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RUTH

Going Deeper Into the Text

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Yes it is Very Beautiful, but Why Is Ruth in

Scripture?

In all likelihood, Ruth was written during the Israelite Monarchy

It could have existed first in oral tradition as a story told by a priest orwise woman.

Ruth has many themes that merit inclusion, but there is a peculiarity toits inclusion (though fortunately it did make it in)

Following the Monarchy Israel underwent the reforms of Ezra andNehemiah (5th century BC), which forbade marriage to foreigners.

Ruth was a foreigner Ezra and Nehemiahs reforms asked that foreign women and their

children be put away (Ezra 9-10)

In spite of this Ruth remains in Scripture

If the Jewish Canon had been decided early (400 BC) Ruthsinclusion would be a problem

Most scholars today think a later settlement on the Canon (as late as200 AD) is probable and this makes Ruth less of a problem. In factRuth may have been included in Scripture to challenge the reforms ofEzra and Nehemiah. (Though scholars today often discount this.)

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Other Facts About Ruth

Most of the story is told in conversation The story is often taken by many scholars to be

historical fiction, entertaining but also showing thebest traits of the people of a small town (Bethlehem.)

Except for the concept of divine providence, theologyis downplayed.

Ruth is read during the Jewish celebration ofShavuot.

Ruth is honored on the Calendar of the LCMS asMatriarch and as a heroine of the Order of theEastern Star.

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Israel during the time of Ruth

During the time of the Judgeswhen the story occurs During the Monarchy when Ruth iswritten

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Israel During the Time of the Judges

Following Joshuas conquest of Canaan (late Bronzeage 1400 BC) Israel had no king

Israel was a loose confederation ruled by Judges

Judges were non-elected but also non-hereditary.

They were often military leaders who had judicialpower.

Ancestry passed through the father, but ethnicitythrough the mother

The land was given to the tribes but could be boughtand sold as long as it went back to the tribe in theyear of Jubilee

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Israel During the Time of the Judges

Marriages were contractual and if a male died leaving hiswidow no heir, his brother was to marry her and providefor her (Levirate marriage) If there was no brother, theobligation passed to a more removed relative (goel)

Hospitality to the foreigner and to widows was to beexpected, though their lives would be hard

Ruth is allowed to glean in Boazs field for this reason

Moab was Israels enemy to the east, though Israel did not

destroy its cities as happened in Canaan and travel betweenIsraelite land and Moab was possible. This is the scenario inwhich Ruth is set

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We have seen the story of Ruth and its

themes, now lets look more closely

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Ruth Is Often Described as a Love Story..if

by Love you mean Hesed

Hesedis difficult to define. Most prefer the termloving-kindness in English

Hesedis usually seen as the word kindness in

English translations

The word occurs three times in Ruth

Ruth 1:8

Ruth 2:20

Ruth 3:10

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Ruth 1:8

Go back to yourmothers house.May the LORDshow hesedtoyou as you haveshown to yourdead and to me

Naomi asks for Godshesedto be shown to

her daughters-in-law

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Ruth 2:20

He has notstopped showinghis hesedto theliving or the

dead

Naomi speaking of Boaz

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Ruth 3:10

This hesedisgreater than thatwhich you showedearlier: you have not

run after theyounger man,whether rich orpoor

Boaz speaking of

Ruth.the earlier

hesedwas Ruths

loyalty to Naomi

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In light of the text, what is Hesed?

Which of the verses show ushesed

as Favor

Loyalty

Kindness

Love (and what kind of love) Good Will

Good Deed

Is hesedan obligation, a feeling, or an action?

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More about Hesed

It showed kindness without obligation

It was not universal in the sense of agape

It may be individual or shown to more than one

God shows hesed through divine providence.

Gods hesedis active in the kindness of people

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What is the Role of Divine Providence in Ruth?

Question: Does God decide the what, when, where,and who of our lives?

What . famine, family tragedy, hospitality to the

stranger, alls well that ends well

When.the time of the Judges to the New Testament

(Ruth is in the genealogy of Jesus) up through todaythrough the History of Salvation

Where.Judah and Everywhere

Who.Were Ruth and Boaz destined and did their

meeting give us salvation?

Has God acted this way in your life?

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What Does Ruth Say to You About Providence?

God does not give you the people you want, Godgives you the people you need.

Before it is a story of affection, Ruth is a story of need

Greater good because of evil (O certe necessriumAd pecctum, quod Christi morte deltum est!O felix culpa, qu talem ac tantum mruit habreRedemptrem!) from the Exultet

If Ruth had to meet Boaz according to plan (the plan), didthere need to be a famine.

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I Was a Stranger in a Strange Land

What does Ruth say about the humancommunity?

And what about Immigration?

What does it mean Gentiles were included in the

Salvation history ?

What about a chosen people of God or one

nation being above others (American

Exceptionalism?) Does Providence work in the history of particular

nations and peoples?

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The Strength of Character

Integrity or nobility is a theme in Ruth Naomi urges her daughters to leave her

Ruth does not desert Naomi

Boaz provides for Ruth

Boaz puts his obligation ahead of affection Ruths kinsman does not wish to provide for her and

therefore does not even deserve a name

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The Peculiar Little Scene

What does the scene in the

threshing room say about Ruthand Boaz?

The book of Ruth useseuphemisms to imply arelationship between Boaz and

Ruth

Scholars find it unlikely that thenobility of Boaz would be builtup if seduction were successfulin this scene

Boaz expresses a desire for Ruth,but he is quick to tell her thatanother man is more entitled toher presence

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What do Ruth and Boazs Character Say to Us?

Are we willing to put what is right above desire?

Are we willing to do hesed?

Are we willing to trust in Gods providence?

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Alls Well That Ends Well.God uses good

people to affect good things

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Practice RandomKindness and

Senseless Acts ofBeauty