Summary
Loyalty, redemption, and God's quiet providence in an ordinary family's story.
by Dr. David Silver2 min read
Read the Summaryby Dr. David Silver2 min read
The book of Ruth bridges the time of the judges, when there was no king, with Samuel/Kings which shows the start of Israel’s kings up until the Babylonian Exile. By New Testament (NT) times, this book was included on a scroll with four other books, together known as the Megilloth. These scrolls were read at Festival times. Ruth was typically read at Pentecost.
This book shows the legitimacy of the line of David, since Ruth was David’s great grandmother. It ties Ruth, and therefore David, back to the Patriarchs. She is one of four women named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1: 5. It was likely written during Solomon’s reign, and the author was unknown (some credit Samuel as the author).
When famine hit Bethlehem (house of bread), Elimelech (his name means my God is king) took his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Kilion (their names mean sickly and piney) and went to Moab. Jews were not supposed to leave Israel due to famine, but rather they were to trust God and his provision. Israel did not have good relations with Moab after the Exodus or during the time of the judges. Both sons married Moabite women. All three men died over the period of a decade.
Noami eventually heard there was food again in Israel and decided to go home. Ruth went with her, but Orpah (her name means to turn the shoulder) did not. The key word in Ruth 1 is ‘shuv’, which means return, go back, or repent. Ruth makes commitments to Naomi, Israel, and God. They return to Bethlehem during the harvest- a hint that everything will be fine.
God is working, even through ordinary days and people. Ruth goes out to glean and ‘just happens’ to end up in Boaz’s field, one of their kinsmen redeemers. Boaz provides protection, food, and water for Ruth. He allows her to eat at the table with him and to take leftovers to Naomi.
Over time, Naomi realizes Ruth should remarry and they should consider Boaz to help their situation. Ruth goes to the threshing floor after taking off her widow clothes and lays down at Boaz’s feet after he has fallen asleep. When he wakes up, Ruth ‘proposes’ their solution. Boaz is willing to consider this plan and promises to deal with the situation quickly.
Boaz asks the closer relative, with elders and witnesses at the city gate, if he is willing to buy the land from Naomi. When he says yes, Boaz tactfully tells him that the package also would entail obtaining a wife, namely the Moabite Ruth. The other man balks and Boaz declares himself the redeemer. He marries Ruth and she has a baby named Obed. The genealogy leading to King David ends the book. This family line also points to our great Redeemer Jesus Christ, who was a son of David.
Structure
Chapter 1
Famine takes Elimelech’s family to Moab, where the men die; Naomi returns home bitter, and Ruth refuses to leave her.
Chapter 2
Ruth goes out to glean and “happens” on the field of a kinsman-redeemer, who protects and provides for her.
Chapter 3
At Naomi’s direction Ruth asks Boaz to redeem them, and he promises to settle it at once.
Chapter 4
Boaz secures the right to redeem at the city gate, marries Ruth, and their son Obed becomes the grandfather of David.
Key Themes
01
God is at work in ordinary days and ordinary people, unannounced.
02
Hesed — loyal, unearned kindness — is shown by Ruth, by Boaz, and by God.
03
The kinsman-redeemer takes on another’s need at cost to himself.
04
A Moabite woman is brought into Israel and into the line of the king.
05
A gleaner’s day of work turns out to be part of the story of salvation.
The Challenge We Face
Boaz is the kinsman-redeemer: a relative with the right, the means, and the willingness to pay what another cannot.
The book closes on a genealogy that runs to David, and Matthew picks it up and runs it to Jesus, naming Ruth the Moabite among His ancestors. The Redeemer who buys back what was lost, and who gathers outsiders into His people, is the one this quiet story is reaching toward.
Apply Scripture
God is working in seasons that feel empty and ordinary.
Loyal kindness to one person can change the course of a family.
Bitterness is honest, and God is not put off by it.
Redemption always costs the redeemer something.
No one is too far outside to be brought in.
Study guides
You've seen the big picture. Now explore the book verse by verse with our practical Bible Study Guide.
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