Episode 161 – Ruth Pt 1: Acknowledging Our Famines
Key Passage(s): Ruth 1:1-5; Judges 21:25
One of the most beautiful and moving stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. But it doesn’t start that way. Set in the dark and precarious times of the Judges, the story of Ruth begins in a place of famine and death. As we’ll see, the first five verses are loaded with contextual information that lay a foundation for the rest of the book. Before we can appreciate the beauty of the story, we have to deal with the disappointment and understand why it’s so important to acknowledge our famines so they don’t define us.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- What connection do you see between “The days when the Judges ruled” and what culture and society are like today?
- In Hebrew, a name reveals a person’s identity. If Ruth means “friend” or “companion,” what do you think your life reveals about what your name means?
- Reflect and Respond to this statement: What we don’t acknowledge defines us.
- What are some of the famines you’ve needed to acknowledge in your life?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
For Further Study
- The New American Commentary: Judges/Ruth by Daniel I. Block
- The NIV Application Commentary: Judges/Ruth by K. Lawson Younger Jr.
- Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas by Paul H. Wright – Chapter 7 (Naomi and Ruth)
- Ruth by BibleProject
- Ruth (One Hour. One Book.) by Randall Smith
- Ruth Photo Companion to the Bible by BiblePlaces.com
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Are you planning on at least mentioning that in the Tanakh ordering of the books of Scripture, Ruth is in the Writings section as one scrolls of the Megillot?
Hi Donald,
You’re beating us to the punchline! But, yes, it’s coming.
My first visit to “Walking the Text”, and I am thankful to catch the series of Ruth since I am experiencing a famine in full time ministry to Chinese students at a university
Thanks for visiting Erin. So very sorry to hear about the challenge you’re facing. May God give you feet for the path He has you walking.