Introduction
Background: Just a few notes on the composition of the Book. The name Ruth in the original means “friend” or “glamorous.” Jewish tradition, in the Talmudic writings tell us that Samuel was the author. The date of this great “romance of redemption,” falls right into the period after the Judges and before Samuel. The place of composition was in the land of Israel. And the specific people addressed is the Tribe of Judah and, of course, the entire nation of Israel.
Content: The purpose for the writing is to present a biographical picture of the Davidic line. Another great purpose is to demonstrate that believers can live a Godly life even in the midst of apostasy. We should also note a few lessons for the value of the book. The moral value is seen from the providence of God, bringing good out of bad, as per Romans 8:28. The genealogy of David is also one of the great values of the book. The Book of Ruth also provides a historical connection between the time of the Judges and the setting up of the monarchy. The great doctrine from the book is the truth of the kinsman redeemer as it relates to the doctrine of redemption. The practical value of the book relates to the secret of sanctification by Grace. Whether we are poor like Ruth or wealthy like Boaz, we all have a shot at spiritual maturity under the Grace and Power of God.
The adumbrations of the book are remarkable! Naomi becomes a type of Israel under spiritual unfaithfulness forsaking the place of divine blessing. Naomi left Bethlehem and went to Moab. She became exiled and widowed. She is restored by the marriage of a Gentile bride to a kinsman redeemer. Boaz is that kinsman redeemer. He was related to Naomi. He had the power, authority and wealth to redeem, and becomes a remarkable picture of our Lord Jesus Christ as the God-Man-Redeemer. Thirdly, Ruth is a picture of the Gentile bride of Christ (Deuteronomy 23:31). Although she was shut out by the law, the Moabitess was admitted by God’s Grace. She is a stranger (Ephesians 2:12-13). She is poor and needy. She was related to a kinsman redeemer, and this kinsman redeemer was willing to deliver. The key passage of the Book of Ruth is Ruth 1:16-17.
Outline
I. Mourning for the Israelites. (Ruth 1)
A. The immigration into Moab. (Ruth 1:1-5)
B. The immigration back to Judah. (Ruth 1:6-22)
II. The ministry of the Moabitess. (Ruth 2)
A. Her hope (Ruth 2:1-3)
B. Her harvest (Ruth 2:4-7)
1. His attitude (Ruth 2:8-13)
C. Her haven (Ruth 2:14-17)
D. Her happiness (Ruth 2:18-23)
III. The message to the Israelites (Ruth 3)
A. Ruth instructed (Ruth 3:1-5)
B. Ruth informed (Ruth 3:6-13)
C. Ruth’s indication (Ruth 3:14-18)
IV. The marriage of the Moabitess (Ruth 4)
A. Revocation by the nearest of kin. (Ruth 4:1-7)
B. Redemption performed by Boaz. (Ruth 4:8-12)
C. The remarriage of Ruth. (Ruth 4:13-17)
D. Recounting of David’s ancestry. (Ruth 4:18-21)
