YHWH, LORD of All!

Chapter 1

Purpose:  To trust the LORD in all things.

1. The LORD Controls Nature (Ruth 1:1-7)

2. The LORD is Worthy of Worship (Ruth 1:8-18)
        Dialogue in Moab
        What does Naomi want her d’s-in-law to do?  (vv. 8-13)
        Why?  - Kinsman Marriage (see Deut. 25:5-10)
        How does the writer of this book want us to view God?
        What is Ruth doing in going with Naomi? (vv. 14-18)

3. The LORD, Our Only Hope (Ruth 1:19-22)
        Returning to Bethlehem
        What do verses 20 and 13 have in common
        What does this say about the writer’s concern?
        What does this say about Naomi’s view of God
        The beginning of the harvest! (v. 22) Why is this important?

4. Character Studies in Ruth Ch. 1  
        Naomi - 1:13, 20
           Destitute - no family = no
   inheritance/welfare/health care/social security
           Widowed, depressed, and hurting, has the LORD left her?
           “Bitter” is the same word used in 13 and 20

                      Ruth - 1:18; Matthew 1:5
                         Moabite
                         Widowed (same position as Naomi) - she could have gone back to family
                         Personal commitment and sacrifice - 1:16-17
                         To whom is the commitment and sacrifice
                         What does it cost her?

                         What does Ruth believe about God? 
                         How would you describe Ruth’s character/behavior?

            YHWH LORD - 1:1, 6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21 
                       In full control of famine and food in the ‘natural realm’
                       In full control of hardship and blessing in the ‘human realm’
                      How is our God referred to here? 
                      Any miracles performed, religious activity done, prophets speaking for God?
                      Does God act in this way (i.e., vv. 13, 20) in people’s lives? (See Job 2:10)
                      When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are believing in YHWH, the LORD of all creation and providence in our lives!