You may like to use this guide to help you read the book of Ruth.

1. Read through the book in one sitting first.

2. Then read it again and look for:

• The repeated pattern of leaving and coming back.

• The names at the beginning and the end that frame the story

• The main turning points in the story

3. The story

• Who is this story mainly about?

• Do you think the genealogy at the end spoils it or makes it a better story?

• Is this a love story?

• What is significant about the only occurrence of the word “love”?

• Notice the occurrences of the word “kindness”.

• Do you think this story could have been included in the stories of the Judges?

• Does the story have a main idea or theme?

4. Naomi:

• What are Naomi’s expectations about returning to Bethlehem?

• Is Naomi too self-focused?

• Is she grateful to Ruth?

5. Ruth

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ruth as a foreigner?

• Ruth is a Moabitess – what about Deut 23.3-6 and Neh 13.1,23?

• Did Ruth lose the baby in the end?

6. Boaz

• What is a kinsman-redeemer? See Lev 25.25-28; Num 35.6-28; Is 54.5-8; 62.11-12

• Why does Boaz think Ruth is doing him a kindness?

7. The Law

• Ruth was traditionally read at the Feast of Weeks (The Barley Harvest: Deut 16.9) to celebrate the giving of the Law. But it seems to undermine the law. How do Neh 13.1,23 and Mic 6.8 help resolve this?

8. Us

• Why does Ruth get a mention in Matthew’s genealogy (Matt 1)? What other mothers are mentioned in Matthew’s list?

• What passages in the New Testament are connected with the main themes of Ruth?

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