Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.
RUTH - OLD TESTAMENT - HISTORY
8th book of the OT
8th book of the Bible
It starts with Famine, Family, Death & Sadness in relationships.
But does not stay that way.
One of the most famous verses of the book is in chapter 1 v 16 which brings the first ray of hope into the sad story.
What is it?
The Book of Ruth is one of the History Books in the Old Testament which means it is Factual and has a place in the time frame of Christianity.
How Long is it?
It has 4 chapters each one being less than 25 verses.
When was it Written?
It was written between 1050 & 1000 BC.
Who Wrote it?
Some believe it would have been written by the Prophet Samuel but there is uncertainty about this.
Who was it Written about?
It was written about 3 people
Ruth (a moabitess) who had become a widow.
Naomi (an Israelite) who was the mother-in-law of Ruth and was also a widow.
Boaz (an Israelite) who was a relation of Naomi.
The Overview Bible tells us the following
"Two widows lose everything, and find hope in Israel—which leads to the birth of the future King David."
Who was it Written for?
It was written for the people of Israel to know an important fact in their history and help with the timeline of Christ.
Where did this part of history take place?
It started in the land of Moab where Naomi and her husband had gone to escape a famine in Israel and it continued in the land of Israel when Ruth and Naomi returned there after they were both widowed.
Why was it Written?
It was written to tell the true story of the faith of three people and of two relationships in the history of the Israelites which would have a most important effect on the future of the world.
One between 2 women Ruth and her Mother-in-law Naomi, and the other between Ruth and Boaz.
The Overview Bible tells us the following
"The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges: it’s a bright story of hope during a very dark period in Israel’s spiritual and political history."
Teach Sunday School tells us the following
"Ruth became the great grandmother of King David after a good deed of refusing to desert her mother-in-law. Her story takes place mostly in Bethlehem the future birthplace of Jesus."
How does it end?
Descendants of Boaz and Ruth in chapter 4 v 13-17
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.17 Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
The Overview Bible tells us the following
Quick outline of Ruth
- Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem (ch 1)
- Ruth gleans in Boaz’ field (ch 2)
- Ruth proposes to Boaz (ch 3)
- Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi (ch 4:1–15)
- King David’s genealogy (ch 4:16–22)
OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE
