A Bible Study on Ruth: God is in the Business of Renewal

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Today’s Passage: Ruth 1:15-18:

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Ruth makes an incredible declaration of loyalty, commitment, and acceptance of God.

WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?

Ruth is Moabite: why is that significant?

Corners of fields were historically left for the poor to glean.

Themes in the book of Ruth include emptiness/fullness; God’s sovereignty and also human responsibility/courage

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The story of Ruth closes with genealogy: a little micro-story of the goodness to come in Matthew 1. God’s sovereignty is on the move from generation to generation. During hard, evil times, God is at work.

God’s extension of grace to outsiders is a theme throughout the Bible and through the line of Jesus. He is in the business of renewal, moving us from emptiness to fullness.

God rewards faith, tenacity, and audacity – we see this in Ruth.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?

What do you need to hear in this story today?

Be encouraged - God’s not done even with your story.

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