Ruth 4 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Ruth 4 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• The events recorded in the book of Ruth happened during the period of the Judges (1:1). Most scholars place the period of the Judges between 1450 B.C. and 1000 B.C.

• Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David. David’s birth is dated to approximately 1040 B.C, which would place Ruth’s story around 1100 B.C.

• Ruth 2 mentions the barley and wheat harvest in Israel. Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn and ripened in the spring. Barley ripened faster and was ready for harvest around April. Wheat was typically harvested in May.

CHARACTERS:

• Naomi – An Israelite widow. Ruth was her daughter-in-law.

• Ruth – Moabite women who became a widow after the death of her husband, Naomi’s son.  

• Boaz – A relative of Naomi. He is described as a “worthy man.”

• The 1st Redeemer – This man was relative of Naomi’s who was even more closely related than Boaz.

WHERE:

• In Ruth 1, Naomi and Ruth moved to Bethlehem after living in Moab.

• The remainder of Ruth’s story played out in-and-around Bethlehem.

• Boaz spoke with the 1st redeemer at the gate of Bethlehem.

OUTLINE:

• BOAZ MEETS WITH THE 1ST REDEEMER (4:1-12):

  • Boaz went to the gate of the city to resolve the situation that arose in Ruth 3.

  • As a relative of Ruth’s, Boaz had the right and the responsibility to marry her and care for her, but a closer relative had to forego that right first.

  • When Boaz found the closer relative, he gathered the elders of the city and explained the situation.

  • Naomi was selling a piece of land that belonged to her husband, Elimelech.

  • As the closest relative, the 1st redeemer had the right to purchase the land, however in doing so, he would also be responsible for caring for Ruth.

  • The redeemer wanted the land, but not a wife, so he relinquished his right and gave Boaz permission to redeem Ruth.

  • The redeemer took off his shoe and gave it to the Boaz. This was the cultural way of showing that an agreement had been reached.

  • All the people who witnessed the agreement were in favor and they blessed Boaz and Ruth’s union.

• RUTH AND BOAZ GET MARRIED (4:13-17):

  • Ruth and Boaz got married and had a son together.

  • The women of Bethlehem praised the Lord for being kind to Naomi’s family after their grief in Moab.

  • The women of the neighborhood named Ruth’s sons Obed.

• THE GENEALOGY OF KING DAVID (4:18-22):

  • Ruth was the great-grandmother of king David.

  • David was from the tribe of Judah and his family tree is recorded at the end of the chapter.

  • Judah (Gen 46:12), Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David.

APPLICATION:

• The story of Boaz and Ruth is similar to the story of all Christians.

• Ruth and Naomi were struggling and in need of help.

• We were once struggling as a result of being separated from God because of our sins.

• Ruth needed a redeemer.

• We needed a redeemer.

• A redeemer from Bethlehem came to save Ruth.

• A redeemer from Bethlehem came to save us.