The book of ruth is one of the historical books of hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible. In the days when the judges were judging 1 there was a famine in the land of israel, therefore, a man from bethlehem in judah named elimelech left for moab with his wife and two sons, remained in moab and died, and his children married moabite women orpah and ruth, and also remained in moab and thus died leaving naomi in mourning over. Includes useful appendixes on christ as the menuchah of the. 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. Tragedy strikes the family of ruth and naomi ruth 1.
Top 5 commentaries on the book of ruth ligonier ministries. Our story opens on a nice jewish family with a problem. It also refers to a former time in israel, indicating it was written years after the actual events occurred. And a certain man of bethlehem, judah, went to dwell in the country of moab, he and his wife and his two sons. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. But the book of ruth also looks forward to the time of david, a moabite descendant who enters a levirate marriage with abigail. But the book of ruth is more than it might appear at first glance. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. The book of ruth is one of only two books of the bible to be named after women the other is esther. Throughout he emphasizes the history of the moabites as a cursed people of god, reminding us that ruth was of that lineage of moab. Loves reward ruths marital joys the purpose of the book. The chaldee paraphrase thus relates the debate between naomi and ruth. The book of ruth showed the israelites the blessings that obedience could bring.
Commentary on the book of ruth by matthew henry old. The book of ruth contains one of the bibles bestknown and mostloved stories. The book of ruth reflects a time of peace between israel and moab contrast jdg 3. Recently ive discovered the parallel between the familiar tale and a new covenant life. The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the judges. These two issues are addressed in the book of ruth. Ruth said, entreat me not to leave thee, for i will be a proselyte. Designing to return to bethlehem, she addresses her daughters in law, ver. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 1200 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. The book of ruth abbreviated rth is included in the third division, or the writings ketuvim, of the hebrew bible.
In the series of the sacred writings of the old testament, the short book of ruth occupies two different principal. Conclusions about the book of ruth bible commentary. The book was written sometime after bc 1010 since that was when david took the throne of israel. New american commentary nac 9780805401066 by daniel block. Nay, observe the chain of thought here, and in it a chain of providences, bringing about what was designed concerning ruth. Conclusions about the book of ruth bible commentary produced by tow project the book of ruth presents a powerful story of god at work, directing events from all sides to take care of his people, and more importantly, to accomplish his purposes.
The book of ruth new international commentary on the old. Book of ruth overview insight for living ministries. The sovereignty of god is manifest in the story of ruth as how god in times of decline of his people preserved a seed in one of his servants that led to. Then naomi her motherinlaw said to her, my daughter, shall i not seek security for you, that it may be well with you. To start off, i would suggest that you sit down and read through this beautiful book. Several parallels between ruth the story of david can be made, but it is not clear to me how this relationship works. Ruth, biblical character, a woman who after being widowed remains with her husbands mother. Apr 28, 2020 my aim is to preach through the book of ruth in the next four sundaysone chapter each sunday.
Combines coxs devotional studies from the expositor with fullers sermons on chapters 12 see ruth 1 ruth 2. Commentary on the book of ruth relevant bible teaching. The sons marry two local girls, ruth and orpah, during this time. Thus, since ruth was a valid jewish girl at her 1st marriage, after her husband has died without children, she became a yevama. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. The mans name was elimelek, his wifes name was naomi, and the. The events in ruth likely take place around 1100 bc, or toward the end of the rule of the judges. 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. Although it is not known who wrote the book, it was probably written during the reign of israels king david. Thesis statement to focus on the big idea analytical outline to guide the understanding. But the consideration of jesus in this book of ruth doesnt begin with the mention of king david. One way that you can make july a very memorable month of insight and renewal for yourself is to read through this beautiful story once each week. Intro to ruth biblica the international bible society. The book centers around the theme of redemption and provides a beautiful picture of the coming messiah jesus christ. Introduction to the book of ruth bible commentary produced by tow project the book of ruth tells the extraordinary story of gods faithfulness to israel in the life and work of three ordinary people, naomi, ruth and boaz. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.
Best ruth commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Read ruth 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. It is a study on the culture of the american boonies, on the failed education system, and of a flawed family, as ruth struggles for hope. Famine has hit bethlehem, which forces elimelech and his wife, naomi, to move east to moab with their two sons to get some grub. Boazs loyalty to his kinsman, naomis husband, reflected gods faithfulness. As the book of ruth later tells, ruth was sincere at her conversion ger tsedek or more correctly, gioret tsedakah, but orpah was not. 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.
Well, said ruth, whatever thy people keep i will keep, for they shall be my people. The story of ruth offers vital lessons to every generation and has enjoyed nearly universal acceptance by biblical scholars and critics throughout the centuries. The book of ruth tells a touching story of the love and devotion of an ancestor of david and jesus christ. I find that very interesting because the two books are so different. 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. The period of the judges would end when saul was anointed as the first king of israel in 1050 bc. The story is told in the book of ruth, part of the biblical canon called ketuvim, or writings.
It celebrates the loyalty and reward of a young moabite widow ruth who chooses to follow her israelite motherinlaw naomi back to bethlehem after naomi was bereaved of her own husband and two sons. The final words of the book link ruth with her greatgrandson, david ruth 4. Thus she is an ancestor in the messianic line that leads to jesus. Nov 12, 2008 john macarthurs sermon on ruth the kinsman redeemer is rather straightforward and matteroffact as he delves into the background concerning the moabites, then summarizes the overall book of ruth. In the narrative, she is not an israelite but rather is from moab. The other festival scrolls are song of songs, lamentations, ecclesiastes and. Introduction to the book of ruth commentary by rev. You can read so many of the books of the old testament looking for a great childrens. The book of ruth gets its own small volume in the old testament library otl series. Robert hubbards commentary on ruth is a model of how commentaries should be written. Yee introduction in the christian old testament, the book of ruth is located after the book of judges and before 1 samuel, most likely because it is set during the time of the judges ruth 1. He helps us recognize how weve been squeezed into the mold of society. Naomi said, we have four sorts of deaths for malefactors, stoning, burning, strangling, and slaying with the sword.
It manages to deal with both details and the big picture. Ruth, naomi and boaz all occupy the stage in turn, and gods. Although some sources credit samuel the prophet, samuel died before davids kingship, which is alluded to at the end of the book date written. The book of ruth, by jane hamilton, is the story of a girl growing up on the illinoiswisconsin border, born into a world that simply doesnt love her. In core i, many students read the book of ruth, which tells of a moabite woman who comes to israel with her motherinlaw. The story is told in the book of ruth, part of the biblical canon.
Free bible commentary on book of ruth in easy english. Ruth 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Naomi said, we are commanded to keep sabbaths and good days, on which we may not travel above 2000 cubitsa sabbathdays journey. The book of ruth is the narrative of a love story, yet also has some important genealogy. The book of ruth appears to be intended to connect the history of david with the earlier times, and also to form a contrast, in its peaceful and pastoral simplicity, to the disorders of which we read so continually in the book of judges.
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. Unlike to humble naomi are many, who, though fallen into decay themselves, are continually boasting of their great relations. The book of ruth follows the book of judges in our bibles because its setting was in that time period. The story of ruth as you may never have thought of it before. Ruth is one of the five festival scrolls, also known as the megilloth, in the writings section of the old testament. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. The setting of the book is the spring barley harvest, hence its long association with the festival of pentecost, which pictured this early harvest. Commentary on the book of ruth ruth 1 1now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land and a certain man of bethlehem in judah went to sojourn in the land of moab with his wife and his two sons. According to the jewish historian josephus, judges and ruth were originally numbered together as one book. Study the bible online using commentary on ruth 1 and more. Ruth with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. Naomi loses her husband and sons in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. The critical allegation against the book of ruth that makes it a production of some postexilic narrator bases their theory on the false proposition that the names of elimelechs sons are fictitious, invented for them centuries later and designed to fit what happened to them, but leon morris cites plenty of proof that the names mahlon and.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The book of ruth is dated almost to the period of the judges and is a story of romance, redemption, and loyalty. Only two old testament books receive their names from women, ruth and esther. As such, she would be obliged to marry the next son of noemi. Commentary on book of ruth the kind providence of god secures redemption and establishes the messianic hope even for destitute gentiles paul apple november 2012 for each section. Written by kirsten nielsen, this commentary meets the aims of the series in providing a critical take in a midlength commentary. Ruth chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. Naomi said, we are forbidden to worship any strange god. In the hebrew bible, ruth stands with the song of solomon, lamentations, ecclesiastes, and esther. Thus does the grace of god meet us in the book of ruth, clothing itself in its most attractive form, and so much the more giving, evidence of its power, when we think of the material on which it wrought, in her at least whose name it bears. 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.
Commentary on the book of ruth tough questions answered. This is the first commentary to which one should turn with questions about the book of ruth. 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. The two of them travel to bethlehem together, where ruth wins the love of boaz. There, they set up shop, eat some food, and live for about ten years. You will also find options for commentaries on ruth that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Jesus has been through the whole book, pictured by boaz and the office of the kinsmanredeemer. The book of judges is about bloodshed, war, and strife. 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.
Like 1sa 12, it gives a series of intimate glimpses into the private lives of the members of an israelite family. 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. Ruth might hold the title of best daughterinlaw ever. In ruth, an israelite family faces tragic loss, and god uses the. Ancient versions and modern translations consistently entitle this book after ruth the moabitess heroine, who is mentioned by name 12 times 1. The first verse of the book points to the time of the judges and the very last verse points to king david. And a certain man of bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of moab, he, and his. You can find the best commentary on ruth for you using the tools on the right side. Ruth and boaz are the reason why jesus was born in bethlehem. This commentary has been through advanced checking.
Naomis plan for ruths future reflected selfless love. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old testament, 1989. 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 hidden symbolism you never saw in the book of ruth. 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. Ruths sacrifice and hard work to provide for naomi reflected gods love. Book of ruth, old testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Ruth 4 the marriage of boaz and ruth enduring word. Jun 24, 2015 ruth is a righteous person in a dark age of violence.
Even though its small, this remarkable book contains many principles with profound impact to our lives today. Buy a private commentary on the book of ruth by james d. The author was anonymous but some believe it was perhaps written by samuel the prophet. Watch our overview video on the book of ruth, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Have you ever thought of how it could apply to your life. There is no special book in the bible about mary, but god has given us this lovely book about ruth. The book of ruth is named for the moabite woman who commits herself to the israelite people by an oath to her motherinlaw naomi and becomes the greatgrandmother of david by marriage to boaz of bethlehem. Jesus, the greatest of all kings, came from bethlehem from the same family. It also presents a delightful account of the remnant of true faith and piety in the period of the judges, relieving an otherwise wholly. The book of ruth message bibleproject the bible project.
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