“Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.” (Matthew 1:5-6a, ESV)
A portion of Matthew's recording of Jesus' lineage
The first verse of the Book of Ruth informs us that the book was written during the period of the Judges (originally part of the book of Judges). It is difficult to believe that this elegant love story took place during this brutal, corrupt, and power-hungry period of time. From this love story we get to see a rare view into the early Jewish lifestyle and see firsthand how the laws of gleaning, redemption, and marriage actually worked. The book is also regarded as one of the greatest literary stories ever!
The Book of Ruth is not only a love story about human relations it also shows us God’s love for us and why redemption required God to become a man (a kinsman). The Book also offers several prophetic types involving our Kinsman Redeemer, Israel, and the Church. This book also ties the House of David with the tribe of Judah (whose genealogy is not revealed in the following book of 1 Samuel) thereby providing a critical element in the Messianic genealogy, which explains why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Most scholars believe that the story of Ruth took place during the time Gideon (approximately 1130 BC). The famine mentioned in Ruth seems to correspond to the oppression by the Midianites and Israel’s subsequent deliverance (see Judges 6:3-4).
I. Naomi loses her Family (1:1-5)
II. Naomi returns from Moab (1:6-22)
A. Ruth pledges to go with Naomi (1:6-18)
B. Naomi’s bitter return to Bethlehem (1:19-22)
III. Ruth goes to work in the fields of Boaz (2:1-23)
A. Ruth begins to work (2:1-7)
B. Ruth and Boaz meet (2:8-16)
C. Ruth returns to Naomi (2:17-23)
IV. Ruth visits Boaz at the threshing floor (3:1-18)
A. Naomi’s instructions (3:1-5)
B. Boaz pledges to redeem Ruth (3:6-15)
C. Ruth returns to Naomi (3:14-18)
IV. Boaz redeems Ruth (4:1-12)
A. Closest relative decides not to redeem (4:1-6)
B. Marriage of Ruth and Boaz (4:7-12)
V. Naomi gains a family (4:13-17)
VI. The genealogy of Boaz (4:18-22)
© 2022 by David A. Heywood. All rights reserved. Published by Rediscover the Bible Ministries, Inc.
Unless otherwise noted or verses marked ESV, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
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