Course Introduction
The book of Ruth is a gem, a small but beautifully formed story that sits in the gap between the ethical swamp of the end of Judges and the new hope of 1 Samuel.
The tale of Ruth and Naomi and their struggle against grief and poverty is familiar to many of us. But closer attention reveals cleverness of writing and allusions to other Old Testament narratives that add surprising depth and power to this simple story.
Over four weeks we will explore the overarching themes of the text, consider its place in God’s ‘big story’ and discuss the impact of reading Ruth in the light of other OT texts. We will also look at the main characters, Ruth, Boaz and Naomi, consider ways in which Ruth represents a ‘good woman’ and Boaz a ‘good man’, and think about what message the book of Ruth has for the church today.
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for people who are familiar with the book of Ruth, but have a desire to look at it again and see what more treasure it may have to reveal.
