THE SUBMISSIVE ONE

OUTLINE OF RUTH

The Book of Ruth is more than history, and it is not a biography. It is a true story. It has a domestic nature to it, and it brings us up to an understanding of the lineage of King David from whom has come our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This story takes place in the days of the Judges, believed to be in a time when a great famine was within the land some sixty years of so before the birth of David.
This is one of the two books in the Bible that are named after women and have women as the principle characters. It receives its name from Ruth, the Moabitess who married Boaz, from whom came David the king.

It is believed to have been written by Samuel the prophet, and it is properly placed between the Book of Judges and the Book of I Samuel as it introduces us to David from whom came Christ.

“The Book of Ruth relates not miracles nor laws, wars nor victories, nor the revolutions of states, but the affliction first and afterwards the comfort of Naomi, the conversion first and afterwards the preferment of Ruth. Many such events have happened, which perhaps we may think as well worthy to be recorded; but these God saw fit to transmit the knowledge of to us; and even common historians think they have liberty to choose their subject.

The design of this book is:

I. To lead to providence, to show us how conversant it is about our private concerns, and to teach us in them all to have an eye to it, acknowledging God in all our ways and in all events that concerns us. I Sam. 2:7—8; Psa. 113:7—9

II. To lead to Christ, who descended from Ruth, and part of whose genealogy concludes the book, whence it is fetched into Matt. 1. In the conversion of Ruth the Moabitess, and the bringing of her into the pedigree of the Messiah, we have a type of the calling of the Gentiles in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord.

The afflictions of Naomi and Ruth we have an account of in chapter 1.
Instances of their industry and humility we have an account of in chapter 2.
The bringing of them into an alliance with Boaz we have an account of in chapter 3.
And their happy settlement thereby we have an account of in chapter 4.

“And let us remember the scene is laid in Bethlehem, the city where our Redeemer was born.” Matthew Henry Commentary

CHAPTER 1: RUTH’S CHOICE — GOD’S GRACE

I. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.

A. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions on our desires more than our need.
B. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions due to the pressure that is upon us.
C. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions on the fact that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, so it seems.

II. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CRISIS.

A. The lst crisis was the leaving of her family, her friends, her neighbors, her place of worship, etc., back in Bethlehem.
B. The 2nd crisis was the death of her husband, Elimelech.
C. The 3rd crisis was the marriage of her sons to women of Moab.
D. The 4th crisis was the death of her two sons.
E. The 5th crisis was her having to leave and to return home.

III. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY COMPANIONSHIP.

A. 1st, we see the companionship that is only surface.
B. 2nd, we see the companionship that is genuine.

IV. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CONDITION.

A. Naomi faced the condition of being defeated.
B. Naomi faced the condition of being empty handed.
C. Naomi faced the condition of being at home at the right time.

It is clear to see God’s grace manifested in Naomi’s life, also, in the life of Ruth as we see her testimony of following after Naomi.

CHAPTER 2: RUTH’S CHARACTER - GOD’ S GRACE

I. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SERVICE.

A. The spirit of service calls for independence.
B. The spirit of service calls for humility.
C. The spirit of service calls for industry.
D. The spirit of service calls for respect.
E. The spirit of service calls for divine guidance and blessings.

II. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SUBMISSIVENESS.

A. Ruth was submissive to her mother—in—law.
B. Ruth was submissive to the laws of the people.
C. Ruth was submissive to the authority of the field’s owner.
D. Ruth was submissive to the rights of others.
E. Ruth was submissive to the task before her.

III. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SENSITIVENESS.

A. Ruth was very sensitive to her position.
B. Ruth was very sensitive to her needs.
C. Ruth was very sensitive to her mother—in—law’s needs.
D. Ruth was very sensitive to Boaz, the owner.
E. Ruth was very sensitive to her place of service.
Ruth was the servant that honored the day:
Ruth was a daughter that honored the home.

CHAPTER 3: RUTH’ S COMMITMENT — GOD'S GOODNESS

I. RUTH’S RESTLESSNESS.

A. Note Naomi’s concern for Ruth’s rest.
B. Note Naomi’s course for Ruth’s rest.
C. Note Naomi’s command for Ruth’s rest.

II. RUTH’S REASSURANCE.

A. She was reassured by being at Boaz’s place.
B. She was reassured by being in Boaz’s presence.
C. She was reassured by being under Boaz’s power.
D. She was reassured by Boaz’s praise.
E. She was reassured by Boaz’s promise.

III. RUTH’S RETURN.

A. Ruth returned with Boaz’s promise.
B. Ruth returned with Boaz’s gifts.
C. Ruth returned with Boaz’s message.

Ruth returned home with the promise that she would be redeemed by Boar before the day ended and there she patiently waited upon him.

CHAPTER 4: RUTH’S COMPANIONSHIP - GOD’S GIFT

I. THE LOVE OF BOAZ.

A. Boaz requesting.
B. Boaz receiving.
C. Boaz redeeming.

II. THE LIFE OF NAOMI.

A. Ws see Ruth, the wife.
B. We see Ruth, the mother.
C. We see Ruth, the daughter-in-law.


III. THE LINEAGE OF DAVID.

A. Pharez
B. Herron
C. Ram
D. Aminadab
E. Nahshon
F. Salmon
G. Boas
H. Obed
I. Jesse
J. David

The whole theme of the Book is the lineage of David, from whom has come our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.