The book of Ruth is often one of the first books or chapters that students will translate when learning Biblical Hebrew. The book is majority about speech (over 50% of the book occurs on the lips of the characters). However, of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, Ruth speaks the least. Maybe a better title would be “The book of Boaz,” because he speaks the most. Or maybe “The book of Naomi” because it begins with Naomi empty, bitter, and childless, and in the end, she is full, happy, and has a grandchild on her lap. However, the name of the book is secondary. This is a beautiful story, no matter which person you focus on in the book.
The Westminster Confession of Faith explains that many aspects of Scripture are present but only through the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts can we know that it is the Word of God. One of these aspects of Scripture is “the majesty of the style” (WCF 1.5). The book of Ruth is masterfully written and is amazing to read, seeing the overall outline of the book. We will point out some of these while we go through the book. This can be hard to do verbally as preaching
Ruth 1:1-5- Naomi’s loss; food and family
Ruth 1:6-22
Ruth 1:6-18 Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi
Ruth 1:19-22 Naomi and Ruth Return
Ruth 2:1-23
Ruth 2:1-3 Conversation Naomi and Ruth
Ruth 2:4-17 Conversation Boaz and Ruth
Ruth 2:18-23 Conversation Naomi and Ruth
Ruth 3:1-18
Ruth 3:1-5 Conversation Naomi and Ruth
Ruth 3:6-15 Conversation Boaz and Ruth
Ruth 3:16-18 Conversation Naomi and Ruth
Ruth 4:1-17
Ruth 4:1-2
Ruth 4:3-8 Boaz to kinsman Redeemer
Ruth 4:9-10 Boaz to Elders
Ruth 4:11-12 Elders speak of Ruth
Ruth 4:13 Marriage and Child of Boaz and Ruth
Ruth 4:14-17 Naomi’s blessed
Ruth 4:18-21 Genealogy- Perez to David
The story of Ruth has such a beautiful structure. The two chapters in the middle have a similar structure with Ruth and Naomi having a conversation, then Ruth leaving Naomi, and speaking with Boaz, then Ruth returning and sharing her news with Naomi. But even the middle of both of these chapters is the reference of ‘wings’ (Ruth 2:12, 3:9). Even the contrast of Naomi’s loss in the opening chapters, she went away full but came back empty (Ruth 1:21). She went away with a family but came back with no husband and no children. She came back bitter. However, the end of chapter four shows that she is no longer empty but full, no longer childless but has a grandchild. She also is no longer bitter but blessed. John Currid explains the book of Ruth as “an ancient ‘biblical Cinderella story’ in which Ruth finds her true prince by the close of the tale. It is thus viewed almost as a rags-to-riches fairy tale.”[1] (Note: Currid does not mean to say that Ruth is fictional) It is far more than a nice fairy tale of finding love. It shows loss and loyalty, childish boys and God-fearing women and men, and God’s provision and providence.
V. Themes
a. Ordinary Providences
One of the most amazing things about the book of Ruth is that God’s hand is clearly woven throughout the whole narrative. However, we do not see great dreams or visions. We do not see the Angel of the Lord come down. There are axes that float or bushes that burn without being burnt. The Lord provides for Ruth and Naomi through ordinary providences; Ruth goes to a field to glean. God often works through providence in ordinary ways. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and years later would stand before the pharaoh and made second in command. Saul went out to find lost donkey’s and providentially ended up standing before Samuel the Prophet. David was sent by his father to deliver bread, and providentially heard the words of Goliath. The everyday, mundane actions are often the way God performs the work of providences in our lives. The story of Ruth shows how God works in mysterious ways.
b. Kinsmen Redeemer
The book of Ruth is centered around a Mosaic law, which is called the Kinsmen Redeemer. In a world where we can file for bankruptcy, this is quite a foreign cultural concept. If someone misses a payment on a house, it is turned over to the bank, and the bank will sell it to claim back it’s losses, then maybe try and recovered any more losses. However, in a previous time, the land belonged to a family and was worked by the family. You would sell and trade goods to feed your family and survive off the land. However, if you had a bad couple of years, you don’t have money to trade. You might sell your land to someone until you can buy it back. You might sell yourself into slavery to have a master who would feed you and your family. Under Mosaic law everything would be returned in the year of Jubilee. But you didn’t have to wait seven years. In the Mosaic law, you could redeem yourself, or a family member could redeem you (Cf. Lev 25, 27). They would pay back your debt, and you would be free. This is what happened with Elimelech, there was a famine, and he sold his land and went to Moab. However, when all the men in the family died, the land is useless unless you have a redeemer to buy back the land. Women could hold title to the property in the Old Testament (uncommon in this time). However, Elimelech left Naomi with nothing (Ruth 1:21). We will look at this throughout the study of the Book of Ruth. We will see the connections of the Redeemer and Christ. We are in debt and cannot pay our way out. We need Christ to redeem us.
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