THE STORY OF RUTH: AN ANALYSIS
The Hebrew Bible's third part, or the Writings (Ketuvim), contains the Book of Ruth.
It is regarded as one of the historical books and is positioned between Judges and 1
Samuel in the majority of Christian canons. The importance of the book among Jews who
identify as Jews-by-choice is demonstrated by the prominence of Boaz in rabbinic
literature. Since it is read on the Jewish festival of Shavuot ("Weeks"), the Book of Ruth
also serves a liturgical purpose.
Many inspirational stories in Hebrew literature may touch our hearts and influence
our personalities. The Story of Ruth is one of the examples from Hebrew literature that
we will discuss. A lady who exemplifies God's faithfulness to us.
When a famine hit Bethlehem-Judah, a man called Elimelech fled his village. He
and his wife Naomi, as well as their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, traveled to Moab.
Naomi was left with her two sons after Elimelech died. Orpah and Ruth, two of these sons,
married Moabite women. Mahlon and Chilion both died ten years later. Naomi wanted to
return to Judah after learning that the famine had ended, but she begged her sisters-inlaw to stay in Moab. After all, this was their home, and they had no need to accompany
her back to her nation now that their husbands had died. They have a residence in Moab
and will be taken care of.
Although the two women swore to stay with Naomi at first, when she persuaded
them to leave her, Orpah complied. Ruth, on the other hand, stayed at Naomi's side and
promised to accompany her back to Judah. A wealthy relative of Naomi's deceased
husband, a man called Boaz, lived in Judah. Ruth went into the field to collect corn for
the harvest, and there she grabbed Boaz's attention. Boaz committed to treat Ruth, a
stranger in Judah, as an equal and welcomed her. Ruth was moved by his generosity and
wondered what she, a stranger, had done to earn it. Boaz said that he had heard how
she had left her own parents behind in Moab to join her mother-in-law into a distant region.
Ruth returned home that evening and informed her mother-in-law what had
transpired. Naomi assured Ruth that Boaz was a close relative who would guard and
provide for them. That night, Ruth went to Boaz and knelt at his feet. She informed him
that she was his handmaid and that they were related. Boaz responded that there was
another guy who was even closer relative to Ruth than he was, and this other man had
virtually first refusal on whether he wanted to marry Ruth. If the other guy claimed he
didn't want to marry Ruth, Boaz responded he would gladly do so. And he gave her six
measures of corn as a commitment to Naomi. Boaz convened a council of elders,
involving another kinsman of Ruth's, and explained that Naomi had a portion of land to
sell, but that if the kinsman wanted to claim it, he had to consent to marry Ruth. A peculiar
ritual involving a shoe arose, in which a man 'plucked off his shoe' and delivered it to his
neighbor if he desired to waive his claim to anything. We're informed that this was a type
of 'testimony in Israel' back then, a legal rite that sealed the bargain.
So, the other guy removed his shoe and gave it to Boaz, indicating that he
surrendered any claim to Ruth or her late father-in-law's land. Marrying Ruth would
jeopardize his father's fortune (probably for marrying a Moabite foreigner), therefore he
declined. Boaz proclaimed his intention to marry Ruth, and they married soon after, and
Ruth bore a son. We are told that this son had a son named Jesse, who had a son named
David.
The interpretation of Ruth's story is her determination to obey and be devoted to
her mother-in-law. Despite her husband's death, she does not abandon her mother-inlaw, but instead chooses to be her company for the rest of their lives. Ruth announces to
Naomi that she will accompany her wherever she goes, that he will worship her God, and
that he will adore who her descendants are. This demonstrates Ruth's devotion to Naomi,
for even if Naomi dies and is buried elsewhere, Ruth must be buried near to her. Ruth
chooses to join Naomi and begin her new life, and this decision has far-reaching
consequences. And David would not have been born if Ruth had not joined Naomi. This
highlights that every action we choose to take has a significant impact on future
occurrences, thus we must be cautious in every decision we make. Ruth grows reliant on
Naomi in the face of any unforeseen occurrence. Ruth's decision leads her to meet Boaz,
who is incredibly important to Jews and Christians because of their union, David was
born. Simply put, David is one of Ruth's descendants. Looking to Ruth, we see that God
is trustworthy and committed to His vassals. Ruth demonstrates God's constancy,
respect, and love for Naomi. Ruth is prepared to abandon everything in order to follow
Naomi, as we should do for God. We must be dedicated and devoted to Him since that is
what He constantly does for us.
The Story of Ruth is a story about God and how he restores those who look to him
with hope. It's about God's covenant faithfulness and it contributes to the overall
covenantal storyline that unifies the entire Bible. In the narrative of Ruth, the characters
exhibit Godly characteristics such as loyalty and honor, resulting in the construction of a
significant biblical person who is well-liked by God. The goal was to demonstrate faith in
God's global love rather than a nationalistic God of Israel. God's love was extended to
everyone, not only the Hebrews.
The Story of Ruth tells the story of God and how he heals those who trust in him.
It pertains to the broader covenantal story that runs throughout the Bible and is about
God's covenant faithfulness. The author has taken great care to honor Ruth, Naomi, and
Boaz by the way in which their characters are developed in the book. They are character
studies of how God acts in ordinary, everyday situations in the lives of his people and
what human covenant commitment entails in response. It demonstrates how God is using
the seemingly insignificant, little tales of regular people to build his big narrative. This little
narrative is purposefully introduced and concluded by the greater biblical narrative.
Furthermore, the characters of the Story of Ruth includes Ruth, who is the main
character and is the daughter-in-law of Naomi and is married to her son Elimelech but
soon died. Unlike Orpah, Ruth is entirely devoted to Naomi and accompanies her to
Bethlehem after their husbands die, eventually becoming a member of the Israelites.
Naomi, whose life is a struggle throughout the majority of the Book of Ruth. She
fled her country owing to famine, then her husband died, and to make matters worse,
both of her sons died soon after. Naomi chooses to return to Bethlehem, entirely destitute
and bereaved of her husband and sons, and warns her daughters-in-law that she is
unable to care for them and that they should return to their fathers' households. Naomi's
name means "pleasantness," but when she returns to Bethlehem in despair, she rejects
her given name and begs to be called Mara, which means "bitter."
Boaz, who is described as "a respected rich man" and "a kinsman," encounters
Ruth while gleaning in his field and is moved by Ruth's devotion toward Naomi. He falls
in love with her right away. Fortunately, as Elimelech's descendant, it is theoretically
Boaz's job to marry Ruth and raise offspring in place of her deceased spouse if no one
else in her family is still living. Following a trustworthy meeting with a more closely
"redeeming kinsman," Boaz marries Ruth, much to Naomi's delight, and the two have a
child together, eventually becoming the grandfather of Israel's greatest ruler, David.
Boaz's name means "in him there is strength."
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, his name means "my God is king," emphasizing
his devotion to God. Elimelech isn't truly a key character because he dies so early in the
plot that his absence is scarcely noticed. Elimelech is the family's patriarch.
Obed, Ruth and Boaz's kid, provides Naomi's feeling of security, something she
hasn't experienced since her husband's death. Obed's name, which means "one who
serves," is fitting for the role he plays: caring for and comforting Naomi, his grandmother.
He will eventually have a son named Jesse, who will later become King David's father.
Orpah, one of them is married to Naomi's son Chilion before he dies., Naomi has
two daughters-in-law, When Naomi's husband dies, Orpah pushes her to join her to
Bethlehem, but when she learns how arduous the journey would be, she quickly decides
to stay in Moab. This gesture indicates a lot about her character. Her given name
translates to "back of the neck,".
The Book of Ruth simply said that, despite the fact that we are humans and flawed
beings, God chose to love, be true to, and nurture us despite our desire to love the world.
Ruth demonstrates how God is active in ordinary people's daily lives. All of the characters
experience the typical difficulties of life, including loss, relocation, a lack of money,
obligations to family, etc., but discover that God is using every aspect to craft a tale of
redemption. The Book of Ruth inspires us to see how each day's activities fit into God's
grander scheme for our lives and the world. It also demonstrates that God is still faithful
to us and waiting for us to return to Him. He has never been late or early, and He will stay
true to us until He returns. It is extremely comforting to know that even if we are sinners,
God does not abandon us. God is both kind and loyal.