The Romance of Redemption Ruth 4:1-12

If you're leading a small group along our series in Ruth, I've put some possible discussion questions in bold, below.

Someone once said, I want God to save me and to be with Him in heaven, but I don't want God to do anything wrong to get me there. He had a clearer view of himself, and how unfit he was for relationship with God, than m ost of us do. If we really are that bad (you are), how can God forgive us, remove our guilt, without being an unjust, or at least unforgivably lenient judge? Could there be anyone so bad or evil that God would not redeem them?

She's the lady Boaz wants, yet he won't do anything wrong to make her his. The scene at the city gate is carefully played so that all is done justly and above board, out in the open, no back-room deals. And, he's willing to do what another will not: pay the price to gain the her, even though it costs him. How does this compare to our salvation in Romans 3:23-26; 4:5; 5:6-10?

What about the other guy, Mr. No-name? What happens to him? Exactly! The one who would not preserve his relatives name among God's people--his own name is purposely not mentioned--in a story full of names! How does this compare to our participation in God's saving work? If that's true, how can I get started, where can I get started? I had better get started! To whom am I God's ambassador (2 Cor 5:12-21)? Compare Mr. Shoeless to Romans 10:15...

Before we rush on, scan back over the first couple of chapters. Find Naomi's prayer for God's blessing on Ruth in chapter 1 and Boaz's in chapter 2. Did either of them see how this was going to work out? I remember a line about shooting in a movie: aim small, hit small. Maybe in praying we should pray big, hit big? Yet, even when I pray small, maybe I don't even think God's really listening--God just might answer big! What does this tell us about God?

On more thought, if you've still got time. What's with the blessing like Rachael and Leah, like Perez born to Tamar? Had they read those stories? These are some of the classic dysfunctionalities in the Bible. "May your family be really messed up like these were!" What kind of blessing is that? Maybe it is the blessing of grace? Maybe even my family could be........great? Why do we so easily think God will do his work through someone else? Is this false humility or just a not knowing God's grace? Is our God to small, that he needs strong workers and competent helpers? Why do we pretend we have it more together than we do, and then stay back in the shadows so no one will see any different?

What are you waiting for? Ruth 3:14-18

Ruth 3 reminds me of my introduction to the Air Force, it was "Hurry up" and "Wait." After this very intriguing midnight proposal, now Ruth must return and wait to see how the matter will fall. Will Boaz be able to work things out? What is this "nearer relative" who "might redeem her" all about. Will she be married to Boaz, so other joker she doesn't even know, or to no one? First, she has to wait. Wait. Wait.

We love to wait. In our "instant" and "now" culture we love it when something is unresolved, we can't hurry it, we can't make it happen, all we can do is wait.... We love that don't we? We don't?

There are some beautiful parallels in this section between Ruth waiting for Boaz and the Church waiting for Christ to complete his promise of our redemption. These parallels are an important part of the story of Ruth, it is both a human story and a theological illustration of our redemption.

In your Growth Group:

• You could ask the group: Is there a time when you have waited for something promised (or expected) that you never did receive? How does this effect how you hope or wait for things now? Is there perhaps some doubt or guarding yourself against possible disappointment?
• You could discuss together how this passage parallels waiting for God to act in a situation when there is nothing more you can do. What was that like, or what is it like now? What helps you wait in faith?
• When we wait on God, do we always know what outcome we will see? (Did Ruth?) What outcomes do we know for sure? (the big ones, the eternal ones.) What outcomes do we not know as clearly?
• How do some things that Boaz did before departing for the "city" help Ruth to wait in faith? How can you compare this to what Christ provided for us before his departure?