Ruth is an outsider, a Moabite of all people, (Moabites should make you uneasy at this point, see Numbers 25) who breaks social conventions to do right by Naomi. They are character studies of how God works in mundane, everyday events in the lives of his people (and what human covenant faithfulness looks like in return). The author has gone to great care to honor Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz through the development of their characters in the story. It’s about God’s covenant faithfulness and it contributes to the overall covenantal storyline that unifies the entire Bible. It’s a story about God and how he restores those who look to him with hope. A son is born to Naomi from Ruth and Boaz in Bethlehem and Naomi is restored to life and fullness. Boaz’s loyalty to God, his commandments, and his family is highlighted.Įpilogue: Satisfaction and Fullness (Ruth 4:13–17). Naomi furthers her “plan” to join Ruth and Boaz for “good” (Ruth 3:1).Īct 4: Boaz arranges to marry Ruth (Ruth 4:1–12). Ruth is then presented as a “woman of character” (Ruth 3:10). Naomi hatches a “plan” to join Ruth and Boaz for “good” (Ruth 2:22).Īct 3: Ruth and Boaz are at the threshing floor (Ruth 3:1–18). Boaz is presented as a “man of character” (Ruth 2:1).
Ruth the Moabite is loyal to Yahweh and Naomi.Īct 2: Ruth and Boaz the Judahite meet in the fields (Ruth 2:1–23).
All the males of this Israelite family leave Bethlehem and die in Moab, leaving Naomi without a male relative to care for her.Īct 1: Naomi returns (Ruth 1:7–22). Introduction & Prologue: The Book of Ruth begins by highlighting the Judges theme of Israel needing a king and exploring the misery and emptiness a singular family might experience during these dark times (Ruth 1:1–6). There is more to this story than meets the eye, which is why we’re doing a blog on it! It is the work of a person standing in the mid-stream of Israelite life and thought, a person wishing to communicate to his audience things very close to the heart of the Old Testament.” “The Book of Ruth is an intricately woven, magnificently crafted story. Edward Campbell says it best in the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary, But there is so much more below the surface.
If this is all you‘re looking for, it’s all you will find. You can read so many of the books of the Old Testament in search of a great children’s tale, suitable for bedtime stories.