Ruth 1
The Lord has not left you alone
Pray and ask the Spirit to lead your time of study.
Read Ruth 1 together!
- Highlights & Observations
- Are there any phrases or themes the Spirit is highlighting for you as we read this together?
- What are the time and place settings of the story of Ruth?
- The Hebrew meaning of the names in Ruth is interesting. What can we make of those?
- Elimelech - My God is King
- Naomi - Pleasant
- Mahlon - Sickly
- Chilion - Frail
- What does Naomi suggest her name should be changed to?
- How long did it take for Naomi to go from living with her family in Judah to living as a widow in Moab?
- Understanding and Explaining the text
- Why do the 3 women decide to go back to Judah?
- Did Naomi lose her faith in God? What defense would you give for your answer?
- How does Naomi try to push Orpah and Ruth away?
- Ruth “clings” to Naomi. This is the same word used to describe a marriage relationship in Genesis 2:24. How does this picture of God’s love impact the way we view our relationship with God?
- How does Naomi respond to Ruth’s loyal love?
- Application
- Blake talked about 5 ways we share in loyal love with God and for others:
- Shared direction
- Shared struggle
- Shared culture
- Shared faith
- Shared commitment
- How do we see each of those in Ruth’s statement?
- Which of those sparks a next step in your life?
- Is there a particular human relationship that comes to mind when you think about this idea of loyal love? Perhaps one where you experience this kind of love? Or perhaps one where you would like the love to grow?
- Response
- Isaiah 62:5 (CSB)
- 5For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
- As you finish up, take a moment to rest in the truth that God rejoices over you. Embrace his loyal love for you!
- Pray and thank God for loving you - for clinging to you - like a man clings to his wife.