Good question. The author of the book remains a subject of debate. Could it have been written by a lady? Not certain. The presentation given to women in the book is unusual especially in a male centered Society. Its title is a name of a woman. The main actors are women. It is the only book in the Bible in which the women talk more than the men.
However, it could be rightly affirmed that at the time of writing, women were not prominent enough to author a book. It is clear from the way the story is narrated that it existed in oral form before it was written down.
The author may be male but the storyteller is female.
The Overview of the Book
The events in the book took place in the period when the Judges rule over Israel. We are not told which Judge governs Israel. (Ruth 1:1).
Here is what the Bible says concerning the period:
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”~ Judges 21:25
It was a period of about 350 years of Israel’s history. It was striking for its cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, deliverance and back to sin.
Though the nation as a whole was separated from God, there were some who still clung to Jehovah in faith. Boaz lived faithfully while others are unfaithful and immoral.
This shows you could live a pure life among the present day people full of immorality and sin. Yes, Boaz is a man living in male centered society.
Ruth also demonstrated the same quality. She was a pagan and a stranger from Moab. Yet, she lived a pure life completely different from the general attitude of God’s people of her time.
The story of Ruth provides the reader positive glimpses in two main areas:
True, marital love based on honorable intentions and faithfulness.
Spiritual fidelity to Jehovah in some of Israel’s darkest days as God’s people.
Ruth was a young Moabitess (Ruth 1:4) who married a Hebrew named Mahlon (Ruth 4:10). She was a young woman who would know both joy and pain. Out of the experiences of her life she would mold a character that is exemplary for any to follow. God is able to change us through His care into faithful servants.
The book of Ruth tells us how Ruth came to love a Jew, then her mother-in-law and at last their God. We are reminded that God’s love is for all mankind, and He has ample room for any and all who would come to know Him based on obedience to His covenant requirements.
Was Ruth converted. Yes, she left her idolatrous ways to follow the religion of the Jews (Ruth 1:15-16).
-The book shows the origin of the lineage of David and eventually Christ (Ruth 4:17)
The book of Ruth also teaches us about the providence of God in the lives of those who determine to follow Him. Notice these instances where God made provision:
Ruth came to know Him (Ruth1:1-4)
Ruth supported herself and Naomi and came into contact with Boaz (Ruth 1:22. 2:3)
Boaz redeeming Ruth (Ruth 3:1-5)
The Book of Ruth - Name & Meaning
In the book of Ruth the names of the characters match their actions. This may give the false impression that the book is not a record of true historical events. Here are the names of the characters and their meanings:
• Mahlon means sickness • Chilion means failing • Orpah o means she who turns back • Naomi means sweetness • Boaz means in him is strength • Ruth means friendship or female companionship • Obed means servant of God; worshipper, follower • Elimelech Eli means my God melech means King
What is the Purpose of the Book of Ruth?
The book of Ruth shows the example of those few individuals who are faithful to God despite living in an evil society. It teaches the faithfulness of God to those who refuse to conform to the life style and standard of their time.
It is not a sin to live among sinners or in cruel and idolatrous society. But it is a sin to partake in their iniquities.
However, the main purpose of this book is to reveal the information about the lineage of David the king of Israel (Ruth 4:17-22) and that of Jesus Christ the Messiah. .
Why the book of Ruth?
There are many possible reasons for the book:
First, the book is to tell a good story. The second reason is to improve the image of women in a male-centered Society. In the book we find women making choices and decisions.
The image of the Hebrews in general also needs some improvement. They need to better how they treat people who worshipped God differently from them.
The God of the Jews is presented as opposed to the Hebrews marrying a stranger. See Nehemiah 13: 23-27; Ezra 10.However, in the book of Ruth God is seen as blessing a foreign woman, Ruth and enabling her to conceive a child who became the grandfather of David, king of Israel.
The book of Ruth shows the kindness of God towards any person who show trust in God, regardless of gender, race or ethnic and religious background.
God in the Book of Ruth
The book of Ruth shows a God who is involved in the day-to-day affairs of ordinary people.
God was behind:
– The meeting of Ruth and Boaz in the field.
–Directs Ruth, a simple woman, and a stranger, to glean in the field of the kinsman-redeemer of Elimelech.
–The arrangement that Boaz slept away from everyone else
-Involved in finding husband for Ruth and the immediate conception of a child, called Obed, who became the grandfather of king David.
God made a simple, faithful, foreign lady, Ruth, part of the Royal line of Israel that went through King David, and thus one of the human families of Jesus Christ.
Although Naomi initially blames God for her loss of her husband and two sons, she ends with a God who provides for her needs through Ruth and Boaz. God is the one who protects widows. God rewards faithfulness with goodness. God is generous even to Gentiles.
The Role of the City Gate
The book teaches the importance of the city gate. Boaz went to the city gate in order to make contact with a relative of Naomi’s (Ruth 4:1-2) to settle the matter of redemption of the field of Elimelech and the issue of bringing up children for him. .
The gate of a city was presented in the book as a place of gathering and judgment of legal matters.
Action Point:
Decide right now to make Ruth or Boaz your model.
Decide to follow God and His people at all time.
God bless you as you decide for Him in Jesus name.
Use Google Tool Below
You want to quickly search for a Bible Study Topics on this site or on the entire web? It is easy. Simply type in the key word and click on Google Search eg:Jesus.
