Ruth

Ruth

The Book of Ruth is named for its heroine, whose devotion to God and love for family has endeared her to generations of readers. It tells how God graciously rewarded the faithfulness of the widows Ruth and Naomi by delivering them through their kinsman-redeemer Boaz, who married Ruth and maintained the property of Naomi's family. The story takes place during the time of the judges (about 1150 b.c.). For this reason our English versions and the Greek translation of the Old Testament put the book after the Book of Judges.

In the Hebrew Bible, Ruth appears in the third section of books known as the Hagiographa or "Writings." Traditionally, the Jews read Ruth at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), which is a harvest celebration.

The authorship of Ruth is unknown. The book is named for its chief character, not necessarily for its author. A late Jewish tradition ascribes the book to the prophet Samuel.

The date of the composition is disputed and has been dated to either the early monarchy (about 950 b.c.) or the postexilic period (about 450 b.c.). Linguistic arguments have not been decisive, since they can be used to date the book either early or late. Also scholars are divided about whether the story fits better with the concerns of the monarchy or the setting of the postexilic period.

The question is complicated by problems concerning the relationship of the story and the genealogy of David, which ends the book (4:18-22). It is unusual for a book to end with a genealogy. Some scholars believe that the story is fictional and originally had no connection with David. In this view an editor during the postexilic period borrowed the genealogy of David from 1 Chronicles 2:4-15 and added it as an appendix to the story.

Recently, however, many biblical scholars have adopted the traditional view of Ruth, accepting it as the historically trustworthy work of one writer from about 950 b.c. They believe that the story presupposes the genealogy. The genealogy in Ruth and Chronicles probably came from a common temple source. These scholars argue that it is unlikely that David would have been linked to a Moabite ancestress unless he was in fact her descendant.

Theme. Ruth is a story of faithfulness, both human and divine. Naomi demonstrated faithfulness by returning to the land of promise. Ruth demonstrated her faithfulness by accompanying Naomi to Bethlehem and working the fields to provide for her. Ruth further demonstrated faithfulness to her deceased husband by her desire to marry into his family. Boaz demonstrated his faithfulness by fulfilling his covenant role as near kinsman.

Above all, Ruth is a story of God's faithfulness. God was faithful in preserving a family line, which—in God's time—led to King David and ultimately to Jesus. Ruth's story serves as a reminder that our faithfulness plays a part in the fulfillment of God's promises.

1. Choice of Faith (1:1-22)
2. Challenge in Faith (2:1-23)
3. Claim by Faith (3:1-18)
4. Child because of Faith (4:1-22)

Purpose and Theology.

1. The story provides a transition from the patriarchs to the monarchy. The genealogy at the end of the book traces the lineage of Boaz from Perez, the son of Judah, down to King David. For many Israelites the most important word of the book was the last— David.

2. The story of Ruth shows how God sovereignly, though almost imperceptively, achieves His purposes through the faithfulness of His people. The book speaks about God indirectly through the prayers and blessings of the story's characters. Although the book reflects a strong belief in God's lordship over history, it equally convinces readers that human decisions and actions play a significant role.

3. The book teaches that God's will is sometimes accomplished by common people with uncommon faith. The Book of Ruth does not have miracles or revelations. It does not mention the institutions of Israel's religion, such as tabernacle and prophecy. It has simple people going about everyday affairs.

4. The theological emphasis of Ruth can be summed up by two key words— kindness (hesed) and kinsman-redeemer (goel). The word kindness indicates covenant faithfulness and occurs three times in the prayers and commendations spoken by the characters (1:8; 2:20; 3:10). There is an implied contrast between the story's characters, who are righteous, and those of Judges, who "did as he [they] saw fit" (Judg. 21:25).

The story teaches that God rewards the faithfulness of His people. God accomplished this by using Boaz as the family's "kinsman-redeemer" (2:20; 3:12-13; 4:1-10). Kinsman-redeemer refers to a relative who helped a troubled family member so that the family was not dispossessed of land or left without an heir (Lev. 25:25-34; Deut. 25:5-10).

5. The story corrected the Jews when they made the worship of God exclusively the prerogative of Israel. Although Ruth was a Moabitess, she was blessed by God.

Choice of Faith (1:1-22)

Ruth's Dilemma (1:1-5). Because of famine the family of Elimelech moved from Bethlehem to Moab. "In the days when the judges ruled" describes the hostile and sinful times when the story transpires.

Elimelech was accompanied by Naomi, his wife, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. The story describes them as "Ephrathites." Ephrath was another name for Bethlehem (Gen. 35:19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11; Mic. 5:2).

Elimelech died and left Naomi and her sons behind. The sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Then they too died, leaving the Moabite widows and Naomi with the dilemma of facing life without the security of a husband or sons. In the ancient world women had security through their husbands and sons.

Nearby Moab was east of the Dead Sea and south of the Arnon River. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Gen. 19:30-38). They fought the Israelites during the judgeship of Ehud (Judg. 3:12-30). The story of Ruth probably took place during a period of peace.

Ruth's Decision (1:6-18). Faced with little hope, the three widows considered the extent of their obligation to the family. Naomi decided to return to her homeland in Bethlehem. She had heard that God "had come to the aid of his people by providing food." This is the first hint that God would save the widows. Ruth 1:6 and 4:13, where Ruth conceived a child with the help of God, are the only passages where the story specifically says that God acted on behalf of His people. Just as God had caused the land to grow, God would bless the house of Elimelech through Ruth's womb.

Ruth and Orpah insisted that they return to Bethlehem, but Naomi urged them to seek "rest," that is, homes, in Moab. She explained that it was impossible for her to marry and have sons who could become their new husbands.

She was referring to the Israelite custom known as levirate marriage. A brother-in-law (Latin levir) or other near kinsman married the wife of his deceased brother and had a child in the name of the deceased (Deut. 25:5-10). This practice perpetuated land possession within a family and protected the widow.

Orpah stayed in Moab, but Ruth "clung" to Naomi. The depth of her commitment is poignantly expressed by the Moabitess: "Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Ruth's Destiny (1:19-22). When Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, the women of the town asked, "Can this be Naomi?" Naomi answered that her name was no longer Naomi but Mara because the Lord had afflicted her.

Her reply involves a play on the meaning of her name. Naomi means pleasantness, and Mara (mara') means bitterness. Naomi considered her condition a bitter experience because she left Bethlehem with a full, happy house and had returned empty without children.

They returned to Bethlehem at the time of harvest. This is another hint that their fortunes would change in Bethlehem. Among the plentiful fields, God would again restore fullness to Naomi and Ruth.

Challenge in Faith (2:1-23)

"Chance" Meeting (2:1-3). Boaz was a relative of Elimelech. He was a man of importance and wealth who was able to act as Ruth's kinsman-redeemer.

According to Mosaic law, the poor could glean the corners of the fields. Ruth looked for work, and "as it turned out" she came to the field of Boaz.. The Hebrew text says literally "her chance chanced" to work in the fields of Boaz. This expression intentionally exaggerates the way the human eye saw her actions. The author did this to draw attention to the hidden reality of God's providential intervention. This was not accidental but the work of God veiled from Ruth's eyes.

Ruth's Commendation (2:4-18). Boaz invited Ruth to work exclusively in his fields. Ruth was surprised by Boaz's generosity, particularly since she was a Moabitess, a foreigner. Boaz explained that he had already heard a good report about her commitment to Naomi. He commended Ruth for her faithfulness and prayed that God might bless her.

Boaz acted on his prayer. He rewarded Ruth with roasted grain and instructed his laborers to leave stalks behind for her to glean. At the end of her work, Ruth had enough food for Naomi. As God had used Boaz and Ruth to feed Naomi, God would use them to give Naomi a son.

Ruth's Care (2:19-23). Naomi exulted in the Lord when she learned about Boaz because she knew that he was a kinsman-redeemer. She urged Ruth to follow Boaz's instructions because he would care for her safety.

Claim by Faith (3:1-18)

Ruth's Obedience (3:1-6). Naomi instructed Ruth to prepare herself properly and approach Boaz during the night at the threshing floor. She obeyed Naomi's instructions carefully. Ironically, Naomi is the one who would find "a home" ("rest," 3:1) for Ruth and not a Moabite husband.

A threshing floor was a stone surface in the fields where the harvest husks were crushed and the grain sifted from the chaff.

Ruth's Trust (3:7-15). Ruth secretly approached Boaz. By lying at his feet, Ruth humbled herself as one of his servants. She trusted God to use Boaz to answer her needs and to protect her. Ruth startled Boaz since women were usually not with the men at night.

She made her request: "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." By this expression Ruth was asking Boaz for marriage (see Ezek. 16:8). The Hebrew word translated "corner" can also be translated "wings." Boaz had prayed that Ruth might have refuge under the "wings" of God. He was used by God to provide the refuge for which Boaz himself had prayed.

Boaz commended Ruth for her righteous conduct because she chose him instead of a younger man. This was a greater act of loyalty ("kindness," 3:10) than even her initial faithfulness ("kindness") to the family.

Boaz told Ruth that there was another kinsman who had the first right to redeem her. If he declined, then Boaz promised to marry her. He gave Ruth a bounty of grain as an indication of his commitment.

Ruth's Patience (3:16-18). Ruth reported to Naomi about Boaz's promise, and she gave her the grain from Boaz. This was another sign that God was answering their prayers through the hand of Boaz. Naomi told Ruth that she must be patient until the man carried out his pledge that day.

Child Because of Faith (4:1-22)

Ruth's Redemption (4:1-12). Just as the widows had weighed their responsibility, the kinsmen of the Elimelech family discussed their roles. Boaz informed an unnamed kinsman that Naomi's fields were his to redeem. The kinsman agreed to buy the fields, but Boaz added that whoever bought the land ought to marry Ruth to "maintain the name of the dead with his property." The Mosaic law does not tie the role of purchasing property with the custom of kinsman marriage. Therefore the kinsman could have declined without embarrassment. The kinsman explained that marriage would jeopardize his own inheritance. Boaz happily announced that he would redeem the property and marry Ruth himself.

Both the nearer kinsman and Boaz were not required technically by law to help the family. Ruth and Boaz decided to go beyond the prescription of the law to fulfill the purposes of the covenant. Because of their actions, the redemption of the family could be completed. Through their action, God worked to redeem Israel by making possible the birth of David.

The contract was sealed when the nearer kinsman gave his sandal to Boaz. This symbolized the transfer of his right to redeem.

The elders witnessed it and offered a prayer of blessing. They asked God to give Boaz children as He did the wives of Jacob and the house of Judah through Tamar, who bore Perez. The wives of Jacob bore twelve sons, the progenitors of all Israel; and Tamar bore twin sons to Judah (Gen. 38:27-30).

The blessing implied two comparisons. First, Ruth was a Moabitess, whereas Leah and Rachel were the mothers of Israel. The comparison, however, was not offensive to the elders because Ruth had become integrated into the family of faith.

Second, Tamar and Ruth both were without children. Tamar achieved her ends through trickery, but Ruth received her son through righteous obedience. Judah tried to avoid his responsibility to perpetuate his own son's family line. Ruth and Boaz, the descendant of Judah, went beyond the letter of the levirate law and acted righteously before the Lord. Ironically, the righteousness of a Moabitess, a foreigner to Israel's covenant, brought salvation to Judah's family.

Ruth's Rest (4:13-22). God rewarded the couple by giving them the child Obed. The women of the city praised God and recognized that Obed would sustain Naomi and possess Elimelech's property. In this sense Naomi was regarded the mother of the child.

Ruth was more valuable to Naomi than seven sons. Naomi had lost two sons. Through Ruth, who continued the house of her husband and provided Israel with its greatest king, Naomi gained far more. This signals the completed reversal in the life of Naomi. She was no longer empty.

The genealogy linked David with the patriarchs through Perez, the son of Judah. Because of the faithfulness of Ruth and the faithfulness of God, the promises of the patriarchs could be realized through David and his greater Son, Jesus Christ: "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matt. 1:1).

Theological and Ethical Significance. The Book of Ruth shows God working behind the scenes in the lives of ordinary people, turning apparent tragedy into joy and peace. The Book of Ruth shows God as concerned not only for the welfare of one family—Naomi and Ruth—but for the welfare of all God's people who would be blessed by David and by David's Son, Jesus Christ. The participation of Ruth, the Moabitess, in the fufillment of God's promises indicates that God's salvation is for people of all nationalities.

By their faithfulness, integrity, and love, the characters of the Book of Ruth mirrored the character of God. They serve as reminders that the lives of godly people are a powerful witness to God's self-sacrificing love.

Questions for Reflection

1. What does the book teach about the loving care of God?
2. How should the people of God respond to the sorrows of life?
3. How should those who are different in race, color, or economic status be treated?
4. How does the book encourage the people of God to be faithful?
5. Why should the people of God pray?

Sources for Additional Study

Atkinson, David. The Message of Ruth. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1983.

Cundall, Arthur E., and Leon Morris. Judges and Ruth. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1968.

Enns, Paul P. Ruth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.