Ruth, The Book of

[He. Ruwth “friend”]

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)The Book of Ruth

Background: The story of family loyalty and loyalty to God, during the time of the Judge. The central character Ruth, was not an Israelite but believe in God and through her marriage to an Israelite (Boaz), became the great-grandmother of David, and an ancestor of Jesus. 4chs.

Author: Unknown

Date: and location: Though unknown, it had to be at least a few generations after the events it relates for 3 reasons

^The end of the book mentions David, the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth

^The opening expression “in the days when the judges ruled” implies an author who lived after that time

^mentions a custom “in those days” that apparently had fallen out of practice

Purpose:

*To document David’s godly ancestry
*Rest and security
*The hidden ways of God meets needs, 1:21; 4:16;3:17

Unique Features:

^provides a marvelous illustration of redemption. The law made provisions(Dt25:5-10Lv25:25-28) by kinsman redeemer(2:20; 3:9,12,13;4:1,3,6,8,14). This law sanctioned the ancient custom of levirate or “brother-in-law” marriage. In Ge38:1-10 records an incident in which it was disregarded. Ruth illustrates its proper application. Kinsman 3 qualification:*a blood relative *Willing to redeem*Able to pay the redemption price. A kinsman redeemer is a beautiful picture of Christ, who met all these qualifications (Ga4:4,5Eph1:7He2:14,15; 1P1:18,19)

Comparison:

Ge. -Ru.
*Contains example of God’s providence. Joseph and Abraham was in the right place at the right time.

*Genealogy started at 4:18 and it’s similarly begins with the same lists in Ge. and begins with the same Hebrew phrase as is found there.

Ru-Es
*Ruth, a Gentile who lived among the Jews. Esther, a Jew who lived among the Gentile.
*Ruth married a Jew; Esther married a Gentile
*Both had relatives to obey: Naomi for Ruth, Mordecai for Esther 

*Both books contains evidence of God’s providence overruling the “coincidences” of life

Abbreviations: Rth./ Rt./ Rut./Ru

MV: Jn21:24
Bib1Yr: Ez1-3Visions of God

Ruth MOVIE