Verse ↓ Deeper Context ↓
3 Verses from ESV
- Ruth 1:16 - "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.'"
- Ruth 2:12 - "The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!"
- Ruth 4:14 - "Then the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!'"
Christian Theologians' Thoughts About This Book of the Bible:
These insights align with Ruth 1:16, where loyalty mirrors a man's call to unwavering commitment to his wife, children, and friends, reflecting Calvin's view of grace in action. Lewis's take on providence in 2:12 encourages trust in God's care over career and home, while Keller's focus on 4:14's redemption inspires a legacy of integrity, blessing a man's work and family leadership.
- John Calvin: A 16th-century reformer, Calvin emphasized God's sovereignty and grace in salvation, shaping Protestant theology with works like Institutes of the Christian Religion. In 1564, in a sermon delivered in Geneva, he highlighted Ruth as an example of divine election, noting how her inclusion as a foreigner in God's plan underscores grace over merit, encouraging believers to trust God's unseen purposes.
- C.S. Lewis: A 20th-century British writer and apologist, Lewis blended literary insight with Christian faith, famous for The Chronicles of Narnia. In a 1942 letter to a friend, later published in Letters of C.S. Lewis, he praised Ruth's story as a "perfect little tale" of providence, written during wartime to reflect on God's quiet work in ordinary lives, inspiring steadfastness amid chaos.
- Timothy Keller: A contemporary American pastor and author, Keller focused on applying biblical truths to modern life, notably through The Prodigal God. In a 2008 sermon at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, he called Ruth a model of "hesed" (loyal love), emphasizing its relevance to relationships, spoken to urge urban Christians to embody covenantal faithfulness.
Historical Setting and Author Background
The Book of Ruth unfolds during the tumultuous era of the Judges (circa 1200 BCE), a time of moral and political instability in Israel, marked by cycles of disobedience and deliverance. Set in Moab and Bethlehem, it contrasts the chaos of Judges with a quiet story of faithfulness. Tradition attributes authorship to Samuel, a prophet and judge active around 1100-1000 BCE, who likely recorded this narrative to preserve Israel's history and highlight David's ancestry, given Ruth's role as his great-grandmother. Though the exact date of composition is debated, it likely emerged post-exile to affirm God's ongoing covenant.
Samuel's purpose was to showcase God's providence amid human frailty, offering a counterpoint to Judges' darkness. By weaving a tale of loyalty and redemption, he aimed to inspire Israel to trust God's plan, even through foreigners like Ruth, reinforcing the inclusivity of God's promise leading to David and, ultimately, Christ.
Ruth 1:16's pledge of loyalty reflects a man's resolve to anchor his household in faith, despite a chaotic world, mirroring Samuel's intent to show stability in God's care. The blessing in 2:12 ties to trusting divine reward in labor and relationships, while 4:14's celebration of redemption encourages a man to build a godly legacy, applying Samuel's hope to marriage and community leadership.
A Timeline of the Top Five Events and People
- Famine in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1) - Elimelech's family flees to Moab due to famine, setting the stage for cross-cultural encounters. This reflects God's sovereignty over Israel's hardships (Old Testament) and foreshadows Christ's provision (New Testament).
- Death of Elimelech and Sons (Ruth 1:3-5) - Naomi loses her husband and sons, leaving her and her daughters-in-law vulnerable. This tests faith, linking to Job's trials and Christ's redemption of the broken.
- Ruth's Commitment to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17) - Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, a pivotal act of loyalty. It echoes covenant themes in Genesis and points to the church's unity in Christ.
- Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field (Ruth 2:2-12) - Boaz protects and provides for Ruth, embodying the kinsman-redeemer. This prefigures Christ's role as Redeemer in both Testaments.
- Birth of Obed (Ruth 4:13-17) - Ruth and Boaz's son, Obed, becomes David's grandfather, tying the story to Israel's monarchy and Christ's lineage (Matthew 1:5).
Hebrew Word Origins and Pronunciations, Meanings of Significant Terms
- Loyalty - Hesed (kheh'-sed) - Covenant love or steadfast kindness, central to Ruth's actions.
- Redeemer - Go'el (go-ale') - A kinsman who restores or avenges, as Boaz does for Ruth and Naomi.
- Bethlehem - Beit-Lechem (bate-lekh'-em) - "House of Bread," the setting symbolizing provision.
- Naomi - No'omi (no-oh-mee') - "Pleasant," ironic given her bitterness, yet restored through Ruth.
- Ruth - Rut (root) - Possibly "friend" or "companion," reflecting her role.
Greek Word Origins and Pronunciations, Meanings of Significant Terms
Since Ruth is an Old Testament book, Greek terms appear in the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation influencing New Testament connections:
- Refuge - Kataphugē (kat-af-oo-gay') - Shelter or trust, as in Ruth 2:12 (LXX), echoing Psalm 91.
- Blessed - Eulogētos (yoo-log-ay-tos') - Praised, used in Ruth 4:14 (LXX), akin to New Testament blessings.
- People - Laos (lah-os') - Community, in Ruth 1:16 (LXX), linking to God's chosen.
Major and Minor Themes
- Major: Providence - God orchestrates events for good, as seen in Ruth's journey.
- Major: Redemption - Boaz's role foreshadows Christ's ultimate redemption.
- Minor: Loyalty - Ruth's devotion to Naomi exemplifies covenant love.
- Minor: Inclusion - A Moabite's place in God's plan shows His expansive grace.
Modern-Day Example of Applying This Book of the Bible and Takeaways for Modern TimesA modern man might mirror Ruth by supporting his family through a job loss, choosing to stay committed rather than retreat into despair. Like Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field, he could take on humble work to provide, trusting God's provision (Ruth 2:12). This reflects Psalm 37:3's call to "trust in the Lord and do good," showing a husband's strength in perseverance and a father's lesson in resilience for his kids.
This faithfulness extends to friendships, where he might stand by a struggling friend, embodying "hesed" as Christ did (John 15:13). Introspectively, a godly man asks: Am I leaning on God's wings (Ruth 2:12) or my own strength? Ruth's story urges him to lead with grace, building a home where loyalty and redemption shine, pointing his family to Christ's love.
Connections to Other Biblical Passages
Old Testament Connections
- Genesis 12:1-3 - Ruth's inclusion as a foreigner echoes God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 - Boaz's role as kinsman-redeemer aligns with Levirate marriage laws.
- Matthew 1:5 - Ruth's place in Jesus' genealogy ties her to the Messiah.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 - Her acceptance as a Gentile prefigures the church's inclusion in Christ.
Summary
Ruth reveals God's quiet work in ordinary lives, weaving loyalty, provision, and redemption into a tapestry that spans Testaments. A man today can draw from Ruth's resolve to lead his home with faithfulness, trust God in his labor, and leave a legacy of grace, rooted in Christ's ultimate redemption.
- Where do I turn when life unravels—self or God? Ruth 1:16 challenges a man to cling to faith and family, building a resilient household.
- How will my choices shape those I love? Ruth 4:14 prompts him to act with purpose, trusting God to redeem his efforts for his children and friends.
Father,
Guide us in our reading of Ruth today to walk in loyalty and trust, leading their homes with strength and grace. May they find refuge under Your wings in their work and relationships, and may their lives reflect Your redemptive love, blessing their families and friends.
Amen.