Intro to ruth biblica the international bible society. The book of ruth ruth is a story about loyalty, love, and faith. This book is called ruth, not because she was the author of it, but because she is the principal subject of it. Ruth s relationship with her motherinlaw, naomi, is a wonderful exhibition of faithfulness and an example to us all in. The book of ruth is a beautifullycrafted look at how god s good purpose interplays with human decision. It showed them the loving, faithful nature of their god. Faithful god, an exposition of the book of ruth, ferguson. Here is a vital part of the biblical narrative of redemptive history, focusing. The book of ruth has always been one of, if not my mostbeloved oldtestament books. Picking up in the days when the judges ruled, the book of ruth tells the story of naomi, the moabite widow ruth, and the farmer boaz. The story which it tells illustrates the truth that god has never left himself without. If god calls, you can leave family, you can leave your job, you can leave minnesota, and you can make radical commitments and undertake new ventures.
Naomi, as the fallen mentor, is actively involved in preparing ruth for boaz and becomes the recipient of the elixir given by ruth. Ultimately, it is about god and his lovingkindness to act as the faithful provider to his covenant people and to those who put. According to eusebius n, with the hebrews, judges and ruth make one book they call shophetim, or judges. While god does not perform miraculous acts, signs, or wonders in the book of ruth he does actively work by providing a faithful devotion of ruth to naomi 1. Introduction having dedicated herself to the god of israel, ruth, in chapter 2, begins to grow in her relationship and dedication to boaz. Finally, we learn that if you trust the sovereign goodness and mercy of god to pursue you all the days of your life, then you are free like ruth. The book has its origins in a series of memorable addresses given at the english conference of the evangelical movement of wales in aberystwyth in august 1996. To teach children that god is faithful even when they feel small. This book demonstrates that god responds to his peoples cry. Faith continues to drive action in the life of ruth. In ruth, an israelite family faces tragic loss, and god uses the. To her gods those that forsake the communion of saints, will certainly break off their communion with god. Events in this book occur during the time of the judges in israel ruth 1. The book of ruth is a beautifullycrafted look at how gods good purpose interplays with human decision.
Now elimelek, naomis husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. Paul writing to the corinthians says, god, who has called you into fellowship with his son jesus christ our lord, is faithful. Ruths relationship with her motherinlaw, naomi, is a wonderful exhibition of faithfulness and an example to us all in. An exposition of the book of ruth 9781850492160 by sinclair ferguson and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. It can be safely presumed that part of ruth s reason for staying with naomi was. The author focuses on ruths unswerving and selfless devotion to desolate naomi 1. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both mahlon and kilion also died, and naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. This book helps us to understand christ himselfand, indeed, the whole bible more fully and clearly, and teaches us much about gods grace and providence. An exposition of the book of ruth 20 by sinclair ferguson isbn. The other festival scrolls are song of songs, lamentations, ecclesiastes and. God sustains his people, but the outcome is still unknown. As we study the story of ruth, one attribute of ruth is clearly seen. These often come in hard circumstances and are expressed through the kindness of others. The ruth narrative provided a gratifying reminder that even in the darkest times god was at work in the hearts of his faithful remnant.
Watch our overview video on the book of ruth, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Designing to return to bethlehem, she addresses her daughters in law, ver. An exposition of the book of ruth g 157pgs enjoyed reading through this commentary on ruth preparing for a small group bible study. Boaz book of ruth daniel block john reed naomi ruth. Ruths life story began in moab, where, as a young moabite woman, she married a man from bethlehem. Ferguson shows truly what it means to be a pastorscholar and his exposition on the book of ruth, faithful god, is a must own by any who seek to study as well. An exposition of the book of ruth sinclair ferguson on amazon. This is a wonderful book and one that i trust can and will bless you as it has blessed me. An exposition of the book of ruth by sinclair ferguson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ruth overview john gills exposition on the whole bible. Ruth shows how gods people can experience his sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. Be sure to browse the related resources at the end of this page for even more teaching ideas.
He presents striking examples of lives that embody in their. An exposition of the book of ruth ferguson, sinclair b. The importance of faithful love in human relationships among gods kingdom people is powerfully underscored. God fulfills his promises of a messiah and a future redeemer of mankind, jesus christ, through the faithful actions of ruth and boaz, two godly people who lived years before he was born. The book of ruth showed the israelites the blessings that obedience could bring. There is sweetness in the providence of god, whose judgment is unsearchable and whose paths beyond tracing out, yet is committed and faithful to care for the most needy amongst his children. Ruth as a wisdom story the good book blog biola university. Watching him provide for naomi and ruth, two widows with little prospects for a future, we learn. The book contains far more about god than its size would suggest. Ferguson brings a lot of helpful information out of the book. Bible commentaries john gills exposition of the whole bible ruth. Great book on ruth, great perspective on a number of issues. Sep 14, 2015 while god does not perform miraculous acts, signs, or wonders in the book of ruth he does actively work by providing a faithful devotion of ruth to naomi 1. Tragically, both ruths husband and his brother died.
This book helps us to understand christ himself and, indeed, the whole bible more fully and clearly, and teaches us much about god s grace and providence. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The book of ruth stands in striking contrast to the book of judges, and especially to the last five chapters thereof. The simple love story is a key to understanding the plan of god for love, and marriage as revealed in the scripture. Trinity book service is dedicated to providing good, solid, biblical resources for our generation. You can find the best commentary on ruth for you using the tools on the right side. And the book of ruth is skillfully woven with allusions back to that promise, the promise god gave to abraham. Ruth is one of the five festival scrolls, also known as the megilloth, in the writings section of the old testament. The book of ruth contains far more about god than its size would suggest. This kids bible lesson will show how god is faithful while teaching the story of ruth and naomi.
Commentary on the book of ruth tough questions answered. An exposition of the book of ruth trinity book service. But while the book may be short in length, it contains a message that is both compelling and timeless. Here is a thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming book, which includes as a helpful appendix a letter by. I read this little book years ago and returned to it when preaching ruth. The book of ruth opens with the extremely bad circumstances that there were at the time. Book of ruth bible study chapter 2 growing in grace. So simple, yet so powerful when understood, this book is dedicated to the scriptural explanation of right manright woman as related from the perspective of right. The author focuses on ruth s unswerving and selfless devotion to desolate naomi 1.
God is faithful story of ruth and naomi sunday school lesson. A nice little brief exposition about the book of ruth. Sep 01, 2005 a nice little brief exposition about the book of ruth. But do not let its small size and relative obscurity fool you.
Much like the book of ruth, it is multum in parvomuch in little. Jun 09, 2016 this kids bible lesson will show how god is faithful while teaching the story of ruth and naomi. It is a small book and one which is unlikely to be promoted or even to catch your eye. God had given a promise hundreds of years ago to another man, and the book of ruth is about gods faithfulness to fulfill that promise. The book of ruth is one of the most moving accounts in the bible, a story of love and loyalty that is a stark contrast to todays cynical, throwaway society. The book of ruth has undoubtedly received its fair share of undervaluation at this point. Faithful god, an exposition of the book of ruth, ferguson s b. If god calls, you can leave family, you can leave your job, you can leave minnesota, and you can make. Faithful god an exposition of the book of ruth ferguson, sinclair b. While ruth sees the blessing from god, naomi begins to rejoice at the change of circumstances.
This short book, only four chapters, shows how god uses unexpected people in amazing ways. The significance and application of the book of ruth. The writer encourages us to enjoy god and his word. Book of ruth overview insight for living ministries. This she saith, to try ruths sincerity and constancy, and that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the true religion. Its a tale of love, loss, faithfulness, and redemption.
God provides redemption for those who trust him in hard times. Faithful god is a book that touched me deeply and one i recommend without reservation to all christians. An exposition of the book of ruth paperback september 1, 2005 by sinclair ferguson author. For example, the theme of marriage occupies much of the story, but when viewed as an idealized romance between faithful ruth and godly boaz, the rich theology of this book passes right under the noses of many of its admirers. Oct 15, 2015 watch our overview video on the book of ruth, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The importance of faithful love in human relationships among god s kingdom people is powerfully underscored. In ruth we see the attitude and character of one in whom god is pleased. This book originates from a series of addresses delivered at the englishspeaking conference of the evangelical. Faithful god, an exposition of the book of ruth by sinclair b ferguson and published by bryntirion press. The chapters are small and follow the chapters behind the biblical narrative.
An exposition of the book of ruth g157pgs enjoyed reading through this commentary on ruth preparing for a small group bible study. Ruth showed loyalty to her motherinlaw, naomi, and her god. First, the position of the book of ruth between the historical books of judges and. Here is a vital part of the biblical narrative of redemptive history, focusing like a microscope on part of the detailed preparation god made as he sovereignly directed history towards. Background of the book of ruth most conservative authorities accept samuel as the probable author of ruth. The setting of the book is the spring barley harvest, hence its long association with the festival of pentecost, which pictured this early harvest. He presents striking examples of lives that embody in their daily affairs the selfgiving love that fulfills gods law.
It is short, as expositions go, totalling only 157 fairly small pages. God led ruth to harvest in a field of her relative, boaz 2. This book is not so much an exploration of the characters in the narrative as it is an exposition of what god is doing behind the scenes. Thought the book is titled ruth, the story revolves around naomi and her perspective. It can be safely presumed that part of ruths reason for staying with naomi was. Her husband, along with his family, had moved to moab because of a famine in the land of judah. Its ideal for a sunday school or childrens church bible study for kids. The book of ruth records experiences of joy and sorrow.
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