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How the Book of Ruth fits in with the overarching story of the Bible
How the Book of Ruth fits in with the overarching story of the Bible
How the Book of Ruth fits in with the overarching story of the Bible
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Introduction
The book of Ruth is one of the most beloved books in the Old Testament. The themes contained in Ruth include, but are not limited to the following: (1) the lineage of David is traced back to Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17), (2) the tender love story between Ruth and Boaz, and (3) the faithfulness of Ruth towards Naomi (Ruth 1:13-18). As endearing as these themes and other might be, the primary theme in the book of Ruth is expressed in the Hebrew concept חֶסֶד (hesed). The חֶסֶד (hesed) of God expresses itself especially in the restoration of Naomi (לְמֵשִׁ֣יב נֶ֔פֶשׁ a restorer of life) through the union between Ruth and Boaz.
The need for restoration can be seen when Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem. Upon the return to Bethlehem, the women asked “Is this Naomi?” (הֲזֹ֥את נָעֳמִֽי) Ruth 1:19. The response of Naomi expresses the nature of the problem (Ruth 1:20-21): (1) “for the Almighty has brought bitterness in reference to me” (כִּי־הֵמַ֥ר שַׁדַּ֛י לִ֖י מְאֹֽד) , (2) “and the LORD has testified against me” (וַֽיהוָה֙ עָ֣נָה בִ֔י) , and (3) “and the Almighty has brought hurt to me” (וְשַׁדַּ֖י הֵ֥רַֽע לִֽי). It is not just Naomi who felt that God had brought judgment upon the house of Elimelech.
Earlier in the chapter (Ruth 1:16-7) Ruth gave her great statement of support for Naomi and trust in the God of Israel. In the midst of the declaration Ruth showed that she was convinced that God had judged the house of Elimelech. Ruth made two statements in verse 17: (1) “may the LORD do so to me” (כֹּה֩ יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה יְהוָ֥ה לִי), and (2) “and more also” (וְכֹ֣ה יֹסִ֔יף). These statements by Ruth are in reference to yet another earlier statement by Naomi.
In the midst of the appeal to Ruth and Orpah, Naomi made th...
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Growing up, Ruth had a rough childhood growing up in a very strict jewish household. Her family was poor, her mother was physically handicapped, her father was verbally and physically abusive, and she faced prejudice and discrimination from her neighbors and classmates because she
It was there that Ruth vowed that she would never leave Naomi and declared that she would adopt Naomi’s people as her own. Therefore, the reader can infer that Ruth actions showed that she was very loyal and compassionate to Naomi. It is also indicated in the amount of strength and selflessness it must have taken for somebody to travel lengths to a foreign place and adopt such policies and faith.
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With these interpretations of God’s words, society as a whole has held women back. This is caused by the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge and because Eve gave Adam the fruit, women have been held in responsibility for all of man’s mistakes. It also forced God to punish mankind with an ending life. This confirms why women have been discriminated on by men throughout time in religious scripture.
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