The Story of God Ruth

Ruth Is set at the time of the Judges, Ruth 1.1 During a time of famine, 1.1. Is the story of one family who lived in the nation of Israel during a time of spiritual regression Teaches critical Bible doctrine in short story form. Hebrew Bibles put Ruth with poetry

Famine is a reflection of the displeasure of God with Israel: Deuteronomy 28:48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

The story line During a time of famine, a man from the tribe of Judah took his family and went to live in Moab (a man who lived “in the bread store” went to Moab to find food) The narrator never says, “This was wrong.” But…

Deut 23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: Deut 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee

The man died Their sons married Moabite girls Then the sons died Then, God ended the famine (1.6) And the wife (Naomi) returned home Her intention was to leave both daughters in law, but one (Ruth) insisted upon going to Israel with her mother in law

Naomi had a relative who was a rich farmer (Boaz). 2.1 Ruth went looking for work, and happened to end up in his field. 2.2-3 2.3-13 Boaz is a rarity—a righteous Jew And very interested in Ruth

3.1-18 Marriage negotiations begin Deuteronomy 25.5-10 explain the concept of levirate (Latin, “husband’s brother”) marriage Boaz will function as the kinsman who redeems. 3.13 Leviticus 25.25-28 explain the role of the “kinsman redeemer” 4.1-13 Boaz and Ruth are married 4.14-22 their descendants are listed

Ruth contributes to the “Story of God” in very important ways It develops the notion of the curse Naomi experienced very real pain 1.20 “Don’t call me ‘pleasant’, call me ‘bitter’”. It also develops the notion of blessing

It develops the concept of faith 4.14-16 It develops the concept of faith 1.14-17. “Clave” and “leave” are covenant words. The narrator doesn’t say “Ruth got saved,” he tells in story form what salvation looks like 3.1, 9. It is an act of faith to pursue marriage on Biblical terms, not personal ones. Deuteronomy 29.25 translates the word “forsaken”

It develops our understanding of redemption It develops the concept of grace 1.6 2.3 2.10 It develops our understanding of redemption God will save people from all nations He saves them through a Kinsman God raises up a king