GREAT BREAKTHROUGHS: RUTH’S REDEMPTION

Week 1: NAOMI’S BREAKTHROUGH

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Ruth 1-4

Pilot text

Ruth 1:1-5,14-18 1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

14-18: 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

Discussion Points

1. Where (tribe and town) was Elimelech from? What might be the significance of this?
2. What does Naomi’s advice to her daughters-in-law tell us about the kind of person she was?
3. Naomi attributed her challenges to God: “… the hand of the Lord has gone out against me”, and “… the almighty has afflicted me”. What are your views about this?
4. Why do you think Ruth insisted on going with Naomi to Israel?

Closing thoughts:

Naomi’s setback was almost unimaginable. It was terrible that she lost her husband; catastrophic that she also lost her sons. We don’t know the circumstances surrounding their death, but we do know that Naomi felt bitter and wronged. She needed someone to blame for her situation; and turned to the only person she knew that was powerful enough to take the blame – God.

The Old Testament writers, not fully knowing the character of God, often attributed all things (good and evil) to God. But in the New Testament we know that God is not responsible for evil, because in Christ He fully revealed Himself as altogether good. Nevertheless, even now we still sometimes look to blame God when things don’t go as planned. God is big enough, and gracious enough, to take our pointing fingers without reproaching us – while we mature in our knowledge of Him. As a loving Father, his focus is on helping us to break through from where we may be (pain, anger, confusion, fear, labour); into the joy He has prepared for us.

Before Naomi’s situation arose, the all-knowing God had made provision for her breakthrough. Even in the midst of her pain, God himself guaranteed Naomi’s turnaround. How so? God gave Ruth to Naomi.

Ruth was the key to Naomi’s breakthrough, even if Naomi did not know it at that time. Oftentimes, God’s answer to our prayer for help is to send us a man, someone. Has God sent you someone while you’ve been asking for His help and praying for breakthrough? You may need to look again if you don’t already know the answer to that question.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. “Sometimes God can test his children with affliction to teach them certain lessons”. Agree/disagree with reasons.
2. An unmarried friend tells you that she is inspired by Ruth’s story to go after the man she believes that God has appointed her husband. She emphasises how Ruth took matters into her own hands and was eventually successful. How might you advise her?