Summary of the Book of Ruth

Author:
The Book of Ruth does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the Book of Ruth was written by the Prophet Samuel. Full article: Who wrote the book of Ruth? Who was the author of Ruth?

Date of Writing:
The exact date the Book of Ruth was written is uncertain. However, the prevalent view is a date between 1011 and 931 B.C.

Purpose of Writing:
The Book of Ruth was written for the Israelites. It teaches that genuine love may sometimes require uncompromising sacrifice. Regardless of our circumstances, we can live according to God’s principles. Genuine love and kindness will receive blessings. God abundantly blesses those who strive to live obedient lives. Obedient living does not permit “accidents” in God’s plan. God shows mercy to the merciful.

Key Verses:

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.'”

Ruth 3:9, “‘Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.'”

Ruth 4:17, “The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son.’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

Brief Summary:
The narrative of the Book of Ruth begins in the heathen land of Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea, and then transitions to Bethlehem. This true story unfolds during the dark days of failure and rebellion among the Israelites, known as the period of the Judges. A famine compels Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, to leave their Israelite home for Moab. Elimelech passes away, leaving Naomi with her two sons, who marry two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Subsequently, both sons pass away, and Naomi

S left alone with Orpah and Ruth in a foreign land. Orpah returns to her parents, but Ruth decides to stay with Naomi as they journey to Bethlehem. This tale of love and devotion narrates Ruth’s eventual marriage to a wealthy man named Boaz, by whom she bears a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus. Obedience brings Ruth into the privileged lineage of Christ.

Foreshadowings:
A significant theme of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, fulfilled his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from their circumstances (Lev: 25:47-49). This scenario is mirrored by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen.

Practical Application:
The sovereignty of our great God is clearly seen in the story of Ruth. He guided her every step of the way to become His child and fulfill His plan for her to become an ancestor of Jesus Christ «and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; », (Matthew 1:5). Similarly, we have the assurance that God has a plan for each of us. Just as Naomi and Ruth trusted Him to provide for them, so should we.

We see in Ruth an example of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Besides being devoted to her family (Ruth 1:15-18;Proverbs 31:10-12) and faithfully dependent on God (Ruth 2:12;Proverbs 31:30), we see in Ruth a woman of godly speech. Her words are lLoving, kind, and respectful, both to Naomi and to Boaz. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 “opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness” (v. 26). We could search far and wide to find a woman today as worthy of being our role model as Ruth.