(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Ruth – named after its central character, Ruth the Moabitess, whose name means “friend” or “companion.”
• Definition: A narrative set during the time of the Judges that tells the story of loyalty, providence, and redemption, highlighting Ruth’s inclusion into the covenant community and her role in the Messianic lineage.

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Samuel, though the author remains anonymous. Literary features suggest a post-monarchic or early monarchic period of composition.
• When: Set during the time of the judges (circa 12th–11th century BC); likely written in the time of David or later.
• Audience: Israelites seeking to understand God’s providence, the legitimacy of David’s ancestry, and the inclusion of foreigners in God’s plan.
• Purpose: To show God’s faithfulness through everyday circumstances, to illustrate loyal love (hesed), and to affirm the role of Gentiles and women in redemptive history.

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Short historical narrative structured around dialogue, character development, and chiastic elements; includes legal and poetic segments.
• Key Themes: Faithfulness, redemption, providence, inclusion, covenant loyalty, and divine-human kindness.
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Boaz as go’el (kinsman-redeemer) prefigures Christ, who redeems His people (Ruth 4:9–10; Eph. 1:7).
○ Ruth, a Gentile bride, foreshadows the inclusion of the Church in Christ’s redemptive plan.
○ The genealogy of David (Ruth 4:17–22) anticipates the Messiah’s lineage (Matt. 1:5–6).
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The threshing floor represents vulnerability and covenantal proposal.
○ Harvest imagery illustrates divine provision and the fruitfulness of faithful living.
○ The cloak covering (Ruth 3:9) symbolises protection and covenant promise.

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Four chapters – (1) Ruth’s decision and Naomi’s return (Ruth 1), (2) Ruth’s gleaning and Boaz’s kindness (Ruth 2), (3) the threshing floor proposal (Ruth 3), (4) redemption and genealogy (Ruth 4).
• Canonical Significance: Positioned after Judges in Christian Bibles and within the Writings (Ketuvim) in the Hebrew Bible; bridges Judges and the monarchy in 1 Samuel.
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Continues the context of Judges; introduces David’s ancestry, key for 1 Samuel and Messianic theology.
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Echoes laws on gleaning (Lev. 19:9–10), levirate marriage (Deut. 25:5–10), and inclusion of foreigners (Ex. 22:21).
○ Connections to the New Testament: Ruth is named in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:5); Boaz’s role as redeemer is echoed in Christ’s salvific work.
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: The Davidic genealogy in Ruth 4 anticipates Messianic fulfilment in Christ.
○ Connections with Judaism: Read during Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) to celebrate covenant, harvest, and Torah reception.
○ Connections with Islam: Ruth is not directly named in the Qur’an, but her virtues are consistent with Islamic values of loyalty, piety, and family honour.
• Key Passages or Verses: Ruth 1:16 – “Where you go I will go…” Ruth 2:12 – “May you be richly rewarded by the LORD…” Ruth 3:9 – “Spread the corner of your garment over me…” Ruth 4:17 – “Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: The narrator provides theological reflection through character-driven narrative, using subtle irony and emphasis on providence.
• Who are the Main Characters: Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, Orpah, and the elders of Bethlehem.

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Providential guide, covenant protector, restorer of life.
○ The Son – Foreshadowed in Boaz’s redemptive role, Ruth’s inclusion as bride, and Davidic promise.
○ The Holy Spirit – Implicit in the guidance, faith, and fruitfulness of those who act in covenant faithfulness.
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: The book culminates in David’s genealogy, setting the stage for kingship and prophetic promise.
• Role of the Church: Ruth represents the Gentile bride redeemed by grace; the Church is the gathered people of God from all nations.
• Role of Men and Women: Strong portrayal of women’s initiative, loyalty, and spiritual insight; Boaz’s righteousness models male leadership and protection.

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Moab and Bethlehem in Judah, during a period of famine and instability.
• Historical Context: The narrative is set in the time of the Judges, characterised by moral and political chaos.
• Cultural Context: Ruth’s Moabite identity is significant, given Moab’s earlier hostility to Israel (Deut. 23:3); her inclusion displays God’s grace transcending ethnic boundaries.

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: The social vulnerability of widows, foreign migrants, and landless women was common across ANE cultures.
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Moabite and Israelite relations were strained; Ruth’s positive depiction challenges nationalistic prejudices.
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: The story affirms ethical responsibility, compassion, and kinship redemption within a broader context of social instability.
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Gleaning laws,
   ○ Kinsman-redeemer rights,
   ○ Levirate marriage implications,
   ○ Elders adjudicating at the town gate.

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Connects Israel’s chaotic tribal era to the emergence of monarchy through David’s genealogy.
2. Theological Significance: Highlights divine providence, covenantal inclusion of foreigners, and redemption through grace.
3. Spiritual Themes: Faithfulness (hesed), hope in suffering, redemption, the sovereignty of God in ordinary life.
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: God uses ordinary faithfulness to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Loyalty and trust open the way for divine blessing. Grace extends beyond social and ethnic boundaries.
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Ruth typifies the Church as a redeemed outsider welcomed into covenant. Boaz prefigures Christ’s redeeming love and justice.
6. Historical Reception: Cherished for its moral beauty, theological depth, and typological richness; read annually in Jewish tradition and cited in Christian teaching on grace and inclusion.

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Thematically connected to Deuteronomy’s laws of compassion and covenantal inclusion; follows Judges and introduces David’s family line.
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: One of the Five Megillot read during Shavuot; highlights covenant loyalty, harvest gratitude, and inclusion.
3. Connections with Islam: Though not named in the Qur’an, Ruth’s values resonate with Islamic honour, hospitality, and family protection.
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Model of loyalty, female virtue, interethnic unity, and redemption has inspired countless works in literature, ethics, and theology.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Considered valuable for understanding ancient family, agricultural, and legal practices.
6. Global Perspective: A universal story of love, faith, and cross-cultural redemption; widely appreciated for its human warmth and divine purpose.

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Ruth’s story symbolises the soul’s journey from alienation to union with the divine through covenant love.
2. Comparative Mythology: Unlike tragic myths of widows and famine, Ruth presents a redemptive arc rooted in divine providence and hope.
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Affirms human dignity, sacrificial love, the role of community in justice, and the possibility of renewal amid despair.
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Faithful loyalty in adversity,
   ○ Compassion to the foreigner,
   ○ Ethical redemption of marginalised people,
   ○ Generosity in social responsibility.
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Speaks powerfully to issues of migration, interracial inclusion, women’s dignity, family restoration, and faithful living amid hardship.

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: The cultural distance of levirate customs and legal mechanisms may seem obscure to modern readers.
2. Theological Debates: The book raises questions about divine providence, human agency, and inclusion within the covenant community.
3. Key Questions Addressed: How does God work through ordinary lives? What does faithfulness look like in suffering? How can outsiders become part of God’s redemptive plan?