OT - Survey 13 - Ruth

All content is derived from A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton, with additional insights from R.C. Sproul's Dust to Glory. Further sources referenced are listed in the reference section below.

Purpose of the Book:

The purpose of Ruth is to demonstrate that when people are faithful, God is faithful. It contrasts with the spiritual decline in Judges, showing that covenantal faithfulness survived among ordinary Israelites. The story highlights God's preservation of faithful families, such as the one from which David descended.

Themes and Key Ideas

God’s Loyalty and Human Faithfulness:

God's faithfulness is shown to be mirrored by human loyalty, as seen in the characters’ mutual commitment. The book demonstrates that loyalty between people becomes a channel for revealing God’s covenant loyalty.

Legacy of David’s Faith:

David’s faith is traced back to his ancestors, particularly through the legacy of Ruth and Boaz. Their faith and loyalty provide the context for understanding how David’s devotion to God could arise after the spiritually dark period of the Judges.

Kinsman Redeemer Concept:

A major theme is the role of the Kinsman Redeemer (Hebrew: go’el), drawn from the land redemption laws in Leviticus and the levirate marriage customs of Deuteronomy. These laws preserved family inheritance and continuity. Boaz’s actions demonstrate this role and serve as a metaphor for God’s redeeming grace.

— The levirate system is expounded in the legal literature of Israel in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

—Under this law, if a man died without having a son, his brother was obligated to bear a son by his widow

— The son would thereafter be considered the heir to the dead brother’s household

— And expanded interpretation of this custom of levirate marriage is combined with land redemption rights to provide the legal setting for the book of Ruth

— The Hebrew term go’el (kinsman-redeemer) is taken from the land redemption law (Lev 25:25-31, 47-55)

— According to this law, land sold by a person could be bought back by a relative so as to keep the land in the family

— Both the land law and levirate marriage were intended to preserve family and land — covenant matters of the first degree

The Concept of Hesed:

Hesed—translated as kindness, loyalty, love, or mercy—is central to the narrative. It reflects both divine and human covenant loyalty. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, Boaz’s kindness to Ruth and Naomi, and God’s overall providential care illustrate this theme richly.

— The King James Version frequently translates the term “mercy”

— The New American Standard chooses a compound term “lovingkindness”

— The only begin to introduce all of the varied ways whereby God demonstrates his covenant loyalty

— The NIV reflects this variety using terms such as kindness, love, loyalty, and more

— Ruth is a book of hesed both on the human and divine levels

— The most explicit statement of this can be found in Ruth’s stirring expression of commitment to Naomi (1:16-17)

— It is this quality that gains her Boaz’s favor (2:12)

— Boaz is likewise praised for the hesed he shows to Naomi (2:20), where the subject is moe likely [so the NIV] rather than Yahweh

— The issue of hesed serves as the premise for the discussion between Boaz and Ruth as negotiations are made (3:9-13)

— The Lord’s hesed is introduced in 1:8-9 as the factor will eventually lead to the successful remarriage of Naomi’s daughter-in-law, so that it cannot help but be recognized in the provision of a go’el for Ruth (cf. 4:14)

— All this demonstrates that hesed to one another is among the most fitting vehicles God can use to display his own hesed

— This again provides a contrast to the book of Judges, in which loyalty within the bounds of the covenant is scarce

Setting and Contrast with Judges

Spiritual Climate During the Judges:

Set during the time of the Judges—a period known for apostasy and covenantal failure—the story of Ruth offers a striking contrast by showcasing faithfulness, loyalty, and hope among common people.

The Absence and Presence of God:

Although God appears absent at the start (symbolized by famine and emigration), His presence becomes evident in the acts of care and provision for Naomi and Ruth. The narrative moves from divine silence to divine intervention.

Style and Genre:

Ruth is rich in dialogue and structured like a four-act play, making it accessible and emotionally engaging. Its literary beauty has led some scholars to classify it as folklore or a short story, though this doesn't negate its historical value.

Anonymous Authorship and Canonical Placement:

The book is anonymous. In the English Bible, it follows Judges (following the Septuagint and Vulgate), while the Hebrew Bible places it in the Writings, not among the historical books, distancing it from the Deuteronomistic history.

Historical and Cultural Context

Dating the Book:

The book likely originated during the monarchy, based on its closing genealogy referencing David. While some scholars argue for a post-exilic date, evidence favors a pre-exilic origin, possibly during or after the 12th century BC.

Moabite Background:

Ruth’s Moabite heritage is significant. Moabites, descendants of Lot, had a complex relationship with Israel—once hostile, later subdued by David. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and to Yahweh defies typical Moabite-Israelite hostility.

Theological Implications

God’s Providence and Davidic Line:

The narrative explains how genuine faith could exist during a corrupt era and shows God preserving the line that would produce David. This connects the book’s message with broader covenantal themes in Scripture.

Broader Purpose Beyond David:

Though David is a key figure, the story’s message extends beyond him. It emphasizes God’s grace and faithfulness through ordinary people and relationships, making it a universal story of hope, loyalty, and divine providence.

References

Hill, A. E., & Walton, J. H. (2009), A survey of the Old Testament (3rd ed.). Zondervan Academic.

MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2021). The MacArthur study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson. (New American Standard Bible).

Sproul, R. C. Dust to Glory. Ligonier Ministries, 2010.