Themes
God’s sovereignty in all things.
God works through ordinary people living ordinary lives.

Introduction
Josephus says that Ruth takes place right after the death of Samson.
Judges covers 1373 – 1043 BC.  Ruth likely toward the end of this time as there are only three generations from Ruth to David.

Chapter 1
1
Bethlehem to Moab = 50 miles
See Deut 23:3-6 – this is not a fun or easy move.
Israel actually served Moab for 18 years during the time of the Judges (Judges 3).

2     
Elimelech means “God is king”
Naomi = “pleasant”
Mahlon = “sickly”
Chilion = “wasting”
(Elimelech and Naomi apparently had high hopes for the boys in naming them “Sickly” and “Wasting”)
Ephrathites of Bethlehem – Ephratha is the ancient name for Bethlehem.  This means that the family is most likely an old, established family – possibly aristocracy.  If so, their leaving is a big deal in town (see 1:19).

4
No specific prohibition against marrying Moabites in Deuteronomy 7, but probably not the
preferred choice (based on Deut 23 above and Num 25).    
Jewish tradition holds that Ruth and Orpah are daughters of Eglon the fat king of Judges 3 – this
does not seem to fit chronologically.
Since there is no mention of children these marriages are probably short.
Lived there 10 years – probably the total duration in Moab.
No truth to the legend that Orpah had her own afternoon talk show in Moab.

5
Any wealth the family brought with them is gone now that all the men are gone.
Naomi is a widow in a foreign land – it doesn’t get any more dire than that.

6     
Israel has probably repented and God delivered them.

7
Both daughters-in-law apparently see their allegiance to Naomi as more important than their
original families or people; speaks very well of Naomi.

This is not an easy trip for an older woman alone.

8         
Note that Naomi uses the personal name for God – Yahweh – when she blesses her daughters-in
law.  This is similar to calling on Christ to bless an unbeliever in today’s society rather than simply
saying “God bless you.”

Mother’s house – probably reference to where marriage preparations would take place.

Obviously have very few possessions if they are able to turn back so easily.

kindly = hesed – steadfast covenant loyalty

9       
Naomi still calling on the Lord even in the midst of intense trials in a foreign land that doesn’t
recognize Yahweh.  She’s saying, “May Yahweh show the same loyalty (hesed) to you as you have
shown to my sons and me.”

Her blessing is on BOTH Orpah and Ruth – Orpah obviously good to Naomi & family too.  BOTH
women were good wives.

Naomi knows their options will be few in Israel – not likely to remarry since they are Moabites.

11       
She is referring to Levirite Marriage – Deut 25:5

13       
“harder for me…” – Naomi has lost a husband and two sons and is too old to remarry – she knows
she has lifetime of poverty ahead of her.

“…hand of Yahweh has gone forth against me” – Naomi recognizes the sovereignty of God.

14       
Jewish tradition holds that Orpah was the great-grandmother of Goliath (but he was Philistine, not
Moabite).

“Clung” – same word as “cleave” in Gen 2:24 – this is intense, emotional, and willful.

15       
Orpah ultimately submitted to Naomi by leaving.

“her gods” = Moab worships Chemosh (a god who has many of the same attributes as Yahweh in
that he is a supreme god – Moab has more than one god, but Chemosh is by far the main one – see
II Kings 3:26-27 for an interesting story involving Chemosh).

16/17  
“your God, my God” – “Thus may Yahweh do to me…” – Ruth is saying she will convert to worship
Naomi’s God – by using the personal name for God in vs. 17 she shows that she is ready to leave
Moab’s worship completely. 

Ruth much younger than Naomi – she’s saying she won’t return to Moab even after Naomi’s death.

To say that she will be buried there is to COMPLETELY reject her own people and native land – this is
a complete conversion.

Ruth effectively rejects Naomi’s blessing in 8 & 9 and calls on Yahweh to punish her if she fails to
 stay with Naomi.  God in His grace ends up fulfilling 8 & 9 in Ruth’s life because of her loyalty.

19       
Men are in the fields for the barley harvest – mostly women in the city.

Big news when Naomi returns – shows her status.

Naomi doesn’t look the same – 10 years has been hard on her.

20/21  
Interesting how Naomi uses two different names for God.  She says that El Shaddai (all powerful,
irresistible God) has dealt bitterly with her, Yahweh has brought her back empty and witnessed
against her, and El Shaddai has afflicted her.  She has witnessed more than one side of God – maybe
by still using the name Yahweh she’s showing her faith is intact even after all she’s been through.

            Trials of Naomi
            Famine
            Leave prosperity in Bethlehem for hated Moab
            Death of husband
            Sons marry Moabites
            Sons die childless

22       
This harvest may be one of the first after the famine – if so, it’s a special time of celebration.

God worked through famine – now He’ll work through harvest.

Chapter 2
1         
Parenthetical setup for the chapter.

Boaz most likely a widower – too old not to be married.

Naomi obviously feels she can’t approach Boaz directly – cultural thing?

2       
Ruth to glean because she is younger and because it’s not as humiliating for her as it would be for
Naomi.

Ruth doesn’t do anything otherworldly; she just does the next thing obediently and God is about to
bless her abundantly.  Lesson – in trials, continue to obey.

3        
“…she happened to come” – God working sovereignly without Ruth knowing it.

God rarely uses supernatural occurrences to work in our lives – He most often works through the
mundane.

4         
This may not be a standard greeting in the time of the Judges (time of godlessness and “everyone
doing what was right in his own eyes”) – Boaz shares with Naomi a constant awareness of God’s
provision and control.

5         
Something about Ruth makes Boaz notice her – he assumes she is a servant.

6       
Naomi’s story is apparently well known.

7         
Ruth is a hard worker.

“…little while” – brief rest in temporary shelter.

8       
“…my daughter” – shows the difference in age between Boaz & Ruth.

In the midst of trials Ruth doesn’t sit and feel sorry for herself – she does the logical thing and
gleans to provide food.  God rewards her faithful obedience.  It is probably a little intimidating to go
gleaning as a Moabite woman.

9-12    
First positive things to happen to Ruth since her wedding day with Wasting.  Boaz provides for her
AND protects her.

9       
Ruth gets to go right by the reapers and no longer must stay back with the other gleaners.  This lets
her get the gleanings first.  She also doesn’t need to draw her own water.

Boaz treats her as if she works for him as part of his house.

10       
Ruth is well-aware of her standing in the community – not just poor, but a Moabite.

11/12  
Coming from one of the most prominent men in town this must be overwhelming to Ruth.  God
uses Boaz to encourage Ruth in a very tough time.

“…under whose wings…” – Boaz recognizes that Ruth has converted.

13   
Ruth says that Boaz has spoken to her heart and comforted her.  In the midst of her awful trials, she
is genuinely touched and encouraged.

14     
They take some stalks and roast them over an open fire to eat right there.  Boaz shows her special
favor by giving her more than she can eat.

“…served her roasted grain” = Boaz is incredibly humble

15       
Even more privileges than in vs. 9.  Now she gets to go up to where the sheaves are bundled and the
workmen actually pull out stalks and leave them for her.

17      
Ephah = 30-50 lbs

18       
Ruth constantly thinks of Naomi.

19    
Naomi is amazed at how much grain Ruth brings back – enough to feed them for weeks.

20       
Compare this verse to 1:20-21.  Naomi recognizes the hand of God in all aspects of life.

Naomi’s reference to the dead may mean that she already sees potential for Boaz to be their
redeemer.  He will redeem Elimelech’s land and name.

“kindness” – hesed (1:8)

“closest relatives” = Goel (see Lev. 25:25, 47-49 and Numbers 35:19)

21       
“…until they have finished the harvest” = not just one day, but through the entire harvest.

23
Time elapsed here is roughly two to three months.

Chapter 3
Naomi’s plan shows that she has enormous faith in both Ruth’s and Boaz’ characters.

2      
“winnows” – throw threshed grain in the air so wind can blow chaff away.  The threshing floor is a
community place that many people use – not private property of Boaz.

4     
This could tie into the removing sandal ceremony in Deut 25.  By uncovering his feet she’s saying,
“Will you cover your feet back up by fulfilling your obligation or will you leave them bare by
refusing?”

Could also be symbolic in that she’s suggesting that the covering should be over Ruth as well – this
would tie into 3:9.

5     
Ruth again shows that she’s selfless.

9       
This is a proposal of marriage – Ezekiel 16:8.

10       
Ruth could have blown off the whole Goel thing and not worried about Elimelech’s name or
inheritance.  The kindness is to Naomi and the family.  She does what is right without regard for her
own feelings.

11    
“…do not fear” = don’t fear that you’ve done anything wrong by coming here.

Ruth has developed a great reputation in her short time in Bethlehem.

12     
Naomi has to know this – she obviously prefers Boaz.  How does Ruth feel about possibly not getting
Boaz?

13      
Boaz shows his character by not touching Ruth.

14       
In case she is not to be his wife, he wants her reputation to be pure.

15       
Six Measures = not sure how much this is – some have suggested it is just enough for one meal –
Boaz saying he’ll have it settled by then.

17       
Compare to 1:21 – Naomi’s empty days are over.

Chapter 4
3    
Numbers 27:8-11, Leviticus 25:23-28

4         
Good deal to buy the land because he would own it forever.  Year of Jubilee is not applicable
because he is in the family.

5  
Interesting that Boaz doesn’t give him the full story all at once.

6         
If he buys the land AND marries Ruth, he will only have the land until the heir grows up.  Not worth
it to spend this money PLUS take on a wife.

Note that he says “cannot.”  If he would have said “will not” he would have disgraced his family –
Deut 25:5.

8    
This is not the same as Deut 25:5 – he is not humiliated – he signifies that his feet will not tread the
land.

9     
Chilion had no widow, so his inheritance is included in what is acquired by Boaz.

12     
Perez = father of Bethlehem

18-22  
Most likely some names left out of genealogy.

God started a famine in Bethlehem which leads to David’s birth.

God’s hand is all over history.  God works out His purpose generation after generation.  Limited as
 we are to one lifetime, each of us sees so little of what happens.  A genealogy is a striking way of
bringing before us the continuity of God’s purpose through the ages.  The process of history is not
haphazard.  There is purpose in it all.  And the purpose is the purpose of God.  – Leon Morris,
Tyndale Commentary on Ruth

Character of Ruth
Incredibly loyal                       1:16-17
Willing & helpful                     2:2
Hard worker                            2:7&17
Knew her place                       2:10-13
Selfless                        3:10, 3:5, 2:18
Not governed by feelings       3:10

The many blessings pronounced in the book came true
1:8-9                            4:11
2:12                             4:12
2:19                             4:14
2:20                             4:15
3:10

These were uttered by people who knew God was active in their lives even as they just faithfully went about the ordinary.