background of ruth in the bible

The Ro 13:10). The book of Ruth is the story of Naomi and Ruth returning to Bethlehem and how Ruth married a man named Boaz and bore a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Her husband’s family had come from Bethlehem to Moab due to a famine and intermarried with the local peoples. A. II. Easier Said Than Done? The book of Ruth reflects a time of peace between Israel and Moab (contrast Jdg 3:12–30). Do Not Be Anxious About Anything. God is truly at work!”. Ruth, biblical character, a woman who after being widowed remains with her husband’s mother. God honored her decision to leave her own country and she is one of the most prominent women in David’s and Jesus’ genealogy. Click here to read the book of Ruth as it appears in the Bible. Background The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of Judges as a period of religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and frequent foreign oppression. 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 • 719.488.9200Terms of Use | Privacy Policy, The Book of the Twelve or the Minor Prophets, Biblica – The International Bible Society. The Moabites typically worshiped Chemosh, to whom human sacrifices were even offered. I. Ruth’s Background – Loyal Commitment as a Converted Gentile. The Fragrance of Godly Christian Character, The Wonder and the Mystery of ‘The Incarnate Deity’. In our society, even friends, spouses, and relatives sometimes betray one another, seemingly without remorse. Uncompromising loyalty is rare and should be greatly treasured. Third, in spite of the age-old reputation of animosity against mothers-in-law, Ruth engaged in none of the bickering and sniping so common in such relationships. Ruth, a childless widow at the beginning of the story, became the great-grandmother of Israel’s great king, David. I would like to make a donation in the amount of: I would like this donation to repeat each month, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Its main character is a Moabite woman named Ruth, the daughter-in-law of a Jewish widow named Naomi. The workers in the field are busy and all, Koch seems to say, is as it should be. However, several things about the story remarkably defy expectations. Ruth the Moabitess Ruth was a Moabitess, a member of an accursed race. Would you consider partnering with us? Used with Permission. She is the great-grandmother of King David and hence an ancestor of the Messiah. The importance of faithful love in human relationships among God’s kingdom people is powerfully underscored. B. Ruth does site its setting with the time of the Judges (“when the judges judged” myfpvh fpv ymyB ) (1:1), and probably occurred toward the end of the period: 1. Yet, Ruth was different. Ruth and Boaz Meet in the Harvest Fields (, Naomi Sends Ruth to Boaz’s Threshing Floor (, Boaz Buys Naomi’s Property and Announces His Marriage to Ruth (. Among historical narratives in Scripture it is unexcelled in its compactness, vividness, warmth, beauty and dramatic effectiveness—an exquisitely wrought jewel of Hebrew narrative art. Although Ruth came from a pagan background in Moab, once she met the God of Israel, she became a living testimonial to Him by faith. All aspects of the story keep the reader’s attention focused on the central issue. by I Gordon 'Anyone can sing in the day. The grouping of these five scrolls or books was for functional, liturgical reasons.” an interaction with the background of the book of Ruth. Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of … Background of the book of Ruth Most conservative authorities accept Samuel as the probable author of Ruth. Redemption is a key concept throughout the account; the Hebrew word in its various forms occurs 23 times. This refers to the marriage of a man to his brother's childless widow. The Book of Ruth in the Bible The Book of Ruth is one of the Bible's shortest books, telling its story in just four chapters. If you regularly enjoy our content, would you consider partnering with us? It may seem surprising that one who reflects God’s love so clearly is a Moabitess (see map, p. 486). Such love also reflects God’s love, in a marvelous joining of human and divine actions (compare2:12 with 3:9). The only other Biblical book bearing the name of a woman is Esther. It also presents a delightful account of the remnant of true faith and piety in the period of the judges, relieving an otherwise wholly dark picture of that era. The story is told in the Book of Ruth, part of the biblical canon called Ketuvim, or Writings. Opening the Study Spend some time allowing space to get to know each other. The author of Ruth keeps his readers from being distracted from the central story—Naomi’s passage from emptiness to fullness through the selfless acts of Ruth and Boaz (see Theme and Theology). Leaders such as Moses had warned Israel resoundingly against marrying foreigners, yet here was a rare exception which had the seal of God’s approval. The author focuses on Ruth’s unswerving and selfless devotion to desolate Naomi (1:16–17; 2:11–12; 3:10; 4:15) and on Boaz’s kindness to these two widows (chs. Second, Ruth married Naomi’s son, an Israeli. It then progresses with the harvest season, when the fullness of the land is gathered in. In fact, it … Fifth, in an impoverished situation, it is common for individuals to look out for their own survival first. Place in history: Ruth is known as one of the most godly women in the Bible. Presently he resides in Florida with his wife, Debra, where he teaches part-time and writes on a free-lance basis. Ruth (/ r uː θ /; Hebrew: רוּת ‎, Modern: RÅ«t, Tiberian: Rūṯ) is the person after whom the Book of Ruth is named. Instead, she displayed undying love for a mother-in-law who truly deserved it. The Story of Ruth in the Bible Ruth, as you may recall from Sunday school, is a woman who, after being widowed, remains with her mother-in-law. He presents striking examples of lives that embody in their daily affairs the self-giving love that fulfills God’s law (Lev 19:18; cf. The book contains the inner and spiritual background of the genealogies so prominent in Scripture. Ten years later, tragedy struck again and the two sons also died. Ruth is included in the Megilloth scrolls. Like 1Sa 1-2, it gives a series of intimate glimpses into the private lives of the members of an Israelite family. In this case, the fertile fields and civilized background echo the nobility of Boaz, and the serenity of Ruth. Your email address will not be published. The opening line of each of the four episodes signals its main development (1:6, the return; 2:1, the meeting with Boaz; 3:1, finding a home for Ruth; 4:1, the decisive event at the gate), while the closing line of each episode facilitates transition to what follows (see notes on 1:22; 2:23; 3:18; 4:12). Esther was a Hebrew woman who married a Gentile king. The book of Ruth reflects a time of peace between Israel and Moab (contrast Jdg 3:12-30). In Jesus, the great “son of David” (Mt 1:1), and his redemptive work, the promised blessings of the kingdom of God find their fulfillment. The story is told in the Book of Ruth, part of the biblical canon called Ketuvim, or Writings. The narrative of Ruth’s story is rather brief. Click here if you want to read the whole story of Ruth with some midrashic background (as I have related it above). Your email address will not be published. You as the Bible study leader may find yourself filling in more “gaps” for the students with information you have gathered. Ruth and Esther are the only two books in the Bible named for and devoted to women in their entirety. However the scriptures are clear about the need to rely on each other as brothers and sisters in Christ; spiritually, physically, and even financially. Further, the literary style of Hebrew used in Ruth suggests that it was written during the period of the monarchy. As an episode in the ancestry of David, the book of Ruth sheds light on his role in the history of redemption. ... Two passages from the Torah give the background of the festival (emphasis added): ... Ruth Bible Study. God used Esther in a strategic time in the history of Israel to help preserve the nation from destruction. The book is primarily a story of Naomi’s transformation from despair to happiness through the selfless, God-blessed acts of Ruth and Boaz. In the end, God’s face shone upon Ruth. When movements in space, time and circumstance all correspond in some way, a harmony results that both satisfies the reader’s artistic sense and helps open doors to understanding. In Moab the husband died and the two sons ended up marrying Moabite women. Like Ruth, we can commit to loyal relationships, even when it isn’t convenient, personally profitable, or publicly expected. The inner chapters show how Naomi and Ruth make a plan, followed by an encounter between Ruth and Boaz, followed by Naomi and Ruth rejoicing. That passage, or restoration, first takes place in connection with her return from Moab to the promised land and to Bethlehem (“house of food”; see note on 1:1). She was dissatisfied with the idol-worship of her own people, and when the opportunity arose, she gladly gave up the privileges of royalty in her land and accepted a life of poverty among people she admired. What part does Ruth play in Jesus’ genealogy? He gave her a second, wonderfully gentle and loving Jewish husband named Boaz. © Zondervan. Bible reference: Book of Ruth 2 Ruth Converts to Judaism The crucial turning point occurs exactly midway (see note on 2:20). However, several things about the story remarkably defy expectations. When Should Action Become Part of an Active Prayer Life? If you've enjoyed reading an article, why not leave us a 'tip'? At a surface level, few saw Ruth as … It is set in the time of the judges — not the best ones, if we assign it to the period of Gideon and Samson — and it attempts to define the rights of widows and aliens within a society fallen upon hard times. it's part of the human condition to think we can do it all on our own. Through the years he has enjoyed teaching on the college and seminary levels and writing professionally. Doing the Right Thing Often Takes Great Sacrifice. Posted by Steve Fortosis | Jul 6, 2016 | 0 |, In order to survive a famine, a Jewish family once left Israel for prosperous Moab. The book of Ruth tells the extraordinary story of God’s faithfulness to Israel in the life and work of three ordinary people, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. First, Ruth was a Moabite—a foreigner. Ruth, however, humbly combed sweltering, harvested fields for bits of grain she could take home to Naomi each evening. Consideration of these and other literary devices (mentioned throughout the notes) will aid understanding of the book of Ruth. Evidently even while living in Moab, she had embraced Yahweh, the God of Israel. The narrative of Ruth’s story is rather brief. The name Naomi means “sweet, pleasant,” which … All Rights Reserved Worldwide. The book of Ruth is a Hebrew short story, told with consummate skill. Bible Study: Book of Ruth Chapter 3. The story of Ruth is a story of unparalleled loyalty. He has published a number of books including story and prayer compilations, missionary biography, Biblical character biography, devotional lit, children’s lit, and even stories of Bible translation. There is a concept in Jewish law called yibum. The priests of Moab were powerful and cruel, and they served an assortment of gods. Ruth is a book for all times, whether written in post‑exilic days or based upon very old oral traditions. Ruth uncovering Boaz's feet certainly seems to be one of the odder incidents in the Bible, but in the case of Ruth and Boaz, this was a uniquely appropriate gesture. Steve Fortosis served for six years as youth minister in several parishes. With this in mind we ask you to consider helping us out. The story of Ruth in the Bible is one of compassion, courage, boldness, and integrity. Ruth’s story is celebrated during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. So the people who lived in Moab were THE ISRAELITES. It's with this last point that we speak to you today. Ruth Chapter 3: Rewards through Refining . According to the biblical Book of Ruth, Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family and eventually converted to Judaism. In God’s benevolence such lives are blessed and are made a blessing. She strikingly exemplifies the truth that participation in the coming kingdom of God is decided, not by blood and birth, but by the conformity of one’s life to the will of God through the “obedience that comes from faith” (Ro 1:5). This probably was not when Ehud led Israel out from under the Moabite oppression (Judges 3) 2. At a time when we look for God to be active through a judge or king, God instead works out his will through the everyday faithfulness of his people. Required fields are marked *, People don't like asking for help. Like 1Sa 1–2, it gives a series of intimate glimpses into the private lives of the members of an Israelite family. Also, Ruth is an example to us of hard work and faithfulness. The book of Ruth is a consummate example of a short story, with a small number of characters and a compact and fast-paced plot in which all loose ends are tied up within four short chapters. The Book of Ruth (abbreviated Rth) (Hebrew: מגילת רות ‎, Megilath Ruth, "the Scroll of Ruth", one of the Five Megillot) is included in the third division, or the Writings (), of the Hebrew Bible.In most Christian canons it is treated as a history book and placed between Judges and 1 Samuel.. She, a Moabitess, also was given the honor of being great grandmother to David, and an ancestor in the line of Christ. At the border Naomi urged the two women to return to their homeland and their relatives. Ruth was probably a housewife as most were at the time and the death of her husband forced her to go out in the fields and glean for a living. Introduction from the NIV Study Bible | Go to Ruth. The book is named after one of its main characters, a young woman of Moab, the great-grandmother of David and an ancestress of Jesus (4:21–22; Mt 1:1,5). The family life of David's ancestors is sketched to show how they walked in single hearted piety toward God, and justice and love, modesty and purity towards man. The Bible records historical proof that the Amorites and Moabites were pushed out of the land of Moab. The Book of Ruth offers no direct identification concerning its date. Charles Savelle Center Point Bible Institute 2 The dating of the writing of the book is tied to the issue of authorship but more significantly to the genealogy which closes the book. In the Hebrew Bible, Ruth stands with the Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther; together they make up the Megillot, five scrolls that are read at prescribed times on Jewish religious festivals. Even though she lived in humble circumstances before marrying Boaz, she believed that God was faithful to care for His people. Ruth was born of a Moab ethnic background. These scrolls “were part of the third division of the Hebrew Bible, the Ketubim or Writings. Similarly, Israel was transformed from national desperation at the death of Eli (1Sa 4:18) to peace and prosperity in the early days of Solomon (1Ki 4:20–34; 5:4) through the selfless devotion of David, a true descendant of Ruth and Boaz. Finally, the story of Naomi’s family … © 2011-2020 Biblica. She moves from emptiness to fullness (1:21; 3:17; see notes on 1:1,3,5–6,12,21–22; 3:17; 4:15), from destitution (1:1–5) to security and hope (4:13–17). The Inspirational Team. The Moabites typically worshiped Chemosh, to whom human sacrifices were even offered. She was born and raised in paganism. The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of Judges as a period of religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and frequent foreign oppression. Her place in the ancestry of David signifies that all nations will be represented in the kingdom of David’s greater Son. Besides, after her husband died, Ruth had to know that the odds of remarriage were small, especially if she settled in a land that frowned deeply on interracial marriages. Boaz and Ruth give birth to Oved, who gives birth to Jesse, who gives birth to David, who is the ancestor of Moshiach. Whether you can help a little, or a lot, we really appreciate your support! Jewish tradition points to Samuel, but it is unlikely that he is the author because the mention of David (4:17,22) implies a later date. At the birth of Ruth’s son, the women of Bethlehem exclaimed to Naomi, “…your daughter-in-law, who loves you, is better to you than seven sons…” And they were so right. These were dark days, full of suffering brought about by the The author is unknown. There is no such thing as an unimportant person in God’s eyes. Nevertheless, leaving her homeland, Ruth remained faithfully with Naomi. What was the relationship between Ruth and Naomi. 2–4). For each there is a corresponding character whose actions highlight, by contrast, his or her selfless acts: Ruth—Orpah, Boaz—the unnamed kinsman. Contrast is also used to good effect: pleasant (the meaning of “Naomi”) and bitter (1:20), full and empty (1:21), and the living and the dead (2:20). But this rest would continue only so long as those who participated in the kingdom—prince and people alike—reflected in their daily lives the selfless love exemplified by Ruth and Boaz. It's an intimate family tale of misfortune, crafty use of kinship ties, and ultimately, loyalty. Ruth is one of just two women in the Hebrew Bible (with Esther) to have a book named after her. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Inspirational Christians takes a lot of time, effort, and money to keep running. From the Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Yet her complete loyalty to the Israelite family into which she has been received by marriage and her total devotion to her desolate mother-in-law mark her as a true daughter of Israel and a worthy ancestress of David. One daughter-in-law turned back, but Ruth, the other one, refused, declaring that she’d die before she would leave her mother-in-law. ... historical background to the Book of Ruth see the discussion in the argument on Judges. (For groups who don’t know Fortosis served for six years as youth minister in several parishes through the years he has teaching! 1160 BC and 1100 BC, during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the of. 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