This week, we will cover the Ruth Chapter 4 summary and Bible Study questions. I am confident Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz had no idea how God would use their life to fulfill His sovereign will and purpose in this world. We have no idea how our choices will impact the generations that come after us. Maybe you think your daily decisions – or even your faith, loyalty, integrity, and obedience to God won’t make much of a difference in your life or the lives of others. If so, this final week of our Ruth Bible Study will encourage you to start thinking differently.
Ruth Chapter 4 Summary
If you ever questioned God’s Sovereignty, do a Bible Study on the book of Ruth. There is no question the life we live is messy, challenging, and full of wheat and weeds growing together. Naomi and Ruth knew this from the start of their troubles and losing the men who cared for them and whom they loved. The loss turned Naomi and Ruth’s lives upside down, and somehow, they found the strength to move forward in faith.
The events in the four chapters of Ruth help us see how, despite our circumstances, we will continue down the path of redemption when we move forward in faith and trust in God. Not just redemption for the pain we experience in our lives, but the redemption God promised to the entire world through His son Jesus.
Boaz took ten of the town elders and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me so that I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.”
– Ruth 4:2-4
A Life of Integrity
When looking at Ruth and Boaz, you can see the integrity in their heart – they are truly special people. At the beginning of the Book of Ruth, we see how Ruth is loyal to her mother-in-law. She did not just marry her husband; she married the family and took her commitment seriously. She treated her mother-in-law with honor and respect, even when her husband was no longer around, and she had nothing to gain by staying with her.
In chapter four, verses 2-4, we see how Boaz takes a bit of risk claiming to be the guardian-redeemer. The official guardian-redeemer wanted the land but did not want Ruth to be his wife. Something held him back, and he refused to purchase the land from Naomi and take Ruth as his wife. He stated he could not redeem the land, including Ruth, because it might endanger his estate – or, in other words, it would mess up the life he had already built for himself!
We know that Boaz had already built a wonderful life for himself – but throughout the scripture, he has shown himself to be a man of integrity. This interaction with the next-in-line guardian-redeemer is no different.
Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today, you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to maintain the name of the dead with his property so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!”
– Ruth 4:9-10
Can we take a step back here for a moment – Boaz was taking a risk by redeeming Naomi and her family. Boaz made this decision based on his integrity and obedience to God. He gave the “next in line” a chance to do what was right and to walk in faith and obedience to the laws of the day. And when that didn’t happen, Boaz stepped up.
Trust in God’s Sovereignty
When leaning on God’s sovereignty, we need faith and obedience. It is essential to know and remember God’s promises because they will help us remain faithful and obedient to God. However, this world will tell you to protect yourself, build your own life, and do whatever makes you happy – just the opposite of what Boaz did when he became the redeemer.
Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
– Ruth 4:16-17
I doubt Ruth and Boaz had any idea this is what their loyalty, faithfulness, obedience, and integrity would lead to. Naomi and Ruth experienced a terrible loss at the beginning of the book, which forever marked their life. However, they did not let that loss stop them from obeying The Lord. They trusted Him enough to move forward in faith despite their hopelessness, and God provided for them along the way! Who would have ever known that Ruth and Boaz’s union would create an inheritance as great as King David – and even more so, be a bloodline pathway to Jesus?
When pain, loss, and suffering come our way, there are no easy answers to “why” this is happening. It will not make any sense – there is loss and tragedy in this world that we cannot explain, prevent, or alter in any way. This loss will trigger hopelessness in our hearts, and we may never be OK – and that’s OK, too!
However, no matter what we are going through in this life, God is still sovereign, and we can still believe, trust, and have faith that He will complete the good work He began in us and those around us. We can fully believe and trust that God remains sovereign through it all. He will make space for us not to be OK with it and always show us the next steps we need to take.
Ruth Chapter 4 Life Application Questions
- What does God’s sovereignty mean to you?
- What changes would you make to your daily routine if you leaned on God’s sovereignty more?
- How does God’s sovereignty influence the big decisions you make in life? How can it impact a decision you need to make right now?
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