“Reputations” (Ruth 3,4)

Published 25 October 2025

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Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

1️⃣ Measuring identity by bitterness—letting pain rename us (Naomi → “Mara”) (Ruth 1:20–21 → context for Ruth 3–4).
2️⃣ Ignoring community order—treating God’s legal structures as optional (Ruth 4:1–4).
3️⃣ Reputation without substance—public image must match private holiness (contrast Boaz) (Ruth 3:11).
4️⃣ Delaying hard conversations—Boaz addresses the nearer redeemer immediately (Ruth 4:5–6).
5️⃣ Treating widows/foreigners as liabilities—God treats them as precious partners (Ruth 4:13–15).

1️⃣ Failure to recognize noble character when it’s costly (nearer redeemer declines) (Ruth 4:6).
2️⃣ Failure of courage—avoiding responsibility to protect legacy and vulnerable (Ruth 4:5–6).
3️⃣ Failure of blessing—leaders who won’t speak the Lord’s name into public life (contrast Ruth 2:4).
4️⃣ Failure to value covenant law—redemption requires honest process (Ruth 4:7–10).
5️⃣ Failure to see God’s bigger picture—today’s choice affects tomorrow’s lineage (Ruth 4:17–22).

1️⃣ Self-protection over redemption—choosing personal ease over covenant love (Ruth 4:6).
2️⃣ Exploiting the powerless—ignoring God’s care for widows/foreigners (contrast Boaz’s honor) (Ruth 3:10–11).
3️⃣ Dishonesty in the gate—twisting law for advantage (countered by Boaz’s transparency) (Ruth 4:1–4).
4️⃣ Bitterness calcified—letting grief harden the heart instead of seeking God (Naomi’s earlier posture) (Ruth 1:20–21 → 4:14–15).
5️⃣ Excluding outsiders—God writes redemption through “foreigners” like Ruth (Ruth 4:13).

1️⃣ Noble character recognized—“All my people know…” (Ruth 3:11).
2️⃣ Integrity in process—Boaz redeems in full public view (Ruth 4:7–10).
3️⃣ Community blessing—elders and people speak life and legacy (Ruth 4:11–12).
4️⃣ Joy restored—Naomi receives a redeemer-grandson (Ruth 4:14–15).
5️⃣ Lineage of the King—Obed → Jesse → David (Ruth 4:17–22).

1️⃣ Reputation is discipleship over time—character becomes public witness (Ruth 3:11).
2️⃣ God heals bitterness with belonging—community restores hope (Ruth 4:14–15).
3️⃣ Holiness loves order—faithfulness honors God’s processes (Ruth 4:1–4).
4️⃣ Redemption is relational—God uses people like Boaz and Ruth to display Christlike love (Ruth 4:13).
5️⃣ God writes legacies—our obedience today shapes tomorrow’s testimony (Ruth 4:17–22).

1️⃣ Lead in the light—handle hard matters publicly and fairly (Ruth 4:1–10).
2️⃣ Bless with your words—create a culture of grace (Ruth 2:4 → applied in Ruth 4).
3️⃣ Protect the vulnerable—leadership defends widows and foreigners (Ruth 3:10–11).
4️⃣ Honor God’s order—submit ambition to righteousness (Ruth 4:5–6).
5️⃣ Think generationally—make decisions with David (and Christ) in view (Ruth 4:17–22).