Welcome to the final episode of the Book of Ruth Advent series! We hope this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way. We recommend you play Ruth Episode 4 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode.
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SUSAN’S SUMMARY
This is the fourth of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent focus in this story is joy. The story of Ruth, more than any other in the Old Testament, has a happy ending filled with joy.
In the final chapter of Ruth joy will arrive in the birth of a baby, but at this Bethlehem birth, there will be no star, no shepherds, and no gifts from the Magi. However, the angels in heaven knew how significant this birth was to that other couple, not Ruth and Boaz, but their distant descendants, Mary and Joseph.
The book of Ruth ends with great joy! And that joy is centered on people being restored to God. Just as we are restored to God through the birth of Jesus. The closer we draw to the Lord, the greater our joy grows.
SCENE 1: THE COMMUNITY’S JOY
Questions to Ponder
- Is there a member of your family or church that has slipped away from God?
- Think of all Ruth and Boaz did for Naomi, what kindness or hesed can you offer them?
SCENE 2: BOAZ + RUTH’S JOY
Questions to Ponder
- Ruth and Boaz were the greatest examples of all that this Advent season reminds us to be:
- They hoped for God’s promises and saw God’s opportunities.
- They loved God and others with hesed.
- They exercised faith without fear.
- And they chose joy in all circumstances.
- hope – love – faith – joy…
- Have you experienced joy this year? If not, how can you begin next year with hope, love, and faith, all of which will lead to joy?
SCENE 3: NAOMI’S JOY
Questions to Ponder
- Naomi’s restoration to God was her redemption. God redeemed her lost place in the history of Israel with a place of honor. How is your relationship with God? Are you daily reminded that you were redeemed by Christ? Does the thought bring you joy?
SCENE 4: THE WORLD’S JOY
Questions to Ponder
- Hope, love, faith, and joy are all readily available to us. But we must ask. We must believe the good news that is so much a part of Advent and Christmas. We often don’t have joy because we don’t believe! We don’t have faith because we don’t have hope! Will you ask? Pray that God will fill you with hope, love, faith, and joy.
