worry about Naomi as a spouse?
Naomi was too old to have more sons for this land to go to. This was a way for the family redeemer to increase his wealth and standing without having to pay to raise more children. So, what do you think is going through Mr. So-and-so’s mind right now?
Then, Boaz told the family redeemer the rest of the story:
The Hebrew makes this what is called the “emphatic I” as in “I, I will redeem it, absolutely, without question.” What was Mr. So-and-so thinking?
Do you think Mr. So-and-so’s response surprised Boaz? Why or why not?
It seems like Boaz hasn't given all the details to the family redeemer. What is missing?
Well, who do you think the family redeemer think he would marry to keep the land in the family?
Why wouldn't the family redeemer worry about this possibility?
It was important that land was carefully divided and kept within families. The family redeemer was required to marry the widow of the original landowner so that together, they could have children to keep the property in the family. Who was the landowner (according to Boaz)? Who was the widow?
Mr. So-and-so knew this part of the story. So, why didn’t he worry about Naomi as a spouse?
Naomi was too old to have more sons for this land to go to. This was a way for the family redeemer to increase his wealth and standing without having to pay to raise more children. So, what do you think is going through Mr. So-and-so’s mind right now?
Then, Boaz told the family redeemer the rest of the story:
What was Mr. So-and-so’s thinking now?
Plot twist. What does this say about Mr. So-and-so’s knowledge of Naomi's situation?
What would happen to the land if Mr. So-and-so married Ruth and Ruth had a son? How does this change the equation?
Mr. So-and-so might have thought that since Ruth was a Moabite, he didn't have to marry her. Why?
But… it turns out Mr. So-and-so was wrong.
Plot twist. What does this say about Mr. So-and-so’s knowledge of Naomi's situation?
What would happen to the land if Mr. So-and-so married Ruth and Ruth had a son? How does this change the equation?
Mr. So-and-so might have thought that since Ruth was a Moabite, he didn't have to marry her. Why?
But… it turns out Mr. So-and-so was wrong.
How did Mr. So-and-so respond to Boaz? What did he say?
What was Mr. So-and-so worried about?
Let's remember: why did the Law set up the family redeemer? But, what was Mr. So-and-so more concerned about?
So, what do you think of Mr. So-and-so? I asked earlier why the author didn’t name him. After hearing this, what do you think?
Technically, the family redeemer was not violating the law by declining, but did he show hesed? Why or why not?
Compare and contrast Mr. So-and-so and Orpah. We know her name. What makes the difference?
I believe Mr. So-and-so was being dishonorable. He had just said he could redeem the land and then he went back on it when he realized it might benefit someone else instead of him. Is this the “spirit” of the family redeemer Law? Why or why not?
What was Mr. So-and-so worried about?
Let's remember: why did the Law set up the family redeemer? But, what was Mr. So-and-so more concerned about?
So, what do you think of Mr. So-and-so? I asked earlier why the author didn’t name him. After hearing this, what do you think?
Technically, the family redeemer was not violating the law by declining, but did he show hesed? Why or why not?
Compare and contrast Mr. So-and-so and Orpah. We know her name. What makes the difference?
I believe Mr. So-and-so was being dishonorable. He had just said he could redeem the land and then he went back on it when he realized it might benefit someone else instead of him. Is this the “spirit” of the family redeemer Law? Why or why not?
How was the transaction between Boaz and Mr. So-and-so to be completed? What do you think of the symbolism?
Note that verse 7 says this is the way it used to be done. What is the significance of the sandal in this transaction?
The origin of the custom has been traced to an ancient practice of taking possession of property by walking on the soil that was being claimed. Removing the sandal and handing it to another became a symbol of the transfer of the land.
Note that verse 7 says this is the way it used to be done. What is the significance of the sandal in this transaction?
The origin of the custom has been traced to an ancient practice of taking possession of property by walking on the soil that was being claimed. Removing the sandal and handing it to another became a symbol of the transfer of the land.
What do you believe was Mr. So-and-so’s tone when he responded to Boaz?
Why was it important to make this a public transaction? What might have happened if Boaz didn't make it public?
Why was it important to make this a public transaction? What might have happened if Boaz didn't make it public?
What did Boaz say he was going to do, now that he was the family redeemer?
What would make Ruth very happy to hear?
How did he describe the transaction involving Ruth? Based on verse 10, what is Ruth comparable to? How does it make you feel to hear her described in that way?
The writer does not comment on the goodness or lack thereof regarding any of the characters. What are your thoughts on how the author presented this account?
“The writer never theologizes on the story he was telling. Yet he may have wanted to suggest that if a mere human being could love an outcast, redeem her, and bring her into fellowship with himself, God could love all the outcasts of the world, redeem them, and bring them into fellowship with himself.” ~ FB Huey, Jr.
What would make Ruth very happy to hear?
How did he describe the transaction involving Ruth? Based on verse 10, what is Ruth comparable to? How does it make you feel to hear her described in that way?
The writer does not comment on the goodness or lack thereof regarding any of the characters. What are your thoughts on how the author presented this account?
“The writer never theologizes on the story he was telling. Yet he may have wanted to suggest that if a mere human being could love an outcast, redeem her, and bring her into fellowship with himself, God could love all the outcasts of the world, redeem them, and bring them into fellowship with himself.” ~ FB Huey, Jr.
The elders celebrated Boaz's decision. What names of great women did they mention?
Rachel and Leah had twelve sons between them. What did they say Rachel and Leah accomplished? What was their belief regarding Ruth?
Knowing that Mr. So-and-so was more concerned about his own wealth than he was about being the family redeemer, how does Boaz show hesed? What will happen to part of Boaz's wealth once a son is born?
This is a big deal. There are clues to Boaz’s stature in this account. Like what?
Rachel and Leah had twelve sons between them. What did they say Rachel and Leah accomplished? What was their belief regarding Ruth?
Knowing that Mr. So-and-so was more concerned about his own wealth than he was about being the family redeemer, how does Boaz show hesed? What will happen to part of Boaz's wealth once a son is born?
This is a big deal. There are clues to Boaz’s stature in this account. Like what?
And now we have another foreign name among those of Judah. Who?
One of Boaz's ancestors was Tamar. She was also a foreigner. What does that say about the people of God that they would mention a foreign woman? How do you think Ruth would feel to hear Tamar mentioned? Why?
Boaz came from a line of courageous, foreign women. This verse is from the genealogy of Jesus:
One of Boaz's ancestors was Tamar. She was also a foreigner. What does that say about the people of God that they would mention a foreign woman? How do you think Ruth would feel to hear Tamar mentioned? Why?
Boaz came from a line of courageous, foreign women. This verse is from the genealogy of Jesus:
Boaz's mother was who? Where did she do that made her famous?
She saved Joshua and Caleb in Jericho and went on to join the Israelites. So, where do you think Boaz learned to live out hesed in his life?
Genealogies from that time did not include women and yet… notice who is included in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. What makes these women special?
So, let's conclude with our Hallmark moment:
She saved Joshua and Caleb in Jericho and went on to join the Israelites. So, where do you think Boaz learned to live out hesed in his life?
Genealogies from that time did not include women and yet… notice who is included in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. What makes these women special?
So, let's conclude with our Hallmark moment:
The author again does something subtle here. Ruth lived with Mahlon in Moab for possibly up to ten years and didn’t have children. Why do you think that is?
Note how the conception is described. What is the difference between now and then?
Note how the conception is described. What is the difference between now and then?
How did Naomi's friends respond? How do you think Naomi felt?
Notice the phrase the women use as a blessing. They say, the Lord “shall be a restorer of life." What do you think that means to Naomi?
As the book of Ruth comes to a close, and Boaz and Ruth married and had a son, it ends with a focus on the person it opened with: Naomi.
Notice the phrase the women use as a blessing. They say, the Lord “shall be a restorer of life." What do you think that means to Naomi?
As the book of Ruth comes to a close, and Boaz and Ruth married and had a son, it ends with a focus on the person it opened with: Naomi.
The neighbor women's words are full of hesed. Why?
If you remember, in Ruth chapter one, Naomi was a devastated, broken woman who had lost everything. In the end, her life is changed. Who is this like? (Hint: someone we studied recently)
Note the last word in verse 17. What is it? Who is it? Why is this name important?
And in case we didn't get the point, let's look at another genealogy that closes out the book of Ruth and focus specifically on the last name:
If you remember, in Ruth chapter one, Naomi was a devastated, broken woman who had lost everything. In the end, her life is changed. Who is this like? (Hint: someone we studied recently)
Note the last word in verse 17. What is it? Who is it? Why is this name important?
And in case we didn't get the point, let's look at another genealogy that closes out the book of Ruth and focus specifically on the last name:
In these final verses we see life restored to Naomi and Ruth. Their steadfast hesed love, after so much suffering, loss, and struggle, had been rewarded with new life.
Why do you believe the Jewish people read this book out loud together each year?
It has to do with the power of hesed, the power of loving kindness.
Three great things from this passage:
Why do you believe the Jewish people read this book out loud together each year?
It has to do with the power of hesed, the power of loving kindness.
Three great things from this passage:
God is With You
As we know, God is only directly mentioned a few times in the whole book of Ruth. It seems like God is silent. And yet for thousands of years, this story has been celebrated as a story that God is directly involved in. Why?
One of the incredible things that we learn from the book of Ruth is that even when God is quiet, He is still with you. What does that mean to you?
In the account of Ruth, how do you see God moving from the beginning to the end?
God Gives Life
At some point, many of us have, or will, experience the feelings of hopelessness Naomi had in the first chapter of Ruth. Difficult circumstances can leave people feeling overwhelmed, or numb. But, hopelessness and despair is not permanent, and it is not the end of our story. Instead, we see a powerful reminder that God restores us and gives us life.
Ruth 4:15a (NLT) "May he be a restorer of life to you"
It may not happen overnight; just like Job suffered tremendously before life was restored to him, Naomi went through it before life was restored to her.
You can have hope!
God Calls Us to Love
We've said it every week: the book of Ruth is a message about hesed, loving kindness. But the purpose is not for us to read it and think it's a nice story. The purpose is for us to read it, understand hesed, and follow the examples of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, by demonstrating hesed.
Tells us how WE can demonstrate hesed in our lives.
As we know, God is only directly mentioned a few times in the whole book of Ruth. It seems like God is silent. And yet for thousands of years, this story has been celebrated as a story that God is directly involved in. Why?
One of the incredible things that we learn from the book of Ruth is that even when God is quiet, He is still with you. What does that mean to you?
In the account of Ruth, how do you see God moving from the beginning to the end?
God Gives Life
At some point, many of us have, or will, experience the feelings of hopelessness Naomi had in the first chapter of Ruth. Difficult circumstances can leave people feeling overwhelmed, or numb. But, hopelessness and despair is not permanent, and it is not the end of our story. Instead, we see a powerful reminder that God restores us and gives us life.
Ruth 4:15a (NLT) "May he be a restorer of life to you"
It may not happen overnight; just like Job suffered tremendously before life was restored to him, Naomi went through it before life was restored to her.
You can have hope!
God Calls Us to Love
We've said it every week: the book of Ruth is a message about hesed, loving kindness. But the purpose is not for us to read it and think it's a nice story. The purpose is for us to read it, understand hesed, and follow the examples of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, by demonstrating hesed.
Tells us how WE can demonstrate hesed in our lives.
Your Story
How would you explain "hesed" to someone who has not heard of it?
God is not directly mentioned in the book of Ruth much. In what ways do you see God working throughout it? What does this say to you about His activity in your life even if He isn't being directly mentioned or noticed?
How can we know God is with us when He is quiet? Do you have an example from your life?
Naomi has had her life restored; what does this mean to you? When have you seen God restore life in someone?
How would you explain "hesed" to someone who has not heard of it?
God is not directly mentioned in the book of Ruth much. In what ways do you see God working throughout it? What does this say to you about His activity in your life even if He isn't being directly mentioned or noticed?
How can we know God is with us when He is quiet? Do you have an example from your life?
Naomi has had her life restored; what does this mean to you? When have you seen God restore life in someone?
Apply it to Your Life
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's masterpiece, intended to do good things. What does this mean? How do you feel about being called a "masterpiece?"
Who is someone you can show loving kindness to this week? What is something practical you can do? How can we help you?
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's masterpiece, intended to do good things. What does this mean? How do you feel about being called a "masterpiece?"
Who is someone you can show loving kindness to this week? What is something practical you can do? How can we help you?