SURVEY OF RUTH – DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN FAITHFULNESS
Philippe R. Sterling
RUTH: God providentially brings about the birth of his chosen king for Israel.
Introductory Matters
The Book of Ruth is an historical and theological short story set in the time of the Judges. It shows God working behind the scenes in the lives of those who live righteously and responsibly before Him to bring about a special birth in the genealogical line of Judah. It emphasizes the hidden aspect of the activity of God and the responsibility of God’s people to live in loyal-love and to cooperate with God in working out the experience of blessing. Through the use of patriarchal allusions and the concluding genealogy the book presents the progress of covenant history from Abraham to David.
Literary Structure and Content
National Setting – Family History – Ten Years of Death in Moab (1:1-6)
Summary: Because of famine, Elimelech and his family migrate from Bethlehem to Moab where after his death his two sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, and then they also die leaving their mother Naomi alone who then decides to return to Bethlehem because she hears that the LORD has providentially provided food for His people.
Episode 1 – Returning to the Land (1:7-22)
Summary: Naomi dissuades Orpah from going with her but Ruth decides to stay with her declaring her loyalty to her, her people, and her God, and returns with her to Bethlehem where Naomi ascribes to the LORD responsibility for her afflictions while speaking to the women of the city.
Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah set out for Judah (1:7).
Scene 1 – A Roadside in Moab – Ruth ↔ Orpah (1:8-18)
§ Orpah’s Departure
§ Ruth’s Devotion
Naomi and Ruth travel to Bethlehem (1:19).
Scene 2 – A Street in Bethlehem – Naomi’s Emptiness (1:19b-21)
§ Chorus of women speak to Naomi.
§ Naomi laments her condition.
§ Naomi gives herself a name.
Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem (1:22).
Episode 2 – Receiving Favor (2:1-23)
Summary: Ruth providentially gleans in the field of Boaz, a worthy relative of Naomi, where he extends to her protection and provision because of her devotion to her mother-in-law, who, discerning the LORD’s providence, counsels Ruth to continue gleaning in his field.
Parenthesis: the narrator introduces Boaz (2:1).
Scene 1 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (2:2-3)
§ Ruth requests Naomi’s permission to go to the fields.
§ Ruth tells Naomi that she intends to glean.
§ Naomi agrees and Ruth goes.
Scene 2 – Boaz’ Field near Bethlehem – Boaz and Ruth (2:4-18a)
§ Boaz asks the identity of Ruth and is told.
§ Boaz asks Ruth to stay in his field.
§ Boaz blesses Ruth.
§ Boaz gives Ruth food and gives instruction for her gleaning.
§ Ruth gleans and returns to the town.
Scene 3 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (2:18b-22)
§ Ruth speaks with Naomi and tells her what has happened.
§ Naomi gives Ruth counsel.
Epilogue: Ruth stays with Boaz’ maids and lives with Naomi (2:23).
Episode 3 – Pledging Redemption (3:1-18)
Summary: Having followed Naomi’s plan for claiming Boaz as kinsman-redeemer with the result that he vows to redeem her if a closer relative fails to do so and fills her cloak with barley, Ruth reports back to Naomi who instructs her to wait until Boaz settles the matter.
Scene 1 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (3:1-6)
§ Naomi counsels Ruth to go to the threshing floor.
§ Naomi tells Ruth what she should do.
§ Ruth agrees and goes.
Scene 2 – Boaz’ Threshing Floor – Boaz and Ruth (3:7-15)
§ Boaz asks the identity of Ruth and is told.
§ Boaz blesses Ruth.
§ Boaz asks Ruth to stay.
§ Boaz gives Ruth food.
§ Ruth returns to the city.
Scene 3 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (3:16-18)
§ Ruth speaks with Naomi and tells her what has happened.
§ Naomi gives Ruth counsel.
Episode 4 – Accomplishing Redemption (4:1-17a)
Summary: After the close relative surrenders his right of redemption to him, Boaz, with the witness and blessing of the people and elders of the city, buys from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and acquires Ruth as his wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance. Through the blessing of the LORD and the faithfulness of Ruth, Naomi is given a child who is named Obed by the women of the city.
Boaz goes to the gate of the town (4:1a)
Scene 1 – Bethlehem’s Gate – Boaz ↔ Nearer-Redeemer (4:1b-12)
§ Nearer-Redeemer’s Refusal
§ Boaz’ Acceptance
Boaz weds Ruth and they have a son (4:13)
Scene 2 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi’s Fullness (4:14-17a)
§ Chorus of women speak to Naomi.
§ Naomi adopts Ruth’s child.
§ The women name the child.
National Significance – Family History – Ten generations from Perez to David (4:17b-22)
Summary: The genealogy of Perez is taken up to David, includes Obed, and cites Boaz in the seventh generation.
Message: God providentially works through the faithful acts of Ruth and Boaz to restore Naomi to fullness and to effect the birth of Obed, the grandfather of David.
Theological Reflections
The literary structure of the Book of Ruth has theological implications. It acts as a vehicle to express the theological themes of human responsibility and divine providence. The structure accomplishes this by counterbalancing and juxtaposing the main elements of the story. Ruth and Boaz occupy important analogous positions. They are both contrasted to individuals who fail to carry out their responsibilities of kinship (1:8-18 and 4:1b-12). They both prove to be people of noble character by acting responsibly and righteously (2:1-23 and 3:1-18). The theme of God’s providential work is brought out by contrasting Naomi’s afflictions with her blessings (1:19b-21 and 4:14-17a). The two outer sections bring out the national setting and significance of the story (1:1-6 and 4:17b-22) As two people of noble character act responsibly, God acts providentially to resolve the plight of Naomi and to fulfill His will for the nation in preparing for the birth of David the future king. Even in the midst of the apostate period of the Judges, when individual believers trust God and commit themselves to Him he blesses them and mediates blessing through them. The central theological concept is the loyal-love (chesed) of God and faithful believers.
Messianic Implications
The Book of Ruth records the preparation for a special birth in the line of Judah. He providentially guides in providing a ruling house for Israel whose eternal throne would be guaranteed in the Davidic Covenant. He did it through Tamar, through Ruth, and through Mary. The culmination of that line is Jesus Christ. The genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 1 incorporates the genealogy found in the Book of Ruth and makes special mention of Tamar and Ruth. Matthew begins his genealogy with the heading, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” His purpose is to emphasize that Jesus has his historical roots in Abraham and that he has come as a Davidic king in response to the promises made to the patriarchs. The Book of Ruth establishes the continuity between Abraham and David.
Principles for Life
The Book of Ruth provides relevant life principles for the people of God of every age. Here are a few:
Philippe R. Sterling
RUTH: God providentially brings about the birth of his chosen king for Israel.
Introductory Matters
The Book of Ruth is an historical and theological short story set in the time of the Judges. It shows God working behind the scenes in the lives of those who live righteously and responsibly before Him to bring about a special birth in the genealogical line of Judah. It emphasizes the hidden aspect of the activity of God and the responsibility of God’s people to live in loyal-love and to cooperate with God in working out the experience of blessing. Through the use of patriarchal allusions and the concluding genealogy the book presents the progress of covenant history from Abraham to David.
Literary Structure and Content
National Setting – Family History – Ten Years of Death in Moab (1:1-6)
Summary: Because of famine, Elimelech and his family migrate from Bethlehem to Moab where after his death his two sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, and then they also die leaving their mother Naomi alone who then decides to return to Bethlehem because she hears that the LORD has providentially provided food for His people.
Episode 1 – Returning to the Land (1:7-22)
Summary: Naomi dissuades Orpah from going with her but Ruth decides to stay with her declaring her loyalty to her, her people, and her God, and returns with her to Bethlehem where Naomi ascribes to the LORD responsibility for her afflictions while speaking to the women of the city.
Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah set out for Judah (1:7).
Scene 1 – A Roadside in Moab – Ruth ↔ Orpah (1:8-18)
§ Orpah’s Departure
§ Ruth’s Devotion
Naomi and Ruth travel to Bethlehem (1:19).
Scene 2 – A Street in Bethlehem – Naomi’s Emptiness (1:19b-21)
§ Chorus of women speak to Naomi.
§ Naomi laments her condition.
§ Naomi gives herself a name.
Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem (1:22).
Episode 2 – Receiving Favor (2:1-23)
Summary: Ruth providentially gleans in the field of Boaz, a worthy relative of Naomi, where he extends to her protection and provision because of her devotion to her mother-in-law, who, discerning the LORD’s providence, counsels Ruth to continue gleaning in his field.
Parenthesis: the narrator introduces Boaz (2:1).
Scene 1 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (2:2-3)
§ Ruth requests Naomi’s permission to go to the fields.
§ Ruth tells Naomi that she intends to glean.
§ Naomi agrees and Ruth goes.
Scene 2 – Boaz’ Field near Bethlehem – Boaz and Ruth (2:4-18a)
§ Boaz asks the identity of Ruth and is told.
§ Boaz asks Ruth to stay in his field.
§ Boaz blesses Ruth.
§ Boaz gives Ruth food and gives instruction for her gleaning.
§ Ruth gleans and returns to the town.
Scene 3 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (2:18b-22)
§ Ruth speaks with Naomi and tells her what has happened.
§ Naomi gives Ruth counsel.
Epilogue: Ruth stays with Boaz’ maids and lives with Naomi (2:23).
Episode 3 – Pledging Redemption (3:1-18)
Summary: Having followed Naomi’s plan for claiming Boaz as kinsman-redeemer with the result that he vows to redeem her if a closer relative fails to do so and fills her cloak with barley, Ruth reports back to Naomi who instructs her to wait until Boaz settles the matter.
Scene 1 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (3:1-6)
§ Naomi counsels Ruth to go to the threshing floor.
§ Naomi tells Ruth what she should do.
§ Ruth agrees and goes.
Scene 2 – Boaz’ Threshing Floor – Boaz and Ruth (3:7-15)
§ Boaz asks the identity of Ruth and is told.
§ Boaz blesses Ruth.
§ Boaz asks Ruth to stay.
§ Boaz gives Ruth food.
§ Ruth returns to the city.
Scene 3 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi and Ruth (3:16-18)
§ Ruth speaks with Naomi and tells her what has happened.
§ Naomi gives Ruth counsel.
Episode 4 – Accomplishing Redemption (4:1-17a)
Summary: After the close relative surrenders his right of redemption to him, Boaz, with the witness and blessing of the people and elders of the city, buys from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and acquires Ruth as his wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance. Through the blessing of the LORD and the faithfulness of Ruth, Naomi is given a child who is named Obed by the women of the city.
Boaz goes to the gate of the town (4:1a)
Scene 1 – Bethlehem’s Gate – Boaz ↔ Nearer-Redeemer (4:1b-12)
§ Nearer-Redeemer’s Refusal
§ Boaz’ Acceptance
Boaz weds Ruth and they have a son (4:13)
Scene 2 – House in Bethlehem – Naomi’s Fullness (4:14-17a)
§ Chorus of women speak to Naomi.
§ Naomi adopts Ruth’s child.
§ The women name the child.
National Significance – Family History – Ten generations from Perez to David (4:17b-22)
Summary: The genealogy of Perez is taken up to David, includes Obed, and cites Boaz in the seventh generation.
Message: God providentially works through the faithful acts of Ruth and Boaz to restore Naomi to fullness and to effect the birth of Obed, the grandfather of David.
Theological Reflections
The literary structure of the Book of Ruth has theological implications. It acts as a vehicle to express the theological themes of human responsibility and divine providence. The structure accomplishes this by counterbalancing and juxtaposing the main elements of the story. Ruth and Boaz occupy important analogous positions. They are both contrasted to individuals who fail to carry out their responsibilities of kinship (1:8-18 and 4:1b-12). They both prove to be people of noble character by acting responsibly and righteously (2:1-23 and 3:1-18). The theme of God’s providential work is brought out by contrasting Naomi’s afflictions with her blessings (1:19b-21 and 4:14-17a). The two outer sections bring out the national setting and significance of the story (1:1-6 and 4:17b-22) As two people of noble character act responsibly, God acts providentially to resolve the plight of Naomi and to fulfill His will for the nation in preparing for the birth of David the future king. Even in the midst of the apostate period of the Judges, when individual believers trust God and commit themselves to Him he blesses them and mediates blessing through them. The central theological concept is the loyal-love (chesed) of God and faithful believers.
Messianic Implications
The Book of Ruth records the preparation for a special birth in the line of Judah. He providentially guides in providing a ruling house for Israel whose eternal throne would be guaranteed in the Davidic Covenant. He did it through Tamar, through Ruth, and through Mary. The culmination of that line is Jesus Christ. The genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 1 incorporates the genealogy found in the Book of Ruth and makes special mention of Tamar and Ruth. Matthew begins his genealogy with the heading, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” His purpose is to emphasize that Jesus has his historical roots in Abraham and that he has come as a Davidic king in response to the promises made to the patriarchs. The Book of Ruth establishes the continuity between Abraham and David.
Principles for Life
The Book of Ruth provides relevant life principles for the people of God of every age. Here are a few:
- Those who live righteously and responsibly before God may trust Him fully to lead them throughout their lives in the fulfillment of His purpose for them.
- Believers can endure difficult things knowing that in the end God will provide the fullness and completion they so desire.
- Believers should live their lives responsibly serving the needs of others.
- Believers should be willing to be God’s agents in bringing their prayers for others to reality.
- Believers may never know the long-range effects of their faithfulness until they are received to glory.
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