Find an example of hesed in Ruth 1:8-20.

IDEA: Hesed is a key word describing “loyal love.”

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate that God displays loyal love toward His people.

Do you have a favorite word—biblical or otherwise?

The Bible has a “favorite word” that describes a special characteristic of God and of people who are faithful to Him. It is the term hesed.

I. The word hesed is usually translated “kindness” or “lovingkindness.” It is one of the key theological concepts in the story of Ruth.

Hesed is difficult to translate because it stands for a cluster of ideas—love, mercy, grace, kindness. It wraps up in itself all the positive attributes of God.  Hesed is one of the Lord’s most treasured characteristics.

Hesed is a quality that moves someone to act for the benefit of someone else without considering “what’s in it for me?”

It may be translated as “loyal love.” Sometimes the emphasis is on “loyal” and other times the emphasis is on “love.”

II. Look at an example of hesed in Ruth 1:8-20:

There is a contrast between Orpah and Ruth in the opening of the story.

Did Orpah do anything wrong in going back to Moab?

Ruth demonstrates hesed = loyal love to Naomi that goes beyond the requirements of duty.

“At mealtime Boaz said to her, ‘Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.’ When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, ‘Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her’ ” (Ruth 2:14-16).

IDEA: Eating with someone in the Near East can have great social significance.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the importance of eating a meal with someone in the Bible and in our society today.

Fred Smith observed that he took business associates out to a restaurant to eat but had special friends into his home for dinner.

Do you think that having a meal with someone means anything similar for Americans today?

I. In the Bible, eating with someone was more than merely having something to eat.

Eating with someone had great symbolic significance (Luke 15:1-2).

Christ’s coming kingdom is described as a feast in Luke 14:15 and Matthew 22:14. So what?

II. In the story of Ruth, Boaz, by his generosity to Ruth at a meal, reflects his generosity as well as the generosity of God.

Eating with his workers says something about Boaz and his relation to his workers. Do you admire that? See Ruth 2:14-15 above.

Boaz’s generous actions toward Ruth at this meal must have been a surprise to everyone.

He invites Ruth as an outsider and a Moabite to join him and his workers. ”Come over” suggests that Ruth, as a stranger, had deliberately kept her distance from the group.

He invites Ruth to share the food prepared for his workers. He would not allow her to eat dry bread while he enjoyed more delicious food.

When Ruth had taken her seat among the harvesters, Boaz served her roasted grain himself.

Boaz gave Ruth enough food not only to satisfy her but enough left over to take home. All of this emphasizes Boaz’s generosity.

This verse is not merely about feeding the hungry. Boaz took an ordinary meal and transformed it into an occasion of compassion, acceptance, and generosity.

“There is no hint of a romantic attraction between Boaz and Ruth. Given the racial and social barriers that separated them, the thought would never have crossed Ruth’s mind” (Block, p 667).

Boaz was simply a good man used by God to show grace to Ruth. The “wings of God” are not only a comfort and protection for Israel, but also for a despised Moabite.

III. Has anyone ever ministered to you in this way?

” ‘May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,’ she said. ‘You have reassured me and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants’ ” (Ruth 2:13).

IDEA: True humility comes when we realize how much the Lord has done for us and how little we deserve it.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that what Boaz did for Ruth resembles what the Lord has done for us.

What is the difference between modesty and humility? Do you think we ever confuse the two?

What is the difference between conceit and pride? Are they the same?

I. What do we mean when we talk about modesty?

How do you react to someone who says, “Look, if Jesus died for sinners, He wasted His time on me. I don’t need anyone to die for me”?

Does it bother you to find out that someone thinks that way or merely that he/she talks that way? Would you counsel that person to be more modest?

Why do we dislike conceit? Do we dislike it as much as pride?

Conceit is often a way of talking. Why do people sometimes talk big?

II. Listen to this exchange between Ruth and Boaz in Ruth 2:13: ” ‘May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,’ she said. ‘You have reassured me and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.’ “

Is this modesty or humility?

What has happened before this exchange?

Ruth expresses her gratitude to Boaz for two things that he has done for her in Ruth 2:13:

He has calmed her emotionally: “You have given me comfort” – “You have reassured me.” The word comes from a root which means “to breathe deeply.” He has brought her relief.

Has anything like that ever happened to you?

Ruth resembles a young chick frightened by the rain. She has found comfort and security under the wings of God.

Those wings are embodied in the person of Boaz.

He has spoken to her with kindness that she did not deserve.

“You have spoken to the heart.” Boaz’s words were the first cheerful things recorded about Ruth after her husband had died in Moab.

Ruth views herself as occupying the lowest rung on the social ladder. That’s the meaning of the word she uses to describe herself.

She is amazed that the difference in social class or race could not stifle Boaz’s compassion toward her.

III. Where does humility come from in our relation to God?

Is Ruth being humble or merely modest?

Humility comes from seeing God’s generosity to us and our low standing before Him.

Discover how the Bible fits together from Genesis to Revelation with the handy, full-color handbook The Bible at a Glance by Rose Publishing. Written in easy-to-understand language with attractive graphics, this book will increase your Bible knowledge and enhance your personal and group Bible study.

Features include:

• Key verses, teachings, and facts for each book of the Bible
• Time line comparing Bible history, world history, and Middle Eastern empires
• How to study the Bible: methods and tools
• 15 full-color Bible maps
• Hundreds of favorite, life-changing verses organized by topic
• Best-loved Bible promises
• Basics of Christian faith: prayer, forgiveness, worship, giving, and more
• Comparison of 20 Bible translations

To get your copy of the book The Bible at a Glance, just fill out the form to the right and submit it along with your gift of any amount.

If you prefer to send your gift by check, simply fill out and print this form and mail it to the following address:

Discover the Word
Dept. R
Grand Rapids, MI 49555

We hope you are enjoying the insights into the book of Ruth from your friends at Discover the Word—Haddon Robinson, Alice Mathews, and Mart De Haan. To learn more about this fascinating story from author and Bible teacher Dr. Joe Stowell, we invite you to visit our companion website Strength for the Journey.

Ruth chapter 2

IDEA: The gift of helps is most attractive when it is shown in a person of influence.

PURPOSE: To help listeners see how powerful it can be to see the gift of helps in people of power.

Do people of influence face any obstacles when they exercise their gift of helps?

Do you think it is a challenge to help people without hurting them?

I. Boaz helps Ruth without hurting her.

He was kind without being condescending. Boaz gave Ruth the opportunity to work in his field.

Is it possible to help people and also hurt them by doing too much for them?

It is not uncommon to have those we help turn against us. Why does that happen?

Boaz was compassionate enough to be helpful, but he didn’t rob Ruth of the satisfaction of work. Have you ever been tempted to do that?

We help people by showing that we believe in them. Boaz made Ruth feel accepted by having her work with his young women harvesters.

He was considerate of Ruth’s safety and well-being.

He instructed the men who worked for him not to molest or harass her. Why might that have happened? Do we help people by giving them a safe environment in which to work?

He urged her to satisfy her thirst by drinking the water that his young men had drawn from the town well. This was a reversal. Foreigners were expected to serve the nationals and women were expected to serve men.

II. It is a part of love to help people, and it is another part of love to help people in ways that do not hurt them.

“God has placed in the church, first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).

IDEA: The gift of helps is often most needed but often unrecognized.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the gift of helps.

In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 the apostle Paul lists some of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people and He gives those gifted people to the church.  Paul mentions “the gift of helping people.”

Have you ever attended a conference focused on helping Christians learn how to help others?

Do you think we might need to host one?

I. At least two men in the Bible are examples of the gift of helps at work.

Joseph Barnabas in the New Testament had the gift of helps.

Barnabas was a nickname (Bar Nabas = Son of Encouragement).  He had that nickname because he was always helping people.

Barnabas was generous in giving financially to others. He sold some land and gave the proceeds to the young church. That was an enormous help as an example and as a contribution.

Acts 4:36—”Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Is it easy to contribute to others financially without hurting them?

Barnabas worked with people that other Christians didn’t like.  He was willing to risk the censure of the others in the church by befriending Paul, the recently converted persecutor of the church.

Acts 9:26-27—”When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Barnabas also put himself on the line for a weaker brother.

Acts 15:36-41—”Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Barnabas was a “people person” whereas Paul was “mission driven.”

Which one was in the right in the break-up?

What do you think characterizes a person with the gift of helps?  Have you ever known anyone with this gift?

“God has placed in the church, first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).

IDEA: The gift of helps is often most needed but often unrecognized.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the gift of helps.

In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 the apostle Paul lists some of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people and He gives those gifted people to the church.  Paul mentions “the gift of helping people.”

Have you ever attended a conference focused on helping Christians learn how to help others?

Do you think we might need to host one?

I. At least two men in the Bible are examples of the gift of helps at work.

Joseph Barnabas in the New Testament had the gift of helps.

Barnabas was a nickname (Bar Nabas = Son of Encouragement).  He had that nickname because he was always helping people.

Barnabas was generous in giving financially to others. He sold some land and gave the proceeds to the young church. That was an enormous help as an example and as a contribution.

Acts 4:36—”Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Is it easy to contribute to others financially without hurting them?

Barnabas worked with people that other Christians didn’t like.  He was willing to risk the censure of the others in the church by befriending Paul, the recently converted persecutor of the church.

Acts 9:26-27—”When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Barnabas also put himself on the line for a weaker brother.

Acts 15:36-41—”Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Barnabas was a “people person” whereas Paul was “mission driven.”

Which one was in the right in the break-up?

What do you think characterizes a person with the gift of helps?  Have you ever known anyone with this gift?

“God has placed in the church, first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).

IDEA: The gift of helps is often most needed but often unrecognized.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the gift of helps.

In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 the apostle Paul lists some of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people and He gives those gifted people to the church.  Paul mentions “the gift of helping people.”

Have you ever attended a conference focused on helping Christians learn how to help others?

Do you think we might need to host one?

I. At least two men in the Bible are examples of the gift of helps at work.

Joseph Barnabas in the New Testament had the gift of helps.

Barnabas was a nickname (Bar Nabas = Son of Encouragement).  He had that nickname because he was always helping people.

Barnabas was generous in giving financially to others. He sold some land and gave the proceeds to the young church. That was an enormous help as an example and as a contribution.

Acts 4:36—”Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Is it easy to contribute to others financially without hurting them?

Barnabas worked with people that other Christians didn’t like.  He was willing to risk the censure of the others in the church by befriending Paul, the recently converted persecutor of the church.

Acts 9:26-27—”When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Barnabas also put himself on the line for a weaker brother.

Acts 15:36-41—”Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Barnabas was a “people person” whereas Paul was “mission driven.”

Which one was in the right in the break-up?

What do you think characterizes a person with the gift of helps?  Have you ever known anyone with this gift?

” ‘Yes, I know,’ Boaz replied, ‘but I also know about the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband.  I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully.’ ‘I hope I continue to please you, sir,’ she replied. ’You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me even though I am not as worthy as your workers’ ” (Ruth 2:11-12).

IDEA: Sometimes God uses prayer to answer a prayer.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that God sometimes works in unexpected ways to answer our prayers.

Have you ever been the answer to someone else’s prayers?  How?

Have you ever been the answer to your own prayer?

I. In the story of Ruth, Boaz prays a prayer that at first glance hardly seems like a prayer.  See Ruth 2:11-12 above.

Ruth asks Boaz, “Why have I found favor in your eyes?”  There are several answers that might have been given.

He was fundamentally a good man (of noble character, Ruth 2:1).  Do you think he would have treated any destitute gleaner in this way?

He is kind to Ruth because the Lord has prepared his heart for her (look at Ruth’s wish in 2:2—One day Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the fields to gather leftover grain behind anyone who will let me do it.”

Boaz invokes a blessing on Ruth for what she has done for Naomi (Ruth 2:12).

He asks that the Lord will repay her for her works.  What does that mean?

Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Her acts have not only put Naomi in her debt but the Lord as well.

May your wages be full . . .: the God of Israel will do that.

Ruth was claiming the Lord as her divine protector. God is pictured as a mother bird who offers her wings to protect her defenseless young.

II. Boaz was personally functioning as the Wings of God.

Boaz was not only providing for Ruth but also honoring God: “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).

In a lovely way God uses Boaz to answer his own prayer for Ruth. Compare this to Ruth 3:9—” ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she replied.  ‘Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.’ “

Discover how the Bible fits together from Genesis to Revelation with the handy, full-color handbook The Bible at a Glance by Rose Publishing. Written in easy-to-understand language with attractive graphics, this book will increase your Bible knowledge and enhance your personal and group Bible study.

Features include:

• Key verses, teachings, and facts for each book of the Bible
• Time line comparing Bible history, world history, and Middle Eastern empires
• How to study the Bible: methods and tools
• 15 full-color Bible maps
• Hundreds of favorite, life-changing verses organized by topic
• Best-loved Bible promises
• Basics of Christian faith: prayer, forgiveness, worship, giving, and more
• Comparison of 20 Bible translations

To get your copy of the book The Bible at a Glance, just fill out the form to the right and submit it along with your gift of any amount.

If you prefer to send your gift by check, simply fill out and print this form and mail it to the following address:

Discover the Word
Dept. R
Grand Rapids, MI 49555

We hope you are enjoying the insights into the book of Ruth from your friends at Discover the Word—Haddon Robinson, Alice Mathews, and Mart De Haan. To learn more about this fascinating story from author and Bible teacher Dr. Joe Stowell, we invite you to visit our companion website Strength for the Journey.