Participants 88
Discussion Questions
-
In what ways do we see God’s Spirit at work in the books of Judges and Ruth?
-
In the book of Judges, we see God’s Spirit at work as he speaks to the heart of the judges to lead the people. We also see His Spirit at work in speaking to the hearts of the people (through the Judges) to turn back to God. In the book of Ruth, we can see the love of God through Ruth and Naomi’s relationship. We can also see God’s Spirit speaking to Boaz to marry Ruth.
-
In the book of Judges, we see God’s Spirit at work as He raises up individuals to rescue His people. God stirs the hearts and desires of these judges in order to accomplish His plan for rescue. In the book of Ruth, God’s spirit is at work in the heart of Ruth to first turn to the One True God for salvation and then to be an encouragement to her mother-in-law. We see the Lord quietly providing for Naomi through Ruth and, later, through Boaz. In both books we see God provide rescue to His people by the power of His Spirit working in the hearts of people we may not expect.
-
God’s spirit has always been with His people and with His true believers. I have come to realize that there is no such thing as coincidence in the life of those God loves and watches over. He could be seen in the victories of the Judges even though they were far from perfect and most of them not very good role models. He gave great power to Samson, and he abused it and lost it but, in the end, God restored him to a significant win over the enemy. I have always loved the story of Ruth because I think every woman longs for a God-fearing husband like Boaz. What are the odds that Ruth would chose to follow Naomi because of her wonderful example and a follower of the one true God and that, in returning to Israel there would be a kinsman redeemer who took Ruth to wife after the closer redeemer reneged. Nothing happens in the life of a believer that isn’t filtered through God’s Holy Spirit.
-
We see God’s Spirit at work in the book of Judges as the Israelites repeatedly turn from God and do as they see fit and then when then realize that their path is not working, they cry out to the Lord for his mercy and help. When the Israelites seek God, his Spirit can be seen working through the judge that God raises for Israel. God uses this judge to bring the people of Israel back to him by defeating the enemies of Israel such as the King of Aram, the Moabites, the Philistines, Jabin king of Canaan, the Midianites, and the Ammonites. Unfortunately, the Israelites soon turn away from God and the process gets repeated.
We see God’s Spirit at work in the book of Ruth as God continues to love and be faithful to Naomi and Ruth. God continuously provides for both Naomi and Ruth as they go through difficult times with losing their husbands. As they trust God, God returns both women to Israel where Ruth meets Boaz. Ultimately, Boaz redeems Ruth by marrying her and providing her a son. Amazingly, Ruth’s son Obed ends up being the grandfather to David and after many years this lineage ends up with Jesus. This culminates in Jesus redeeming all people from their sins. Throughout this whole story, we see that God is faithful and that is Spirit is always at work.
-
In Judges the Spirit of God is used to raise up a deliverer from among Israel, even though Israel has disobeyed God. In the Book of Ruth the Spirit works in the life of a Moabite, and converts her to Worship the true God of Israel. From Judges, one might conclude that God deals favourably only with people of Israel. Ruth teaches us otherwise, that God’s love extends beyond Israel.
-
Just as the book of Ruth serves as a positive example, how have you observed an exception to the Deuteronomic Cycle?
-
The Deuteronomic cycle follows the forward of sin path to condemnation, suffering and then the intervention. I the story of Ruth, the returning from Moab to Bethlehem, the conversion of Moabite Ruth from her own culture and religion to Jehovah God, the faithful friendship between Naomi and Ruth were exceptions of Deuteronomic Cycle. I think this is a parallel path that God has design to demonstrate that His was was different. It was not sin and the result of sin. It was the beauty of His Grace and Mercy.
-
There was a time in my husband’s life in which he became involved in a financial business whose environment was very toxic. He began to put more hours into that business over his true job, his family, church , and God. Focusing on self-help paraphernalia, he began delving into New Age philosophies which led him to be tempted by the devil to dismiss his faith in Christ. By the grace of God, my husband returned to the Lord and His Word and was able to break free from the bondage that had entangled him for months. The Lord demonstrated a redeeming work of His grace to bring my husband to repentance and restoration.