OVERVIEW OF RUTH
OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF RUTH
We now move from the sad, horrible events of Judges to a beautiful story that is set within the same time frame as the book of Judges. This book teaches us that even in the worst of times (when everyone is doing what seems right in their own eyes), that there can be the righteous remnant who, like Lot are vexed daily by the wickedness around them, but can still do the right thing though others around them do not care. This is the situation in the beautiful events of this lovely book.
This book opens with the words “Now it came to passe in the days when the Judges governed…”
This book demonstrates that amid degeneracy and moral deterioration of the times, there can still be hope and faithful behavior seen in the darkness. It is possible for righteous people to live in an unrighteous society. ‘This story is as a silver star in an inky sky---a glorious rose blooming amid the desert aridness---a pure gem flashing amid foul debris and ---a breath of fragrance amid surrounding sterility.’
This book is written as a short story. We do not know who wrote it but it was likely Samuel. This book shows the noble devotion of a young Moabite widow to her Hebrew mother-in-law and the providential reward she received as a result of her self-sacrificing devotion.
It is a true story. It tells of actual happenings, and real people who names figure in real genealogy records. It has to do with the genealogy of the royal family of king David, but goes even further than that in Ruth being included in the lineage of Christ (in Matthew 1:5).
The date of the writing is unknown.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE BOOK:
RUTH AND ESTHER- one of only two books in the Bible named after women.
RUTH IS A GENTILE who is brought to live among the Hebrews and marries a Hebrew man.
ESTHER IS A JEW who is brought to live among the Gentiles and marries a Gentile man who is ruling on the throne of a great Gentile nation.
BOTH OF THESE WOMEN ARE GODLY WOMEN. NEITHER MAKES GREATNESS THEIR GOAL. BUT THEY NONETHELESS ARE GREAT.
THE BOOK OF RUTH IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS THE ONLY BOOK IN THE BIBLE IN WHICH THE ENTIRE BOOK IS DEVOTED TO THE STORYLINE OF A WOMAN.
A LOVE STORY- Not the typical- boy-meets-girl. It involves a young wife’s devotion to her mother-in-law, as well as her virtuous love for Boaz, here husband to be.
RUTH AND GOD’S ATTENTION TO THE GENTILE- Although the Gentile world had generally departed from the Lord (See Romans 1), God still expected the Gentile to do what was right and He held them accountable for their actions, all of which argues that they were under law to God (not the law of Moses- unless they became a proselyte), but law of the Gentile. Ruth is the heroine even though bears the stigma of being a Moabitess (her descendants worshipped idols and turned their backs on Israel. The Moabites hired Balaam to curse Israel as it journeyed towards the Promised land and Moabites were forbidden to enter the Lord’s assembly. They had to remain in the court of the Gentiles. The Moabites were polytheistic and were a continuous threat to the eastern border of Israel. In Deuteronomy 23:3-4 it is clear that “no Ammonite or Moabite shall be admitted to the assembly of the Lord’s people. In Numbers 25:3,5 Baal-Peor was worshipped by the Moabites. Ehud, the judge had slain Eglon, the king of Moab and delivered Israel and the land had rest for 80 years (Jdgs. 3:7). It is so unlikely that from this wicked people Ruth could shine forth in her righteousness.
When Ruth adopted the people and the religion of Naomi, she could now enjoy the basic privileges of other Israelite women. The story of Ruth is based upon the truth expressed in Acts 10:34-35- regarding God’s acceptance of the Gentiles on the same basis as Jews.
Ruth was the great-grandmother of David and is in the Messianic lineage and representatively takes all other Gentiles with her so that now both New and Gentile share common hope in the Savior to come (Luke 2:32).
SUGGESTED OUTLINE:
CHAPTER ONE- LOVE’S RESOLVE (RUTH’S CHOICE)
Somewhere during the period of the judges, a famine befell Israel. As a result, Elimelech, sought a temporary refuge in Moab, taking with him his wife, Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. No doubt he did wrong in abandoning his covenant land and people. The famine would have been the result of Israel’s wickedness (Lev. 26:14-16a 20). They reached Moab, but in seeking to make a living, they forfeited life itself. First Elimelech dies. Then his sons marry Moabite women another forbidden thing (Deut. 7:3). And soon his sons died. That left two young women as widows along with their widowed mother-in-law. 10 years go by and Naomi heard of the bounty in Israel and resolves to return to it. Her two daughters-in-law have grown up to love her and wish to return with her. The love is mutual. They set off with Naomi, but she reminds them of the choice they have to stay in Moab or come with her. One of them, ORPAH stays in Moab. Ruth, however, has grown to love Naomi and she is prepared to forego everything (even being an outcast in Israel, for Naomi’s sake.
Vs. 16-18- one of the most touching expressions of love between two humans is expressed by Ruth for Naomi “entreat me not, to leave you or return from following you, for where you go- I will go---where you live—I will live---your people will be my people and your god my god: where you die, I will die and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and even more, if anything but death separates us.
CHAPTER TWO- LOVE’S RESPONSE- RUTH’S LOWLY SERVICE
They arrive back in Israel and Naomi is in such dire straits that she even wants people to call her by a different name than Naomi (which means pleasant) to Mara (which means bitter). This is recorded in 1:20).
Naomi allows Ruth to go into the fields as a poor gleaner in order to bring home some food (see Lev. 23:22 for the law of gleaning).
She is guided to glean in the field of Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi. Whether this is providence or chance we do not know, but it happens and becomes a blessing. Boaz is immediately impressed by her work ethic, charm and modesty and extends the special privilege of protection to here for the entire time she gleans in his fields and he instructs his workers to leave a little more so that she can have enough.
CHAPTER THREE- RUTH’S TENDER APPEAL
This chapter is kind of a crisis chapter. The Harvest has ended. Will Boaz care for her anymore? Naomi gives her instructions on how to appeal to Boaz to see if he is interested in her. Older women are supposed to be helpful to young ladies about things like this. It would be great if younger women would seek the advice of older women when dating, than to seek and follow the advice of younger women who are peers who have no more idea than the young lady who needs it. Boaz has not taken any steps to further the romance, even though he has an interest. Naomia gives Ruth a plan to find out Boaz’s intentions. This was in full accord with the law (Deut. 25:5-6).
When Naomi sends Ruth to Boaz, she was really appealing to him to honor the Israelite law to raise up seed in the name of Mahlon. Boaz clearly understands this as seen verses 12 and 13. Under this law he had 3 obligations if he was the one to do this.
1 He was to redeem Mahlon’s inheritance according to his ability, if poverty had compelled his brother to dispose of his lands.
2. He was to be the avenger if any violence was done to cause him to die.
3. He was to raise up a successor to his kinsman if he has died not leaving a son. This was to save an Israelite family from extinction.
When Ruth said, spread your covering over your maid. Boaz understood the appeal of Ruth to be his bride legally. His reply in verse 12 shows his reason why he has been hesitant to this point.
CHAPTER FOUR- RUTH’S MARITAL JOYS
Chapter 4 shows Boaz without delay finding out the details and contacting the nearest relative, who admits his obligation but declines when he learns he must marry a Moabite woman (vs. 6).
He turns over his right to Boaz.
To Boaz, Ruth was far more precious than the land. She became his wife and to this union was born Obed, the grandfather of King David. Naomi is full of joy, and she becomes the baby’s nurse. So, this story that begins with famine and death ends with REJOICING. It is a reminder to us that love which suffers long and is kind (1 Cor. 13) never fails
There seems to be, in my opinion, some type-teaching concerning Christ and the church here.
As Boaz acts as the redeemer with Ruth, Boaz must exhibit three main qualifications as would anyone who redeems her. HE MUST HAVE RIGHT TO REDEEM----HE MUST HAVE POWER TO REDEEM---HE MUST HAVE THE WILL TO REDEEM.
Christ as our REDEEMER from our sins, has the right the power and the willingness to redeem us from our sins. He is the only one who can.
Ruth the Moabitess shut out by the law (which cannot redeem), gains a rightful place with God’s people through grace. Gentile and Jew are now one in Christ and He died to redeem all who are obedient to Him from their horrible sins. It does not matter whether they are Jew or Greek. John 3:16- “For God so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that “whosoever” believeth in Him…” Mark 16:16- “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” See Acts 10 and the story of Cornelius. The book of RUTH has great significance even all of those many years later, and even down to our time today.
------STAN ADAMS----