Bible Study: The Book of Ruth

Opening Hymn: LSB 497

Psalm 143

Creed (Back Cover)

Lord’s Prayer (Back Cover)

1) Setting

a) The book lies in the cannon between Judges and 1 Samuel

i) This is essentially a chronological placement

(1) Likely during the time of Gideon

ii) Ruth is the great grandmother of David

b) Moab, Israel, Bethlehem, etc. (see map

2) The importance of the book

a) First, it’s connection to David

i) Places him into a genealogy of faithful people

b) Second, what it says about the Gentiles

i) Salvation by grace, through faith, not race

3) The main characters

a) Elimelech and Naomi

i) Mahlon and Chilion (Sons)

ii) Orpah and Ruth

b) Were the Israelites allowed to marry whomever they liked?

i) How do the Moabites fit into this?

c) What happens to all of the men?

i) What does this mean for the women?

Closing Prayer: Luther’s Morning Prayer, pg. 327