The Book of Ruth, although one of the smallest books in the Old Testament, has many values displayed in its mere four chapters. Throughout the book, readers are shown the struggle of Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, as they try to survive in a patriarchal world. In chapter one Ruth and Naomi’s initial endeavor is revealed. Both Naomi and Ruth’s husbands die and they are left abandoned, but together, after Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. By chapter two Naomi and Ruth have made it to Bethlehem and Ruth encounters Boaz for the first time while gleaning in his fields. Chapter three is when Ruth and Boaz start to form a romantic relationship; after Naomi tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor and lay at Boaz’ feet. Ruth obeys and when Boaz is startled by her presence he does not cast her away, but instead Boaz asks her to “stay here for the night” (“Life Application Study Bible” 386). In the final chapter of Ruth she is wed to Boaz and they give birth to a son, Obed. The purpose of Ruth is to serve the Readers, by depicting themes that a modern Christian can still learn from including loyalty in the most dire of situations, stabilizing others with comfort and strength, and the love and redemption God offers. Loyalty is often the most talked about message from the Book of Ruth, as it is often the first trait one ties to Ruth’s character. Her loyalty lay foremost in God. Ruth was born a Moabite yet after coming to the God of Israel she never forsakes him. One illustration of this is in chapter one when Naomi urges Ruth by stating “’your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her’ (“Life Application Study Bible” 382)”. Ruth responds in verses sixteen through eighteen: Don't urge me to leave you or turn ba... ... middle of paper ... ... not have been fruitful in her lifetime, on the contrary both her and Naomi were ancestors to Christ. Works Cited Kroeger, Catherine, and Mary Evans. The IVP Women's Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2002. 146-53. Print. Life Application Study Bible. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. 380-87. Print. Mecca, Selamawit. The Portrayal of Women in the Old Testament: A Feminist Reading of the Books of Susanna, Judith and Ruth. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2012. . Morgenstern, Mira. "Ruth And The Sense Of Self: Midrash And Difference." Judaism 48.2 (1999): 131. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 4 Mar. 2012. Prinsloo, W. S.. "The Theologt of the Book of Ruth." Vetus Testamentum. BRILL, n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2012. .
The book of Ruth is a narrative love story. “The book of Ruth is one of the great love stories of all times” (Hindson & Towns, 2013, p. 111). The author of this book is anonymous. This book was believed to be written between 1020 – 1000 B.C. The key personalities, or people, in this book are: Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. The purpose for the book of Ruth is for the hope. This book teaches us that even when everything is going wrong, we can always find fulfillment in God. It also teaches us that even today God can use us just as He used Ruth. The book of Ruth has four chapters. The book starts off by telling us about Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law and Israelite woman, becoming a widow. Ruth attached herself to her and would not leave her side for anything. Next, it tells us how Ruth met her future husband, Boaz, a wealthy Israelite. God guided her to the field of Boaz and she was sent to glean, or pick up scraps, on the field that belonged to Boaz. In the field is where she met her prince. Then it goes in to telling us that Naomi comes up with a plan in order for Ruth to pro...
The Bible: The Old Testament. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 1. 7th ed. New York: Norton, 1999. 47-97.
To begin with, the dual narratives of the text here present a unique mixture of chronology and perspective. Moreover, noteworthy is also McBride’s usage of the rhetorical strategy of alternate chapters and parallelism. This can be seen when McBride remarkably places related chapters together to juxtapose the life of his mother and that of himself. This allows one to observe the parallelism in the two lives; and perhaps more importantly, understand the significance Ruth’s life has had on McBride. For example, McBride places the chapters “Shul” and “School” next to each other. Here, both Ruth and James are struggling and are trying to fit in but are rejected due to racial and social conflicts. Another example is, “The New Testament” and “The Old Testament.” Both of these chapters revolve around the embarrassment Ruth and James feel for their circumstances. In “The Ne...
Ostriker A. (2002). The book of ruth and the love of the land. Biblical Interpretation, 10 (4),
Ruth has an intriguing personality. She is very loving towards her family. She will do all in her power to improve the lifestyle of her family. When it appears that the deal for the house in Clybourne Park will fall through, she promises to dedicate all of her time to make the investment work. “Lena-I’ll work… I’ll work 20 hours a day in all the kitchens in Chicago…I’ll strap my baby on my back if I have to and scrub all the floors and wash all the sheets in America if I have to-but we have to MOVE!” she pleads to her mother-in-law (Hansberry140). Her plan is unrealistic and idealistic, but the well being of her family is more important to her than anything. Ruth is also witty and sarcastic at times. She cracks jokes to lighten the mood of her family when they’re worried. “Well that’s the way the cracker crumbles. Joke. (121)” When Beneatha and Mama are stressing over the neighborhood they are moving into, Ruth makes a witty joke to improve the mood. Ruth supervises the daily routine and well being of her family. She makes sure that everyone does what they are supposed to and stays on track. ...
Ruth is part of the larger literature narrative of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is a group of individual stories that together tell a larger story but do not rely on each other to create a formal story. Each story, has its own beginning and ending, where the conclusion often brings you back to the beginning of the story.
Davidson, Stibbs, and Kevan The New Bible Commentary W M B WM B Eerdmands publishing company Copyright June 1965
Ruth’s life is transformed when she gets her first boyfriend. Ruth says that her life changed when she fell in love with Peter (McBride 112). Ruth never sees love as a child. Her family cared for her but they did not love her the way Peter did. Ruth begins to learn to love from Peter and sees its value. Because she values love, she then later loves her children. Ruth’s two husbands also bring out her value for love. Ruth comes to rely on her two husbands. Her first husband Dennis brought her so much happiness and joy. Dennis provided for his family and loved Ruth so much. Ruth’s world changed, and she became a better person because of Dennis (McBride 234). Ruth learned the importance of relationships since her relationship with Dennis changed her so much. She was able to learn the traits that Dennis had and show them to her kids. Hunter Jordan, Ruth’s second husband, loved Ruth also. Hunter tells Ruth that he’ll help Ruth for the rest of his life (McBride 247). Hunter supports and loves Ruth and her family so Ruth values that relationship. Through Ruth’s boyfriend and two husbands, she learns to rely and value on love from other men. Ruth then gave her love back to her children to support them like her men supported her. Ruth’s unconditional love helps shape the children into the wonderful adults they
Metzger, Bruce M., David Hubbard Allan., and Glenn Barker W. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1982.
Attridge, Harold W., Wayne A. Meeks, and Jouette M. Bassler. The HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, including the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books with Concordance. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006. Print.
This quote that was said by Ruth had a significant meaning and also a purpose for it being put in the book.
Cecilia was diagnosed with cancer while Ruth was in high school and the day before her daughter’s graduation, she passed away (Salokar & Volcansek, 1996). One of the greatest influences on Ruth’s life was her mother and the values she instilled in her from a young age. Two of the greatest lessons that Ruth learned from her mother was to be independent and to be a lady, and by that she meant not to respond in anger but to remain calm in situations (Reynolds, 2009).... ... middle of paper ... ...
Shapira, Amnon. “ON WOMAN'S EQUAL STANDING IN THE BIBLE—A SKETCH: A FEMINIST RE-READING OF THE HEBREW BIBLE: A TYPOLOGICAL VIEW.” Hebrew Studies, vol. 51, 2010, pp. 7–42. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27913961.
I think one of the most prominent messages that spoke to me this week in the book of Ruth is that of the level of devotion that Ruth had not only to Naomi but also to the Lord. Ruth loved and respected her mother-in-law so much and felt such a responsibility to her that no matter what she was willing to follow her wherever even after she was given permission and even urged to return to her own mother’s home. It speaks to me about the reality of how faithful the Lord is to us when we reflect the obedience to kindness and that the Lord instructs us to treat our neighbors and family as. Ruth stands as an example of the reflection of giving to the Lord and him returning two fold, Ruth was good to Naomi and honored her and listened to her instructions
Geisler, Norman L. and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Rev. and expanded. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996.