Ruth: [ /ro͞oTH/] noun --- derived from the Hebrew word re’ut, meaning “friend”.
The Book of Ruth does not list the author. While tradition holds that it was Samuel, the author is unknown. The lack of this fact should not detract from the spiritual impact or literary beauty of this short story. This is only one of two books in the Bible with women names for titles, Esther being the second. The exact date of the text is unknown, but the prevalent view is between 1011 and 931 B.C.
OVERVIEW:
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, a gentile nation. 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.
The book was written from Naomi’s point of view. Every event related back to her: her husband’s and sons’ deaths, her daughters-in-law, her return to Bethlehem, her God, her relative, Boaz, her land to sell, and her offspring. Ruth herself embodied loyal love. Her moving vow of loyalty (Ruth 1:16–17), though obviously not marital in nature, is often included in modern wedding ceremonies to communicate the depths of devotion to which new couples aspire. The story truly shows the extent of God’s grace—He accepted Ruth, a gentile, into His chosen people and honored her with a role in continuing the family line into which His appointed king, David, and later His Son, Jesus, would be born (Matthew 1:1, 5).
SO WHAT?
The main idea of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, acted upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances (Lev. 25:47-49). This scene is brought to a higher level by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen. Behold the great love that God has given to us through Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1)!
In addition to redemption, the sovereignty of God is clearly seen throughout the story of Ruth. He guided her every step of the way to become His child and fulfill His plan for her to become an ancestor of Jesus Christ. In the same way, we have assurance that God has a plan for each of us through His faithfulness and for His glory. Just as Naomi and Ruth trusted Him to provide for them, so should we. This means we seek to be faithful because God is always faithful.
Next month, we will look at the Books of Samuel as we combine these texts together. This is an account of Saul and David as they are introduced as Kings in the land anointed by Samuel, the last judge of Israel.
