CrossGroups Connection Guide
Today’s Scripture Focus: Ruth 4:1-12
The book of Ruth is a short story set in the period of the Judges. It is pastoral, meaning most of the action takes place in and around the fields. Food is a constant theme throughout the story. In chapter one, a Judean family travels from their home in Bethlehem (“house of bread”) to the foreign territory of Moab due to a famine. While there, the two sons of the family take on Moabite wives. Tragedy strikes when all three men in the family die, leaving the family matriarch Naomi and her two daughters-in-law with no means to provide. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, and releases her daughters-in-law to return to their households. One does so, but the other – Ruth – vows to remain with Naomi until death.
The two widows arrive in Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest. The Law required farmers to leave any grain that falls on the ground during the harvest process for the poor, widows, and foreigners to gather. It was the public assistance program of the time. Ruth, being poor, a widow, and a foreigner qualified on all three counts. Ruth just so happens to glean the field of a man named Boaz, the third major character in the story. As it so happens, Boaz is a rich man, a good man, and the “kinsman redeemer” for Naomi’s family, meaning it was his responsibility to see justice was done for all family members. Word of Ruth’s kindness to her mother-in-law has reached Boaz, and he officially “takes notice” of her, putting her under his protection.
The third act of the story has a bit of intrigue and sensuality to it. Naomi, realizing an opportunity for Ruth (and herself), instructs Ruth to give herself a make-over and approach Boaz while he sleeps on the threshing floor. Because men and women both labored in the fields during harvest, normal male/female boundaries were somewhat loosened. Ruth approaches the sleeping Boaz and “uncovers his feet”, and act indicating familiarity and intimacy. This startles Boaz, possibly due to a superstition among the people that death came at midnight. Using the ancient equivalent of flirting, Ruth makes her intentions known to Boaz, asking him to “spread his cloak” over her (basically, provide for her by marrying her.)
Boaz signifies his agreement in three ways. First, he agrees to act as next-of-kin for her if another relative does not. Second, he allows her to remain sleeping at his feet as long as she leaves before anyone sees her. Third, he fills her cloak with barley to take home. Boaz wastes no time in contacting the next closest relative. This relative seems interested in the land that legally belongs to Naomi, but once he hears it requires being responsible for a widow, he wants no part of it. This frees up Boaz to marry Ruth. Ruth soon becomes pregnant, and the baby is placed in Naomi’s care. It’s a happy ending for everyone. However, to ancient hearers of this tale, the story has a surprise ending. The last part of the story is a brief genealogy, in which we discover that Ruth, a poor foreigner, is the great-grandmother of King David!
In today’s sermon, we’ll see how God builds strong characters in difficulty.
• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.
• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.
• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?
• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.
1. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Can you think of a time in life when you learned this lesson?
2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?
3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?
• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.
Today’s Sermon
Key Truths –
• The characters in Ruth faced difficult days.
• We live in difficult days, too.
• God used difficulty to bring out strong character.
• God uses difficulty to bring out our character now.
This Week’s Assignment –
“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” – James D. Miles
Are you facing a difficult situation? Rather than focus on finding a solution to YOUR problem, focus on being the solution to someone else’s. Then, wait for God to surprise you.
