CHILDREN STS LESSON 31 RUTH FINDS FAVOUR WITH BOAZ

Text: Ruth 3:1-18; 4:1-22

Ruth left her native land and people for Israel, without minding what will befall her there. She confessed thus, “…thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth’s journey to the land of Israel was prompted by her belief in the God of Israel. Faith in the living God is the only reason she followed a helpless and lonely woman to a land and to a people she did not know. Ruth placed her faith in the holy, righteous One of Israel and she was greatly rewarded.

God honoured Ruth’s faith because she was humble, obedient, righteous and hardworking. She forsook her pagan homeland in order to remain loyal to her mother-in-law and the God of Israel. Ruth eventually found favour in the sight of Boaz, a rich farmer who became her husband. He married her according to the law and custom of the Jews. Ruth, a poverty-stricken stranger, became by God’s grace a great grandmother of kings and an ancestor of Christ our Messiah.

“He raised up the poor out of the dust, and lifted up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory…” (1 Samuel 2:8). This was fulfilled in the life of Ruth. God cares about every aspect of our lives. Therefore, we must surrender all to Him so as to have a secure future and a place in heaven with Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church.

1. RIGHT COUNSEL FROM A CONCERNED MOTHER-IN-LAW

Ruth 3:1-4; Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Ruth was still very young and needed to get married again. According to the Mosaic law, Ruth would marry a close family member of her late husband. Naomi was concerned about Ruth’s future. She therefore counselled Ruth to meet with Boaz who was a close relative of her husband. The kindness and loyalty she had shown to her mother-in-law portrayed her as a virtuous woman. She was committed to the family of her late husband and to the God of Israel. Her faith and obedience brought her blessings that she never dreamed of. Boaz gave her enough food and promised to marry and take care of her.

Naomi’s counsel to Ruth teaches us the following:
(a) We must always consider the word of God in any decision that we want to take. The word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
(b) Naomi instructed Ruth to wash and anoint herself; symbolising the Christian preparation to meet Jesus at the rapture. Jesus is the Bridegroom whom believers await. Therefore, to be qualified to be the Bride of Christ, your heart and life must be washed with the blood of Jesus. Are you saved? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb? This is the time to answer Christ’s call.

The word of God is filled with clear, great and precious promises for His children. There is nothing to fear. Read, study, think on and act upon God’s promises. Then your faith will grow and you will be able to enjoy all the promised blessings. Remember, the key to blessing is obedience. If you are still a sinner, Jesus is waiting for you to take the step of faith and come to Him. He will receive you and take care of you.

2. RUTH’S OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

Ruth 3:5-10

Obedience and faith are two important virtues that go hand in hand. When Ruth’s mother-in-law instructed her on what to do before going to meet Boaz who later became her husband, she did not argue. She obeyed without asking questions. The elements of obedience must always be present in the exercise of faith. Ruth believed and obeyed: “And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do” (Ruth 3:5). Therefore, God worked things out in her favour.

In obedience to her mother-in-law, Ruth made her intention known to Boaz (the close relative of her late husband). Meanwhile, Boaz had been observing Ruth’s conduct since she came back with Naomi to Bethlehem-Judah. Her character, more than her beauty, made her to be counted among God’s people. Boaz’s marriage to Ruth was a divine arrangement.

3. REWARDS FOR A FAITHFUL AND VIRTUOUS WOMAN

Ruth 3:11-18; 4:1-22; 1 Corinthians 7:39

After the discussion and proposal, arrangement was made and Boaz formally got married to Ruth. Marriage is a God-approved relationship between a man and a woman. According to the Scriptures, the marriage union ends only when one of the partners dies. Ruth’s first husband died; therefore, she was free to marry another man in the will of God (1 Corinthians 7:39). Boaz was a hardworking, righteous and faithful man. He did things in the acceptable way. God warns His people not to marry from ungodly nations (Deuteronomy 7:3). Why then did Boaz take a woman from the idol-worshipping nation of Moab? It was because of her faith in the God of Israel. Ruth had forsaken her people and her gods to follow the living God. This made her to be counted among God’s people.

For friends of Jesus, there is always a divine hand that directs all the events in their lives. Your life will be beautiful if you allow God who is all-knowing to be in control. Where the will of God is done, His blessing multiplies. Boaz’s marriage to Ruth became a blessing to the whole world. When God blesses you, His desire is that you share such good things with other people. Boaz’s marriage to Ruth produced a king and deliverer for Israel in the person of David, the grandson of Obed, the son of Ruth. This also provided the lineage through which our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born (Matthew 1:15,16).

The blessings of salvation, deliverance and the hope of everlasting life with God in heaven are made possible through Boaz’s marriage to Ruth. You can share in the blessings of this marriage by turning away from all your sinful practices; ask Jesus to forgive you and accept Him as your personal Saviour and Lord.

QUESTIONS

1. Who was Boaz? ______

2. Identify two qualities in the life of Ruth that made her to find favour with Boaz.

3. (a) How did Ruth respond to Naomi’s counsel?
   (b) State two lessons you got from Naomi’s counsel.

4. Boaz married ______ and they had ______ who became the ancestor of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

5. What should a sinful child do to enjoy God’s favour?

MEMORY VERSE: “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son” (Ruth 4:13).

LESSON: God rewards those who have faith and obey His word.

THOUGHT: I will obey God’s word so as to enjoy His favour.

ACTIVITY: Read Matthew 1:1-16. Draw a genealogy table in your notebook. Fix in the table the names of all the ancestors of Jesus Christ.

HOMEWORK: Read Ruth 1:16 and Esther 4:15-16. Write out one similarity in the action of the two women.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 128 – Victory in Jesus

CHORUSES:

1. He loves me, I cannot say why.

2. He has done so much for me.

3. Following Jesus every day by day.

4.  

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words (use your dictionary):

1. Counsel

2. Favour

3. Sustain

4. Faithfulness

5. Quality