A Departure from Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1-5)

Main idea: In the midst of desolate circumstances, the pursuit of life apart from God’s presence and precepts leads only to death.

Outline:

1. A setting of desolate circumstances (Ruth 1:1a)
2. Two cycles of departure (Ruth 1:1b-5)
   • A departure from God’s land (vv. 1b-3)
   • A departure from God’s law (vv. 4-5)

Secondary sources cited:

• Peter H. W. Lau, The Book of Ruth, NICOT (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2023).
• Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth (Bridgend, Wales: Bryntirion Press, 2005).
• Iain M. Duguid, Esther and Ruth, REC (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2005).
• Daniel I. Block, Ruth, ZECOT (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2015).
• Barry G. Webb, Judges and Ruth: God in Chaos, PTW (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015).

Order of Service (Jan 14, 2024)