Ralph Porter

© 2002

AUTHOR

    The author of the book is not identified. 

    The emphasis on David and the author's knowledge of the details of the story

          makes an author contemporary with David likely.

DATE

    If the author is a contemporary of David, the book was written about 1000 B.C. 

    The events occurred during the period of the judges, about 1380 to 1050 B.C. 

    The 12th century has been suggested, though it's impossible to identify with

        certainty.

BACKGROUND

    Joshua has died. 

        The people have no strong national leader, so they are doing whatever they feel like doing.

        They have turned from God and are experiencing severe oppression. 

    To escape the effects of famine, Elimelech took his family to Moab. 

    As things improved in Israel, Naomi and Ruth returned, hoping to find better

        opportunities.

    Ruth was from Moab. 

        The Moabites opposed God's people (Judg. 3). 

        Their chief deity was appeased by human sacrifice which God had prohibited.

         Thus there was every reason for hatred between a Moabite and an Israelite. 

            Yet, God dealt with this girl in love.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    Ruth presents a dramatic contrast to the people of God.     

        They ought to have recognized God's authority over them and obeyed His

              standards. 

        Instead, they are out of control, each one doing whatever he feels like. 

        The country is filled with idolatry and immoral perversion, even worse than that

              found among pagan nations. 

    Ruth puts them to shame. 

        She comes from a pagan nation, but voluntarily accepts Yahweh as her God.  

        She identifies with His people and accepts His standards.

    The story traces Ruth's submission to God's norms. 

        It reaches a beautiful conclusion as Ruth marries Boaz. 

        The climax is a surprise: this Moabite woman is David's great grandmother (4:17, 21).

        The main lesson of the book is that "God does not show favoritism but accepts men

            from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34).

    Ruth's testimony, as a Moabite who recognized God's right to rule in her life,

         served as a testimony to convict Israel of their sin. 

            God's dealing in her life reminds them that God blesses His people for obedience.

            The example of Boaz as a faithful kinsman-redeemer was also significant. 

                He was obedient to God's standards and God blessed him. 

                His example also serves as a type to demonstrate how Christ functioned as

                    our Redeemer.

    God's faithfulness, holiness and sovereignty are again demonstrated. 

        He watches over His people and rewards those who are faithful to Him. 

        He preserves a remnant of the faithful in every generation and circumstance.

ORGANIZATION

    Ruth develops chronologically, around the major steps she took upon leaving her

         people and joining Naomi's family:

              Background of the story   1:1-7

              Ruth's decision to move to Israel   1:8-22

              Gleaning to get food leads to meeting Boaz   2

              Boaz's opportunity to function as kinsman-redeemer   3

              Benefit as Boaz claims the estate and marries her   4:1-12

              God's blessing on their lives and family   4:13-22

"God doesn't show favoritism!"

Ralph Porter

Ralph Porter

AUTHOR

    The author is not identified and remains unknown.

    The Talmud attributes the book to Samuel, but the evidence is not very convincing.

    The emphasis on David and the author's close relationship to the details of the story

        makes an author contemporary with David a likely possibility.

DATE

    If the author is a contemporary of David, the book was probably written about 1000

        B.C.

    The events occurred during the period of the judges, who were active in Israel from

        about 1380 to 1050 B.C.

    A date during the 12th century has been suggested, though it is impossible to identify an

        exact time with certainty.

BACKGROUND

    The historical background is the same as that of the book of Judges.

    Joshua has died.

    The people have no strong national leader, so they are doing whatever they feel like

        doing.

    Compromise among God's people--National/religious

    They all did what was right in their own eyes yet, they all followed the crowd.

        Note the life of Samson.

        Note the life of Elimelech and his family   1:1-7, 13, 15-16

    Today--national level

        Everyone does what's right in their own eyes

            "No one can tell me what to do!"

            No absolutes

                But they all follow the crowd

        Spiritual--The spirit catches on--God's people live this way too!

    Then and now--familiarity breeds contempt!

        They have had God too available for their own good.

        They begin to take him for granted.

    They have left God and His commands and, therefore, are experiencing severe

        oppression.

    As the story begins, God's judgment has brought a severe famine in the land.

        To escape the effects of the famine, Elimelech has taken his family to Moab.

        He and his sons die there.

    As the story progresses, things improve in Israel and Naomi and Ruth return to Israel,

        hoping to find better opportunities there.

    Ruth was from Moab.

        As such, she was a descendant of Lot.

        The Moabites were known for their opposition to God's people.

        Balak, king of Moab, tried to hire Balaam to curse them.

        In this historical period also, they were among Israel's oppressors (Jud. 3)

    The chief deity of the Moabites was Chemosh who was appeased by human sacrifice

        which God had prohibited.

    Thus there was every reason for hatred between a Moabite and an Israelite. 

        Yet, God dealt with this girl in love.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    Ruth presents a dramatic contrast to the people of God described in Judges.

    Those who are in covenant relationship with God ought to recognize God's authority

        over them and obey the standards He has established for them.

    Rather than submit to God's authority, they are out of control, each one doing whatever

        he feels like.

    The country is filled with idolatrous and immoral perversion, worse than that

        commonly found even among pagan nations.

    Ruth puts them to shame.

        She comes from a pagan nation, but voluntarily accepts Yahweh as her God.

        She identifies with His people and accepts His standards as the basis for her lifestyle.

        She stood out in a crowd--They were all talking about her. 2:11-12; 3:10-11; 4:15

        She sought to know God's way

            -To identify with Him

            -To obey Him

        Therefore, she received God's blessing

        The result --> she gave birth to a man after God's own heart!

    The story progresses gradually, tracing her submission to God's norms.

          It reaches a beautiful conclusion as Ruth marries Boaz.

    The climax, however, comes as an unexpected surprise:

        The unbelievable finale of the story is that this Moabite woman was David's great

            grandmother.

        To be sure that you don't miss the point, it is repeated twice (4:17, 21).

    The godly example of Ruth and Boaz, in the midst of severe degeneration in Israel in

        general, is reflected in God's plan to provide His king through their descendants.

            She leaves everything to follow Yahweh!

            He accepts the responsibility before God that no one else wants!

    These elements combine to teach God's people many lessons about Himself and about

        His will for His people.

    The basic lesson of the book is that which Peter states in Acts 10:34: "God does not show

        favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right."  

            This truth is as true for women as for men.

    Ruth's testimony, as a Moabite who recognizes God's right to rule in her life, identifies

        with His people, and submits to His Word, serves as a testimony to backslidden Israel

        that convicts the nation of their sin.

    God's dealings in her life, and blessing of her, teaches once again that God blesses His

        people for obedience and curses them for disobedience.

    The example of Boaz as a faithful kinsman-redeemer was also significant.

        He was obedient to God's standards for His people and God blessed him.

        His example also serves as a type to demonstrate how Christ functioned as our

            Redeemer.

    As in the other historical books, God's faithfulness, holiness and sovereignty are clearly

        demonstrated.

            He watches over His people and rewards those who are faithful to Him.

            He preserves a remnant of the faithful in every generation and circumstance.

ORGANIZATION

    Ruth is developed chronologically, around the major steps she took upon leaving her

        people and joining Naomi's family.

            First, the background of the story is presented (1:1-7);

            Next, her decision to return to Israel with Naomi (1:8-22).

            Upon arrival in Israel, she gleans in the barley field to get food for them which

                leads to her meeting Boaz (2).

            Following Naomi's advice, she presents herself to Boaz, giving him the opportunity

                to assume the function of kinsman-redeemer (3).

            Finally, she reaps the benefit of her noble action as Boaz claims the estate and

                marries her (4:1-12).

            Together they enjoy God's blessing on their lives and family (4:13-22).

ARGUMENT

RUTH'S COMMITMENT   1-3

    HER DECISION   1

        Her motivation   1:1-7

                 First, the background of the story is presented (1:1-7);

                The story of Ruth opens with a picture of the days of the judges.

                The result of Israel's failure to obey God and walk as his people should, was

                    divine judgment.

                God sent other nations to oppress His people, and natural afflictions as well.

                God wanted to correct them and bring them back to fellowship with Him.

            Famine   1:1-2

                During such a time of affliction, a period of severe famine drove Elimelech out of

                    his home in Bethlehem to seek better conditions in Moab.

            Death   1:3-5

                While there, Elimelech died, leaving his wife and two sons.

                The sons demonstrate their lack of submission to God's standards by marrying

                    Moabite women.

                Shortly thereafter, the two sons also died.

                Their deaths in Moab may be a further indication of their spiritual condition.

                In any case, the book itself indicates that the decisions Ruth makes stand out in a

                    context where neither the nation nor the family are noted for their faithfulness

                    to God.

            Separation   1:6-7

                Following the death of the men of the family, Naomi has to reevaluate her life

                    and circumstances.

                When she receives word that God has provided food for His people, she decides

                    to return and identify once more with God's people.

        Her identification   1:8-22

            The alternatives presented   1:8-13

                Her two daughters-in-law are now faced with a decision also:

                    Should they remain with their mother-in-law, or return to their homes?

                Their initial decision is to stay with her out of loyalty and duty.

                However, Naomi confronts them with the fact that she has nothing to offer them

                    for the future and urges them to go back home and start a new life there.

            The choice made   1:14-18

                Orpah's choice   1:14-15

                    Orpah, aware of the implications of Naomi's words, decides to go back home.

                    The description of Orpah's decision reveals more of Naomi's spiritual

                        condition. She is urging Orpah to go back to the Moabite gods.

                Ruth's choice   1:16-18

                    Ruth, on the other hand, makes a different choice.

                         Her loyalty to Naomi is different. Naomi is Ruth's family.

                         Naomi's God, Yahweh, is now Ruth's God also.

                        She is committed to Naomi and to Yahweh; she has nothing to go back to in

                            Moab.

                        She has identified with them.

                    Realizing the depth and nature of Ruth's commitment, Naomi stops trying to

                        change her mind.

            The women welcomed   1:19-22

                Together they return to Bethlehem.

                The people of the town were excited about Naomi's return.

                    Apparently she was loved and appreciated there.

                 Nevertheless, in her life in Moab God had dealt severely with her family.

                    She had come back bitter.

                    God would have to do something special to solve her problem with bitterness.

                Neither she nor Ruth suspected how Ruth would be God's instrument to bring

                    blessing into Naomi's life.

    HER DEDICATION   2

        After they have settled in Bethlehem, Ruth again demonstrates her dedication to her

            mother-in-law by offering to go into the fields as a common peasant girl and gather

            food for them.

        Dedication demonstrated   2:1-7

            While she is working diligently to supply their needs, Boaz notices her.

        Dedication rewarded   2:8-23

                 Boaz recognizes Ruth's loyal love and effort for Naomi and decides to care for

                     her.

            Needs provided   2:8-9

                He promises to see that her needs are met in his fields.

            Loyalty praised   2:10-13

                He praises her for her loyalty and identification with Naomi and with Yahweh.

            Kindness shown   2:14-16

                He shows kindness to her by inviting her to eat with him and protecting her from

                    abuse by other laborers.

            Abundance gathered   2:17-18

                When Ruth returns home to Naomi, she demonstrates further the nature of

                    Boaz's special attention.

                Naomi recognizes that Ruth never could have gathered so much unless someone

                    had been especially kind to her.

            Kinsman identified   2:19-23

                Naomi begins to understand what God is doing for them when she discovers that

                    the man who has shown special kindness to Ruth is a kinsman, capable of

                    redeeming them.

    HER SUBMISSION   3

        The most dramatic demonstration of Ruth's identification with Naomi, Yahweh, and

            Yahweh's people is seen in her willingness to submit to Jewish customs, present

            herself to Boaz, and possibly, become his wife as well, in order to produce heirs for

            her deceased husband, and for her mother-in-law.

        Naomi's instruction   3:1-5

            When the proper time comes, Naomi instructs Ruth as to how she should present

                herself to Boaz.

        Ruth's presentation   3:6-9

            Ruth consents to submit to the custom God has established for His people and

                presents herself to Boaz.

        Boaz's confirmation   3:10-18

            Boaz is amazed by this act on Ruth's part and praises her for her commitment and

                submission.

            He enthusiastically commits himself to make the necessary arrangements.

                             Similar to a Christian guy finding a genuinely Christian, submissive

                                woman-committed to God and to him. "Wow! I can't believe it!"

RUTH'S COMPENSATION   4

    God's faithfulness and His blessing on those who submit to His authority by obeying His

    commands is immediately demonstrated, following the account of their submission.

    HER WEDDING   4:1-10

            Boaz determines to complete the arrangements immediately.

        First kinsman eliminated   4:1-8

            He must first give the opportunity to a closer kinsman.

            The closer kinsman doesn't want to risk taking a Moabite wife, therefore, he passes

                up his duty.

                    He fears he would jeopardize his own inheritance!

        Boaz motivated   4:9-10

            Boaz accepts his responsibility and enthusiastically proceeds to claim the

                inheritance and Ruth as his wife.

    HER BLESSING   4:11-17

        Elders' prayer   4:11-12

            The elders serving as witnesses to the occasion wish a special blessing from God on

                Boaz and Ruth, and their descendants.

        Naomi's heir   4:13-17

            Naomi is presented as enjoying a special blessing from God as she cares for her

                grandson.

            It's apparent that her bitterness has been removed by God's abundant blessing.

    HER POSTERITY   4:18-21

        The author reveals a final surprise, a totally unexpected climax to the story.

        This couple, who obeyed God's standards and experienced God's abundant blessing,

            were the great grandparents of God's king, the one described as a man after God's

            own heart.

        The blessings which this couple experienced, for their faithfulness in the midst of an

            unfaithful society, will continue to be a source of blessing to all God's people

            throughout human history.

WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN IN THIS BOOK FOR OUR LIVES TODAY?