1 Dickson Teacher’s Bible Ruth

Dickson
Teacher’s Bible

RUTH

Roger E. Dickson

2017
Dickson Teacher’s Bible, www.africainternational.org
Ruth - Roger E. Dickson, © 2010, 2017: Africa International Missions, Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A., Cape Town, South Africa
2 Dickson Teacher’s Bible Ruth

RUTH
WRITER
It is not known who wrote this book. Some have attributed the book to either
Samuel, Hezekiah, or Ezra. Since the Holy Spirit has not given us a clear understand-
ing of who wrote the book, we assume that the writer is not important. The fact that it
passed Jewish scrutiny of inspired literature in order to be added to the canon of Old
Testament Scriptures is enough proof to consider it a part of the Holy Scriptures.

DATE
The historical background of the book rests in the period of the judges from
1,000 to 1300 B.C. King David is mentioned by name (4:22). We would assume,
therefore, that it was written after his birth and during his kingship. Since King So-
lomon is not mentioned, we would assume that he had not yet been anointed as king in
Israel. Samuel lived in the early reign of David, and thus, if he were the author we would
conclude that the book was written sometime during the reign of David.

BOOK
The historical events of the book cover a period of ten to fifteen years. The
name of the book is derived from a young widow named Ruth. Some have assumed
that the book served as an appendix to the book of Judges and an introduction to 1
Samuel. However, its true purpose is discovered in 4:18-22 where David is men-
tioned in the genealogy of Boaz. The significance of this portion of the Messianic
genealogy is revealed in Matthew 1:1-14 where it is recorded that through Boaz and
Ruth, the Messiah was born into the world (See Lk 3:32).
The book reveals the spiritual stature that was characteristic of many people
during the early history of Israel when many political events were transpiring, which
events were described in Judges and continued in 1 Samuel. Throughout the cycle
of sin and repentance of Israel during these years, the book of Ruth reveals that
there were those in Israel who remained faithful to the Lord and thus carried on with
their normal lives. After laboring through the national perils of the book of Judges,
one finds relief in the love story of Ruth. Not all were evil in Israel.
The book reveals the life of the Gentiles, for Ruth was a Gentile who committed
her faith to the God of Israel. Israel’s priesthood to the nations of the world is
revealed as Ruth is a true convert to the one true and living God. Ruth would be a
descendant from Lot’s son, Moab (Gn 19:37). She was a Gentile outside the cov-
enant that God had established with Israel at Mt. Sinai. Through her marriage to
Boaz, however, she and her descendants were brought into God’s covenant with
Israel. Though the Moabites were idolaters who worshiped Chemosh, she was con-
verted to the God of Israel through the faithfulness of her mother-in-law, Naomi.
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Outline: (1) Migration to Moab (1:1- to Ruth (3:1-18), (6) Redemption of

5), (2) The faith of Ruth (1:6-18), (3) Elimelech’s inheritance (4:1-12), (7)
Return to Bethlehem (1:19-22), (4) Ruth Ancestry of David (4:13-22)
meets Boaz (2:1-23), (5) Boaz commits

CHAPTER 1
MIGRATION TO MOAB was the initial wish of Naomi that both
1:1-5 When the judges ruled: The Orpah and Ruth return to their home
activities of the judges are recorded in the country in order to marry among their
book of Judges. The book of Judges cov- own people and have a home among the
ers a period of about 350 years. We could Moabites. Are there still more sons in
assume from the statement that is made my womb: This is a reference to the levi-
here that there were more than 14 judges rate law of Deuteronomy 25:5,6 (See Gn
for this great period of time. If there were 38:8-11). If a husband died, it was the
only 14 judges, then there were possibly responsibility of his brother to take his
times when there were no judges minis- widow as a wife and raise up a heritage
tering in Israel. Throughout the years of in the name of his dead brother. Naomi,
national sin and restoration, people as however, reminded the two young girls
Naomi, Elimelech and Boaz sought to be that she would have no more sons.
true servants of God where they lived. 1:15-18 Your people will be my
Famine: This may have been a famine people: This was Ruth’s commitment to
that was brought on Israel because of one change culturally in order to identify with
of her periods of digression into sin. the people of Naomi (Compare com-
Elimelech: This name means “God is ments 1 Co 9:19-23). Your God my God:
king.” If the name were given by a While in Moab Ruth may have retained
mother and father who were truly God some allegiance to Chemosh, the god of
fearing, then we could assume that the the Moabites. However, she was willing
family of Elimelech maintained this to truly convert to the God of Israel. She
genuine faith. The name Mahlon means was willing to relinquish her past in or-
“sickly,” and Chilion means “wasting der to remain committed to her mother-
away.” Both names identify the death of in-law, Naomi, and the future.
these two sons of Elimelech and Naomi
while they were in Moab. Ephrathites: RETURN TO BETHLEHEM
These were from Ephrathah which was 1:19-22 Is this Naomi: The return
close to Bethlehem (See 4:11; Gn 35:19; of Naomi caused a stir in the community,
48:7; 1 Ch 4:4; Mc 5:2). Both Orpah and which stir indicated that everyone knew
Ruth were Gentile Moabites. that she and her husband had emigrated
to the Gentile territory of Moab, but now
THE FAITH OF RUTH had returned. Mara: This name means
1:6-14 That you may find rest: It “bitter” or “sad.” Instead of complain-
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ing to the Lord about her misfortunes in not told if the hard times that Naomi ex-
Moab, Naomi believed that it was the perienced in Moab were God’s discipline
Lord’s discipline that caused her afflic- to bring her and Ruth back to Palestine
tion. She did not despise the discipline where Ruth would become a link in the
of the Lord (See Hb 12:7-11). We are Messianic lineage of Jesus.
CHAPTER 1
RUTH MEETS BOAZ tening to stories of his Gentile ancestor,
2:1-7 Glean grain: The Israelites Rahab, who had been shown mercy by
were not to harvest the grain in the cor- Israel when they came into the land of
ners of the fields. This grain was to be Palestine. The faith of Rahab had been
left for the poor to harvest for themselves passed on to Boaz (Hb 11:31; Js 2:25).
(Dt 24:19-21). Grain: This would be May you be richly rewarded: These
any type of grain, but not maize, or corn. statements of Boaz in verses 11 & 12 ex-
The Moabite young woman: Even the press the priesthood of Israel toward the
Gentile foreigners were allowed to glean nations. God established Israel as a na-
in the fields. God established laws in tion of priests, and thus the Israelites were
Israel in order that everyone could have to minister their faith in God to the na-
food. However, everyone had to work tions. In this historical context, Boaz was
for the food they received by doing their assuming his duty to carry out the priestly
own harvesting. There were no continual work of Israel in offering help to a Gen-
handouts in this case. Boaz noticed the tile woman. We must not forget this fact
hard working Gentile woman, Ruth, who when studying through the books of
was gleaning in his field. Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings
2:8-13 My daughter: By making where there was general apostasy in Is-
this statement, Boaz indicated that he was rael as tribal groups were infected by the
older than Ruth. From their first encoun- sin of the people around them. Instead
ter, Boaz showed kindness to her in that of Israel assuming her responsibility to
he commanded that she be able to drink preach the God of heaven to the world,
from the same vessels that were brought they allowed the beliefs of the world to
for his servants. Being amazed by his affect them. However, there were many
kindness, Ruth inquired as to why he individuals like Boaz who carried on with
should be so kind to a foreigner. Boaz their priesthood duty to the Gentiles
explained that he had inquired from oth- (Compare 1 Pt 2:5,9).
ers concerning her devotion to her 2:14-16 Boaz was a man of mercy
mother-in-law and the commitment she and compassion. Not only did he give
made to the God of Israel. We must also his servants special instructions concern-
remember that Boaz was a descendant ing their treatment of Ruth, they were in-
from the marriage of Salmon and Rahab structed that she be allowed to glean even
(Mt 1:5; Lk 3:32). He had grown up lis- among the standing grain of the field that

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Ruth - Roger E. Dickson, © 2010, 2017: Africa International Missions, Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A., Cape Town, South Africa
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was meant for Boaz. was a kinsman. However, in this case he

2:17-23 Kindness: This is from the was not the nearest kinsman who would
Hebrew word chesed which means have the responsibility of redeeming a
“mercy,” “lovingkindness,” “goodness” kinsmen’s land that had been sold (Lv
or “loyalty.” Boaz went beyond his duty 25:25), or the duty to avenge the death
of allowing the poor to simply glean the of a kinsmen (Nm 35:19), or to marry the
corners of the fields. He allowed Ruth wife of a deceased brother (Dt 25:5-10).
to glean among the standing grain that However, in this case he was the next in
was rightfully his. His “kindness” was a line to carry out such duties if no other
manifestation of God’s grace. Through kinsman came forward. In reference to
His grace, God allows us to come into Ruth, however, there was a kinsmen in
His presence, where we as sinners, have this case who stood before Boaz.
no right to come. Close relative: Boaz

CHAPTER 1
BOAZ COMMITS TO RUTH ducted herself, he saw in her a genuine
3:1-5 Find a home for you: The character. As the Lord lives: This was
harvest had now been completed and Boaz’s oath to Ruth that he would make
Naomi, in her concern for the young every effort to take her as his wife. How-
Ruth, suggested that it was now time for ever, there was a kinsman who was closer
Ruth to have a home of her own. Ruth in lineage to Ruth with whom he had to
agreed, and thus Naomi instructed her in consult for her hand. The near kinsman
the customs of the land concerning a had to be given the first opportunity to
widow who would present herself to be take Ruth as a wife.
eligible and ready to marry again. 3:14-18 Boaz asked his servants not
3:6-13 You are a near kinsman: to tell others that a woman had come to
Boaz evidently did not realize that he had his door at night, indicating that such had
the right to take Ruth as his wife, since not happened before. Boaz was a man
she had not made it known that she of moral integrity. He did not want Ruth
wanted to marry. In this statement, Ruth or himself embarrassed. However, he
informed him that she was willing that fully understood why she came, for he
he alone fulfill the levirate duties toward did not know that he had the opportunity
her. Boaz realized that her intentions to take her to be a wife. From the advice
were sincere in that he had observed that that he gave her, we would assume that he
she did not chase young men or the rich. had considered taking her as a wife, but
Boaz was one of common estate, and did not know that she wanted to marry.
older than Ruth. By the way she con-

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CHAPTER 1
REDEMPTION OF Ruth were the forefathers of David, and
ELIMELECH’S INHERITANCE in the lineage of the Messiah, what is
4:1-6 The gate: Decisions, judg- stated here certainly came to pass. Fa-
ments and administration in Israel took mous in Bethlehem: In reference to the
place at the gates of the cities. This is Messiah, His birthplace in Bethlehem
where one went to consult with the el- brought fame to this insignificant village
ders. I will redeem it: Boaz was some- of Palestine, as well as to the family of
what crafty in his approach to gain the Boaz and Ruth (Mc 5:2). Tamar ... Judah:
right to marry Ruth. He first informed This was the family through which came
the near kinsman that there was a field the existence of the village of Bethlehem
of land that he had a right to buy. After (Gn 38:29).
hearing of the land, the near kinsman
agreed to buy the land. But then, Boaz ANCESTRY OF DAVID
said that there were obligations that came 4:13-22 Obed: The birth of Obed
with claiming the land. I cannot redeem was the guarantee that the family of
it: When informed that Ruth came with Naomi would continue. Provider for
the land, the near kinsman decided that your old age: The children took care of
he would not buy the land, lest he endan- the aged parents. Perez: Or Perez, was
ger his own inheritance. The land would the son of Judah by Tamar (Gn 38:29).
eventually go to the sons of Ruth, and David came from the lineage of Perez.
not to the heirs of the near kinsman. His This brief genealogy reveals the purpose
investment would be lost once the pos- for the writing of the book. Though the
sible sons of Ruth assumed the rights of ones who first received the book did not
inheritance. The near kinsman would know the reason for this brief genealogy,
then have to relinquish his right to both we today understand because of the men-
the land and Ruth. tion of David, through whom God prom-
4:7-12 This was the custom: Be- ised that the Messiah was to be born into
cause the readers of this book had to be the world (See Mt 1:5,16; Lk 3:23,32).
informed concerning this custom indi- Salmon: In the genealogy that is here
cates that the events that transpired here given we must assume the customary re-
took place many years before the writ- cording of Jewish genealogies wherein
ing of the book. Took off his shoe: When only the main personalities of the gene-
the shoe, or sandal, was given to Boaz by alogies were included while some gen-
the near kinsman in the presence of wit- erations were left out. It is stated here
nesses, the land transaction was sealed. that Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon,
Boaz not only had a right to redeem the Boaz, covering a period of more than 250
land, but also the right to take Ruth as a years, the time between the death of
wife. Rachel ... Leah: Since Boaz and Moses and the time of Gideon. This is

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Ruth - Roger E. Dickson, © 2010, 2017: Africa International Missions, Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A., Cape Town, South Africa
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too great a time for only two generations. genealogy is here stated, Boaz was not
In the genealogy of the Messiah, the wife the immediate son of Salmon and Rahab,
of Salmon was Rahab, the former harlot though they were in the genealogy of
(Mt 1:6; Lk 3:32; Js 2:25). But as the Boaz.

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Ruth - Roger E. Dickson, © 2010, 2017: Africa International Missions, Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A., Cape Town, South Africa