To begin, read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament of the Bible this week. It's only 4 short chapters, and the background which follows should be helpful.
BACKGROUND
This family story is set in early Old Testament history, the time of the judges in Israel, a 400 year period with no central government.
The book of Ruth is a bridge between the unruly end of the period of the judges in the beginning of the kingdom ruled by David and his descendents.
What's the story?
The book is set in the village of Bethlehem, in Judah. It gives us a picture of village life, including farming practices and how the city elders gathered at the Village gate to make decisions. Ruth may have been written as early as the time of David (1000 BCE) to tell the story of his foreign grandmother,. But probably it was written much later, after folks people returned from exile in Babylon. Folks then were suspicious of foreign women (see Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 13), and the book of Ruth would have encouraged them to be more open.
The book of Ruth moves from famine and death beginning to harvest and finally birth at the end. Naomi goes with her family to the enemy country of Moab because there is a famine in Israel. Her sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi's husband and sons die. She returns home to Bethlehem. Ruth, who pledges her loyalty to Naomi and to the God of Israel, returns with her. While working in the fields, Ruth meets Boaz, Naomi's relative. Even though Ruth comes from enemy people, Boaz realizes that she is loyal and worthy. He marries her to preserve the line of Naomi's family. Ruth is blessed by the whole village of Bethlehem. Boaz and Ruth give birth to a baby,, who becomes the grandfather of King David. The whole nation is blessed because of the loyalty of this devoted widow, this good man, and this foreign woman, Ruth.
What's the message?
The book tells a wonderful story about three of Israel's ancestors – Naomi a widow; Ruth, her former daughter-in-law; and Boaz, the wealthy farmer. Through acts of loyalty, generosity, and commitment, these three made possible the birth of King David's grandfather. They pave the way for the birth of Jesus. Martin Luther frequently mentions Ruth as an example that Gentiles (non-Jews) are included in the promises of God. He highlights her inclusion in the birth line of Jesus in Matthew one along with the foreigners Tomar and Rahab.
Ruth's story also helps us think about how ordinary people – including widows, farmers, and foreign women – can change the course of history for the better by acting out of loyalty and love. The book invites us to open up the idea of the family to include everyone. God does not act directly in the book. Rather, we see God acting indirectly through the interactions between people and in the many blessings that are scattered throughout the book.
This introduction is from the Lutheran study Bible.
BACKGROUND
This family story is set in early Old Testament history, the time of the judges in Israel, a 400 year period with no central government.
The book of Ruth is a bridge between the unruly end of the period of the judges in the beginning of the kingdom ruled by David and his descendents.
What's the story?
The book is set in the village of Bethlehem, in Judah. It gives us a picture of village life, including farming practices and how the city elders gathered at the Village gate to make decisions. Ruth may have been written as early as the time of David (1000 BCE) to tell the story of his foreign grandmother,. But probably it was written much later, after folks people returned from exile in Babylon. Folks then were suspicious of foreign women (see Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 13), and the book of Ruth would have encouraged them to be more open.
The book of Ruth moves from famine and death beginning to harvest and finally birth at the end. Naomi goes with her family to the enemy country of Moab because there is a famine in Israel. Her sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi's husband and sons die. She returns home to Bethlehem. Ruth, who pledges her loyalty to Naomi and to the God of Israel, returns with her. While working in the fields, Ruth meets Boaz, Naomi's relative. Even though Ruth comes from enemy people, Boaz realizes that she is loyal and worthy. He marries her to preserve the line of Naomi's family. Ruth is blessed by the whole village of Bethlehem. Boaz and Ruth give birth to a baby,, who becomes the grandfather of King David. The whole nation is blessed because of the loyalty of this devoted widow, this good man, and this foreign woman, Ruth.
What's the message?
The book tells a wonderful story about three of Israel's ancestors – Naomi a widow; Ruth, her former daughter-in-law; and Boaz, the wealthy farmer. Through acts of loyalty, generosity, and commitment, these three made possible the birth of King David's grandfather. They pave the way for the birth of Jesus. Martin Luther frequently mentions Ruth as an example that Gentiles (non-Jews) are included in the promises of God. He highlights her inclusion in the birth line of Jesus in Matthew one along with the foreigners Tomar and Rahab.
Ruth's story also helps us think about how ordinary people – including widows, farmers, and foreign women – can change the course of history for the better by acting out of loyalty and love. The book invites us to open up the idea of the family to include everyone. God does not act directly in the book. Rather, we see God acting indirectly through the interactions between people and in the many blessings that are scattered throughout the book.
This introduction is from the Lutheran study Bible.
RSS Feed