Written by kirsten nielsen, this commentary meets the aims of the series in providing a critical take in a midlength commentary. God used ruth to perpetuate the line of the messiah, the lord jesus christ. So a man from bethlehem in judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of moab. Ruth summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ruth for bible study or sunday school lessons. Now updated, wiersbes bestselling study explores what the books of ruth and esther say about being committed to doing gods will, serving others, embracing grace and hope, experiencing redemption, and trusting gods promises. The insight into the times of ruth, the historical background of the relationship between the israelites and moabites added a new dimension to the book of ruth. The book of ruth opens with a verse that begins the process of unpacking the historical setting and context of the story.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible. Abundant harvest, overflowing blessings, new life where before there was only emptiness all of it is made possible through the hesed of god, enacted by ruth and boaz, everyday, ordinary people who demonstrate extraordinary love and faithfulness. The book of leviticus comes to life here, with its injunctions to leave part of the harvest for the needy, and with all of its concern and compassion for the underprivileged within the society. It was god who preserved a kinsman to continue naomis line 2. The book of ruth contains one of the bibles bestknown and mostloved stories. Indeed, the book of ruth is a fresh breath of air after reading judges. Read the book of ruth in its entirety what do you know about the book of ruth. The second part of the book iv, 1822 consists in a brief genealogy which connects the line of david through booz with phares, one of the sons of juda. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old testament. It is a groundless tradition of the jews that ruth was the daughter of eglon king of moab, yet the chaldee paraphrast inserts it. Naomi loses her husband and sons in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. Grab your free printable on the key verses from the book of ruth sneak peak below.
The love story between boaz and ruth is secondary to the love story between god and nao mi. Best commentaries and books on ruth logos bible software. This mighty man of wealth assists personally in the winnowing of his barley, which lies in a great heap on the floor ruth 3. Be more knowledgeable about gods word with this classic commentary. Ruth would later marry boaz, but more on that in a minute. Aug 07, 2015 the main purpose of the book of ruth is to communicate the ancestry of king david, the greatest king of israel, who would rule from 1010 to 970 bc. The chapter began with the introduction to a man named boaz. This first article, ruth sg1a, gives a great introduction to how to read and get meaning out of an old testament narrative. Lessons in life and faith from the book of ruth in the bible. I very much enjoyed the ruth portion of this commentary i did not read the judges section.
He was important because of who came out of his lineage. Of course in the old testament days this latter truth was still hidden. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old testament nicot robert l. Read the full text of the book of ruth in hebrew and english on sefaria. For example, the theme of marriage occupies much of the story, but when viewed as an idealized romance between faithful ruth and godly boaz, the rich theology of this book passes right under the noses of many of its admirers. Ruth goes with naomi to bethlehem and, in gods perfect timing, a kinsmen redeemer is revealed, boaz. As the book of ruth later tells, ruth was sincere at her conversion ger tsedek or more correctly, gioret tsedakah, but orpah was not. Ruth, on the other hand, was a gentile woman moabitess who married a hebrew man living in moab. I find that very interesting because the two books are so different. Study the bible online using commentary on ruth 2 and more.
Wed say its sexfree, too, but then theres the whole scene where ruth uncovers boazs feet. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. As we move from the book of judges to the book of ruth, a bright light suddenly shines against the dark backdrop of a morally corrupt time period. You can read more commentaries on familiar bible stories in. Although ruth came from a pagan background in moab, once she met the god of israel, she became a living testimonial to him by faith. Free bible commentary on book of ruth in easy english. Now boaz went up he had decided to redeem elimelechs estate if the next of kin refused the obligation. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old. Commentary on the book of ruth by matthew henry old. Ruth is a moabite woman who marries a judean immigrant named mahlon 1.
Its story of gods concern for two widows and of ruth s devotion to her motherinlaw and first husband is inspiring and fore. Ruth was married to mahlon something like 10 years. The book of ruth gives us a glimpse into the hidden work of god during the worst of times. Ruth with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Liberty university school of divinity old testament exegetical commentary of ruth part 2 submitted to dr. Ruth is one of the five festival scrolls, also known as the megilloth, in the writings section of the old testament. The story of ruth as you may never have thought of it before. The bible project has made a very interesting video exploring the book of ruth. Upon his death she becomes a childless widow who chooses to accompany her. Ruth 4 commentary summary sermon explaining the book. Jehovah, indicating that ruth is the follower of the true god. Crux bible study leaders crux bible study is a geneva college community bible study sponsored by the staff of the coalition for christian outreach and the call fall 2004. David guziks bible commentary on ruth chapter 1, where ruth makes the journey with her motherinlaw naomi from the land of moab to the land of israel.
On the surface, it is the story of a young virtuous maiden who leaves her family and her nation to cast her lot with a people and religion that she has not previously known. The hebrew word hesed is the word which has been translated most often as loyal love in the net bible. The events in ruth likely take place around 1100 bc, or toward the end of the rule of the judges. Thus, since ruth was a valid jewish girl at her 1st marriage, after her husband has died without children, she became a yevama.
Read ruth 1 commentary using wesleys explanatory notes. The book of ruth gets its own small volume in the old testament library otl series. Book of ruth, old testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Adapted from the book of ruth commentary by robert l. The book of ruth has undoubtedly received its fair share of undervaluation at this point. Her purity of thought, noble behavior and charming character gain her the role of the progenitor of a royal dynasty. If you have a group of 6 or more you may want to split up into smaller groups of 3 or 4 is it anyones first time reading through the book of ruth. Home bible studies ruth ruth 1 these small group studies of ruth contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, teaching points, and applications. Bible study guide for ruth 1 comprehensive lesson for.
A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Ruth is a book dealing with the providential working of god upon the hand of a woman. The book of ruth tells a touching story of the love and devotion of an ancestor of david and jesus christ. Lesson 1 i cant even begin to tell you how excited i am to study the ook of ruth with you. When we open to the 3rd chapter of the book of ruth were coming into the middle of several story lines in the bible.
Ruth 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. We see him working out his perfect plan in ruth s life, just as he does with all his children romans 8. The book of ruth is completely drug and violence free. Ruth chapter two summary brings together a special union. May god, by his grace, fit us for all such changes, especially the great change.
Title the book is named after one of its main characters, a young woman of moab, the greatgrandmother of david and an ancestress of jesus 4. It states that in the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of bethlehem in judah went to sojourn in. The final words of the book link ruth with her greatgrandson, david ruth 4. In this lesson we will look at walking in hesed or. The book of ruth follows the book of judges in our bibles because its setting was in that time period. This commentary has been through advanced checking. The setting of the book is the spring barley harvest, hence its long association with the festival of pentecost, which pictured this early harvest. The translated bible text has been through advanced checking. The book of ruth expands our understanding of the breadth by which god gives his lovingkindness to humanity. The first verse of the book points to the time of the judges and the very last verse points to king david.
To provide a biographical sketch of the pious ancestors of david the king which the books of samuel do not provide. This summary of the book of ruth provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ruth. Old testament exegetical commentary of ruth youll meet. And it was god who constrains ruth to stay with naomi. The book of ruth is regarded as one of the most beautifully written stories in the bible.
Ruth s name provides the title for the book of ruth, probably a piece of historical fiction set in the time of the judges. The simple manners of boaz and his times are here before us. Study the bible online using commentary on ruth 1 and more. You can read more commentaries on familiar bible stories in our people in the bible topic page. In the hebrew bible, ruth stands with the song of solomon, lamentations, ecclesiastes, and esther. The genealogy at the end of the book shows davids lineage through the days of the judges, acting as a support for his rightful kingship. It was the person of david, who gave reasons for the writing of ruth, but the promise of the coming of the messiah is written all over these pages.
Book of ruth overview insight for living ministries. Story of ruth first obviously were landing in the middle of the book of ruth. The book of ruth is an important historical work in hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible, as it traces the lineage of king david and ultimately that of the messiah, jesus christ. The story of ruth offers vital lessons to every generation and has enjoyed nearly universal acceptance by biblical scholars and critics throughout the centuries. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Excerpts this commentary is from a modern writer and is well done background notes.
An easyenglish bible version and commentary 1200 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. Top 5 commentaries on the book of ruth ligonier ministries. Ruth ultimately became an ancestor of the messiah see genealogy of jesus, mt 1. Ruth was to wait till the servants, having finished their work and their repast, had retired to their respective homes. The hidden symbolism you never saw in the book of ruth. The other festival scrolls are song of songs, lamentations, ecclesiastes and.
According to the jewish historian josephus, judges and ruth were originally numbered together as one book. The period of the judges would end when saul was anointed as the first king of israel in 1050 bc. Commentary on the book of ruth tough questions answered. The book of ruth is such a touching love story and such a charming tale of emptiness to abundance that we can easily think there is nothing more to it. You can find the best commentary on ruth for you using the tools on the right side. Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them.
A commentary on the book of ruth international theological commentary hamlin, e. Ruth is an example of how god can change a life and take it in a direction he has foreordained. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain. The master, as naomi knew, would remain gratefully and joyfully on the spot, to keep watch in the midst of his cereal treasures, and under the still magnificence of. In the series of the sacred writings of the old testament, the short book of ruth occupies two different principal. The book of judges is about bloodshed, war, and strife. Now, let me give you a quick synopsis of the book of ruth. Step into the story the book of ruth is a beautiful story about ruth and naomi and ruth and boaz. To start out, a woman by the name of naomi packed up and moved from judah to moab due to a terrible famine that was affecting her family. Welcome to ivy baptist churchs bible study on demand before beginning this study, please take an opportunity to download the worksheet for this bible study.
Ruth, the newest in the jps bible commentary series, is a magnificent achievement. Despite the sin and apostasy of the people of israel during the times of the judges jehovah is fulfilling his promises in regard to the coming messiah. Ancient versions and modern translations consistently entitle this book after ruth the moabitess heroine, who is mentioned by name 12 times 1. Our focus will be on ruth s loyal love which goes far beyond the superficial contexts in which we sometimes use the word love.
Only two old testament books receive their names from women, ruth. It also contains some of the most memorable stories in all of scripture, not to mention numerous old testament. The book of ruth connects the book of judges with the books of samuel. Article 2, ruth sg2a, points out the close relationship between ruth and proverbs 31 and talks about what the bible promotes in a feminine ideal. This thorough commentary mines recent research to give the book of ruths literary, grammatical, and theological dimensions a rigorous treatment. Ruth portrays a marriage between ruth, the young moabite woman after whom the book is named, and boaz, an upright and worthy man, who takes ruth and her widowed motherinlaw, naomi, into his home. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The book of ruth, which appears in the third section of the hebrew bible, ktuvim, writings, is a beautiful folktale written in four short chapters.
Articles cover important topics that come up throughout the book. And so like all the other scriptures, as paul says romans 15. She and her husband moved there with their two sons, who eventually took wives while living in moab. This commentary by tamara cohn eskenazi and tikva frymerkensky is an important addition to the extant scholarship on this biblical book. I had planned to write this lesson my first week, but i felt so much opposition from the enemy that i tabled it for a few weeks, waiting until the warfare had lifted and i could hear from the holy spirit. According to the babylonian talmud of the jews samuel the prophet may have been the author of the book of ruth. Afflictions will make great and surprising changes in a little time. The book of ruth is primarily a story about gods redemption of naomi. Ruth 3 commentary meaning summary sermon explaining the book.
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