Paige showed us the surgeon’s hands of God in Ruth 1, where His knife was used for good, to remove stones from their hard hearts, for these were the days of the judges. As promised in Deuteronomy, He brought famine to Bethlehem to bring His people to their senses. Also, as promised in Leviticus, he cut the days off early for those who married pagans.
This week, in Ruth 2, Paige shows us the shepherd’s hands of the Lord, who tenderly cares for and carries us.
Sunday:
1. How has the Lord been a surgeon or a shepherd to you recently? (Double credit if you can share both!
Monday: Internally Steering Hearts with “Hesed”
2. Find everything you can glean about the hearts of the following people in Ruth 2:1-6. Also, share anything from Paige that stood out in this section.
A. Naomi
B. Ruth
C. Boaz
3. “Hesed” love reaches out simply to love, not to get something back.
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How have you seen that in Ruth?
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How does Jesus tell us to do that in Luke 14:12-14? Do you do this?
4. Share a time when you experienced that from someone. Be specific.
5. How do you see hesed love in Boaz in Ruth 2:7-16? Paige talked about the “habits of his heart.” How do you see that? (John Piper said Boaz is soaked through in hesed.)
6. Has the Lord helped you develop some “hesed” habits of the heart? (You aren’t bragging, but giving glory to Him.) Share one or two!
Tuesday: Externally Steering Hands of the Shepherd
7. Paige said the literal Hebrew translation of Ruth 2:3 is: “And the happenstance that happened to her was that she happened to happenstancely come into the field of Boaz.” Her point?
8. Read Ruth 2:7-16.
A. Paige quoted (I think( Sinclair Ferguson who said: “God doesn’t care about the details of your life — He rules them.” How do you see that here?
B. Paige says these are the first kind words Ruth has heard since they have come. What stands out to you in particular and why?
C. What do you see that intimates Ruth could have been in danger?
D. We often think the Lord gives and he takes away, as Job says. But in Chapter 1 He took away, and now He gives. What does this tell you about His heart for us?
9. I particularly love how Paige emphasized Ruth’s shock in Ruth 2:10. She’s astounded, “Why?” It reminds of her great grandson’s exclamation: When I consider the stars, what is man that you are mindful of Him? Share a time when you sensed God was mindful of you and it overwhelmed you, actually shocked you. (If possible)
10. Meditate on the following verses Paige mentioned and share the main point of each.
A. Genesis 48:15-16
B. Proverbs 16:9
Wednesday: The Sustaining Hands of the Shepherd
11. Paige said the Lord sustains those whose hearts respond to Him. How do you see this happening to both Ruth and to Boaz? (Since you’ve read the whole book, include Chapter 4 in your response)
12. She also said the real test of character is not how people react to the great, famous, rich, and noble but to the marginalized, the poor, the struggling and the weary.
A. As you reflect on your life, how well do you reach out to the marginalized, the poor, and the weary?
B. How does Boaz physically and emotionally sustain her in Ruth 2:14-16?
C. Have you learned anything about how to give to those in need in a way that respects their dignity? If so, share.
13. She told a great story about a woman in bunny slippers in Portland, Maine. Have you had any experience where you knew the Lord was providing and you wanted to “fall on that person in gratefulness?”
Thursday: The Sheltering Hands of the Shepherd
14. Why do you think Boaz calls Ruth “my daughter” instead of referring to her as a Moabite? Do you remember what Paige said about this?
15. What does Deuteronomy 23:3-6 say? Why do you think Ruth was able to enter in? How does this apply to us?
16. Boaz says to Ruth: “under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” What do you remember that Paige shared about this concerning Jesus?
17. I’m sure Paige will point this out next week, but the same Hebrew word that is translated as wings by Boaz is translated as “corner of your garment” in Ruth 3:9. Write down everything you see through this.
Friday: The Scarred Hands of The Shepherd
18. Paige and her family had been singing to her dad, and she said every hymn referenced heaven. Have you noticed that? Do you have a favorite that talks about heaven?
19. Read Ruth 2:17-23
A. Paige compared Naomi to Kevin in “Home Alone.” Her eyes pop out. How do you see the shock in her?
B. How do you see God restoring Naomi’s soul?
C. How do you see her warming toward Ruth?
20. What was her point in her story about Richard Burton?
Saturday:
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times? Do you have another takeaway?
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18. Paige and her family had been singing to her dad, and she said every hymn referenced heaven. Have you noticed that? Do you have a favorite that talks about heaven?
I love so many hymns that it’s hard to choose! Here’s a good one that is quite peppy…Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Charles Wesley. I’m attaching just 2 verses; the first and another that mentions heaven.
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
https://youtu.be/XveIGmAUdkQ?si=TEfK7JRqzdj-d-78
19. Read Ruth 2:17-23
A. Paige compared Naomi to Kevin in “Home Alone.” Her eyes pop out. How do you see the shock in her?
She can’t believe Ruth was able to gather all the grain herself. It was as taxing job, and to be able to gather all she did was pretty impressive. Naomi didn’t expect that.
B. How do you see God restoring Naomi’s soul?
He is giving her hope in His protection on her.
C. How do you see her warming toward Ruth?
She blesses the land owner and explains who Boaz is within the family.She gives her advice about what to do next. She seems hopeful now.
20. What was her point in her story about Richard Burton?
He had the acting voice and demeanor, and could recite the 23rd Psalm well, while the elderly pastor had the actual relationship and closeness to God Himself.
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times?
I have learned to keep pushing in and don’t give up.
Laura, I’m continuing to pray for your situation, trusting our Father to lead all to the way everlasting. Also, thank you for the book recommendation, by Phillip Keller. I read the sample on Kindle and plan to read the rest when I return from my trip next week. His book, Lessons From a Sheepdog, was free on Kindle, so I’m reading that now.
Oh that one sounds really good too! I like his books because they are short 😉 and so meaningful. Never have much time to actually read a novel…
Saturday:
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times? Do you have another takeaway?
—This week’s teaching has been so good in its reminders about the hands of God being on my life and ultimately guiding my life day by day. I am like Ruth and Naomi being guided and cared for.
And along with this as I am doing my reading through the bible daily I am in the books Leviticus and now Numbers. The application of what I have been reading there is that as with God’s chosen people I live in the light of His constant presence. In the devotional comments that accompany my reading this morning Tripp said “God chose them so that he could be with them.” It is the same with me. Tripp also said The children of Israel were called not only to celebrate the presence of the Lord but also to submit to his guidance: “At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out” (Num. 9:23). The guidance of the cloud wasn’t advice.”
As is the way with God in our lives I am being made aware of the fact that God has his hands on my life and he is guiding my life with his constant presence from two sources this week. Being a bit dull in my head I’m grateful to the Lord for his patience in repeating things to me. 😊 And because of his abiding presence I can have confidence that He will always be with me in hard times when they come.
Saturday:
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times? Do you have another takeaway?
The Lord works through ordinary people, saved and unsaved, to provide for His children (emotionally and physically). It has been very encouraging to read everyone’s comments and see how the Lord provided and met needs.
I agree 100%. Thank you for your kind words.
Saturday:
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times? Do you have another takeaway? I believe C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying something like, pain is God’s megaphone. It is clear that God used pain to reach Naomi and Ruth, bringing them back under the Shepherd’s care. I do see this in my life. My heart has been drawn to the Shepherd in difficult times. My mistake has been, when overwhelmed with much pain, to question God and to doubt his capacity to carry me through. Hard as things have been, I am reassured that he is my Anchor. I remain astounded at the way he places people in our lives to continually encourage and draw us back to Him. This community has been a part of that encouragement and drawing me back to him when I’m tempted to despair. Praise God for the community he has given me and for keeping my heart soft.
I do want to thank all of you who prayed for my trip. It has been good. The Lord allowed for a meaningful and helpful conversation with my husband about our situation. It’s never easy, but the Lord has allowed for growth between us because of what we are experiencing-for that, I praise God.
I’m so glad to hear this, Chris. “It’s never easy, but the Lord has allowed for growth between us because of what we are experiencing-for that, I praise God.”
Saturday:
21. What have you learned about the Lord that you could apply to your heart in hard times? Do you have another takeaway?
He sees me and His hands are steering, sustaining, and sheltering me.
Who am I that you take notice of me, Lord? Thank you for your love shown in Your Son, the greater Boaz and greater Ruth, who became like us, yet without sin, died and lived again so that we and I can share in His resurrection and glory.