Why study the book of Ruth? The book of Ruth reveals the actions of God in taking what appears on the surface to be devastation and turns it into a beautiful love story and a story of redemption that points to the future redemptive role of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Ruth contains lessons of faith, hope, obedience, compassion and God’s providence that all believers need to learn and apply.
The Significance of the book of Ruth
The setting for the story of Ruth is during the days of the Judges as is stated in the first verse of Ruth. The book of Ruth is appended to the book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible. It is likely that Samuel wrote the book near the time of David’s ascendency to the throne of Israel, in 1011 BC. There are a few significant purposes revealed in the book. (1) God allowed a gentile woman to be a prominent ancestor of both king David and the Messiah, Jesus Christ, (Matthew 1:5-6). (2) God uses famine to protect His chosen people and preserve the lineage of the Messiah as He also did with Jacob and his sons (Genesis 41-50). (3) God allowed Boaz to be a family (kinsmen) redeemer for Naomi and Ruth, which is a depiction of the future role of the Messiah Jesus Christ, as a redeemer to all mankind.
Basic Outline and story of the book of Ruth
A Return Home: Chapter 1
Ruth was born in Moab, a country that was a long-time enemy of Israel. She married one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi who had moved from Bethlehem in Judah to Moab because of a famine in their land. Her husband died, as well as her father-in-law, Elimelech. Naomi’s other son also died in Moab, and she was left with two daughters-in-law. Upon hearing that food was plentiful again in Judah, she decided to move back to her home country. Ruth pledged to accompany Naomi and to also to worship the God of Israel. Naomi’s other daughter-in-law decided to remain in Moab.
A Relative Helps Chapter 2
Upon arriving in Judah, Ruth desired to gather the leftovers of the corn harvest from the field of Boaz who was a relative of Naomi’s husband Elimelech. Knowing the desperate situation that she and Naomi found themselves, Ruth hoped to find favor with Boaz. Boaz had learned how Ruth had cared for Naomi and invited Ruth to remain gathering the harvest from his field. Boaz was kind to Ruth and Naomi informed her that he was a close relative and was one of their “redeemers.”
A Romance Happens: Chapter 3
Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek a marital relationship with Boaz by a time-honored practice of “uncovering the feet” of Boaz and lay down at his feet while he was sleeping. Boaz awoke and discovered Ruth was laying at his feet. Ruth said to Boaz, “spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” This was a plea for marriage between them and Boaz responded that he would redeem her if another relative who was a closer family redeemer member would not.
A Redeemer Hastens: Chapter 4
Boaz immediately spoke to the other relative. This relative was willing to redeem Naomi and Ruth from their financial burdens but when confronted with the need to marry Ruth, as part of the redemption process, he refused. So, this allowed Boaz, legally as the next nearest family redeemer, to redeem Naomi and Ruth financially and also to marry Ruth. Their marriage resulted in a son called Obed, who later fathered a son called Jesse who was the father of David who would become the king of Israel.
Verses to memorize from Ruth
1:16 But Ruth replied, don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (NIV)
2:12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. (NIV)
3:10 The Lord bless you, my daughter, he replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. (NIV)
4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! (ESV)
Resources for studying the book of Ruth
See the article on how to study the Bible for suggestions on the method of Bible study and recommended resources to obtain. Suggested commentaries and studies are listed below for a more extensive study. Some are available on-line in a pdf format.
One Hour – One Book: Scroll down to video on Ruth
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSrCJNW5eUWQMyVw_2VqW_w
Commentaries
Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. New American Commentary, Broadman & Holman, 1999.
Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. A Commentary on Judges and Ruth. Kregel Publications, 2013.
Constable, Thomas. Notes on Ruth, latest edition. Online at Plano Bible Chapel.
Huey, F. B. Ruth. Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 3. Zondervan, 1992.
Lewis, Arthur. Judges and Ruth. Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody. 1979.
Reed, John W. Ruth. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Vol. 1, Victor Books, 1985.
Younger, K. Lawson, Jr. Judges and Ruth. NIV Application Commentary, Zondervan, 2002.
Studies
Constable, Thomas L. A Theology of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. In A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, pp. 89-113. Moody Press, 1991.
Dyer, Charles H., and Eugene H. Merrill. Nelson’s Old Testament Survey. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001.
Gardiner, George E. The Romance of Ruth. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1977.
Hanna, Kenneth G. From Moses to Malachi: Exploring the Old Testament. 2nd ed. CrossBooks, 2014.
Leggett, Donald A. The Levirate and Goel Institutions in the Old Testament with Special Attention to the Book of Ruth. Mack Publishing Co., 1974.
This Survey is posted in .pdf format below for downloading to your computer