ruth

Background

Author and date of composition.  The book does not identify its author. Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel, as also to Judges.

The book should be dated some time after the elevation of David (4:17, 22). The absence of Solomon’s name from the genealogy has led some to prefer a date before his elevation. However, if the book was post-schism (931) it could well be explained as a pro-Davidic and thus pro-Judahite tract. Another argument for a date later than Samuel is the fact that the distance of three generations from the heroes in the book to David seems perhaps insufficient time for the custom of passing a sandal to have passed from currency (4:7).

It seems best then to settle on a date following the schism, and perhaps much later.

Historical setting.   The book is set in the era of the Judges (see the Background of that book for the details of the history), apparently three generations before David. Boaz’ grandfather, however, Nahshon was a contemporary of Joshua (Num. 1:7; 7:12; 10:14) who apparently died in the desert. This means that five generations spanned the era of the judges and the first king, some 380 years, at an average of over 70 years per generation, an unlikely figure. There are probably some generations missing from this genealogy.

Date the birth of Obed c. 1100. Date then the events of ch 1:1–5 c. 1120–1110.

Argument

The story of Ruth is a narrative of idyllic romance, if we use the dictionary definition of an idyll as “a short poem or prose work describing a simple, pleasant aspect of rural, pastoral, or domestic life.” The story is a love story revolving around the heroine for whom the book is named. Ruth is above all a domestic heroine.[1]

The point of the story is to magnify the Abrahamic promise of blessing on the faithful; which is magnified even more by the fact that the blessed believer is a Gentile, living in a time of notorious apostasy by Israel. In the first chapter Ruth the Moabitess made a choice of faith which was shown in the rest of the book to be blessed by her marriage and maternity and inclusion in the ancestry of King David and Messiah.

The first chapter sets the scene for and describes Ruth’s faithful choice of Israel and Israel’s God. When famine struck Israel, Elimelech of Judah took his family to Moab where they found food. While there his two sons married Moabite girls, he died, and then his sons died. Thus his wife Naomi was left with only her two foreign daughters-in-law (1:1–5). She determined to return to her homeland, and urged her daughters-in-law to return to their homes (1:6–13). Though one did so, Ruth chose to remain with her mother-in-law and to embrace her God, Yahweh (1:14–18). Naomi’s loss was bitter (1:19–21; though she retained more in Ruth than she realized at the time; 4:14–17).

Ruth’s faith is generously rewarded in chapters 2–4 by her courtship and marriage with Boaz and bearing of Obed, the ancestor of David (and Jesus). Ruth’s arrival in Boaz’s fields to glean was providential happenstance, quietly indicating the hand of God beginning to bless her (2:1–3). Boaz soon began to make inquiry concerning Ruth (2:4–7), and then to interview her personally (2:8–14). His words were gracious, foreshadowing love. He then instructed his foremen to show her special favor, even deliberately leaving behind part of the harvest (2:15–16). When Naomi heard Ruth’s report of her day, she immediately recognized the potential prospects for the relationship, and counseled Ruth as to how she might maximize the opportunity (2:17–23).

This courtship lasted through the entire barley harvest season (1:22; 2:23). When it was over Naomi again counseled Ruth concerning the next step of expressing her desire for redemption by Boaz (3:1–5). Discreetly Ruth approached Boaz in secret, and according to the custom of the day asked him to “spread [his] covering” over her; that is, to redeem her and thus provide her protection (3:6–9). His response could scarcely have been more happy or favorable, as he promised to make every effort to oblige her, even to the point of challenging the legal obstacles (3:10–15). This too Naomi correctly interpreted to mean the time was near for Ruth’s redemption and marriage (3:16–18).

Boaz is next seen calling city elders together for the singular purpose of settling his claim on Ruth. When the one relative with a prior claim publicly forfeited that because of his other obligations, Boaz concluded the matter forthwith, publicly articulating what it was that had just transpired: namely, that he had thereby agreed to purchase the land of Ruth’s deceased husband and to marry the childless widow Ruth (4:1–10). The witnesses acknowledged the same, and pronounced a patriarchal blessing (underscoring the relation of the story to the Abrahamic rather than the Mosaic Covenant; 4:11–12). The happy couple married, and gave birth to one who brought joy to her who had been embittered (4:13–17). The reward of faith did not stop with marital and maternal joy, however: the offspring became part of the immortalized lineage of King David (4:18–22), and through him, King Messiah.

Outline

I. The choice of faith  1

A. Introduction: Ruth’s Israelite family  1:1–5

1. Famine in Israel  1:1a

2. Elimelech’s flight to Moab  1:1b

3. Elimelech’s family  1:2

4. Naomi’s losses  1:3–5

a) Widowhood  1:3

b) Sons’ deaths  1:4–5

B. Ruth’s choice: for Naomi and her God  1:6–22

1. Ruth’s decision  1:6–18

a) Naomi’s permission to remain in Moab  1:6–13

b) Orpah’s decision to remain in Moab  1:14

c) Ruth’s choice to stay with Naomi  1:15–18

2. Ruth’s return  1:19–22

a) Naomi’s bitterness  1:19–21

b) Ruth’s faithfulness  1:22

II. The reward of faith  2–4

A. The beginning of Ruth’s love relationship with Boaz  2

1. Providential circumstances: gleaning in Boaz’ fields  2:1–3

2. Encounter with Boaz  2:4–17

a) Boaz’ inquiry concerning Ruth  2:4–7

b) Boaz’ gracious words to Ruth  2:8–14

c) Boaz’ favorable instructions concerning Ruth  2:15–16

3. Happy discovery of kinship by Naomi  2:17–23

B. The climax of Ruth’s love relationship with Boaz  3

1. Naomi’s instructions  3:1–5

2. The midnight meeting  3:6–13

a) Ruth’s appeal: Redeem me!  3:6–9

b) Boaz’ response: Gladly!  3:10–13

3. Ruth’s return to Naomi  3:14–18

C. Denouement: Ruth’s marriage and maternity  4

1. Boaz’ redemption of Ruth  4:1–12

a) Legal proceedings  4:1–10

b) Popular blessing on Boaz  4:11–12

2. Birth of Naomi’s grandson  4:13–17

3. Conclusion: Ruth’s family—genealogy of David (Messiah)  4:18–22