Ruth - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The book of Ruth gets its name from a young woman of Moab who became the great-grandmother of King DAVID and an ancestress of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).The author of the book is unknown.

The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the judges (Ruth 1:1) and during a period when Moab and ISRAEL were at relative peace. The focus of the story is on Ruth’s steady devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi and the kindness of a relative, Boaz, toward both women. Ruth and Boaz exemplify in their daily lives the self-giving love that fulfills God’s LAW (Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:31; Romans 12:9–10).

It is noteworthy—and not surprising—that such an example of devotion and love should come from a non-Israelite like Ruth. Those who place their FAITH in Israel’s God and seek to serve Him with their whole heart are the true sons and daughters of Israel (Romans 2:28–29). It was never God’s intention to limit His blessings to just one ethnic group. Like Rahab the Canaanite prostitute¹ (Joshua Chapter 2), Ruth is a living demonstration that all nations are invited to be part of God’s family (Genesis 12:3). Membership in God’s family is not decided by one’s physical birth but by one’s faith and obedience—by the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5).

Boaz plays a crucial role in the story: he is the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 2:20; 3:9).In this role, Boaz is a forerunner of Jesus Christ. Boaz made a personal sacrifice to “redeem” Ruth and Naomi. Jesus also made a personal sacrifice—of His own life—to redeem mankind.²

Finally, there is a hidden figure in the story of Ruth, and that figure is God. It is God who, behind the scenes, brings to pass all the elements of the plot. Indeed—as in every book of the Bible—the central and key player is God Himself. For the Bible, above all else, is the story of God. Through the lives of ordinary people like Ruth and Boaz, God is working out His great purposes for the world and for eternity.