What Sin Does

Introduction

A little boy got angry and lost his temper several times a day. He would lash out at his family or school mates, and say and do mean things. Afterwards, he would apologize, embarrassed of his actions, and consider the apology sufficient to right the situation. One day his father called him back to the fence on the side of their yard. “Son,” he said, “Every time you get angry and lash out at someone, you are to drive a nail into this fence post.” Over the next week, the little boy pounded a lot of nails into the fence post. But after several days, his father noticed that there were fewer nails needed every day. Finally, the little boy had a day when he had not driven one nail into the post. “Father,” he announced, “I haven’t lost my temper once today!” The father smiled and went with his son to the fence post. “Now, my son, every day that you do not lose your temper even once, you may pull one of these nails out of the fence post.” It took a long time to get them all out – longer because sometimes he had to add an extra one. But the day came when no nails were left in that fence post. The little boy and his father looked at the fence post. “Son,” the father began, “can you ever take away the holes in that post?” “No.” “That is what sin is like, son. We can ask forgiveness and be forgiven. But there are some consequences that never go away.” That visual lesson stuck with that little boy throughout his life. Whenever he was tempted to get angry or sin in some other way, he would think about that scarred fence post and realize that sin is never worth it. The Bible book of Ruth, a wonderful story of redemption and hope, begins with a story of sin and its dark consequences. Learn how seriously God takes sin, and what sin will do as you study Ruth 1:1-5.

Observation

Pray

Before studying God’s Word, ask Him to open your eyes and heart to its truth. Ask Him to apply it to your life. And ask for the boldness to live it out.

Read Focus Verses

Read Ruth 1:1-5. Notice the characters and setting of this wonderful story.

Key Concept – Troubles

Did you notice how many bad things happen as you read these first five verses of Ruth? Underlining these troubles will help you see each to think about its cause.

A Time of Trouble

Underline the troubles like famine and death that appear in these five verses.

Setting

How does verse one describe the time period of the story of Ruth?

A Family

What are the names of 1. The husband and father, 2. The wife and mother, 3. The first son, and 4. The second son?

Home Place

Where was this family from?

Map

This map shows where Bethlehem is located in the land of Judah, and how Elimelech and his family would have travelled to get to Moab.

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A New Home

Where did Elimelech take his family?

Death

Who died first?

Weddings

Each of Naomi’s sons married. What were the names of each couple?

How Long?

How long was Naomi’s family in Moab?

Left Alone

Who was left alone in the land of Moab?

Interpretation

In the Days of the Judges

The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in the Bible. Judges tells us of a period of Israel’s history between their conquest of the land of Canaan and the anointing of Saul as king. The story of the book of Judges is a cycle. First Israel would sin. Then, as He said, God would send judgement like famine and captivity. When Israel repented, God would send a Judge to deliver them. Read Judges 21:25, and notice how the book of Judges is summarized in its last verse.

A Promise

Notice the similarity between Judges 21:25, and Proverbs 14:12.

Destination: Destruction

What is the end of the path that seems right to people who choose their own way?

Famine

God had promised the children of Israel that if they obeyed Him in their new land, He would bless them. However, if they rebelled and sinned against Him, He would judge them. Notice in Deuteronomy 28:23-24 that famine is one of the judgements He promised.

Evaluate

Since famine was a consequence of Israel’s sin, and this book opens with the account of a famine in the land, do you think the nation of Israel was obeying or disobeying at the beginning of the story of Ruth? Why?

Running

Today moving isn’t a big deal. But for an Israelite in those days, it was very different. God had given them the land of Israel, and established them there, telling them that they would never leave it if they were faithful and obedient. Also, God had put His Name there, and it was the only place where His people could properly worship Him. Do you think Elimelech’s decision to go to Moab was one that indicates he was a man of faith or not? Why?

Two Marriages

Ruth 1:4 tells us that Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women. Read Deuteronomy 23:3-4 and see what you think God thought about that.

Whom You Marry

Notice also what God says about whom His people were not to marry in Deuteronomy 7:1-4.

Conclusion

Based on these verses, do you think God was pleased with Mahlon’s and Chilion’s choice to marry idol-worshiping (Ruth 1:15), non-Israelite, Moabite women?

A Sign

From what you’ve seen about how God dealt with Israel, do you think that the three deaths of Elimelech and his two sons in the land of Moab indicate that God was blessing or judging them? Why?

Sun on the Horizon

This introduction to the book of Ruth is dark and sad. Yet surprisingly, it is the backdrop against which God is going to bring forth beauty and light. Starting with Ruth 4:17, read this succession of passages to see how this story with such a sad opening leads to the happiest story on earth

David to Jesus

So Ruth’s son was the forefather of David. Read who came from David’s family in Matthew 1:1.

Jesus Only

Finally, read Acts 4:10-12.

God’s Work

In your own words, tell how God brought light and beauty out of the sin and sadness of the story of Ruth and Naomi?

An Extra Minute

The book of Ruth is a beautiful story. It will be easier to understand if you hear all of it at once before studying each smaller section. Now, if you have an extra minute, or at some point soon, try to listen to the book of Ruth. You might even listen to it several times while you do various tasks and responsibilities so you become familiar with the whole story of what God is teaching us by this story.

Application

Going Around God

Are there areas in your life where you are trying to avoid what God wants you to do? Are you going against what He has said in His Word about something? What are you going to do about it?

Light from Darkness

Is there a really hard or dark situation in your life which you struggle to accept? Think of the story of Ruth, and how God turned darkness to light and brought hope from sadness. How are you going to remind yourself to think that God will bring good from your situation?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand how serious sin is, and the dark consequences it brings.

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