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Ruth 4:13-17


As an ancient ‘influencer’ and wealthy ‘guardian-redeemer’, Boaz can easily redeem the land for Elimelek. But he also marries Ruth.
While in Moab, as Mahlon’s wife for 10 years, Ruth didn’t conceive.
The ancient understanding of infertility was that it was judgement (or a ‘curse’) from God. If Ruth remains childless and cannot produce an heir, the family line is doomed… no pressure!


[Read Ruth 4:13]


In this verse, we read that “God intervened”.
This is the second time that we read about God taking this kind of direct divine action. The first time is found in Ruth 1:6.
What do both of these instances tell us about the nature of God?

 

 

Recalling the prayers/blessing in the last part of the story, how do we see God answering both the prayers of Ruth and Boaz?

 

 

With God stepping into the story and directly providing for Ruth, she joins a long list of other women who have had similar experiences.
Can you think of any examples?

 

By joining this list of divine intervention of mothers, what does this tell us about Ruth and the future of this family line?

 

 

 

[Read Ruth 4:14-17]

 

 

This scene ends with Naomi getting to meet the grandson she never thought she would see… and not just that, but cuddle him and treat him as the son she had previously lost.

 

The women of the town…probably part of the same townspeople who originally greeted Naomi back from Moab, in that ‘bitter’ state (1:19-21) …now get to celebrate the birth of Ruth’s son with a joyful Naomi (4:14-15).

How might the women of the town be feeling at this point in the story?

How might Naomi be feeling?

 

 

The townspeople praise God for His faithfulness and promise-keeping and provision.
In particular, they remind Naomi of two precious blessings.
The first in verse 14, the second in verse 15.
What are they and why?

 

 

 

 


For a culture and society that values sons more than daughters, what does verse 15 say about Ruth?

 

 

Neither Boaz or Ruth name their new-born son.
Who does the naming and why?

 

 

In Ephesians 1:3, Paul says that all who are in Christ are abundantly blessed.
How has the Lord blessed you in the last month?
What’s the one blessing that you are particularly grateful to have received from God and why?

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