1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 13
Ruth

2. The Background The Writing of the Book Anonymous author
Historical Background
Literary Background
Structured like a dramatic play
Characterized as an idyll
Photo: On the threshing floor, good grain was separated from the heads by pulling a heavy sledge with bits of sharp rock over the grain. Then the threshed grain was tossed in the air to separate the kernels from the chaff. The winnowing process is portrayed in this Egyptian painting from the Tomb of Menna. It was to the threshing floor that Ruth went to propose marriage to Boaz (Ruth 3:1-6).

3. Purpose and Message Major Themes
Explains the survival of covenant faith during the Judges period
The Kinsman-Redeemer
Hesed
Photo: After grain was separated from its head with a threshing sledge, shovels threw the grain into the air to let the wind blow away the chaff. Then the grain was gathered into piles. Boaz fell asleep on a pile such as the one portrayed in this tomb painting from Egypt (Ruth 3: 7-9).