Page 78 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

marrying widow, raising offspring for deceased (Deut. 25:5f). When Ruth brings news, Naomi hopes her
future is secure, but they wait for Boaz to resolve issue soon!

Escape Secure (4:1-22) Going to the gate to settle this business matter, Boaz gathers the elders and the
closer family redeemer. When he offers property rights to Elimelech’s land, the other man agrees,
perhaps thinking of Naomi as the only widow with no sons. Or since the levirate duty was voluntary,
perhaps he planned to ignore Ruth. But Boaz ensures Ruth’s security, by adding her redemption to
agreement, especially among elders. When the man defers, Boaz redeems the land, acquires Ruth as his
wife. YHWH blessed them with a son, but the focus quickly shifts to city women, praising God for
reversing Naomi’s plight, giving her a daughter-in-law and grandson, securing escape. But this son was
not just a way of escape for Naomi, but part of royal lineage.

Practical Application: The sovereignty of our great God is clearly seen in the story of Ruth. He guided
her every step of the way to become His child and fulfill His plan for her to become an ancestor of Jesus
Christ (Matthew 1:5). In the same way, we have assurance that God has a plan for each of us. Just as
Naomi and Ruth trusted Him to provide for them, so should we.

We see in Ruth an example of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. In addition to being devoted to her
family (Ruth 1:15-18; Proverbs 31:10-12) and faithfully dependent upon God (Ruth 2:12; Proverbs
31:30), we see in Ruth a woman of godly speech. Her words are loving, kind and respectful, both to
Naomi and to Boaz. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 “opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her
tongue is the law of kindness” (v. 26). We could search far and wide to find a woman today as worthy of
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being our role model as Ruth.

The Book of Ruth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h1eoBeR4Jk

Let’s Practice…

1. Finish this sentence. The Historical books trace the history of Israel from

2. What are two categories of the Historical books?

3-5. Write out the main message of the book of Joshua, Judges and Ruth?

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