T H E S T O R Y READ THE STORY. EXPERIENCE THE BIBLE.

MOVEMENT 2: The Story of Israel (Genesis 12-Malachi)

God builds a brand-new nation called Israel. Though this nation, he will reveal his presence, power, and plan to get you back. Every story of Israel will point to the first coming of Jesus – the One who will provide the way back to God.

CHAPTER SUMMARY:

The story of Israel’s judges closes with a line that could just as well be the opening for the story of Ruth: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25). God’s chosen ones looked more like a reality show gone wrong than a holy beacon of hope. They had abandoned God’s plan (again) and had become moral misfits and spiritual adulterers. The light had gone out on God’s people. Then a foreigner stepped onto the stage and a candle of hope flickered once again.

The story of Ruth is a literary and redemptive gem that glimmers against a backdrop of blackness. In the opening scene…Naomi’s family caravanned away from the Promised Land where famine had left them hungry for food and for hope. They settled in Moab where idol worship was the prevailing ritual and God seemed far away. Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women…Orpah and Ruth. The weddings were too quickly followed by funerals…three of them. Naomi’s husband died first. Soon after, both of her sons died too. And all that was left was three widows…no children…and no prospects. The prospects were indeed grim.

Naomi heard the famine had lifted and decided to return to Bethlehem. She sent her daughters-in-law back to their homes where they might find new husbands. Ruth expressed her strong will and even stronger faith by refusing to leave. Her poetic declaration of loyalty and commitment offers the first sign of hope: “Where you go, I will go; your people will be my people and your God my God” (p.122). The duo of widows made the journey back to the Land of Promise where the only hope was mere survival.

Once there…Ruth exercised a widow’s right to gather the extra grain from the fields. Her field of choice just happened to be the farmstead of a godly man named Boaz. He also happened to be a family guardian who could carry on the heritage of Naomi’s deceased husband and sons. He noticed Ruth from the start and admired the way she worked to provide for her aging mother-in-law. Boaz offered his help and protection…Ruth noticed him too.

Jewish law required a family guardian to redeem both a widow and her land to preserve the family line. So, as was the custom, Naomi told Ruth to offer herself in marriage to Boaz. He was delighted but also knew of a closer relative who had the right of first refusal. That man chose to forfeit Naomi’s land since it also meant he would have to marry Ruth, which might threaten the inheritance he would pass along to his own children. Neither Boaz nor Ruth was disappointed by his choice since his refusal paved the way for Boaz to fulfill his role as a family guardian or “kinsman redeemer.” Boaz gladly married Ruth and redeemed the family’s land. God cheerfully restored Naomi and planted a family tree: Ruth and Boaz g Obed g Jesse g King David g Jesus.

There’s no denying this story as a great romance. But even more, it brings us to a defining episode in the greatest love story ever told. Boaz’s love for Ruth is a mirror image of the heart of God. Boaz steps in as a willing kinsmen redeemer and foreshadows One who would step in as the Redeemer for all people. So, it turns out the even the “not so chosen” are chosen after all. God’s plan will overwhelm every obstacle, overturn every injustice and overcome completely in the end. Soon…we’ll see that God is writing a happily ever after for this story after all.

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ICEBREAKER:

In the iconic 1990s comedy Dumb and Dumber…one of the main characters, Lloyd Christmas, falls for a woman named Mary. At a dramatic moment he finally asks her if there is any chance they will end up together. Here is their brief dialog:

Lloyd: What are my chances?

Mary: Not good.

The music comes to an abrupt stop and there is an awkward pause…

Lloyd: You mean “not good” like one in a hundred?

Mary: I’d say more like one out of a million.

Another pause as Lloyd processes this information…then he speaks with exuberance.

Lloyd: So you’re telling me there’s a chance…yah!

What makes this so humorous is that everyone knows there is no chance in the world…except Lloyd. He is a hopeless optimist. As you continue through The Story…you encounter time after time when things seem hopeless and impossible. From a Lower Story perspective you look and say, “This is a one-in-a-million chance…really no chance at all.” Then…beyond all reason…God speaks from the Upper Story and tells you there really is a chance! DIGGING IN:

1. Meanings of Biblical names are always significant. Elimelek’s name meant “my God is King.” Naomi’s name meant “my pleasantness/beautiful,” but later asked to be called Mara, meaning “bitterness.” Ruth’s name meant “friendship.” Boaz’s name meant “swift strength.” Who best lived up to their names and who did not?

2. Compare Naomi’s attitude at the beginning and end of this story. How does her view of God and the Upper Story change?

3. The period of the Judges was marked by weak faith and irresponsible living…but this foreign woman gives hope. What specific examples of strong faith and responsible living can you find in the characters of Ruth and Boaz?

4. When another family member…realizing it will cost him a great deal and gain him nothing financially…declines to redeem Ruth. At this point, Boaz pays for all the property and allows the name of Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) to be remembered. Give examples of things God calls Christians to do that cost you a great deal and do not pay off much (in this life or the eyes of the world).

     

5. How did Jesus’ life model service and sacrifice for people who really had nothing with which to pay him back? What has Jesus given you that you could never truly pay back? How can you express gratitude for his amazing generosity?

 

 

 

6. The story of Ruth demonstrates laws that God had given Israel to take care of marginalized people (Deuteronomy 25:5-10…Leviticus 25:25…Leviticus 19:9-10). What do these laws and customs reveal about the heart of God for the poor, the widow and the orphan? How could your group care for the less fortunate and thereby reflect the heart of God?

7. The love story of Ruth and Boaz stands in contrast to many of the “love” stories you hear today. What can single men and women learn from their example (note Ruth’s reputation in the community…p.123,125)

8. The word for redeem is used twenty times in this story…making it a key theme. What does it mean to be redeemed? How does Boaz’s redeeming of Ruth compare to your redemption found in Christ?

9. What some people might call coincidence others call divine providence. What are some key examples of God’s divine providence in this story?

       PERSONAL REFLECTIONS & JOURNAL INSIGHTS:

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♦ PERSONAL ACTION:

Reflect on some of the main characters in this amazing narrative and pray for your life to reflect some of the same God-honoring attitudes and behavior:

♦ Naomi: learn from her example of faith even in the hard times…from her care for her daughters-in-law…and her honesty about her pain and loss.

♦ Ruth: learn from her devotion to Naomi…from her commitment to work hard…and from her trust in God.

♦ Boaz: learn from his compassion to a person in need…from his generosity…and from her trust in God.

Be a Boaz. He showed compassion to a person in need. Think through the coming week and identity one or two acts of compassion and generosity you can extend to a person who is hurting…marginalized…or in need.

 

 

PRAYER:

Almighty God, When I can’t always see how you are at work in the details of my struggles, give me patience, endurance and strength to trust you are always at work behind the scenes guiding my path. Give me faith to follow my convictions…to seek out the help of those who are gracious…and to extend that help to others. In your good name I pray. Amen.

CHAPTER 10, STANDING TALL, FALLING HARD Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next…or spread the questions over the whole week.

 

1. Hannah wanted a child so badly she promised God that she would give the child over to him. Have you ever made a bargain with God? What thing do you want the most?

2. What do you learn from Hannah about how to pray?

3. How did Eli help Samuel know when he was hearing the voice of God? How can you tell when God is speaking to you?

4. The Ark of the Covenant was treated like a good luck charm. Do people treat God…or symbols of God…like that today? What is the difference between giving God the respect he deserves and treating him or a symbol like a rabbit’s foot?

5. Samuel was hurt that the Israelites wanted a king…instead of remembering God was their king. Why was this such a temptation for them? When have you found it hard to trust God to take care of you?

6. Why do you think it was hard for Saul to admit to Samuel when he was in the wrong? Rate your self from 1-10 on your ability to own up to your mistakes.

7. God repeatedly chooses the least and the last to accomplish his will. What could he do through you today?

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