(a woman that will be a great wife) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Proverbs 31:24
"She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant." 

Great women are ingenious and industrious. They are intelligent and diligent. They see business opportunities and leverage them for the benefit of the family estate. They fulfill domestic duties to husband and children first, but they have a mind and drive to do more.

A virtuous woman – the great woman every wise man should marry – is an enterprising woman. She is not content with merely being a limited housewife. She knows she is capable of more, so she does more. The example here is a manufacturing and wholesale business in fine linen and girdles. This woman has an entrepreneurial and ambitious spirit that seeks profitable projects to support her husband and build the family income.

The Christian Working Woman

by Ameerah Lewis 

(Ohio, USA)

As a Christian working woman, I have often struggled with the question of whether or not it was okay for me to work. I would watch other Christian women who stayed home, and I felt so much guilt and shame for not following their example. 


In my case, I was not working because I had a lack of desire to stay home, but because of a lack of finances. Of course, since my husband and I didn't have any children yet, the desire was not as strong as it would be if I were a working mother. 


But, what about when we did start our family - What then? 

Guiding The House women are to guide the house

by Erin Joyce

With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site out there. And while the site is known for the casual social aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current colleagues, clients and potential employers. In fact, surveys suggest that approximately 30% of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees – even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional social networking site. Don't make these Facebook faux-pas – they might cost you a great opportunity.

Ruth Marries Boaz : trust under the wings of the God of Israel

Scripture Passage  :  Ruth 3:1-18; Ruth 4:1-22

INTRODUCTION: As the story of Ruth comes to a close, we see the great blessings of the Lord on both her and Naomi. Naomi will find blessing through her daughter-in-law. Ruth will find blessing through Boaz. He (a picture of Christ) is a kinsman of Naomi (a picture of Israel). He redeems Ruth (a type of Gentile believers). Naomi, who lost the blessing, is brought back into a time of blessing through the union of Boaz and Ruth.

1. RUTH LIES DOWN AT THE FEET OF BOAZ (Ruth 3:1-7
   )
1. The Instructions of Naomi (Ruth 3:1-4
   )
1. She seeks rest for Ruth (Ruth 3:1
   ; Ruth 1:9
   ; Isaiah 11:10
   ).
2. Tonight Boaz will be winnowing barley (Ruth 3:2
   ).
3. Prepare yourself for this night (Ruth 3:3
   ). Like believers today, she is to make herself ready and then to wait (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
   ).
4. When he lieth down, go lie at his feet (Ruth 3:4
   ).
1. Ruth is to mark the place where Boaz would lie down.
2. She is to go in and uncover his feet.
3. She is to lie down at his feet.
4. She is to receive instruction while at his feet (Luke 10:39
   ).
2. The Obedience of Ruth (Ruth 3:5-7
   )
1. She speaks words of submission (Ruth 3:5
   ).
2. She performs acts of obedience (Ruth 3:6-7
   ; 1 John 3:18
   ; James 2:15-16
   )
2. BOAZ PROMISES TO DO HIS PART FOR RUTH (Ruth 3:8-13
   )
1. Boaz Discovers Ruth (Ruth 3:8-9
   ).
1. Boaz awakes and is frightened by the woman at his feet (Ruth 3:8
   ).
2. Ruth identifies herself and her purpose (Ruth 3:9
   ).
2. Boaz Accepts Ruth’s Proposal (Ruth 3:10-11
   ).
1. Boaz praises Ruth for her kindness (Ruth 3:10
   ).
2. He promises to do for her as she requested (Ruth 3:11
   ).
3. He speaks of her reputation as a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11
   ; Proverbs 31:10-31
   ).
3. Boaz Must Deal with a Nearer Kinsman (Ruth 3:12-13
   ).
1. There is a kinsman nearer than Boaz (Ruth 3:12
   ).
2. He must be given his chance to do the part of a kinsman (Ruth 3:13
   ).
3. RUTH RETURNS TO NAOMI TO WAIT (Ruth 3:14-18
   )
1. Ruth Rises Early in the Morning (Ruth 3:14
   ).
1. She lies at his feet until the morning.
2. She rises up before one could know another.
3. Boaz gives instructions to keep her visit a secret.
2. Boaz Sends Ruth Home with Barley (Ruth 3:15
   ).
3. Ruth Tells Her Story to Naomi (Ruth 3:16-17
   ).
1. Ruth reports to Naomi all that transpired (Ruth 3:16-17
   ).
2. Note: Naomi had returned home empty (Ruth 1:21
   ), but Ruth is not allowed to return to Naomi empty (Ruth 3:17
   ).
4. Ruth Must Wait to See What Happens (Ruth 3:18
   ).
1. Naomi tells Ruth to sit still until she receives word from Boaz.
2. Naomi tells how he will not rest until he finishes “this day” (Luke 23:43
   ).
4. ONE KINSMAN REFUSES TO REDEEM RUTH (Ruth 4:1-8
   )
1. Boaz Gathers Ten Men at the City Gate (Ruth 4:1-2
   ).
1. Boaz goes to the gate of the city and sits down (Ruth 4:1
   ). Note: The city gate is a place where judgments are made (Genesis 19:1
   ).
2. The nearer kinsman passes by, and Boaz requests a meeting (Ruth 4:1
   ).
3. Boaz gathers ten men of the elders to witness the meeting (Ruth 4:2
   ).
2. Boaz Allows the Kinsman to Redeem the Land (Ruth 4:3-4
   ).
1. Boaz informs the kinsman that Naomi is selling a parcel of land (Ruth 4:3
   ).
2. He tells the nearer kinsman that he can buy it (Ruth 4:4
   ).
3. The nearer kinsman agrees to purchase the parcel of land (Ruth 4:4
   ).
3. Boaz Explains That Ruth Is Included (Ruth 4:5
   ).
4. The Kinsman Passes the Redemption to Boaz (Ruth 4:6-8
   ).
1. He would have to share his inheritance with his present sons (Ruth 4:6
   ).
2. He gives up his right and responsibility by plucking off his shoe (Ruth 4:7-8
   ; similar to Deuteronomy 25:7-10
   ).
5. BOAZ REDEEMS RUTH AS HIS WIFE (Ruth 4:9-12
   )
1. Boaz Redeems the Inheritance of Elimelech (Ruth 4:9-10
   ).
1. Boaz takes on the responsibility before witnesses (Ruth 4:9
   ).
2. Boaz purchases Ruth to be his wife (Ruth 4:10
   ). Note: Compare this to Christ purchasing the believer by His death on the cross (Acts 20:28
   ).
3. Boaz promises to raise up the inheritance of the dead (Ruth 4:10
   ).
2. Boaz Receives the Blessing of the People (Ruth 4:11-12
   ); Ruth compared to:
1. Rachel and Leah (Ruth 4:11
   )
2. Tamar (Ruth 4:12
   )
6. RUTH BEARS A SON TO BOAZ (Ruth 4:13-17
   )
1. Ruth Has a Son by Boaz (Ruth 4:13
   ).
2. Naomi Receives a Blessing from the Women (Ruth 4:14-15
   ).
1. The name of her son to be famous (Ruth 4:14
   )
2. He is to be a restorer of her life and a nourisher of her old age (Ruth 4:15
   ).
3. Her daughter-in-law better than seven sons (Ruth 4:15
   )
3. Naomi Takes the Child to Her Bosom (Ruth 4:16-17
   ).
1. Naomi is nurse to the child (Ruth 4:16
   ).
2. The child Obed is grandfather to David (Ruth 4:17
   ).
7. RUTH’S SON IS IN THE LINE OF DAVID (Ruth 4:18-22
   )
1. The Ancestors of Boaz (Ruth 4:18-20
   )
2. The Descendents of Boaz (Ruth 4:21-22
   )

CONCLUSION: This story was guaranteed a happy conclusion when Ruth came to trust under the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16; Ruth 2:12) – not that bad things could not happen, but that good would be the final result. Have you come to trust under the wings of the God of Israel?

David Reagan and Andrew Ray

http://www.learnthebible.org/sunday-school-outlines/ruth-marries-boaz.html

Ruth - A Virtuous Woman

• References: Ruth 1-4; Matthew 1:5
  
• Memory Verses:  Ruth 1:16-17
  ; Ruth 2:12
  ; Ruth 3:11
  ; Proverbs 22:1
  ; Proverbs 31:10
  
• Dates:  1135?-1050? BC

Ruth has always been one of my favorite women in the Bible. She’s one of two women after whom a book is named and she is the only woman in the Bible specifically said to be virtuous. Not only that, but she isn’t even a Jew. She’s a Moabitess. She married a Jewish man and then watched while her father-in-law, her brother-in-law and her husband died. Then, she followed her mother-in-law back to Israel. To a country she had never been to before. She left her family, her gods and her nationality. And she traveled to a land she had never seen where she knew no one. She was a foreigner and an outsider determined to find the God of Israel.

Ruth is a picture of God’s grace in offering salvation to Gentiles. What did she see in her husband and his family that drew her to God? God blessed her devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She married and had a little boy who became the grandfather of David. David’s great-grandmother was Ruth. Did he know her? We aren’t told, but I’m sure at the very least he heard stories about this godly woman. By the way, did I mention that she’s the first woman on record who proposed to her husband?

Look up the following words in a dictionary and give the definition:

• Sojourn (1:1)
• Steadfast (1:18)
• Suffice (2:14)
• Virtuous (3:11)
• Nourish (4:15)
• Virtue
• Ruthless

1. What one word would you use to describe Ruth?
2. What made Ruth a virtuous woman?
3. What is the significance of there being a whole book about Ruth?
4. What verses from this book really speak to your heart?
5. Read Ruth 2:12
   , why do you think it refers to “wings”?
6. Who is Boaz a picture of?
7. Is there anything Ruth should have done differently?
8. Look up Ruth 1:8
   , 2:20
   , and 3:10
   . How are kindly and kindness in these verses similar and how do they differ in meaning?
9. What was the name of Ruth’s first husband?
10. What was the name of Ruth’s son?
11. Who is Ruth’s great-grandson?
12. Who was Ruth’s sister-in-law?
13. What great compliment did the women of Bethlehem-Judah give to Ruth in chapter 4?
14. After all the pain and suffering that Ruth went through losing her father-in-law, brother-in-law, and husband all at once and then being deserted by her sister-in-law as well, what do you think still drew her to God?
15. In what areas of Ruth’s life is the hand of God visible?
16. Here are 3 verses from Proverbs 31. Find matching verses in Ruth.

• Proverbs 31:10
  
• Proverbs 31:23
  
• Proverbs 31:31
  

Bonus Question: Where did the Moabites come from? (Read Genesis 19:37
)

Note: An ephah (2:17) is about a bushel.

Fill in the blanks in this passage from Ruth 1:16-17

“Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from ________________ after thee: for whither thou _________, I will ________; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy ___________ shall be ________ people, and _________ God __________ God: Where thou diest, will I ________ and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but ____________ part ___________ and me.”

Kate Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org/ruth-a-virtuous-woman.html