DOCSLIB.ORG

Where Is God When Life Is So Messed Up?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Where Is God When Life Is So Messed Up? WHERE IS GOD WHEN LIFE IS SO MESSED UP? the story of Ruth This booklet was originally created by City Bible Forum ©2020 WHERE IS GOD WHEN LIFE IS SO MESSED UP? the story of Ruth W H A T ' S I N S I D E The experience of suffering in our lives and in our world can make us question: Where is God? What is God doing? The story of Ruth is one book of the Bible that addresses this question of what God is doing in the midst of suffering. It is titled: "Where is God when life is so messed up?". There is another in this series called The story of Job. The book of Ruth in the Bible is set in Israel, about 1000BC. At one level it’s a simple story about how a woman finds a husband. But at another level it teaches how God works at a personal and national level, through some quite ordinary life circumstances. Session 1 Ruth chapter 1 Pain Session 2 Ruth chapter 2 Hope Session 3 Ruth chapter 3 Faith Session 4 Ruth chapter 4 The Big Picture Each study has the passage of the bible to be studied, discussion questions and some explanatory notes. Page 1 W E E K 1 : P A I N W H A T C A N Y O U E X P E C T T O L E A R N ? The book of Ruth in the Bible is set in Israel, about 1000BC. At one level it’s a simple story about how a woman finds a husband. But at another level it teaches how God works at a personal and national level, through some quite ordinary life circumstances C O N T E X T F O R T H E S T O R Y In this session we’re right at the beginning of the book of Ruth. “Moab” is a country mentioned in the following text. It would be helpful to know that in Ancient Near East times, Moab was the land south east of Israel. As neighbouring countries, they did not get along, The God of the Israelites told his people not to associate with the Moabites, because the Moabites hadn’t helped the Israelites (then called Hebrews) after their release from slavery in Egypt, 300 years earlier [Deuteronomy 23:3-5]. Map from www.visualunit.com Page 2 W E E K 1 : P A I N B I B L E R E A D I N G : R U T H 1 : 1 - 2 2 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. 6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons- 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!" 14 At this they wept again. Page 3 W E E K 1 : P A I N B I B L E R E A D I N G : R U T H 1 : 1 - 2 2 Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. 15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?" 20 "Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." 22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Q U E S T I O N S 1 What caught your attention in what you just read? 2 What questions do you have? Page 4 W E E K 1 : P A I N N O T E S The event that sends Naomi’s family into the land of Moab is a famine in Bethlehem ("Bethlehem" ironically means “house of bread”). To leave and go to the land of Israel’s/God’s enemies is a desperate move for survival. And yet good things happen there: they survive for 10 years, and the sons find wives. Naomi insists that her daughters-in-law go back to their family because their options of finding husbands in Israel are very limited. The only option is for Naomi herself to have more sons whom in time they could marry. But this is not a realistic option. It could only be Naomi’s offspring because no Israelite man is going to marry a Moabite woman in Israel, when there are plenty of Israelite women to choose from. Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi is very significant. She’s turning her back on her family, her country and her country’s gods. Interestingly, Ruth uses the word “LORD” in her discussion with Naomi. “LORD” in capitals is the personal name of God. So in some way, Ruth has already attached herself to Israel’s God. Naomi is incredibly bitter over her time in Moab. “Naomi” means “pleasant”, “Mara” means “bitter”. She’s lost her husband and her sons – this means she has lost her means of support and also hope for the future. So much has been taken away from her and she’s feeling so empty that she has even lost her name, her identity. She is no longer the person she once was because of all that she has lost. Whereas once her life was full – now it is only full of bitterness. Page 5 W E E K 1 : P A I N N O T E S Naomi knows where God is in her suffering – it is God who has afflicted her and brought this misfortune upon her. The whole situation is not as negative as Naomi thinks it is. She doesn’t have the complete picture of what God is doing – she can only see her misfortune. But there is hope! Naomi is not alone – she has Ruth with her. And Ruth’s loyalty, faithfulness and kindness are invaluable. They are also returning when the barley harvest is beginning – which it seems even Naomi recognises as the provision of God. Q U E S T I O N S 1 The suffering in our world can be seen as evidence that God isn’t there – or as Naomi believed, that God doesn’t care. How does Naomi’s story help us with the questions we have about God and suffering? As we consider an answer, it can be helpful to know that arguing for the existence of God based on the existence of suffering is tricky because it assumes that there can’t be a good purpose behind suffering. But what if there is? After all, even at a human level we can see that with some things, good results from suffering. 2 How does Naomi’s story help us with the questions we have about God and our own particular suffering? Page 6 W E E K 1 : P A I N T A K E A W A Y S What will you think/feel/do differently based on what you have learned today? Page 7 W E E K 2 : H O P E W H A T C A N Y O U E X P E C T T O L E A R N ? The book of Ruth in the Bible is set in Israel, about 1000BC.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • RUTH Chapters 3, 4 This Is Already Our Last Study of Ruth. While This
    RUTH Chapters 3, 4 This is already our last study of Ruth. While this book is very short, it gives us much insight into many important questions about life, such as where God is, in difficult times, and why sometimes He waits so long before He acts. Also, it is through two faithful women, that we learn so much about God’s workings in the believers’ lives. Naomi and Ruth, both teach us how to be patient and hopeful, in hard times. Throughout the tragedies of losing their husbands and being reduced to poverty, they did not believe that God had forsaken them. They often spoke of Him so reverently. Right in the midst of their ordeal, when Naomi told Ruth that it would be better for her to stay in Moab because she had nothing to offer her, she pronounced these words: The LORD deal kindly … (Ruth1:8), "The LORD grant that you may find rest (Ruth1:9). She was not mad at God for her situation. Ruth responded in like manner and said: Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me." (Ruth 1:17) These women knew their God well, and when the time was right, He responded to their faith. When He replied, He acted in wonderful ways and with great blessings. We have seen that when Ruth went out to find food, the Scriptures said: And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz,(Ruth 2:3).
    [Show full text]
  • Ruth of Love, Devotion and Redemption
    A StoryRuth of Love, Devotion and Redemption The Fields of Boaz (Bethlehem) “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’” (Ruth 1:16) © 2010 David Padfield www.padfield.com Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Ruth 1:1–5 Moving To Moab & 1 Now it came to pass, in the days 1. What time in Israel’s history does this story take place? when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his 2. Why did Elimelech move to Moab? two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of 3. What do we know about the country of Moab? Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now 4. Name the sons of Elimelech. they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Heroines of the Bible Ruth
    Heroines of the Bible Ruth With Rebbetzin Adina Landa Introduction: Princess Ruth was raised in the pagan palace of the Moabite monarch. But she insisted on forfeiting opulence and luxury to join her destitute mother-in-law on a journey to the Land of Israel, and to unite with the religion and nation of the One G-d. Each of us is a Ruth at times, forced to choose between comfort and ideals, expedience and conviction. This poignant episode provides the inspiration and tools to rise to the occasion and make wise decisions. Summary of the Story of Ruth: Elimelech, with his wife Naomi and their two sons, left Bethlehem and went to the land of Moab, fleeing a severe famine that had stricken Israel. Elimelech died soon thereafter. His two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. After ten years, the sons both died destitute. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and her daughters-in-law elected to join her. Naomi, however, urged them to return to Moab. Orpah returned, while Ruth continued with Naomi, determined to go with her and fully commit to Judaism. While gleaning wheat from the fields, Ruth met Boaz, a relative of Elimelech who was eligible to “redeem” (marry) Ruth and perpetuate her husband’s memory. Boaz invited Ruth to gleam from his field for the remainder of the harvest. Nearing the end of the harvest, Ruth asked Boaz to marry her. Boaz agreed – provided that Ploni, a closer relative of Elimelech’s, who had the right of first refusal, would waive his obligation.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Book of Ruth
    A Study of the Book of Ruth by Becky J. Case & Allyson M. Barrante For: Crux Bible Study Leaders Crux Bible Study is a Geneva College Community Bible Study Sponsored by the Staff of The Coalition for Christian Outreach and “The Call” Fall 2004 Dear Crux Bible Study Leaders, Welcome to the study of the book of Ruth. It’s with great excitement and eager expectation that we begin this study. This beautiful and eloquently written story is packed with truth about God and His workings in the ordinary circumstances of life. Our prayer is that as you dig into the Scriptures with a group of peers here at Geneva College that your lives will be transformed in new ways. Our hope is that this guide will be a helpful resource to you, and aid in developing your gifts as a small group leader while giving a clearer picture of the Word to students in your study. A few thoughts as you begin this journey: The Crux Bible study guide has been designed to be just that: a guide. Our desire is for you to develop it further, make changes that adapt it to your group, and make choices about how to use the questions we’ve developed. The last thing this guide has been prepared for is to make the job of the small group leader “easy”. Rather, it has been made to help create informed leaders. The book of Ruth is a beautiful story, and probably one you may have heard in Sunday School as a child. While we admire the creativity of our God to reveal himself through a variety of means, we must be careful to remember it is far more than an eloquently written love drama.
    [Show full text]
  • Redemption in Ruth
    SESSION ELEVEN Redemption in Ruth SESSION SUMMARY In the story of Ruth, we see a beautiful glimpse of God’s love in the midst of dark times. Through Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, we see how God’s love is constant and unyielding. Through Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, we see how God’s love is welcoming. And through the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, we see how God’s love is expressed in redeeming us and providing for our needs. As people who have been redeemed by Christ, we are called to demonstrate the same kind of unyielding, welcoming, and redeeming love to others. SCRIPTURE Ruth 1:1-9,16-18; 2:1-3,8-12; 4:13-17 106 Leader Guide / Session 11 THE POINT God shows steadfast love and undeserved kindness to those who trust in Him. INTRO/STARTER 5-10 MINUTES Option 1 • Who is your best friend? Why is he or she your best friend? Share the following definition of commitment: a pledge or promise; obligation. • Why is commitment important in a friendship? What makes it hard to stay committed at times? Discuss the following information and quote about the friendship shared by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: C.S. Lewis, who had long rejected faith in any kind of god, took a walk one night with two of his closest friends and mentors, J. R. R. Tolkien and Hugh Dyson. As they walked through Oxford into the early morning hours, Tolkien and Dyson answered many of Lewis’ lingering doubts and questions about Christianity.
    [Show full text]
  • THE PALINDROMIC DEAD SEA SCROLLS Pent Feigns but God Is N LIVE NOT 0 Almighty Del MOOD SEV ERE HOWARD RICHLER Displays Zen Cote St
    150 REV ILED I I THE PALINDROMIC DEAD SEA SCROLLS pent feigns but God is n LIVE NOT 0 Almighty del MOOD SEV ERE HOWARD RICHLER displays zen Cote St. Luc, Quebec, Canada EVE DAMNED as God evict Many Biblical scholars are expecting a bombshell with the recent release of previously- unpublished documents of the Dead Sea Scrolls. CAIN, A MOl They will not be disappo i nted i.n discove ring that there another Abel in a cl document which traces the l1istory of the Bible in palindromic form. HA' ON' ON' Not only is thi.s document written palindromically, but it is writ­ of Arc, is ir ten in English palindromes. WAS IT ARA One should not be totally surprised at this revelation, for there the seventh are indications of the favored status of English; it has become a double-tak the lingua franca for a reason. Just as the Jews were the Chosen People, English has become the Chosen Language, supplanting "PEE? WE E Hebrew and Aramaic. his uncle A Genesis 17) J The facts speak for themselves. Examine the Biblica1 names Eve, Hannah, Asa , Adam, Anna, Onan. Ahab, Mo ses, Annas and PA'S A SAP' Jesus. All these names a re e ither palindromes o r near-palindromes' his two dauf Wa s not Joshua the son of Nun ? Was not David the son of Jesse? so the elde~ Wa s not Janna the great-grea t-grea t-grandfather of Jesus? Was drunk he w( not Aram the great-great-great-great-grandson of Abraham? The girls bear s Biblica1 place-names Eden, Canaan, Tarsus, Gaza, Cana and Ararat i tes.
    [Show full text]
  • Shavuot Shiur
    סב ׳ ד A Life of Vertical & Horizontal Responsibility: Shavuot During the Coronavirus Pandemic Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks | Delivered on 24th May 2020 What I wanted to do with this shiur is to talk about the Coronavirus. Because Torah gets very interesting when you relate them to the things that are constantly changing. Now, as the Chief Rabbi has already said, the Coronavirus pandemic has enforced a situation that seems to be exactly the opposite of the situation at Mount Sinai. We have three indications of that in the Torah, pretty explicitly. Number one, the famous line at the beginning of Chapter 19 of Shemot, just before the Giving of the Torah, where it says “vayichan-sham Yisrael negged hahar.” (Ex. 19:2). The Torah uses the singular form: “and Israel encamped (in the singular) there opposite the mountain”. The famous words of Chazal, echoed by Rashi “k’ish echad b’lev echad”, explain that the singular form of the verb is used because they encamped together as though they were “One person with one mind”. That enormous sense of unity. The second, a pretty explicit statement of this, is when Moshe Rabbeinu proposes to the people what God is proposing. “Vaya’anu chol-ha’am yachdav.” (Ex. 19:8). “And all the people answered together and said, ‘All that God has said we will do.’” The “yachad” (unity) there is explicitly in the verse, in verse eight of this chapter. And then after the revelation, in chapter 24, when Moshe Rabbeinu repeats the terms of the Torah, “vaya’anu kol-ha’am kol echad”.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruth Chapter 1 “Decisions”
    Ruth Chapter 1 “Decisions” B) 8th book in our Bibles – 8 is the number of new Beginnings The book of Ruth is one of the finest short stories in C) Ruth definitely signals a new beginning for the all of Scripture! people of God! A) When Benjamin Franklin was in France, he was talking to a group of "intellectuals" who began to scoff D) Sandwiched between the book of Judges and 1 him for his belief in the Bible. Samuel Benjamin Franklin was convinced that they were NOT The book of Judges is a picture of the decline of familiar with the Book that they were mocking. Israel spiritually – Anarchy A) Tag in Judges is “everyone was doing what was While they were talking he said: "I have come across right in their own eyes.” an intriguing, little known, love story that I would like to read for you tonight. B) The nation is turning away from God, darkness and idolatry are prevalent. He opened up a copy, not of the entire Bible, but a 1) If Judges were a movie it would be rated R of NC 17 copy of the Book of Ruth in its own binding, and began to read it to them. st nd Bb) Judges on the one side 1 and 2 Samuel on the After he finished these 4 short chapters, the listeners other side – where we see the establishing of David were thrilled. "That is a marvelous story" - "You and His kingdom. – God’s Monarchy MUST publish it and spread it everywhere" 1) Time where the nation is seen returning to the Lord – Franklin replied: "It HAS been published..
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Ruth Ruth 1 1. During What Period of Israel's History
    Book of Ruth Ruth 1 1. During what period of Israel’s history was Ruth written? IN THE DAYS WHEN THE JUDGES RULED 2. Who left Bethlehem-Judah at the beginning of Ruth? ELIMELECH, NAOMI, MAHLON AND CHILION 3. Where did Naomi and her family leave at the beginning of Ruth? BETHLEHEM- JUDAH 4. Where did Naomi and her family go to in the first chapter of Ruth? MOAB 5. How long did Naomi and her family intend to stay in Moab, according to verse 1 of chapter 1? JUST TO SOJOURN 6. Why did Naomi and her family leave Bethlehem-Judah? BECAUSE OF A FAMINE IN THE LAND OF BETHLEHEM-JUDAH 7. What other word describes the fact that Naomi and her family were from Bethlehem-Judah, in 1:2? THEY WERE EPHRATHITES 8. Who died in Moab? ELIMELECH, MAHLON AND CHILION 9. Where did Mahlon and Chilion get their wives? FROM MOAB 10. What were the names of Mahlon and Chilion’s wives? ORPAH AND RUTH 11. According to 1:4, how long did the family stay in Moab? 10 YEARS 12. What nationality were Ruth and Orpah? MOABITES 13. How many years had Naomi dwelled in Moab, when her sons died? TEN YEARS 14. What news did Naomi hear in Moab that caused her to want to return home? THE LORD HAD VISITED HIS PEOPLE IN GIVING THEM BREAD 15. Where was Naomi when she heard that the famine was over in Bethlehem? IN MOAB 16. Who were Naomi’s daughters-in-law? RUTH AND ORPAH 17.
    [Show full text]
  • Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments in the Museum Collection Publications of Museum of the Bible
    Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments in the Museum Collection Publications of Museum of the Bible General Editor Michael W. Holmes volume 1 Semitic Texts Editor Emanuel Tov Managing Editor Jerry A. Pattengale The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/pmb Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments in the Museum Collection Edited by Emanuel Tov Kipp Davis Robert Duke leiden | boston Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Tov, Emanuel, editor. | Davis, Kipp, editor. | Duke, Robert R., editor. Title: Dead sea scrolls fragments in the Museum collection / edited by Emanuel Tov, Kipp Davis, Robert Duke. Description: Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2016] | Series: Publications of Museum of the Bible, ISSN 2214-2797 ; volume 1 Identifiers: LCCN 2016015778 (print) | LCCN 2016016485 (ebook) | ISBN 9789004321489 ((hardback) : alk. paper) | ISBN 9789004322868 (e-book) Subjects: LCSH: Dead Sea scrolls. Classification: LCC BM487 .D44957 2016 (print) | LCC BM487 (ebook) | DDC 296.1/55074753–dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016015778 Want or need Open Access? Brill Open offers you the choice to make your research freely accessible online in exchange for a publication charge. Review your various options on brill.com/brill-open. Typeface for the Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic scripts: “Brill”. See and download: brill.com/brill-typeface. issn 2214-2797 isbn 978-90-04-32148-9 (hardback) isbn 978-90-04-32286-8 (e-book) Copyright 2016 by Koninklijke Brill nv, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill nv incorporates the imprints Brill, Brill Hes & De Graaf, Brill Nijhoff, Brill Rodopi and Hotei Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruth Lesson 1 Chapter 1:1-22
    Ruth Lesson 1 Chapter 1:1-22 Background The book was written between 1500-1600 B.C., and the authorship is undetermined. Ruth, the grandmother of Jessie, and the great-grandmother of King David, was one of the five women listed in the genealogy of Christ along with Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Mary. Ruth was a Moabite, which placed in the lineage of Jesus not only a woman, but a foreigner. Her story is told in this book, as it recounts how she married into a family of Israel and started worshiping the God of Israel. Despite its title, the book of Ruth tells the story of a woman named Naomi who lived in Bethlehem in the time of the judges. A famine drives Naomi and her family to seek refuge in Moab, where her two sons marry Moabite women. The story continues with the deaths of her husband Elimelech, and her sons, Mahlon, and Chilion; circumstances beyond the control of their wives, Naomi and Ruth. The tragedies threatened to break the spirit of Naomi. But Ruth, whose youth offered her many options for a bright future, decided to remain with Naomi, whom she loved. Her brave decision may have saved Naomi from falling into a despair from which she would not have returned. Later in the story, Naomi would have the chance to return the favor. She used her wisdom to guide Ruth in the matter of seducing Boaz. Both acts provided both women with a secure future. As is often the case in a society with unequal distribution of power, their secure future would depend on the willingness for one in power to get involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Megillat Ruth
    The Writings May 27, 2020 Megillat Ruth Ruth, an excerpted summary In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land; and a man of Bethlehem in ​ ​ Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and his two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. They came to the country of Moab and remained there. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth, and they lived there about ten years. Then those two—Mahlon and Chilion—also died; so the woman was left without her two sons and without her husband. ... They broke into weeping again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law farewell. But Ruth clung to her. So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law.” But Ruth replied, “Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus and more may the LORD do to me if anything but death parts me from you.” ... Thus Naomi returned from the country of Moab; she returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabite.
    [Show full text]