RUTH - IntroductionThere are many reasons to study the book of RUTH, not the least of which is that Ruth is an interesting and absorbing history, a true story that provides many benefits and joys to the reader. RUTH is an account of extreme testing of simple people, people who exhibit their trust in God under great duress. RUTH provides practical application of the concepts of God's grace towards believers.
The book tells us how Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons emigrated to Moab on account of a famine, how Elimelech died in Moab, how his sons married Moabite women, and how Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah were left in bereavement and poverty with the deaths of Mahlon and Chilion. Then, we are told how Ruth went with Naomi back to Judah, to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel, and how, when she was going out to glean in the fields to eke out an existence, she came to a field owned by Boaz, a near relation of Elimelech, and became acquainted with this honorable and gracious man. In chapter 3 and 4 we see how Ruth was directed by Naomi to request levirate marriage with Boaz, how they followed all the legal forms of such an arrangement, how they were married and honored by the local people, and how they had a son, Obed, David's grandfather. The book of RUTH gives us the inner story of the spiritual and moral background of a family who walked uprightly before God and man and showed piety, great singleness of heart, modesty and purity of life. Ruth had a very strong desire for the God of Israel and His people, and she sought a relationship with God with great earnestness. Boaz was an upright "man of dignity", full of reverence for all of God's ordinances, and forthright in making practical application of godly principles. As Judah begat Perez from Tamar the Canaanite woman, as Salmon begat Boaz from Rahab the woman of Jericho, so the Moabite woman Ruth was incorporated into the family of Judah, from which Christ was to spring according to the flesh (Matt. 1:3-5). It is from such ancestors as these that David was descended. Put all the facts together and you have a great family history. Ask yourself, how much was the character of Boaz affected by his mother Rahab's testimony and courage? He was known as "a mighty man of wealth", a distinguished citizen of sterling character. And how much were the faith of Jesse, David's father, and of David himself, influenced by the momentum established by previous faithful generations? This is a great family, distinguished in every generation by solid believers who set the relationship with God as the top priority in their lives. They subordinated all family, business, and social life to God's will and plan, and they enjoyed the many-generation blessings that accrued as a result. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The incidents described in RUTH occur in the time of the judges, most likely during the judgeship of Gideon. RUTH forms a supplement to the book of JUDGES and an introduction to the books of SAMUEL, which give no account of David's ancestors. In the Jewish religion, RUTH stands among the five "megilloth": Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther. This books have been used in the liturgy of the synagogue from several hundred years before Christ until the present day, RUTH being read every year at the Feast of Weeks. I memorized RUTH many years ago, and I have kept it in memory ever since. It has 85 verses, and it takes me about 20 minutes to recite it to myself silently in my mind. More often, however, I just meditate on portions of it, depending on what comes to mind. It is wishful thinking, I know, but I fancy I know the people in RUTH. More importantly, these very real and plain individuals have been a great testimony to me, especially during times when I am trying to decide whether I will follow God's leading. And that you might be able to take the mental journeys that the Lord has blessed me with, I urge you also to memorize RUTH as part of this study. I have never met anyone sorry to have done so. |
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