The Romance of Redemption Ruth 4:1-12

If you're leading a small group along our series in Ruth, I've put some possible discussion questions in bold, below.

Someone once said, I want God to save me and to be with Him in heaven, but I don't want God to do anything wrong to get me there. He had a clearer view of himself, and how unfit he was for relationship with God, than m ost of us do. If we really are that bad (you are), how can God forgive us, remove our guilt, without being an unjust, or at least unforgivably lenient judge? Could there be anyone so bad or evil that God would not redeem them?

She's the lady Boaz wants, yet he won't do anything wrong to make her his. The scene at the city gate is carefully played so that all is done justly and above board, out in the open, no back-room deals. And, he's willing to do what another will not: pay the price to gain the her, even though it costs him. How does this compare to our salvation in Romans 3:23-26; 4:5; 5:6-10?

What about the other guy, Mr. No-name? What happens to him? Exactly! The one who would not preserve his relatives name among God's people--his own name is purposely not mentioned--in a story full of names! How does this compare to our participation in God's saving work? If that's true, how can I get started, where can I get started? I had better get started! To whom am I God's ambassador (2 Cor 5:12-21)? Compare Mr. Shoeless to Romans 10:15...

Before we rush on, scan back over the first couple of chapters. Find Naomi's prayer for God's blessing on Ruth in chapter 1 and Boaz's in chapter 2. Did either of them see how this was going to work out? I remember a line about shooting in a movie: aim small, hit small. Maybe in praying we should pray big, hit big? Yet, even when I pray small, maybe I don't even think God's really listening--God just might answer big! What does this tell us about God?

On more thought, if you've still got time. What's with the blessing like Rachael and Leah, like Perez born to Tamar? Had they read those stories? These are some of the classic dysfunctionalities in the Bible. "May your family be really messed up like these were!" What kind of blessing is that? Maybe it is the blessing of grace? Maybe even my family could be........great? Why do we so easily think God will do his work through someone else? Is this false humility or just a not knowing God's grace? Is our God to small, that he needs strong workers and competent helpers? Why do we pretend we have it more together than we do, and then stay back in the shadows so no one will see any different?

What are you waiting for? Ruth 3:14-18

Ruth 3 reminds me of my introduction to the Air Force, it was "Hurry up" and "Wait." After this very intriguing midnight proposal, now Ruth must return and wait to see how the matter will fall. Will Boaz be able to work things out? What is this "nearer relative" who "might redeem her" all about. Will she be married to Boaz, so other joker she doesn't even know, or to no one? First, she has to wait. Wait. Wait.

We love to wait. In our "instant" and "now" culture we love it when something is unresolved, we can't hurry it, we can't make it happen, all we can do is wait.... We love that don't we? We don't?

There are some beautiful parallels in this section between Ruth waiting for Boaz and the Church waiting for Christ to complete his promise of our redemption. These parallels are an important part of the story of Ruth, it is both a human story and a theological illustration of our redemption.

In your Growth Group:

• You could ask the group: Is there a time when you have waited for something promised (or expected) that you never did receive? How does this effect how you hope or wait for things now? Is there perhaps some doubt or guarding yourself against possible disappointment?
• You could discuss together how this passage parallels waiting for God to act in a situation when there is nothing more you can do. What was that like, or what is it like now? What helps you wait in faith?
• When we wait on God, do we always know what outcome we will see? (Did Ruth?) What outcomes do we know for sure? (the big ones, the eternal ones.) What outcomes do we not know as clearly?
• How do some things that Boaz did before departing for the "city" help Ruth to wait in faith? How can you compare this to what Christ provided for us before his departure?

The Awakening of Hope

Act 2, scene 3 Ruth 2:17-23

In the midst of their trouble, through the grace extended to Ruth, Naomi first gets a glimmer of hope that indeed God may be moving in their present circumstances leading Ruth to this field, provoking such hesed in Boaz, when in fact God has been moving from long before to prepare the way for this grace in the law of gleaning, in the law of the Goel or kinsman redeemer, and even in His earlier still provision of an even greater kinsman redeemer than Boaz.

1. God is at work in our present circumstances. Naomi has seen it in God’s provision through Ruth.

It would be good for the group to rehearse some of the ways Ruth and Naomi has seen God’s grace or faithful loving kindness (Hebrew word: hesed).

Then, recount some stories of how they have experienced God’s faithful love to them when they were not looking for it or where in a place of despair.

Thirdly, how have some of the group been used to help, or give grace, to someone to whom help was more needed than you realized (times when God used them to meet a need.)

2. God has been working to give grace Naomi’s hope is rekindled in remembering the provision of God’s law which Boaz fits, a near relative (Goel) who could redeem. Does Naomi know yet what Boaz WILL do, or is she encouraged merely that she has seen God’s grace in the midst of trouble?

…from long ago. Rev 13:8; 1 Pet 1:18-22; Eph 1:3-6

A good further discussion on this point, is how does this relate to us? What difference does it make to you in life’s current storms, to know that God has been working with the whole world in view, and yet also knowing you, from before creation?

What is more important, knowing God will solve/fix/change the problem, or knowing God in the midst of the problem?

What do you think:

The point of the book of Ruth is not that that the end of this story will be even better than the beginning—that your tragedy is because God is working something even better. “What could be better than the death of my husband?! What could be better than the loss of my two children?! –How dare you!” The point is that even in the brokenness of this world, the shattered dreams that are the way of broken people in a broken world, God has not abandon us here. Out of brokenness He works redemption, all the while showing us we were made for, meant for, a redeemed reality that will surpass the brokenness of this life and world and will surpass even our best imaginings.

“Where can I find grace?”

Setting the scene. 2:1-3

Ruth finds grace, through Boaz, from God.

Who is this? (cp. John 10) 2:4-5

Humility meets God’s provision 2:6-7

(cf. Lev. 19:9-10; Dt. 19-22)

The danger of looking somewhere else (Gen. 3) 2:8-9

An outsider finds grace (Eph. 2:12-19) 2:10-13

Can I supersize that? 2:14-16

Ruth finds grace from God through Boaz.

Chapter 2 turns the corner from the bitterness of Naomi to provision and hope experienced in the introduction of Ruth to the godly man Boaz. The section drips with take-aways and application. There is the evident hand of the sovereign God at work as Ruth “happens to happen upon the part of the fields belonging to Boaz.” There are the evident character qualities of Ruth (faithfulness, industriousness, humility) and of Boaz (warmth, generosity, care). There are specific punch lines, “Where can I find grace?” “You have spoken to my heart.” that compare to our own experience.

There is dramatic real-life theology, truth about God, in his care for the powerless, His sovereignty in circumstances, His knowing of His own, the provision of grace even in OT Law, and the abundance of His grace above and beyond our hope or need.

There is also some big picture theology. You can compare Naomi to Israel (bitter about how God has treated her in her wanderings.) Ruth is like the church (Eph 2), outside the covenants and promises and yet she finds grace even beyond what was promised to Israel in the OT. Boaz, the man of standing and reputation, the strong and able one, who is actually nearer to them they first realize is a picture of Christ our “kinsman redeemer” who has the means and extends grace to us, beyond what we would ask or expect.

I’m hesitant to tell you just how to apply and dig deeper here in your Growth Group. One suggestion I would make is that just as this is a real story, the members of your group have been or are in a similar story. They will identify with different characters: Ruth, Boaz, the foreman, the reapers? How have they seen God’s hand of grace working through others. Most importantly for those who know Grace, how would we desire to see God extend His grace through us. Urge one another to be very specific on this, share the past failings and successes and commit to what the next time will look like.

In this story we see the heart of God revealed in the cross of Christ, and are reminded that God’s grace is best shared with others in the midst of the desperate needs of real life.