Now that we've read through the book, let's get into a little more detail.
Remember the whole text of Ruth is to the right under "Pages."
These opening verses provide the setting and backdrop for the story.
A few helpful nuggets of information as you read:
(1) It is suggested by v. 1 to have the book of Judges in the background, where the refrain is "...and everyone did what was right in their own eyes."
(2) The talk of famine might bring to mind other OT stories about famine (Abram, etc.). Same with talk of childlessness.
(3) Bethlehem means 'house of bread' - interesting nugget considering what happens.
(4) Moab might bring to mind Genesis 19:37 and the story of Lot
(5) Naomi and Elimelech are 'Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah' - same as David (1 Samuel 7:12).
(6) The family doesn't seem to be described in a negative way for leaving Judah and going to Moab, though some scholars lean towards that.
(7) What will happen to a woman in a world where all power and privilege is held by males...what will happen when her husband and two sons die without any children?! More importantly, what can happen because God is the kind of God who blesses?
Thoughts, questions, applications.
I'm always amazed at how GOD weaves HIS will in and throughout the choices we make, what some would call our "free will." Despite our choices, whether we or others view them as positive or negative, GOD is using them to bring about HIS sovereign will.
ReplyDeleteSome might view the family's journey from the "house of bread" during famine as faithless. But they did it. Some might view the family's marriage into Moabite blood as faithless, but they did it. But ultimately it brought a believer into the family that eventually married Boaz who, of course begat Obed, who begat Jesse, who begat David....all the way to Jesus. Too cool. And lets not forget that Boaz was descended from Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho. I guess if GOD can use Balaam's "ass," HE can use mine, too.
Amazed too, Andy. One of the best bits of biblical theology I heard was to remember that right now, we are in only one chapter of the BIG STORY God is writing/has written. We'll summarize what we are going through today with a sentence or two in 10 years time. Glad God is the 'grand weaver.' Reminds me of the Tapestry series we did a while back. And, with you, so glad God invites into His family those that many of us would rather leave behind, because it turns out, we are them:)
ReplyDelete(1) It is suggested by v. 1 to have the book of Judges in the background, where the refrain is "...and everyone did what was right in their own eyes."
ReplyDeleteI think that describes our modern world .
David bought a threshing floor to build the temple( for offerings ) on Mt. Moriah where Abraham offered his son .Ruth offered herself to her redeemer on a threshing floor not too far from there .
I'm intrigued with the idea of time in this opening section, knowing what comes next. Verses 3-5 summarize at least 10 years (Hebrew is a little ambiguous) by reporting 2 marriages and 3 deaths - 10 years and 5 hugely significant events in the span of 3 verses! Then, the next few months are zeroed in on through the rest of the book's almost 4 chapters! What are your thoughts about this idea of seeing time in this way...or have I been so abstract that I haven't really communicated well?
ReplyDeleteI've read that Ruth is like a female version of Abraham, and she picked up and went without needing a special call from God (Genesis 12:1-3).
ReplyDeleteBut, I thought women always asked for directions!
ReplyDelete