Thursday Bible Study

Marriage is personal, a sacred union between two individuals. But marriage is never private, a marriage involves community. On the wedding day, a couple looks to the blessing of God and their community as their marriage begins… In what way(s) is marriage a community event? What roles can the church family play in marital life?   [Read Ruth 4:11-12]   Boaz asks the elders and townspeople to be witnesses in verses 9-10,  but what else do they do in verses 11-12?   During these public prayers the people pray for three things… Firstly, they pray for Ruth _ “May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel.” (4:11) What connections can be made between life of Ruth and the lives of Rachel and Leah?   From this point on, she will no longer be called “Ruth the Moabitess”. What does this tell us about this community?   Secondly, they pray for Boaz _ That he woul...

  Curiously, the name of the other relative is never actually mentioned in the story. Boaz would have known his name and would have called him by his name. This nearer relative’s name would have been required for the transaction to be legal. But, in the telling of this story, the author intentionally avoids naming him or providing any important details about him… Why do you think this is the case?     [Read Ruth 4:7-10]     The Hebrew used to describe how Boaz refers to this relative as “my friend” is peloni almoni which literally means “so-and-so”. This is the equivalent of calling him “what’s-his-name” or “John Smith”. Some bible scholars think that this was the narrator protecting him from embarrassment. Why might there be embarrassment?     Other Rabbinic traditions say that this is poetic justice. Why could this be understood this way?     Read Proverbs 22:1… what does this Proverb say about the importance...

  Whenever we’re asked to make a commitment involving our time, effort, or resources, we usually ask (or at least think) “What’s in it for me?” This question, whether we like it or not, whether we acknowledge it or not, is a kind of mantra that drives and directs most of the decisions that we make. Think about this and discuss… When was the last time you asked (or thought) “What’s in it for me?”     [Read Ruth 4:5-6]     As we looked at las time, the closer relative agrees to redeem Naomi’s land. Why? What are the benefits of this business deal?   What does the fact that Naomi has no sons mean for this ‘kinsman redeemer’ and this deal?     What else could redeeming Naomi’s land mean for this guy?     However, straight after part 1 of the deal, Boaz mentions part 2. What do we read in verse 5 and how does this change things for this nearer relative?     If this ‘kinsman redeemer’ does ...

  Attending weddings has to be one of the most joyful things we can do. Celebrating with a couple. Getting dressed up. Celebrating love. Spending time with family and friends. Having a boogie and a buffet! But even more enjoyable than the wedding day is getting to share in the marriage. Reflecting on that couple’s unique story of how they met and fell in love… even how they overcame odds to be together…   The story of Ruth and Boaz has reached tipping point. Whether they will marry (and live happily ever after) or not depends on the decision of a third person… the nearer relative… the closest ‘kinsman redeemer’. Boaz and Ruth aren’t in control over the outcome. [Read Ruth 4:1-4] Straight after the ‘threshing floor’ scene of the night before, we see that Boaz is on a mission… What does this tell us about Boaz and his character? Read Deuteronomy 21:19, 22:15, 25:7, and Proverbs 31:23, 31. Along with what we read in Ruth 4, what do we learn about “the town ga...