Redeeming Ruth - Chapter 2

This week we continued to look at the book of Ruth. We join Ruth and Naomi once they have moved back to Bethlehem in Israel at the beginning of the barley harvest.

In Chapter 2 we see many positive aspects of Ruth’s character but probably what most stands out is her Moabite heritage. Looking at others areas of the Old Testament (Exodus 34, Numbers 25, Deuteronomy 6 and Deuteronomy 23) we see what it must have been like to live as a Moabite widow in Israel; she was an ‘outcast’.

Despite this, Boaz goes out of his way to demonstrate LOVING KINDNESS (a recurring theme through the chapter and book) to Ruth. He generously shows her care, respect and gives her honour far above expectations. He abundantly provides for her and Naomi out of his harvest, demonstrating both his adherance to the law but further than that, his understanding of the spirit of the law by giving far more than was required.

As we read about Boaz the too obvious conclusion is to simply emulate his example but when we examine ourselves we learn that even in our moments of generosity, our motives are flawed and we still yearn to know ‘how much is enough?’.

We considered then Jesus’ example of getting the spirit of the law, of showing far more mercy than was expected, of understanding God’s concern for his people and by focussing on the state of our hearts rather than on appearances. We see how Jesus FULFILLED the law by BECOMING the one true sacrifice, giving us not just what was generous but giving us his VERY SELF. We see how Jesus is the true Boaz and as recipients of this amazing generosity, we are in this context, the true Ruth. God has lavished upon us the status of children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ and a share in Jesus’ glorious inheritance.

So when we consider our limits and motives for generosity, instead we are simply blown away by Jesus’ supreme generosity. Our Saviour knows our burden when we are weary, our Father listens to our cries for help and our Counsellor gives us the power to live by. Only in this power and knowledge can we live and give as Boaz and ultimately, as Jesus did.

Questions
1. What happens when our giving/serving is bound by the letter of the law?

2. Why is God more focussed on the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of it?

3. Why does Jesus focus on the state of the heart more than outward appearance?

4. What ulterior motives do you have when you are serving?

5. In what situations are you tempted to tick the boxes and think you’ve done ‘enough’?

6. When hearing/reading about Jesus’ outstanding generosity, how are you challenged to respond?

Through the week
Consider every time you serve this week, be that leading a meeting or making someone a cup of tea, why am I really doing this? Have in mind the generosity of Jesus and his servant heart.

Redeeming Ruth: Chapter 1

The Return: Today we start a brand new preaching series based in the O/T book of Ruth. Incredible love story initiated by the mother (Naomi), involving her daughter in law (Ruth) and a relative (Boaz). Story involves dramatic reversals of fortune, with great story telling and a great ending.

Naomi is married to a man called Elimelech and they have two sons.  And in an unprecedented move, because of famine, they leave Bethlehem and travel east across the hills on the far side of the dead sea for about 50 miles to Moab.  Note 3 things about this move:
1) They leave the land of God’s blessing - The harder life gets the more appealing the alternatives to God become.  Ultimately they all fail to deliver on their promises.
2) There was famine in the land - The ‘house of Bread’ was experiencing famine, a sure sign Israel were not living in covenant relationship with God
3) They went to Moab - They go to find life but after 10 years, a 3 funerals later, Naomi is left with her 2 daughters-in-law.

The women struggle (maybe for years) till ‘Ruth 1:6… she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.”  If there is a theme in Chapter 1 of the Book of Ruth, it would be that of ‘Return’.  The Hebrew word for ‘return’ is mentioned 12 times in Ch 1.

But it more than a geographical return. It’s a journey back to God, his people and his promises made in the middle of suffering, loss and disappointment. this means it is relevant to us as all of us need to journey into God’s covenant people and promises.

For Naomi this return is characterised by:
Self absorbsion and self protection (v11-13)
Manipulation (v.15)
Bitterness, anger and self pity (18-21)

For Ruth:
She is able to tell Naomi -
Where you go – I will go
Where you stay –I will stay
Your people –become my people
Your God –becomes my God
Where you die –I will die.

She is able follow obediently (v16)
She is willing to commit to community at great cost (v16)
She is willing to give up her life for Naomi and her God. (v17)

Questions:
1) Read through the whole story together - only takes around 10 minutes
2) Talk about Naomi - her atitudes and bitterness. 
3) Where can we be like Naomi?
4) What are we not beleiving about the gospel that causes us to act like Naomi?
5) What is impressive about Ruth’s atitude and actions?
6) How can we be more like Ruth, give very practical examples?
7) What does it look like to commit to community? What are some of the difficulties and opportunities for really being the ‘church’?
8) We talk about 3 places to belong in Mosaic: Accountability groups, Mission groups, and Sunday gatherings.  Are you actively participating in all three? Talk about how they are working for you.
9) Romans 6 tells us we are ‘Dead to Sin but alive to God’ - how does this truth help us conquer sin. Again give examples from your own life.