Ruth

Leah, Ten (10) Bible Study Points – April 2, 2016

Leah: Her name may mean “Impatient” or “Wild Cow”

Her Character: Capable of both strong and enduring love, she was a faithful mother and wife. Manipulated by her father, she became jealous of her sister, with whom, it seems, she never reconciled.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 29-35; Ruth 4:11

  1. Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the youngest was Rachel.

 

  1. Leah is described as having weak eyes, but Rachel was very beautiful and well favored. (Genesis 29-17 NIV)

 

  1. Jacob was in love with Rachel, Leah’s younger sister

 

  1. Laban [the father] was deceptive by giving Leah to Jacob to marry instead of Rachel whom he was in love with. Genesis 29:16-30

Genesis 29:22-23 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her (Leah).

 

  1. Jacob worked Seven year with the intent on marrying Leah’s younger sister.

Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”  Genesis 29:26-27

Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. Genesis 29:30 NIV

  1. Jacob Married Leah and her sister

 

  1. Leah was not loved by Jacob

And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD had looked upon my affliction, now therefor my husband (Jacob) will love me. 33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I [was] hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also: and she called his name Simeon. 34And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Genesis 29:32

  1. Leah gave birth to her first son, believing that Jacob would love her.
  2. Leah had three sons that were fathered by Jacob
  3. Leah and her sister together were known for building up the family of Israel.

Ruth 4:11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Sources:

  1. NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, 1995
  2. Syswerda, Jean, Women of the Bible, Zondervan, 1999
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Women of the Bible – Bible Study – Ruth– (The Reschedule)- August 29, 2015

Ruth is our next study from the series Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Goups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of Ruth is found on page 79. The Bible Study will meet 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For complete information call Glenda at 727-542-4683.

Announcement: The Tenth Anniversary Celebration & Pot Luck will be held with our Saturday Bible Study, September 26, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Please contact Glenda for information at 727-542-4683.

Naomi -10 Points for Bible Study 7/25/2015

For our lesson of Naomi, found in Ruth 1; 4:13-17 and our workbook, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, by Jean E. Syswerda. The lesson is found on pages 75-78.

  1. Naomi’s name means “My Joy” or Pleasant. (2, page 75)
  2. Naomi’s husband dies while in Moab, Naomi’s sons marry Moabites, Orpah and Ruth. (Ruth 1:3, 4)
  3.  Naomi suffers a threefold tragedy – the death of not only her husband but her 2 sons as well leaving her with 2 young daughter-in-laws who are childless and can not support her. This tragedy creates a childless widow (Naomi) too old to remarry, worthless and empty. (2, page 75; 3, page 22)
  4. After learning that the Lord had come to the aid of his people, Naomi and her daughters in-law prepared to return to Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:6)
  5. Naomi in asking both daughters-in-law to return to their own homes believed she had nothing to offer them. (Ruth1:11 & footnote)
  6. Naomi express her sorrow and seems resigned to what she attributes as the will of God. (Ruth 1:13)
  7.  Upon her return to Bethlehem, Naomi urged she be called “Mara” which means bitter. She has been brought home empty, bitter and filled with misfortune. (Ruth 1:20, 21 & footnote)
  8. Naomi’s transformation was about to begin as her arrival in Bethlehem was also the beginning of the barley harvest. (Ruth 1:22 & NIV Introduction to Ruth)
  9. At the conclusion of the book, Naomi was blessed by God bringing her from emptiness to fullness through the love of Ruth and Boaz.  She adopts their son Obed as her own. (Ruth 4:16 & footnote)
  10. The Baby Obed is Naomi’s go’el (kinsman-redeemer) and through him she will have descendants. (Ruth 4:14, 3, page 50)
**Resources
  1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All scriptures, Footnotes & Introduction to Ruth)
  2. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Group, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan 1999
  3. Life Change Series, Ruth & Esther, The Navigators, Navpress 1987
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Instructor’s Comments 2 – Lesson One – The Book of Ruth

Study Guide – Life Change Series
Ruth and Esther, NavPress, 1987

Lesson covering pages 9 to 20, continues with important historical information on The Judges, The Monarchy and Ruth the Moabitess pages 11 to 13 of the guide book. These three headings offer excellent information to give you a grasp of the time period and how the Israelites were governed. The book suggest you skim the story, and make some initial conclusions as you answer questions 1-6 on pages 13 – 17. Remember these conclusions are the result of quick reading and initial thought. The story will be covered in more detail in later lessons.

Finally, don’t forget the study skills highlighted in gray. The Study Skills will give you insight on the subject and important aspects of the Bible Study. They also will guide you in the expected areas of discussion which the group leader will follow. As always, if you have questions, send them to Homewordsministry@gmail.com.

Thank You for joining us in this Study.
Rev. Frank Brunson

Instructor’s Comments 1 – On the Overview – The Book of Ruth

Study Guide – Life Change Series
Ruth and Esther, NavPress, 1987

The Overview starts on page 9 with a map of Israel under the Judges. The general focus of the map is land occupied by the tribes of Israel, but it also shows the area of Moab in the south east corner. North of Moab is Ammon the home of the Ammonites. To understand the story of Ruth and the relationship between the people of Moab and Israel, first go back to the time of Lot and to the time of Moses. The references and information on both countries are found in the section Ruth the Moabitess on page 12 of the Text and clarified in the scriptural references of Genesis 19:30-38 and Deuteronomy 23:3-4.

In the center of the map is the water system which runs north to south. The larger body of water to the south-east of the tribe of Naphtali and just east of the Tribe of Zebulon is commonly known as the sea of Galilee in the New Testament, but in the time period of the Judges it was known as the Sea of Chinnereth, named for the city of Chinnereth on the North West side of the Sea. From the Sea of Galilee the Jordan River runs south to the Dead Sea.

When the people of Israel entered their land, they traveled on the east (Left) side of the Dead Sea and Jordan River, traveling north through Moab, into Ammon and turning west (left), just north of the Dead Sea and crossing the Jordan River toward the City of Jericho. As they invaded the land of Ammon and Moab it is easy to see why there was hostility between God’s people and the two nations.

The Book of Ruth, Small Group and Self-Study

The guide for the Bible Study group is Life Change Series, Ruth and Esther, NAVPRESS. The group study of Ruth started with Lesson One, Overview, The Story of Ruth, page 9. We encourage following the group with this study by attending the bi weekly meetings as scheduled on http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, Click on the Topic, Bible Study Schedule. As you attend, we suggest you take advantage of the facilitator comments by Rev. Glenda, our instructor, with occasional comments by Rev. Frank. These comments are found on http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, under the Topic, Ruth.

You can also follow these lessons with us as a self-study by independently following the book and referring to the facilitator comments. Our self-study procedures are as follows.

1. Request the Book: Get the book from Homewords Ministry by requesting a copy. Give us a call at 727-542-4683 for Glenda or 727-742-4683 for Frank, to arrange receiving your book. You can also request a copy by e-mail at Homewordsministry@gmail.com. Please include your postal mailing address with your e-mail request. There is no charge for materials from Homewords Ministry. The book is a gift to you from other members of the Bible Study group.
2. Read the Assignments: We suggest you follow the course schedule found on our Blog pages at http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com. Topic: Bible Study, as the instructor’s comments will be posted after those dates for that section of the guide. Complete the reading and questions in the guide Life Change Series, Ruth and Esther, NAVPRESS. Look for Instructor’s comments to be posted after the scheduled group meeting at http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, Topic: Ruth.
3. Respond as you wish: You can comment on the book as often as you wish by putting your comments on the blog, use our FACEBOOK page to comment, or e-mail.
4. Do you have questions? Call us or e-mail us at the numbers and address above.

The Book of Ruth, Small Group and Self-Study

The guide for the Bible Study group is Life Change Series, Ruth and Esther, NAVPRESS. The group study of Ruth started with Lesson One, Overview, The Story of Ruth, page 9. We encourage following the group with this study by attending the bi weekly meetings as scheduled on http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, Click on the Topic, Bible Study Schedule. As you attend, we suggest you take advantage of the facilitator comments by Rev. Glenda, our instructor, with occasional comments by Rev. Frank. These comments are found on http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, under the Topic, Ruth.

You can also follow these lessons with us as a self-study by independently following the book and referring to the facilitator comments. Our self-study procedures are as follows.

1. Request the Book: Get the book from Homewords Ministry by requesting a copy. Give us a call at 727-542-4683 for Glenda or 727-742-4683 for Frank, to arrange receiving your book. You can also request a copy by e-mail at Homewordsministry@gmail.com. Please include your postal mailing address with your e-mail request. There is no charge for materials from Homewords Ministry. The book is a gift to you from other members of the Bible Study group.
2. Read the Assignments: We suggest you follow the course schedule found on our Blog pages at http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com. Topic: Bible Study, as the instructor’s comments will be posted after those dates for that section of the guide. Complete the reading and questions in the guide Life Change Series, Ruth and Esther, NAVPRESS. Look for Instructor’s comments to be posted after the scheduled group meeting at http://www.homewordsministry.wordpress.com, Topic: Ruth.
3. Respond as you wish: You can comment on the book as often as you wish by putting your comments on the blog, use our FACEBOOK page to comment, or e-mail.
4. Do you have questions? Call us or e-mail us at the numbers and address above.