Ruth Bible Study Questions: Chapter 1

How does the beginning of Ruth, and the death of all the men in the family, contrast with the end of Judges, and what had happened to the tribe of Benjamin?

How did Ruth show her allegiance to her mother-in-law Naomi?

Upon meeting Ruth, Boaz said, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.  The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose winds you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2.11-2.12).  

Who or what was Boaz referencing when he said “LORD” and “the LORD God of Israel”?

What did Naomi direct Ruth to do as Boaz worked on the threshing floor?

Ruth was referred to as “Ruth the Moabitess” (Ruth 1.22).  Moab was the name of Lot’s firstborn son with his firstborn daughter (Genesis19.36).  To understand Boaz’s birth significance, consider Jacob’s family.  Jacob was Israel.  Jacob’s fourth son was Judah.  Judah had twin sons with his daughter-in-law Tamar.  Perez was one of Judah’s twin sons.  [Perez’s son was Hezron; Hezron’s son was Ram; Ram’s son was Amminadab; Amminadab’s son was Nahshon; Nahshon’s son was Salmon; Salmon’s son was Boaz; Boaz’s son was Obed; Obed’s son was Jesse; and Jesse’s son was David].  Perez will be King David’s great-to-the-seventh-degree grandfather, and Jesus will be a descendant of King David (Luke 3.23-3.38).  

How significant is Ruth’s union with Boaz and the life that was allowed to “be” as a result of that union?