Reflection Questions – Ruth 3

What does Naomi tell Ruth to do?  (3:1-4)  What is her motivation in giving these instructions?  Do you think her plan was risky?  Why or why not?

How does Ruth respond to Naomi’s instructions?  (3:5-7)  What does her response reveal to us about her character?  Why?

What request does Ruth make to Boaz?  (3:9)  What does it mean?  Why do you think that she chose these words, in particular?  What is it significant?  (See also Ruth 2:11-12)

How does Boaz respond to Ruth’s request?  (3:10-13)  What does his response reveal to us about his character?  Why?

Boaz says that Ruth has the reputation of being a “worthy” woman.  (This same word is used to describe Boaz himself, in Ruth 2:1.  It is also used to describe the godly wife in Proverbs 31:10.)  What do you think that Boaz means by this?  Why is it important?

What are some potential ways that Naomi’s plan could have been misinterpreted?  (By Boaz?  By bystanders, who observed what Ruth was doing?)

How does Boaz act intentionally to honor and protect Ruth in this chapter?  What are some different ways that we see him going about this?

Describe the personal journey that Naomi has been on since we met her in Ruth 1:1.  What has she experienced?  What has she learned?  How has she changed, and grown?

What can we learn about the person and work of Christ from studying the character of Boaz?

What can we learn about the Christian life from studying the character of Ruth?