Marriage and the Bible

Marriage and the Bible Based on the Living in Love Series by Richard L. Strauss, Biblical Studies Foundation - 1998

What You Bring to the Marriage Chapter 5: Boaz and Ruth

Ground Rules • Do we have them down by now?

Good Husbands and Wives • What makes for a good prospective husband? What qualities would you look for? • What makes for a good prospective wife? What qualities would you look for? • I suspect society’s list would not be far different from ours. The main difference, is perhaps the order in which they appear.

Setting Up the Story • The story of Boaz and Ruth takes place 500 years after we left off with Jacob and Rachel. • Israel has experienced Egypt, the exodus, wandering in the wilderness, possession of the promised land, and establishment as a nation. • We are now in the midst of the cycle of sin, servitude, and salvation inherent to Judges.

Setting Up the Story • Naomi’s family flees to Moab to escape famine. • While there, Naomi’s husband dies, followed by her two sons. • She is left with two Moabite daughters-in-law, whom she urges to return to their families (and their culture) as she sets off to return to Israel.

Who is Ruth? • Where does Ruth stand as a Moabitess? • Genesis 19:36-37 • Numbers 25:1-3 • Deuteronomy 23:3-4 • Judges 3:28-30 • Ruth experiences the God of Israel through 10 years of marriage in Naomi’s family. She clearly knows and reveres The LORD. • Ruth 1:16b-17

Who is Ruth? • Upon the foundation of her relationship to God, Ruth shows a compassionate regard for her mother-in-law, vowing to stay with her and provide for her. • This was not the safe play! • There is no direct mention of Ruth’s physical appearance. Her inner beauty is apparent in the story, though.

Inner Beauty • In the course of the story, Ruth demonstrates a quiet spirit and a genuine sense of humility. • Why does this make her beautiful and appealing as a [prospective] wife? • 1 Peter 3:1-4

Who is Boaz? • Relative of Naomi’s husband. Name denotes “strength.” • Boaz clearly has a close relationship with God, such that it permeates his dialogue spoken in this story. • Ruth 2:4, 3:10, 3:13 • It is implied that Boaz is a fair amount older than Ruth.

Generous Spirit • By the end of the story, Boaz is shown to be kind, thoughtful, considerate, gentle, and modest. • Ruth first encounters Boaz gleaning barley from his fields. • God’s law provides for the corners of the fields and grain dropped by the harvesters to be devoted to the poor, widows, and foreigners. • Ruth qualified on all three categories!

Generous Spirit • Boaz shows special consideration when he learns who Ruth is: • Encourages her to remain at his field. • Offers protection from “men touching her.” • Offers the water allotted to his workers. • Invites her to eat her fill with his workers. • Encourages his workers to deliberately leave excess grain for Ruth to pick up.

Kinsman Redeemer • Ruth 3:1-4 sounds more like a dare than anything else! • God’s laws include the redemption of widows through brothers in a family…extending outward if none are alive. • Naomi encourages Ruth to seek Boaz as her “goel” or redeemer.

Modesty Abounds • The event that night was absolutely modest. There is no language to suggest that anything happened between the lines. • Boaz shows his modesty through his surprise that Ruth would have chosen him, and confesses that a closer relative may have the right to redeem her himself.

The Fruits of this Relationship • Boaz and Ruth marry. • Unlike previous stories, she is unhindered in conceiving and giving birth to a son. • That son is generously regarded as Naomi’s own. • That son’s name is Obed. Significance?

Practical Applications • Ruth and Boaz bring into the relationship preexisting devotion to God. • Did you, or someone you know enter marriage before knowing God on a personal level? • Why do some relationships appear to thrive apart from devotion to God? Can they thrive? What are they missing?

Love Even your Mother-in-Law! • Our society assumes a tense relationship with the in-laws unless told otherwise. • Ruth showed selfless regard for Naomi, even when unbound to do so. • Your relationship with Christ enables you to do likewise. Do you have a relationship that does not show the openness and generosity shown between Ruth and Naomi?

Modesty and Self-Control • The episode at the threshing floor shows exemplary self-control. (A lesser man and a former pagan could have clearly led to something!) • Society today values “trial marriages” through living together. • What obstacles do these marriages have to overcome?

The Model in Your Home • Do your children see the kind of selfless and genuine love shown in this story? • What will your children take with them to their own relationships based on what they’ve experienced in your home? • If this is a rocky area for you, do you feel the conviction to address this?

Challenge • You brought your own attributes to your marriage? How have they changed over the years? For the better? • Wives – Do you have a meek and quiet spirit? • Husbands – Are you kind and gentle toward your wife? Are you protective and generous?

Additional Discussion • What is your evaluation of Naomi’s attitude upon her initial return to Israel? • Ruth challenges the contemporary view of foreigners within Israel. What about this story challenges the contemporary views we have today? • How are Ruth’s actions and circumstances amplified by God? - Luke 16:10

Additional Discussion • The story of Ruth takes place during a dark and tumultuous time for Israel. Ruth is a ray of light and hope, underscoring the power of Israel’s ultimate Judge and Deliverer. • Ultimately, the answer to all of our questions and problems lead to the same word. • GOD

Marriage and the Bible