“God is Able to Do Immeasurably More”
Ephesians 3:20—21
This morning you might be hurting and feel hopeless. Maybe you are trying to find faith to hope for something better. I’m praying that God will give you hope and build your faith as we study the book of Ruth. God’s plans for you are better than you can imagine, immeasurably more, because He’s good, He’s faithful and His word is true.
In Chapter 1 – Ruth and Naomi are widowed, they have no job, they have no means of financial support, they have no provision, and they really have no hope. Ruth experiences heartbreak. But Ruth also makes a decision. She decides to leave Moab and pursue the one true God of Israel in Bethlehem.
In Chapter 2 – Ruth works and she waits and she serves. She gleans, working in the fields of a man named Boaz. She serves faithfully waiting on God.
In Chapter 3 – Ruth puts herself in the path of Boaz and she trusts God while she waits. Boaz puts into motion a plan to protect and redeem.
In Chapter 4 – Ruth is redeemed by a man of God, she is restored by the blessings of God, and the community starts rejoicing and celebrating the goodness of God.
The Power of One Prayer
The God Who Enables
While You’re Waiting, God Keeps Working
God’s Providence: Best Seen Looking Back
Discussion Guide
The witnesses mentioned (of the redeemer transaction) gave two prayers or blessings to Boaz – one for Ruth to be fruitful like Rachel and Leah and one for Boaz to be well-known in Bethlehem. How are both fulfilled?
What are some ways that Ruth was a blessing to Naomi? How did Naomi’s attitude and situation change from the beginning of the Book of Ruth to the end? What are some ways that the Book of Ruth points to (or foreshadows) better things to come through Jesus?
Looking back at the whole story, how does God work behind the scenes even when His name isn’t directly invoked through grand miracles? How does the ultimate lineage to Jesus change your perspective on how God uses ordinary, broken, or marginalized lives?