Furthermore the book of Ruth is important because it establishes the origin of the Davidic Dynasty. David was the greatest king of Israel. The Davidic Covenant establishes his throne. In addition, the book of Ruth appears to be a simple love story, which people can relate to. However, it is much more, because it establishes the doctrine of Right Man/Right Woman for Israel. (Keil & Delitzch)
On two occasions the writer spoke directly of God=s sovereign, overseeing grace on behalf of the main characters in the Book of Ruth: (1) AThere she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food @ (Ruth 1:6, NRSV). (2) Ruth had been barren for several years in Moab before her husband Mahlon died. Later, as the wife of Boaz, ASo Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son@ (Ruth 4:13, NRSV). The Lord was regularly petitioned to answer prayers on their behalf (Ruth 1:8-9; 2:12; 4:11-12, NRSV). The blessing from the Lord was invoked on behalf of faithful people (Ruth 2:4, 19-20; 3:10, NRSV). Ruth and Boaz committed themselves to carry out their responsibilities in light of God=s fidelity (Ruth 1:17; 3:13 NRSV). Boaz commended Ruth for seeking refuge under the wings of Israel=s God (Ruth 2:12, NRSV).
Clearly God would always act responsibly and carry out his plan. The question was whether the people in the Book of Ruth would respond in a responsible manner. Naomi acted responsibly in returning (Ruth 1:7, NRSV). Orpah returned to her home and her Moabite gods. In contrast Ruth chose to follow Naomi=s God and to care for Naomi (Ruth 1:14-17, NRSV). Though the nearest kinsman refused to redeem, faithful Boaz acted responsibly in providing redemption (Ruth 3:12; 4:1-10, NSRV).
The key word in the story of Ruth is hessed, which speaks of loyalty borne out of love and kindness toward those to whom a person is responsible. Naomi asked that the Lord would show his hessed to her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:8, NSRV). Naomi also spoke of the Lord=s hessed to her (Athe living@) because of what Boaz had done for Ruth (Ruth 2:20, NSRV). Boaz affirmed the hessed of Ruth when she asked him to marry her instead of her seeking a younger man. This kindness, Boaz said, was even greater than her earlier kindness to Naomi (Ruth 3:10, NSRV). Boaz performed an act of hessed when he went beyond the bounds of what was required of him in marrying Ruth. It appears then that Ruth is a parable, and a worthy forerunner of the parables of Jesus. Its purpose will be to awaken the people of God to their high privilege and responsibility. (Herbert, 316)
The book of Ruth is important to the people of Israel, and the reason for preserving was to show a good example of how traditions are important, how people are forgiven for their sins. It illustrates the power God has when one believes in him. The result is a beautiful story of how God works through the hesed (loyalty) of two women, Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. The story was probably composed later than the period of the United Kingdom, but it surely is consonant with the spirit of the age of Solomon. Ruth follows God because she learns and understands what he could, and he did do for her because of her faith. (Anderson, p. 244)
Works Cited
C. F. Keil and F. Delitzch (James Martin, Translator), Commentary on the Old Testament, Vol. II, ISBN 0-8028-8036-3 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co.), 1978.
B.W. Anderson. Understanding the Old Testament. Fourth Edition. (Upper Saddle River, NJ.)1986
A.S. Herbert. Ruth. Black & Rowley Editors. Peake’s Commentary on the Bible. Routledge Co. Ltd. 1962.
