Memory Verse(s)
(Ruth 1:16) But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.
Overview|Background
The setting for the Book of Ruth begins in the heathen country of Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea, but then moves to Bethlehem. This true account takes place during the dismal days of failure and rebellion of the Israelites, called the period of the Judges. A famine forces Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, from their Israelite home to the country of Moab. Elimelech dies and Naomi is left with her two sons, who soon marry two Moabite girls, Orpah and Ruth. Later both of the sons die, and Naomi is left alone with Orpah and Ruth in a strange land. Orpah returns to her parents, but Ruth determines to stay with Naomi as they journey to Bethlehem. This story of love and devotion tells of Ruth’s eventual marriage to a wealthy man named Boaz, by whom she bears a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus. Obedience brings Ruth into the privileged lineage of Christ.
To appreciate this short book, it is important to know a few ancient customs. First, widows were to be provided for by their sons. Thus, it was important for women to bear sons to support them in their old age. Second, if a widow had no son but could still bear children, the deceased husband’s brother was supposed to produce a son with her (Deut 25:5–10). These men were called “kinsmen redeemers.” The child would be considered the dead man’s son. The son would inherit the dead man’s property and would care for his mother.1 Third, land owned by the dead man could be purchased by his family. This practice kept property from passing from the family’s possession. Fourth, it was rare for foreigners to adopt the religion of another nation. Understanding these details will help readers grasp the tensions in Ruth’s plot. [Paul R. House; Eric Mitchell (2023). (p. 416). Old Testament Survey. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com%5D
Key Passage(s)
Ruth 1:1-18
(1) Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
(2) The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.
(3) Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
(4) Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.
(5) Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
(6) Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.
(7) Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
(8) And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
(9) The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.
(10) And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”
(11) But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
(12) Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,
(13) would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!”
(14) Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
(15) And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”
(16) But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.
(17) Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
(18) When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
Key Facts
Authorship & Time Period
The exact date the Book of Ruth was written is uncertain. However, a reasonable view is between 1030 and 1010 BC.
The Book of Ruth does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the Book of Ruth was written by the Prophet Samuel. Full article: Who wrote the book of Ruth? Who was the author of Ruth?
Type of literature
Hebrew short story – noted for its symmetry of construction
Characters
Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are the major characters with Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion, Orpah, an unnamed relative of Boaz, and the women of Bethlehem playing a minor role
Key Events
Famine in Judah, Ruth’s conversion, and David’s birth
The Story
Summary
The setting for the Book of Ruth begins in the heathen country of Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea, but then moves to Bethlehem. This true account takes place during the dismal days of failure and rebellion of the Israelites, called the period of the Judges. A famine forces Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, from their Israelite home to the country of Moab. Elimelech dies and Naomi is left with her two sons, who soon marry two Moabite girls, Orpah and Ruth. Later both of the sons die, and Naomi is left alone with Orpah and Ruth in a strange land. Orpah returns to her parents, but Ruth determines to stay with Naomi as they journey to Bethlehem. This story of love and devotion tells of Ruth’s eventual marriage to a wealthy man named Boaz, by whom she bears a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus. Obedience brings Ruth into the privileged lineage of Christ.
Book of Ruth – Read, Study Bible Verses Online | Bible Study Tools
Themes
- God’s protection of the weak
- Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi
- Boaz’s faithfulness
- God’s promises to David
Introduction: Naomi Emptied – Ruth 1:1-5
Naomi Returns from Moab – Ruth 1:6-22
- Ruth Clings to Naomi – (1:6-18)
- Ruth and Naomi Return to Bethlehem – (1:19-22)
Ruth and Boaz Meet in the Harvest Fields – Ruth 2
- Ruth Begins Work (2:1-7)
- Boaz Shows Kindness to Ruth (2:8-16)
- Ruth Returns to Naomi (2:17-23)
Naomi Sends Ruth to Boaz’s Threshing Floor – Ruth 3
- Naomi Instructs Ruth (3:1-5)
- Boaz Pledges to Secure Redemption (3:6-15)
- Ruth Returns to Naomi (3:16-18)
Boaz Arranges to Fulfill His Pledge (Ruth 4:1-12)
- Boaz Confronts the Unnamed Kinsman (4:1-8)
- Boaz Buys Naomi’s Property and Announces His Marriage to Ruth (4:9-12)
Conclusion: Naomi Filled (Ruth 4:13-17)
Epilogue: Genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18-22)
Where Do We See Christ?
Covenant Love & the Kinsman Redeemer
The language of redemption permeates the story of Ruth: words built on the root “redeem” (ga-al) appear 23 times. Key to understanding the narrative is the concept of the kinsman-redeemer, the closest living male relative who had the duty to preserve the family name and land. He could do this in a number of ways: buying back either land that a poor relative had to sell or the family member that had sold himself into slavery to pay debts (Lev. 25:25, 47–49), avenging the death of a family member (Num.35:19–21), or marrying the widow of a deceased relative (Deut. 25:5–10). All of these duties could be refused, including marriage to the late relative’s widow (now known as “levirate” marriage, levir being the Latin translation of the Hebrew word for brother-in-law). In certain cases, one could be a goel (Hebrew for “close relative” or “redeemer”) without being a levir (one who would provide an heir to the deceased relative through marrying his widow). In Ruth’s case, the kinsman-redeemer Boaz elects to carry out the duties of both, buying her estate and taking her as his bride.
Readers of the New Testament will recognize Jesus Christ as the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer who voluntarily paid the price for the redemption of his people and takes them as his beloved bride (Eph. 5:23–32; Rev. 19:7).
Point of Application
How can we apply this to our lives today?
God’s grand story of redemption for all creation can be found in seemingly mundane events: tragedy, integrity in the face of opposition, and generosity. The book of Ruth invites us to consider how God might be at work in our lives.
Discussion Questions
- What event in your life might have seemed mundane or inconsequential that when you look back you see His fingerprints?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank you for redeeming us. We are helpless to do so ourselves. May we have ears to hear what you are telling us and eyes to see the daily sanctification you are working in us.
Current Prayer Requests:
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
Richard Brooks – faith and courage during the next stage of his journey in Christ
Andrew McKinney – employment provision
Bob & Gaynelle – mother’s hospitalization (from Mike Arras)
Julia (Arras) – health
Jim Sax – job situation, improvement, wisdom for interaction with leadership
Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, VLAP operation
Daryl’s employee Tara – ill (possible tumor) in Cambodia
Daryl’s Grandson, Mack and Mack’s parents Jonathan and Lizz. Healing for Mack, comfort for Jonathan and Lizz
Tom and Jeanice – Divine Healing and Peace in their spirit
Becky and Lee Davidson, health and healing
Jim & Melissa, father-in-law’s heart condition and spiritual health, marital closeness
Mike Arras’ daughter, mental and spiritual health
Mike Allen – sister Adele and brother
Additional Content
FOR GREATER HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING: RUTH’S SETTING
Ruth’s setting includes a drought in Israel. Due to lack of rain and the resulting poor crops, Elimelech takes his family to Moab, Israel’s neighbor to the east of the Dead Sea (see map on p. 419).
When there is drought in Israel, Moab continues to receive its annual rainfall because of the region’s unique topography. George Turner explains that moist air moving eastward off the Mediterranean coast rises over the central hill country of Judah, usually dropping its moisture in the Judean watershed. During times of drought, however, conditions do not allow moisture in the air to precipitate into rainfall. But as the air moving east drops into the depths of the Dead Sea Valley and picks up moisture and then rises to the steep escarpment on Moab’s side of the Dead Sea, the moisture falls as rain on the high Moabite plateau. While it was not a great amount of annual rainfall, Moab did receive a consistent enough supply of water to raise animals and crops, even in times of regional drought.4
During the era of the judges (c. 1350–1050 BC), Egypt eventually lost control of Canaan. Still, Egypt sent military expeditions there from time to time. The era of the judges saw the influx of the “sea peoples,” groups of new settlers that originated across the Mediterranean Sea. The Philistines were part of this influx. Once in the land, the Philistines expanded and consolidated their area of control. Phoenician and Greek ships ruled trade on the Mediterranean Sea. The Hittite Empire had crumbled. Assyria, led by Tiglath-pileser I, reestablished itself as a regional power for a time, but was opposed by small Aramean kingdoms, which were gaining in strength.5 [Paul R. House; Eric Mitchell (2023). (p. 416). Old Testament Survey. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com%5D
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