All of Ruth

Introduction

Why do we have the book of Ruth? Why did God include this little story in His Scriptures?

The Lexham English Bible Chapter 3

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Why do we have the book of Ruth?

- There are plenty of stories in the Bible; what's the purpose of this one?

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16)

- Facts:

1. Ruth is the only book named after a non-Israelite.

2. It has two places in ancient text traditions. (After Judges; after Proverbs)

- Virtuous woman (3:11).

3. Khesed. (1:8 [YHWH]; 3:10 [Ruth])

4. Levirate Marriage / Kinsman Redeemer (Dt. 25)

5. Divine Sovereignty

- YHWH has revealed himself in a book (library). The purpose of the whole Bible is to reveal God (e.g. his plan, his character, his will).

- The literature of the Bible is marked by a sophisticated theological intentionality.

- The author of Ruth has crafted this account toward a theological end.

Focus on the bookends.

Set the Stage

This is a wonderful story. It reads like a story in the Genesis patriarchal narratives.

We will see that this story is doing something far bigger than we may think at first.

What is the setting of this short story?

When: During the time of the Judges. BAD TIME. No King (see Ex 15:18).

Who: Israelites & the Moabite Woman

Moabites were distant relatives that the Israelites didn’t like (the feeling was mutual). See Genesis 19 & Numbers 22.

What: Leverite Marriage / Beit Av

Beit Av (Father’s House). A Widow without sons is in the worst case scenario.

Next closes male kin would obtain the land/inheritance and care for the widow.

The End of Ruth

- 12 men of Israel (All Israel!). Judging righteously (regarding the gentile). 12 times

- Obed is born (Married for 10 years, but no children…obviously barren)!

- Women brought to the foreground.

- Signals a new creation/beginning

- Celebration of YHWH's provision (Naomi was empty when they last convened in Ch.1)

- King David

- Pointing us forward towards a messianic royal hope!

A Vision of an ideal covenant community.

- The author has revealed his theological purpose.

- A memory of the future. A vision of future hope couched in a story from the past.

- The character of Ruth, Boaz, and the whole community highlight the hallmarks of YHWH's ideal covenant community

1. Bringing in the outsider

2. Virtue

3. Loving loyalty

4. Obedience to YHWH's word.

5. Trusting in YHWH's sovereign goodness

- BIG IDEA: The book of Ruth is calling us to catch a vision of God's ideal covenant community.

- A community established around his son; David's son, the Messiah, King Jesus. A community hospitable to the outsider. A community marked by virtue (Khedsed and obedience to the True King…not doing what is right in our own eyes, but what is right in His!)

- Gather around the Promised Seed. We are called to be the little community of Bethlehem in the midst of the chaotic time of the Judges.