Daily Readings (Page 183)

John often describes our spiritual condition in terms of darkness and light.  How does hating one’s brother while claiming to be in the light a violation of godly behaviour?

What was the good news for Naomi (v18)?  What was Naomi’s reaction (v19)?  When you are blessed, who do you immediately give thanks and praises to?  Why?

What can we learn from Boaz’s prayer? (v12) What treatments or blessings did Ruth receive (vv13-17)?  What are God’s blessings we have received now (Eph 1:3-14)?

What can we learn about Boaz’s character in the exchanges of greetings between him and the harvesters in v4?  From the overseer’s testimonial in vv5-7, what can we learn about Ruth’s characters? How was Boaz kind to Ruth (vv8-10)?  Why (v11)?

According to the Law, there is a provision for the poor to glean at the edges of the harvest (Lev 23:22).  What difficulties might Ruth, a Moabite woman encounter when she picked grains in an Israelite’s field (v2)?  What were the signs that God was providing Ruth and Naomi their daily sustenance (vv1-3)?

From Ruth 1, the tragedies of Naomi and Ruth in Moab were heart wrenching, but there were glimpses of hope for Naomi to survive (Ruth 1:6) with a loyal companion (Ruth 1:16-17).  What is the hope brought by Boaz? What do you know about Boaz?

Have you ever felt empty and afflicted by God, as Naomi did? How did you respond? What did God do in your situation?

How did Naomi view the tragedies that had happened to her in Moab?  Do you think there was any truth in that or was it just Naomi’s grief talking?

Both Orpah and Ruth obviously loved Naomi but do you think Ruth’s decision was merely one of personal faithfulness to her mother-in-law?

What counsel did Naomi give to Ruth and Orpah?  What was their initial response?  How did Naomi seek to convince them to do otherwise (1:11-13)?