Ruth
📜 Old Testament
🗺️ Overview
Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman who chooses to follow the God of Israel and becomes part of His redemptive plan. Set during the time of the Judges, the book highlights loyalty, providence, and the kindness of God. Ruth’s faithfulness leads to her role in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus.
💡 Ruth encourages believers to walk faithfully even in times of sorrow or uncertainty, trusting that God is at work behind the scenes. It teaches the value of loyalty, kindness, and redemptive love — pointing to the greater redemption found in Christ.
🏛️ Historical & Cultural Notes
Insights into the cultural, historical, or geographical background of the book.
Kinsman-Redeemer Custom
The concept of a kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: *goel*) was a legal provision in Israel to protect family inheritance and name.
📚 Source: NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
Moabite Background
Ruth’s Moabite heritage highlights God’s grace in bringing Gentiles into His covenant people.
📚 Source: ESV Study Bible
Threshing Floor Symbolism
Ruth’s approach to Boaz on the threshing floor was a culturally significant gesture of seeking protection and redemption.
📚 Source: IVP Bible Background Commentary
Genealogy of David
The final verses of Ruth connect the story directly to King David, making it a crucial link in the messianic line.
📚 Source: The Bible Project
📊 Book at a Glance
- 📝 Author
- Traditionally Samuel
- 📅 Date
- c. 1100 BC
- 📖 Chapters
- 4
- 🏷️ Genre
- Narrative / History
- 📍 Location
- Bethlehem and Moab during the time of the Judges
- 🧵 Main Themes
- God’s providence in everyday life, Faithfulness and loyalty in relationships, God’s inclusion of outsiders in His redemptive plan, Redemption through a kinsman-redeemer, The unfolding of God’s covenant promises
📚 Outline
- Ruth’s Commitment (Ch. 1)
- Ruth Meets Boaz (Ch. 2)
- Ruth’s Proposal (Ch. 3)
- Ruth’s Redemption and Lineage (Ch. 4)
📖 Key Stories
Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 1)
After the death of her husband, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi and follow her God, declaring, "Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
Ruth Gleans in Boaz’s Field (Ruth 2)
Ruth finds favor while gathering grain in Boaz’s field, showing God’s providence and Boaz’s generosity.
The Threshing Floor (Ruth 3)
Naomi instructs Ruth to seek protection from Boaz. Ruth approaches him in a culturally symbolic act, and he agrees to act as her redeemer.
Boaz Redeems Ruth (Ruth 4)
Boaz legally redeems Ruth and marries her. Their son Obed becomes the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the lineage of Christ.
👤 Key Figures
🔍 Christ Connections
How this book anticipates or reflects the person and work of Christ.
- TypologyRuth 3:9–13, Ephesians 1:7
Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer foreshadows Christ, our ultimate Redeemer, who rescues and restores His people.
- ProphecyRuth 4:17–22, Matthew 1:1–16
The genealogy at the end of Ruth links her to David and ultimately to Jesus, fulfilling God’s covenant promises.
- ThemeRuth 1:16, Galatians 3:28–29
God includes the outsider (a Moabite woman) in the Messiah’s family line, showing that redemption is for all nations.
🧠 Key Verses
"Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God." — Ruth 1:16
"The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel." — Ruth 2:12
"Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer." — Ruth 4:14
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