We come to the final chapter of Ruth, in which the only remaining obstacle (the presence of another kinsman-redeemer) is overcome. While important for the resolution of the story, there’s not a lot new to be said about this part. Again, it’s the story of God’s laws in action – the laws that were set up to… Continue reading Ruth – part 7 (4:1-22)

Last week we paused in our series through Ruth to ask: what does this story tell us about God? We saw firstly that it illustrated God’s extravagant kindness to his people – and urged us to show that to others (like Boaz did). The second thing I noticed  story is the way in which both Ruth and Boaz behaved… Continue reading Ruth – part 6

Although we still have one chapter to go in our Ruth series (see this week’s previous posts), at the end of chapter 3 we stopped to ask what this ancient story of romance has to do with us. We don’t want to go down the Men are from Israel, Women are from Moab path (yes, it’s a… Continue reading Ruth – part 5

Previously, in Ruth… Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, had moved from the land of Israel to Moab, with her husband; but her husband soon died, and she was left with her two sons. While they were living in Moab, Naomi’s sons married Moabite women – Ruth and Orpah. But ten years later, her sons died, too. So Naomi and… Continue reading Ruth – part 4 (3:1-18)

At the end of Ruth chapter 1 (see yesterday), Naomi has returned to her homeland, poor and childless. She is bitter, because she sees God’s hand as being against her. She is “empty” – without a man in her family to provide food for her, and without an heir. Yet the chapter ended with a note… Continue reading Ruth – part 3 (2:1-23)

Yesterday we began a series on Ruth, and made a list of all the things that weren’t “right” in the first five verses. (You really need to read yesterday’s notes for today to make sense.) What did you come up with? 1:1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the… Continue reading Ruth – part 2 (1:6-22)

Today, we begin a new series through the Old Testament book of Ruth. But we’re going to start a little bit before Ruth in our reading, in order to set the scene for what’s going on. (There’s a lot more bible-reading today, and less explanation than usual. You’ll see why later. Promise.) First, let’s head back to… Continue reading Ruth – part 1 (1:1-5)