Introduction and Title
Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion, and redemption set in the black context of the days of the judges. It is the story of a Moabite woman who forsakes her pagan heritage in order to cling to the people of Israel and to the God of Israel. Because of her faithfulness in a time of national faithlessness, God rewards her by giving her a new husband (Boaz), a son (Obed), and a privileged position in the lineage of David and Christ (she is the great-grandmother of David).
Ruth is the Hebrew title of this book. This name may be a Moabite modification of the Hebrew word reuit, meaning “friendship or association.” The Septuagint entitles the book Routh, the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name. The Latin title is Ruth, a transliteration of Routh.
Author
The author of Ruth is not given anywhere in the book, nor is he known from any other biblical passage. Talmudic tradition attributes it to Samuel but this is unlikely since David appears in Ruth (4:17, 22), and Samuel died before David’s coronation (1 Sam. 25:1). Ruth was probably written during David’s reign since Solomon’s name is not included in the genealogy. The anonymity of the book, however, should not detract from its spiritual value or literary beauty.
Date and Setting
Ruth divides neatly into four distinct settings: (1) the country of Moab (1:1–18); (2) a field in Bethlehem (1:19–2:23); (3) a threshing floor in Bethlehem (3:1–18); and (4) the city of Bethlehem (4:1–22).
The setting of the first eighteen verses is Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea. The Moabites, descendants of Lot, worship Chemosh and other pagan gods. Scripture records two times when they fight against Israel (see Judg. 3:12–30; 1 Sam. 14:47). Ruth takes place about two centuries after the first war and approximately eighty years before the record.
Ruth 1:1 gives the setting of the remainder of the book: “Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled.” This is a time of apostasy, warfare, decline, violence, moral decay, and anarchy. Ruth provides a cameo of the other side of the story—the godly remnant who remain true to the laws of God.
Because Ruth is written more to tell a beautiful story than to give all the historical facts of that period, the assignment of time is somewhat difficult. Utilizing the same fourfold division noted above, the following can be assigned:
A Ruth 1:1–18 (note 1:4): The country of Moab (c. ten years)
B Ruth 1:19–2:23 (note 1:22; 2:23): A field in Bethlehem (months)
C Ruth 3:1–18 (note 3:2, 8, 14, 18): A threshing floor in Bethlehem (one day)
D Ruth 4:1–22 (note 4:13–16): The city of Bethlehem (c. one year)
Theme and Purpose
Chapters 17–21 form an appendix to the Book of Judges, offering two illustrations of unrighteousness during the time of the judges. Ruth serves as a third illustration of life during this time, but it is an illustration of godliness. It is a positive picture of real faith and obedience (1:16–17; 3:10) that leads to blessing (4:13, 17). Ruth also teaches that Gentiles could believe in the true God (three out of the four women mentioned in Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1 were Gentiles—Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth). Ruth explains how a gentile woman could become a member of the royal lineage of David and shows the divine origin of the Davidic dynasty (4:18–22).
The theme of Ruth is redemption, especially as it relates to the Kinsman-Redeemer. It reveals Yahweh’s gracious character and sovereign care for His people (2:12). It stresses God’s providential rewards for faithfulness. Not all was lost during this chaotic period—there was always a faithful Remnant of those who did what was right in the sight of the Lord.
Keys to Ruth
Key Word: Kinsman-Redeemer
Key Verses (1:16; 3:11)
“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” (1:16).
“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman” (3:11).
Key Chapter (4)
In twenty-two short verses, Ruth moves from widowhood and poverty to marriage and wealth (2:1). In exercising the law regulating the redemption of property (Lev. 25:25–34) and the law concerning a brother’s duty to raise up seed (children) in the name of the deceased (Deut. 25:5–10), Boaz brings a Moabite woman into the family line of David and eventually of Jesus Christ.
Christ in Ruth
The concept of the Kinsman-Redeemer or goel (3:9, “close relative”) is an important portrayal of the work of Christ. The goel must: (1) be related by blood to those he redeems (see Deut. 25:5, 7–10; John 1:14; Rom. 1:3; Phil. 2:5–8; Heb. 2:14–15); (2) be able to pay the price of redemption (see 2:1; 1 Pet. 1:18–19); (3) be willing to redeem (see 3:11; Matt. 20:28; John 10:15, 18; Heb. 10:7); and (4) be free himself (Christ was free from the curse of sin). The word goel, used thirteen times in this short book, presents a clear picture of the mediating work of Christ.
Contribution to the Bible
(1) Literary—Ruth is a book of simplicity but profundity. It is one of literature’s best examples of filial love and piety. (2) Historical—Ruth provides a bridge between the judges and the monarchy (its last word is “David”). It illustrates faithfulness amid infidelity. (3) Doctrinal—Ruth teaches that the Gentiles are not outside the scope of redemption. (4) Moral—Ruth communicates high ideals of integrity in relationships and marriage.
Survey of Ruth
Ruth is the story of a virtuous woman who lives above the norm of her day. Although it was probably written during the time of David, the events take place during the time of the judges. This period in Israel’s history was generally a desert of rebellion and immorality, but the story of Ruth stands in contrast as an oasis of integrity and righteousness.
Ruth is “a virtuous woman” (3:11) who shows loyal love to her mother-in-law Naomi and her near-kinsman Boaz. In both relationships, goodness and love are clearly manifested. Her love is demonstrated in chapters 1–2 and rewarded in chapters 3–4.
Ruth’s Love Is Demonstrated (1–2)
The story begins with a famine in Israel, a sign of disobedience and apostasy (Deut. 28–30). An Israelite named Elimelech (“My God Is King”) in a desperate act moves from Bethlehem (“House of Bread”—note the irony) to Moab. Although he seeks life in that land, he and his two sons Mahlon (“Sick”) and Chilion (“Pining”) find only death. The deceased sons leave two Moabite widows, Orpah (“Stubborness”) and Ruth (“Friendship”).
Elimelech’s widow, Naomi, hears that the famine in Israel is over and decides to return, no longer as Naomi (“Pleasant”) but as Mara (“Bitter”). She tells her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab and remarry since there was no security for an unmarried woman in those days. Orpah chooses to leave Naomi and is never mentioned again. Ruth, on the other hand, resolves to cling to Naomi and follow Yahweh, the God of Israel. She therefore gives up her culture, people, and language because of her love.
Naomi’s misfortune leads her to think that God is her enemy, but He has plans she does not yet realize. In her plight, she must let Ruth glean at the edge of a field. This is a humiliating and dangerous task because of the character of many of the reapers. However, God’s providential care brings her to the field of Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman. Boaz (“In Him Is Strength”) begins to love, protect, and provide for her.
Ruth’s Love Is Rewarded (3–4)
Boaz takes no further steps toward marriage, so Naomi follows the accepted customs of the day and requests that Boaz exercise his right as Kinsman-Redeemer. In chapter 3, verses 10–13, Boaz reveals why he has taken no action: he is older than Ruth (perhaps twenty years her senior), and he is not the nearest kinsman. Nevertheless, God rewards Ruth’s devotion by giving her Boaz as a husband and by providing her with a son, Obed, the grandfather of David.
Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K. (1983). Talk thru the Bible (pp. 66–69). Nashville: T. Nelson.