Lecture Notes on the Book of Ruth

Introduction

• The Book of Ruth is a work of theological art.
• Explores God's involvement in daily life.
• Main characters: Naomi (widow), Ruth (Moabite), and Boaz (Israelite farmer).
• The story is structured into four chapters.

Chapter 1: Setting the Scene

• Opens with "In the days when the judges ruled"—a reference to difficult times from the Book of Judges.
• An Israelite family from Bethlehem moves to Moab due to famine.
  • Family: Father, Naomi (mother), sons (marry Moabite women Ruth and Orpah).
• Naomi's sons and husband die, leaving her with Ruth and Orpah.
• Naomi decides to return to Israel; Orpah stays, but Ruth insists on accompanying Naomi.
  • Ruth's loyalty: "Your people will become my people and your God, my God."
• Naomi returns, changes her name to Mara ("bitter" in Hebrew) due to her misfortunes.

Chapter 2: The Meeting with Boaz

• Naomi and Ruth discuss finding food; it is the beginning of the barley harvest.
• Ruth goes to find food and ends up in Boaz's field, a relative of Naomi.
• Boaz, a noble character, notices Ruth and shows generosity.
  • Boaz follows Torah's command to help immigrants and the poor.
• Boaz impressed by Ruth's loyalty, prays for her reward.
• Naomi learns about Boaz's kindness and realizes he is their "family Redeemer."
  • "Family Redeemer": Culturally, a relative responsible for marrying the widow, caring for land/family.

Chapter 3: Ruth's Proposal

• Naomi and Ruth devise a plan to approach Boaz for marriage and redemption.
• Ruth signals her availability for marriage by shedding mourning clothes.
• At Boaz's farm, Ruth clarifies her intentions, asking Boaz to redeem Naomi's family and marry her.
• Boaz praises Ruth's noble character, compares her to the Proverbs 31 woman.
• Plans to redeem Ruth and Naomi legally in front of town elders.

Chapter 4: Resolution and Legacy

• Boaz learns there's a closer relative eligible to redeem the family, but the relative declines.
• Boaz marries Ruth, acquiring Naomi's family property.
• Ruth's marriage and new son bring joy, reversing Naomi's earlier losses.
• The story's symmetry: initial tragedy and Ruth's loyalty mirrored by Boaz's loyalty.
• Concludes with genealogy: Ruth and Boaz's son, Oved, is King David's grandfather, connecting to the Messiah's lineage.

Themes and Reflections

• Minimal direct mention of God.
• God's providence is implicit, working through characters' actions and decisions.
• Naomi's perceived punishment is actually God's plan for restoration through Ruth's loyalty and Boaz's generosity.
• Explores the interplay of divine purpose and human will.
• Encourages reflection on God's work in ordinary life, connecting to broader redemption narrative.

Conclusion

• The Book of Ruth invites consideration of God's presence in life's mundane aspects.
• Highlights the integration of ordinary events into God's grand story of redemption.