The Book of Ruth
A Bible Study
The book of Ruth is named after a Moabites who, after the death of her husband, journeyed to Bethlehem with her widowed Mother-in-law. Ruth occupies an important role in Israelite history because she became an ancestor of King David and of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:5-16 " And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
It takes place during a time of famine in Bethlehem-Judah during the time of Judges and therefore may have been completed at the same time. David is mentioned by name but David's son Solomon is not mentioned which could mean that it was written before the birth of Solomon but after David ascended the throne. Ruth gives an accurate picture of customs during the time of David.
The period of Judges was a time of turbulence, unrest, tribal jealousies, and idolatry. The book of Ruth:
* reveals the customs of the times
* helps us to understand family life in ancient Israel
* helps us to understand the responsibilities and privileges of the nearest kinsmen.
* is an incomparable love story
* is a portrayal of the sovereign purpose of God working out the family line of David.
* teaches the grace of God in which a cursed people is made part of God's covenant people.
* pictures the fact that there was coming a blessing to the Gentiles. If Gentiles repent and believe, they too can partake of God's covenant blessings (amen to that!)
*The kinsman-redeemer is a picture of Christ who died to redeem us from the curse of the law.
As we go through the book of Ruth you will see all of these points unfold. By God's grace we will better understand God's placement of the book of Ruth in the Bible!
Ruth Chapter One
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