Overview of the Book of Ruth

Ruth

Ruth 3:13(NKJV)

Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perfom the duty of a close

relative (kinsman-redeemer) for yo-good; let him do it. But if he does not want to

perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down

until morning."

Author

• The author for the book of Ruth is unknown. Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel

Date

• Ruth 1:1(NKJV) Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
• The days when the judges ruled
• Different beliefs on the date (1150-1100 B.C.) or (1050-1 000 B.C.)

Theme

• God's sovereign intervention brings universal redemption
• Kinsman-redeemer

Purpose

• The book of Ruth is written to demonstrate the sovereignty, mercy, and love of God. It begins with famine, death, and loss but ends in redemption and fruitfulness. 
• The book of Ruth was historically read during the Feast of Harvest because much of the story takes place during the harvesting of barley.

Content

• Naomi's Departure and Return: Ruth 1:1-22
• Ruth 1:1(NKJV)Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two Sons.
• Ruth 1:6(NKJV) Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.
• "Visited His People means that God came to the aid of His People
• Ruth 1:22(NKJV) So, Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
• Ruth the Young Moabite: Ruth 2:1-3:18
• Ruth 2:6(NKJV) So, the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
• Boaz Redeems Ruth: Ruth 4:1-22
• Ruth 4:13(NKJV) So, Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.
• Christ in the Book of Ruth
• Boaz as a type of Christ functioning in the role of the kinsman-redeemer paying the full price of freedom
• Jesus turning our mourning into dancing
• Bitterness into Better-ness
• Ruth a Moabite in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) GrOld Testament Survey eat-Grandmother of David

Proceed to 1 Samuel

Return to the Book of Judges

Proceed to the Book of 1 Samuel 

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