Bible Bookshelf (English Bible)

Hebrew Old Testament

Law of Moses (Torah) Prophets (Nebiim) Writings (Kethubhim)

Genesis Former Prophets Poetical Books

Exodus Joshua Psalms

Leviticus Judges Proverbs

Numbers Samuel Job

Deuteronomy Kings

Five Rolls (Megiloth)

Latter Prophets Song of Songs

Isaiah Ruth

Jeremiah Lamentations

Ezekiel Esther

The Twelve Ecclesiastes

Historical Books

Daniel

Ezra – Nehemiah

Chronicles

Ruth

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Purpose

• To show the sovereign and providential work of God in human relationships, resulting in the birth of King David, and the redemption of the inheritance of Alimelech and Naomi through a kinsman redeemer

• Came to be read during the celebration of the Barley Harvest

Key Word: Redemption

Major Themes:• The Sovereignty of God (1:13, 21; 2:12; 4:12-14)• Kinsman Redeemer (2:20; 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14)• The Providence of God (1, 2, 3, 4)• The Faithful People/Answered Prayer (1:8, 9, 17;

2:4, 12, 20; 3:10, 13; 4:11)• The Plan of God (4:22)

Structure

• The Return (1:1-22)

• The Encounter (2:1-22)

• The Proposal (3:1-18)

• The Redemption (4:1-17)

• Genealogy of Perez (Toledot) (4:18-21)

The Return (Ch. 1)

• Tragedy In Moab (1-5)– (Cf. Amos 4)

• The decision to return (6-18)– Ruth (The Moabitess pledges her loyalty to YHWH and

Naomi)– Deut 23:3; Isaiah 56:6-8

• Bitterness of Naomi (19-22)– Naomi is not pleasant– Foreshadowing of the Barley Harvest

The Encounter (Ch. 2)

• Boaz (the Goel) and Ruth meet (1-7)– “her chance chanced upon” the field of Boaz

• Boaz shows kindness to Ruth (8-17)

• Naomi’s joy over the kindness of Boaz (18-23)

The Proposal (Ch. 3)

• Naomi’s Instruction of Ruth (1-5)

• Ruth’s Request (6-15)

• Naomi’s Confidence (16-18)

Redemption (Ch. 4)

• The Legal Transaction (1-12)– The Redemption of Elimelech’s property and

continuation of his line

• The Son of Boaz and Ruth (13)

• The Son of Naomi (14-17)– Redemption of Naomi

– No longer bitter and empty, but full

The Genealogy of Perez (Ch. 4)

• Perez (of Judah) – The Chosen Twin (Brother Zerah)• Hezron• Ram• Amminadab• Nahshon• Salmon• Boaz (and Ruth)• To Obed• To Jesse• David• To Messiah (Matthew Ch. 1)

The Point

• David wasn’t a random choice, he was from the line of Judah

• His family line was from a faithful remnant in the midst of an apostate nation

• This book is in the writings because Israel’s hope was pinned to the promises of the Davidic Covenant and the “greater Son of David” – The Christ

Application

• God is Sovereign and has a plan

• God works providentially through human decisions, actions, and through our prayers

• God cares for the widows and orphans

• Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer

• No one is outside of the redemptive grace of God, even the most tragic life can find hope in Him, if they will but turn to Him.