1.  Naomi and Ruth illustrate the different ways believers respond to the disciplines and disappointments of life.  Naomi responded with bitterness, emptiness, and disappointment.  Ruth responded with hope and trust in God’s provision and providence.

2.  “Every testing is designed to deepen and develop the life of faith.” (Peterson)

3.  Reasons God allows trials in our lives:

--to test our love for Him (Job)

-to discipline us (Hebrews 12:7-11)

-to glorify Himself (John 9:1ff)

-to show is our insufficiency and His sufficiency (2 Corinthians 12)

-to grow our faith and produce maturity in us (James 1, 1 Peter 1)

4.  Ruth 2:20 contains two theological significant words, hesed (translated “kindness”) and go’el (translated “kinsman-redeemer,” a redeeming relative).

-Hesed is the Old Testament equivalent of the New Testament “grace” or Greek “charis.”  It refers to God’s love to the undeserving, His steadfast, loval love.  It is one of God’s central characteristics.  He is the covenant-keeping God who is faithful to His word and his people.  It is God’s love for His chosen people. 

-the go’el has specific duties in the Old Testament:  he could provide an heir to maintain a family line of a deceased brother per the Levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10); he could avenge the killing of a family member (Numbers 35:19-21); he cold redeem land sold outside the family (Leviticus 25:25-28); and he could redeem a poor relative who has been sold into slavery (Leviticus 25:47-49).  The go’el paid the price of redemption so the one redeemed could go free.  A go’el had to be related by blood, had to be able to pay the price of redemption, had to be willing to redeem, and had to be free himself.