September 21st 2025 Ruth Ch 1 v 1 - 2
The book of Ruth is a book about redemption. The book of Ruth has often been called the romance of redemption. The main message of the book of Ruth is the message of redemption, redemption for Ruth the Moabite who is a Gentile, by her kinsman redeemer, Boaz. By law, Ruth, a Gentile, was barred from the covenant nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 7 v 2, 3).
Ruth was legally excluded and in addition to this she was a Moabite and forbidden to enter into the congregation (Deuteronomy 23 v 3).
If it had not been for her meeting Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, Ruth would have been forever excluded by the law. If it had not been for the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, our greater Boaz, then we would be forever aliens and strangers to God, doomed to eternal death and destruction (Romans 8 v 3 4, Ephesians 2 v 11 16).
The book of Ruth is a book about Grace. The law shut Ruth out, but grace let her in. Grace is unmerited favour. I am glad that God's plan of grace includes Gentiles. God wants Gentiles to find grace (Ruth 2 v 2). The grace of God is so great, so amazing, so unfathomable, so wonderful, so enduring that the believer must ask with Ruth: "Why have I found grace in thine eyes?" (Ruth 2 v 10).
The book of Ruth is also a book of Rest. God wants Gentiles to find rest in Him.
Naomi was so interested in Ruth that she wanted her to find rest (Ruth 1 v 9 ; 3 v 1).
There is only one place to find rest for our souls and that is at the feet of Jesus our greater Boaz.
Ruth found rest at the feet of Boaz; we find rest at the feet of Jesus. If you come humbly to the nail pierced feet of Jesus, He will place a robe of righteousness over you and receive you: "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out' (John 6 v 37).
The first five verses of Ruth chapter one tells us about a godly family leaving Bethlehem.
VERSE 1, FAMINE IN BETHLEHEM
The Period is. "When the judges ruled." …The book of Ruth is the connecting link between Judges and I Samuel, and introduces us to David in Ruth 4 v 17. Judge 21 v 25 says: "in those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." a. Each man was a law unto himself.
b. Men declared: "We are our own bosses, and we will do our own thing." c. When the laws of God are laid aside, we get in bad trouble.
d. We live in a time today when people justify their sin and do not fear God.
e. This was a time of corruption, scandal, and compromise.
During this period of compromise and corruption, we have the story of Ruth, a story of love.
Then came the Peril of a physical famine.
They had no rain, so there was physical famine; no spiritual rain means spiritual famine.
The Place was Bethlehem Judah.
1. Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven, would not have been born in Bethlehem if the events of this book of Ruth had not taken place.
2. Bethlehem means "house of bread," and Judah means "praise". This was a wonderful place to live the house of bread and praise. God has a house of bread and praise today. It is the church (Ephesians 3 v21).
On the other hand the other place: Moab is the place a little family from Bethlehem Judah moved to
A certain man, Elimelech, moves his family from the house of bread and praise down to Moab. In Psalm 108 v 9, God says: "Moab is my washpot" or we could say: "Moab is my rubbish dump." Moab was a country of outcasts. They had a sordid, sinful beginning.
Here we have a family, a man, wife, and two sons leaving the house of bread and praise and moving over to the land of Moab to eat out of the rubbish bin. This is the story of the prodigal family.
This is the story of a family that left the place of fellowship, praise, and feasting on the things of God for the world. They went to sojourn there. They didn't mean to stay very long, but they did (Verse 2).
Before you move for greener pastures there are some things you need to consider:
Is there a scriptural church to attend? What kind of school is there for my children? What type of social changes will I be required to make?
Elimelech didn't believe God could take care of him and his family in the house of bread, so he moved off to Moab.
VERSE 2, THE PRODIGAL FAMILY
In this verse, we get acquainted with the prodigal family. Here is a man with a very meaningful name. 1 Elimelech, this is the father and his name means, "my God is king." Elimelech's name was a testimony.
Elimelech didn't live up to his name. Instead of trusting God, he ran off to Moab.
2. Naomi, is his wife’s name. Naomi means, "The pleasant one." This indicates she had a happy outlook on life. She had a cheery personality. When she left Bethlehem Judah, she was happy but later shall be bitter (ch 1 v 19 21).
3. Mahlon and Chilion were the two sons.
a. Mahlon means sick, unhealthy.
b. Chilion means pining, or puny.
c. This is a picture of the spiritual condition of the family.
News from the Church New dates
28th September… Harvest Festival
1st October..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
15th October…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
ANSWERS TO 14th September QUESTIONS
1) Sold them and gave the money to those believers in need 2) All about Jesus 3) A Roman centurion
4) To arrest Christians 5) He was made blind on the way 6) Because the women met there for prayer
7) Worshiping many idols 8) Thet burned them 9) No 10) Corinth 11) Drave them from the judgment seat 12) Apollos 13) Troas 14) Midnight 15) From the 3rd floor 16) Meletus
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is the books of the Bible
1 What book comes before Obadiah?
2 What book comes between Acts and 1 Corinthians?
3 Which book comes after Esther?
4 Ephesians come after which book?
5 Which is the fortieth book of the Bible?
6 What book comes after Song of Solomon?
7 Which book comes after Micah ?
8 Which is the 5th book of the Bible?
9 Which is the 5th book of the New Testament?
10 Which book comes after Ruth ?
11 What is the 38th book of the Bible?
12 Which book comes before Philemon?
13 Which is the 65th book of the Bible ?
14 Which book comes before Ezekiel?
15 Which book comes after 2 Peter?
16 Which book comes before Zephaniah?
God Bless