BIBLE STUDY   Ruth Chapter 4

Read Ruth Chapters 3 & 4

Boaz’s reply to Ruth at midnight on the threshing floor Ch 3:10,11. “The Lord bless you, my daughter. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.  Before Prov 31 written, Ruth is the perfect example –her hard work, her faith in God, her service of others and her biblical wisdom to mention a few of the many characteristic’s from Proverbs 31:10-31

Question 1 What characteristics of being of noble character (male or female) are important still today? Would your list include anything different?

Question 2  How would the conversation with the nearer kinsman redeemer have been different if on the threshing floor the night before, Ruth had seduced Boaz (to trap him) or Boaz had taken advantage of a vulnerable woman who had been flattered by his description of her. What would have been to consequences?

Question 3 Boaz was a man with a mission. Determined to claim Ruth, but procedures had to be followed. There was a real possibility that he could lose all, but he wisely chose the right way. Are you tempted to take a shortcut and dishonour God?  How can we choose to honour God in every circumstance?

Question 4  How good are we at affirming new people into the life of the church? Ruth must have known that she now belonged. The black lives matter protests remind us that we have not been as inclusive as we could be with people who are different from us, be it race, gender, sexuality, age, culture, etc

For personal reflection How many of us may be feeling a bit smug, We are not prostitutes. We aren’t adulterers, we haven’t committed incest, we aren’t murderers. We are better than some of those in Jesus’s family tree. I would suggest that our smugness. Our pride, our arrogance are problems we need to take to Jesus who died for our sinfulness. Our selfishness, our independence, our prejudice we need to take to Jesus. Our judgmentalism, our pessimism our lack of care, we need to take to Jesus our Redeemer. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to remind you how much we all need a kinsman redeemer to set us free from guilt and sin, to experience the love of God.

Question 5 What are the key messages of Ruth for you?  What will make a difference to the way you live your life?

Contact Andrew Sankey 07966 187216 or apsankey@gmail.com for discussion or questions