OBST515_RUTH_Exegesis

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Ruth: An Exegesis Submitted to: in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of OBST 515 – B02 LUO Old Testament Orientation I by March 2020 1

Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Historical Background ................................................................................................................. 1 Prevailing Conditions ................................................................................................................... 1 Main Characters ........................................................................................................................... 2 Major Argument ........................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Key Themes ................................................................................................................................. 3 Exegetical Outline and Commentary ........................................................................................... 4 Chapter 1 – The Journey .............................................................................................................. 4 Time in Moab (1-5) ................................................................................................................. 4 Return to Judah (6-18) ........................................................................................................... 5 Arriving in Bethlehem (19-22) ............................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 – Finding Favor ........................................................................................................... 6 Ruth Meets Boaz (1-7) ............................................................................................................ 6 Boaz Offers Grace (8-13) ....................................................................................................... 7 Break for Lunch (14-17) ........................................................................................................ 8 Naomi’s Response (18-23) ...................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 3 – Naomi Plans a Wedding ......................................................................................... 10 Naomi’s Plan (1-5) ................................................................................................................ 10 Ruth Executes the Plan (6-13) ............................................................................................. 12 Ruth Returns Home (14-18) ................................................................................................ 13 Chapter 4 – The Plan Comes Together ...................................................................................... 14 Preparing the Stage (1-2) ..................................................................................................... 14 Terms and Conditions (3-6) ................................................................................................. 15 Ratifying the Contract (7-12) .............................................................................................. 16 Family Ties (13-22) ............................................................................................................... 17 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 18 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 20 2

Introduction Historical Background The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges. While the Talmud suggests the book of Ruth’s author to be Samuel, some scholars have suggested that the author could have been a woman. Tamara Eskenazi and Tikva Frymer-Kensky state, “They note the unusual extent to which the book is attentive to women’s lives and perspectives (comparable only to Song of Songs in this respect) as suggestive of such authorship.” 1 However, scholars point out that the technical data surrounding authorship and date must come from the internal evidence, which Daniel Block proclaims, “is frustratingly inconsistent.” 2 With the mention of David (vv. 4:21- 22), many scholars date the book around 950 to approximately 700 B.C.E. 3 Prevailing Conditions After identifying the time in which the story takes place, the author informs the reader of famine that was “in the land” (v.1:1).” 4 Elimelech takes his family, wife Naomi and their two sons, and travels from Bethlehem and heads to Moab. The sons both marry Moabite women, one whose name was Orpah and the other, Ruth. After being in the land for more than 10 years Elimelech, along with both of his sons Mahlon and Chilion died, thus leaving Naomi with no means of support. With no other choice, Naomi directs her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers. Though Oprah is convinced to return to her family, Ruth proclaims, “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge” (1:16b). 1 Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Tikva Frymer-Kensky, The JPS Bible Commentary: Ruth , First edition., JPS Tanakh Commentary (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society, 2011), xvi. 2 Daniel Isaac Block, Judges, Ruth , vol. 6, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 590. 3 Eskenazi, The JPS, xvi. 4 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version. 3

Main Characters After the scene is set and many of the initial characters have died or returned to their families, the book is left with three main characters, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. Although the book does not bear the name of Naomi, she is the one from whose eyes the story is told. The book records the events through Naomi’s perspective as she journeys from Bethlehem to Moab and back. Her name means “kindness.” More specifically, “Kindness of Y(HWH)” which Jeremy Shipper points out, “The name is ironic since Naomi feels that YHWH has not treated her with kindness.” 5 Ironic in that when she returns to Bethlehem she tells them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (1:20). However, the story ends with God’s blessings returning to her as well. Ruth, for which the book is named, is the Moabite woman who was married to one of Naomi’s sons before his passing. While both sons died leaving Moabite widows, Ruth is the only one that revealed her loyalty to Naomi and vowed to follow her anywhere. Therefore, Ruth is shown to continually submit to Naomi and she allows her to draw up the plans to capture the heart of Boaz. Through her loyalty, Ruth, though a pagan, is for the most part accepted into the Israelite community and places her within the genealogy of Jesus as God provides her a son with Boaz. Boaz is first introduced in chapter two as “a relative of her [Naomi] husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech” (2:1). He was a great landowner and would come to be the hero of the story. Boaz takes notice of Ruth; her loyalty to her mother-in-law and showed her favor. Being a man of noble character, he filled the role of the kinsman redeemer and took Ruth as his wife. The two would become the grandparents of Jesse, the father of David. 5 Jeremy Schipper, Ruth: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary , ed. John J. Collins, vol. 7D, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2016), 81. 4

Major Argument One of the major arguments of the book of Ruth is that God rewards obedience. There is a contrast with the reward of disobedience shown in Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion with that of Ruth and Boaz. God’s covenant promise (Duet. 28:1-14) is on display for not only the Israelites who obey, but those that bless Israel as well. Through her loyalty and obedience, Ruth is blessed with a son and a prominent place in the Messianic family tree. Purpose The purpose of the book of Ruth is to remind Israel that even in the dark times, God’s promise provides the foundation for humanities hope in Him. The hope that was once just Israel’s has been conveyed to the Gentiles through the grafting of Ruth into the family. Key Themes One of the key themes found in the book of Ruth are the characteristics of God on display. In verse 1:8, Naomi petitions, “May the Lord deal kindly with you.” The Hebrew word translated kindly is ד ֶס ֶח ( ḥě·sěḏ ). However, the translation does not do it justice in this instance. Block states: Ḥesed is one of those Hebrew words whose meaning cannot be captured in one English word. This is a strong relational term that wraps up in itself an entire cluster of concepts, all the positive attributes of God—love, mercy, grace, kindness, goodness, benevolence, loyalty, covenant faithfulness; in short, that quality that moves a person to act for the benefit of another without respect to the advantage it might bring to the one who expresses it. 6 All of these attributes are shown to each of the major characters as the story unfolds to the eventual coming of the one whom God would make the everlasting covenant. Another key theme is faith. While God’s attributes are manifested in and through the main characters, Ruth displays a magnificent faith. Her faith, Block states, “is truly 6 Block, Judges, Ruth , 605. 5