The Book of Ruth

Date of Composition

--The composition of the Book of Ruth has been placed anywhere from Samuel’s day until the post-exilic period (5^th century B.C.).

--The action of the book took place in the period of the judges. Ruth 4:7 suggests a later period for writing.

--Probably written during early monarchy, as a support for David.

Literary Nature

--A Hebrew Historical Short Story—It tells a single story over a period of several years.

--A literary unity, w/the possible exception of 4:18-22.

Place in the Canon

--English canon, following LXX, places Ruth after Judges, the period of the events.

--The Hebrew canon places it after Proverbs as the 1^st Megilloth, “scrolls.” (These were Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, & Esther.) The five megilloth were used at festivals, Ruth at Pentecost.

Outline of Contents

I. Elimelech’s Family

II. Ruth meets Boaz

III. Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer

IV. Ruth & Boaz marry

Purpose of Ruth

--Ruth shows another side of the period of the judges. It both concludes this period & introduces the period of Samuel & the monarchy. Life went on during this period of confusion, anarchy, and war. People went on living, loving, and dying.

--Shows the work of God in providing for David’s line. God used the Moabite woman, Ruth, to provide the lineage for the chosen king of His chosen people.

--Shows God’s concern for the underprivileged, taking care of the woman who had been faithful to Him, even a foreigner.

--Simply as a good story.

--If it was written in the post-exilic period, it may have been a polemic against the exclusive Judaism of Nehemiah & Ezra. By showing the central role of the foreign woman, Ruth, the book proves that God does not reject foreigners, despite the message of Ezra.

Themes of Ruth

--God’s Sovereignty—God is in control, even in a foreign land & even after tragedy. When life looks dark and hopeless, God is still sovereign.

--God’s Compassion—God loved & cared for Naomi and Ruth. This is a common prophetic theme, that God cares for the widow & orphan. God has always cared for the underprivileged of society, of which the widow and orphan serve as supreme examples.

--Levirate Marriage—The marriage of a brother to his brother’s widow. This is not the role of Boaz, but the practice is mentioned by Naomi in Ruth 1.

--Kinsman Redeemer—This was a custom primarily to keep a family’s inheritance intact. A near relative could redeem family land to keep it in the family. It also involved redeeming slaves from debt. Apparently it sometimes involved marrying young widows, even though we do not know of this part of the custom from the Law or any other reference.