Ray of Hope

Old Testament Reading Assignment Notes Chapter 14: RUTH Ray of Hope - - - One of the great love stories of all time. A Moabite widow who marries a wealthy and compassionate Israelite named Boaz. Ruth is the “lynchpin of the covenant”, and provides an essential key to the transition from the judges to the kings of Israel. Great Grandmother of King David. Ruth is a ray of light and hope for Israel’s future. God’s promise to Abraham that He would bless all nations begins to come to fruition through Boaz and Ruth. - Eventually, it would lead to the birth of the Messiah. Background “Reuit”--meaning, friendship. Samuel was the author even though it is thought to be anonymous. The story itself definitely occurred much earlier and reflects archaic forms of rustic Hebrew poetry and morphology. The main story is thought to have been written in the period of the judges. Four Key Elements: - First, the Moabites were the descendants of Lot who lived northeast of the Dead Sea, and because they worshipped Chemosh and opposed Israel’s entrance into Canaan, they were banned from entrance into Israel’s public worship assembly. - Second, the right of redemption gave the next of kin the responsibility of buying back property that was sold because of foreclosure due to poverty. - Keep property within the family. - Third, under the principle of Levirate marriage; the next of kin of a deceased man was to marry his widow and produce offspring in order to prevent the deceased man’s lineage and name from dying out. - Fourth, a Moabite or any of his descendants to the tenth generation, could not gain entrance into Israel’s public assembly. Message Reads like a four-act play Each chapter of the book is set in a different location. - (1) The plains of Moab (1) The plains of Moab - - (2) The fields of Bethlehem - (3) The threshing floor - (4) The city gate of Bethlehem CLIMAX: Ruth’s bold proposal and Boaz’s response to redeem the Gentile bride into the family of Israel. Ruth was an unlikely candidate in those times of national infidelity. - - She broke from her pagan background. This story takes place during an era where covenant curses were being rained down upon them and it was all due to their covenant unfaithfulness. Orpah (“neck”, “stubbornness”) is contrasted with Ruth (“friendship”) Naomi (“pleasantness”) wants to be called Mara (“bitterness”). Naomi is in need of a kinsman-redeemer. Redeemer//Hebrew-- “go’el” Ruth has a providential meeting with her future husband and kinsman-redeemer Boaz. Boaz (“in him is strength”) - A Davidic ancestor. RUTH’S VIRTUOUS CHARACTER Ruth completed the Davidic and Messianic lineage. Ruth’s first husband was Mahlon. Obed’s birth reversed Naomi’s prior emptiness and bitterness as she was given the fulfilling position of acting as the child’s nurse. Obed’s birth preserved the line that led to David. Ruth was worth more to Naomi than seven sons. Theological Significance Theme: hesed, which means “loving-kindness” or “covenant loyalty” is dominant throughout Ruth. The book deals with God’s faithfulness to His own covenants. God’s faithfulness to the seed of the Abrahamic covenant is evidenced through the preservation of the Davidic and messianic lines. The curses for disobedience associated with the Mosaic covenant are seen in the famine Israel was experiencing at the time. A unique characteristic of Ruth: Redeemer Motif--as an act of love and grace//mentioned 20 times in the book.