History · Old Testament · 4 chapters
The book of Ruth
The faithful love of a redeemer
- Author
- Unknown; Samuel according to Jewish tradition
- Written
- Probably during the reign of David (around 1000 BC)
- Time covered
- In the time of the judges (around 1100 BC), over a little more than ten years
- Key word
- Redemption
Fleeing a famine, Elimelech leaves Bethlehem for Moab with his wife Naomi and their sons Mahlon and Chilion. The three men die there. Naomi returns, bitter, with her daughter-in-law Ruth, who refuses to leave her: “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (1:16). At the time of the barley harvest, Ruth gleans “by chance” in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech, who protects her. On Naomi’s advice, she asks him on the threshing floor to exercise his right as kinsman-redeemer. At the city gate, the nearer kinsman gives up his claim; Boaz redeems the inheritance and marries Ruth. Their son Obed will be the grandfather of David.
Main theme
In the dark days of the judges, God shows his faithful goodness through a foreigner who takes refuge under his wings and a kinsman-redeemer who redeems her, thus preparing the line of King David.
Outline
- Ruth 1 — Mourning and return
In Moab, Naomi loses her husband and sons; Ruth chooses to follow her to Bethlehem.
- Ruth 2 — In Boaz’s field
Ruth gleans and finds favor in the eyes of Boaz, a relative who has the right of redemption.
- Ruth 3 — The night on the threshing floor
Ruth asks Boaz to spread his wing over her; he promises to act.
- Ruth 4 — The redemption at the gate
Boaz redeems the inheritance and marries Ruth; the birth of Obed opens the line of David.
Key points
- Ruth makes the decisive choice to follow Naomi and the God of Israel: “thy God my God” (1:16-17).
- Back in Bethlehem, Naomi wants to be called Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with her (1:20-21).
- Ruth gleans “by chance” in Boaz’s field: God’s providence works in everyday life (2:3).
- Boaz blesses Ruth, who has come to take refuge “under [the LORD’s] wings” (2:12).
- On the threshing floor, Ruth asks Boaz to “spread his wing” over her, since he is a kinsman-redeemer (3:9).
- The nearest kinsman gives up his claim and takes off his shoe; Boaz redeems the inheritance and marries Ruth before ten elders (4:6-10).
- A Moabite woman becomes the great-grandmother of King David (4:17-22).
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Jesus in Ruth
Boaz is a magnificent picture of Christ, our kinsman-redeemer: it took someone near of kin, able to pay the price, and willing to do so. Jesus became our brother by taking on flesh (Heb 2:14) and paid what no one else could pay, to welcome us under his wings. Through Obed, Ruth the Moabitess enters the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:5), a sign that salvation opens to the nations.
Did you know?
- Before Mary, only four women appear in Jesus’ genealogy according to Matthew: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and “the wife of Uriah” (Matt 1:3-6).
- According to Matthew, Boaz’s mother is Rahab (Matt 1:5): the son of a foreign woman welcomed in Jericho in turn welcomes a foreign woman.
- In Judaism, the book of Ruth is read at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), which celebrates the harvest.
Quiz on Ruth
Which people was Ruth from?
While living in Moab, Naomi’s sons “took them wives of the women of Moab,” Orpah and Ruth; the book later calls her “Ruth the Moabitess.” Ruth 1:4
What is the name of Ruth’s mother-in-law?
“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law.” Orpah is Naomi’s other daughter-in-law. Ruth 1:22
In whose field does Ruth go to glean?
“Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3
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