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Ruth 4:11-12

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 would “have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.” (4:11)

“Ephrathah” is linked to Bethlehem and in Hebrew the word means “fruitful”.

As we’ve previously seen, Boaz is already a prominent figure in that place… “a man of standing” (2:1)… known for his kindness.
Now what is their hope and prayer for him?

 

Both this prayer for Boaz and the prayer for Ruth have connections to Genesis and the original couple.
How?

 

Boaz’s grandson, Jesse, will have eight sons, the youngest will grow up to become Israel’s most beloved king, David… and from that same family line we get the eternal King, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

It seems like the community’s prayers were answered, as both Boaz and Ruth are still being discussed today!


What would you like to be known for?

 

Thirdly, they pray about Boaz’s ancestry_
“May your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” (4:12)


[Read Genesis 38:6-30]

 

Why would the townspeople pray this?!

Similarly, to how we looked at Ruth, Rachel and Leah’s stories… what are the parallels between the story of Boaz and Ruth and the story of Perez’s parents, Judah and Tamar?

 

 

 

Ultimately, both Ruth and Tamar are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus… along with Rahab and Bathsheba.
What hope do we get from the inclusion of these characters?
What does this tell you about who our God is?

 

 

 

Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16…

How van these verses encourage you not to let your past failures or sins prevent or deter you from serving God?

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