Discover how true love requires some sacrifices, through the Book of Ruth, which is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel.
Book of Ruth
The book of Ruth belongs to the Old Testament whose main character is a Moabite woman named Ruth. From this woman descends our Lord Jesus Christ and King David.
In the Judaic context of Ruth's time we must remember that women were denigrated. Likewise, the people of Israel did not have any type of communion with foreign nations like Moab. Therefore, it is surprising that in the Holy Scriptures we find the name of one of the books with the name of a Moabite woman.
The location of the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament corresponds to the structure proposed by the Septuagint, since its organization will depend on historical and chronological events.
Reviewing the events of the Book of Judges, we can appreciate the disobedience and decadence of God's chosen people to the Law. Sin, disobedience and corruption leave the believer with deep sadness. Then the Book of Ruth emerges where we realize that people like this woman become virtuous, as established in the Book of Proverbs, in Chapter 31 and as expressed by Boaz in the following verse of the Holy Scriptures
Ruth 3:11
11 Now then, do not be afraid, my daughter; I will do with you what you say, because all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
Highlights of the Book of Ruth
The title of the book corresponds to a Moabite woman who is the great-grandmother of the King of David and from this lineage descends our Lord Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:21-22; Matthew 1:1-5).
Historic context
The Book of Ruth unfolds in the time of the judges. A time characterized by disobedience, sin, moral corruption of God's chosen people to the covenant.
Judges 3:12
12 The children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the LORD strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
Likewise, we must remember that Israel was to avoid contamination with other Gentile nations. However, there was a period of peace between Israel and Moab
1 Samuel 1: 1-2
1 There was a man from Ramataim from Zophim, from Mount Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuf, an Ephraitean.
2 And he had two wives; the name of one was Ana, and that of the other, Penina. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
Author and date
The Holy Scriptures do not reveal who was the author of the Book of Ruth, therefore it is unknown. The Jews attribute the book to the prophet Samuel. However, there are some detractors of this idea, because of the literary style some believe that it was written in the monarchical period. Others differ that it was Samuel because the fact of mentioning King David supposes a later period than the times of the prophet (Ruth 4:17, 22).
Ruth 4:17
17 And the neighbors gave her a name, saying: A son has been born to Naomi; and they called him Obed. This is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Central theme
The central theme of the Book of Ruth is to highlight filial love and agape in human relationships. We can see how Ruth refuses to leave his mother-in-law Naomi alone, after her children died (Ruth 1: 16-7; 2: 11-12; 3:10; 4:15)
We can also appreciate Boaz's affection not to abandon two widows (Naomi and Ruth). This Israelite shows his obedience to God's Law (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10) on love of neighbor. As a product of love and obedience, the Lord blesses these characters (Ruth 2.2; 3:9)
The fact that Ruth was accepted through marriage into an Israelite family is added. This virtuous woman gives all her love unconditionally to her mother-in-law. She is faithful to him to the end. This unconditional love towards her mother-in-law makes her worthy of being received in Israel and therefore to be the ancestor of King David and of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The story of Ruth represents the behavior that women who confess God as our Savior should have. Ruth is the living example of what it means to be a virtuous woman and of the great blessings that this gives. If you want to know more about the characteristics that define us as daughters of the Lord, we invite you to enter the following link Woman of God
This means that it is not by blood, nor by nationality that we will be under the promise, but by the will of God and the grace that he has given us for those of us who have believed in his Son and in doing his will.
Romans 1: 5
5 and through whom we receive grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith in all nations for his name's sake;
Literary Characteristics of the Book of Ruth
This is one of the Hebrew stories that is told from a literary point of view that keeps so much warmth, beauty, opacity and manages to convey the feeling of whoever was the author of this book.
Ruth, as described throughout this wonderful book of the Holy Scriptures, shows how important it is to follow in Jehovah's footsteps and have a heart disposed to what should be and not what is desired.
This is a book begins with a feeling of pain and anguish as can be seen at the beginning of this book. As the biblical passages unfold, we marvel at how love for our neighbor accompanied by the mercy of the Lord can restore Faith and tranquility to our hearts.
Ruth 1:16-17
16 Ruth replied: Do not beg me to leave you, and separate me from you; because wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.
17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried; so do Jehovah, and even add to me, that only death will make separation between us two.
In the same way, to understand a little more the context of the book of Ruth, we leave you the following video
Ruth's bravery
The decision that guides the entire book of Ruth is when she decides to enter Israel to accompany her mother-in-law. She didn't mind ceasing to be what she was to always accompany the mother of her recently deceased husband.
The biblical passage that we have placed previously (Ruth 1:16-17) clearly demonstrates through different verbs what was the disposition that Ruth had in her heart. By using the word pray we can find the definition of the Hebrew tyfgei which refers to not only being urged to do some action but that Naomi was in a position to aggressively pressure Ruth to leave her because she considered that she still had enough life and that she would be an obstacle in it .
However, Ruth's love for her mother-in-law was greater and she did not abandon her at any time. No matter what, Rut and Nohemí were always together at all times.
book outline
To study the Book of Ruth we must structure our outline, which is summarized as follows:
The family crisis (Ruth 1:1-21)
- The scene of the crisis (1:1-2)
- The nature of the crisis (1:3-5)
- The crisis response (1:6-18)
- The interpretation of the crisis (1:19-21)
The ray of hope for the family (Ruth 1:22-2:23)
- The New Stage (1:22-2:23)
- Ruth's initiative (2:2-3)
- Boaz's grace (2:4-16)
- The results (2:17-23)
The complication for the family (Ruth 3:1-18)
- Naomi's plan (3:1-5)
- The execution of the plan (3:6-15)
- The results of the plan (3:16-18)
The rescue of the family (Ruth 4:1-17)
- The legal resolution (4:1-12)
- The genealogical resolution (4:13-17)
Epilogue: the royal genealogy (Ruth 4:18-22)
Characters and their meanings
- Elimelech: Naomi's husband and his name means "My God is King"
- Naomi: She is the wife of Elimelek and means "Pleasant"
- Malhon: Son of Elimelek and Naomi. It means "sick"
- Chilion: Son of Elimelek and Naomi and means "Paliducho"
- Ruth: The woman descended from Moab and means "Friend, Companion, Gazelle"
- Boaz: Descendant of Raab. It means in him is the strength»
Summary of each of the Chapters
The Book of Ruth as we have been able to determine has four chapters
Chapter I
Ruth receives Moabite as an adjective because it descends from Moab, the son of the incest between Lot and his daughter. The land of Moab today is Jordan, which is geographically east of Israel.
This chapter tells the story of a family from the tribe of Judah who must emigrate to Moab, as Israel was facing a terrible famine that triggered a number of terrible deaths. The family members are: Elimekek (Naomi's husband); Naomi the wife; Malhón and Chilion (children of Naomi) and later Ruth enters as wife.
Chapter II
Introduce the story to Boaz. This would be Ruth's future husband after she was widowed. From the union of both, King David and the Lord Jesus Christ would descend.
Chapter III
When a woman was widowed, she was totally helpless. It is the case of Ruth. In this chapter, Naomi tells Ruth to go seek Boaz's care and protection so that she can be redeemed.
Chapter IV
This biblical passage tells us how Boaz buys the land of Elimelech. This territory was inherited by Malhón and Chilion. Of course, Ruth was included in this negotiation. As we have noted, in Israel every name had a meaning.
This transaction symbolizes how our Lord Jesus Christ takes possession of the promised land, which was the inheritance of "sick" and "palidy" people. Also, on this earth there is a treasure that is Ru, the faithful friend, companion who represents the Church.