Commentary on the book of ruth by matthew henry old. The author was anonymous but some believe it was perhaps written by samuel the prophet. Boazs loyalty to his kinsman, naomi s husband, reflected gods faithfulness. Their traditions were different from ours, but the principle is the same. Typically the book describes how god will receive the remnant of the people of israel in the time of the end. Afflictions will make great and surprising changes in a little time. But ruth said, do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you. The book of ruth tells a touching story of the love and devotion of an ancestor of david and jesus christ. And a certain man of bethlehem, judah, went to dwell in the country of moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The book of ruth connects the book of judges with the books of samuel. The book of ruth abbreviated rth is included in the third division, or the writings ketuvim, of the hebrew bible.
May god, by his grace, fit us for all such changes, especially the great change. These include the historical background, prevailing conditions, main character, major argument, and major themes. Is the book of ruth worth studying on a deeper level. Nay, observe the chain of thought here, and in it a chain of providences, bringing about what was designed concerning ruth. Famine has hit bethlehem, which forces elimelech and his wife, naomi, to move east to moab with their two sons to get some grub. From this family came boaz and, later, great king david. Such marriages with women of moab were strongly suspect, if not wrong cf. Ruth goes with naomi to bethlehem and, in gods perfect timing, a kinsmen redeemer is revealed, boaz. Designing to return to bethlehem, she addresses her daughters in law, ver. This was a time when the people of israel had abandoned gods ways and fallen into idolatry, horrific social conditions, and a disastrous civil war, as told in the chapters of judges immediately preceding the book of ruth.
There is no special book in the bible about mary, but god has given us this lovely book about ruth. The setting of the book is the spring barley harvest, hence its long association with the festival of pentecost, which pictured this early harvest. The hidden symbolism you never saw in the book of ruth. Commentary on the book of ruth relevant bible teaching. Several parallels between ruth the story of david can be made, but it is not clear to me how this relationship works. Naomi typifies the people of israel who have left their country and lost it all. 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. Ruth is a book for all times, whether written in post. The third reason for verses 8 is to make ruths faithfulness to naomi appear amazing. 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.
Thesis statement to focus on the big idea analytical outline to guide the understanding. The book of judges repeatedly states that during this time everyone did as he saw fit. You can find the best commentary on ruth for you using the tools on the right side. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. Book of ruth, old testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Free bible commentary on book of ruth in easy english. Jesus, the greatest of all kings, came from bethlehem from the same family. Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. This book demonstrates that god responds to his peoples cry. The story of ruth in the bible has a lesson that can be applied to our lives. Freedom like ruths finally, we learn that if you trust the sovereign goodness and mercy of god to pursue you all the days of your life, then you are free like ruth. These sections are briefly dealt with here and will be applied to. May 01, 2020 it was god who preserved a kinsman to continue naomis line 2. Throughout he emphasizes the history of the moabites as a cursed people of god, reminding us that ruth was of that lineage of moab.
The jews added thousands of regulations in a sincere effort to make their obedience to god as complete as they possibly could. Although it is not known who wrote the book, it was probably written during the reign of israels king david. Grab your free printable on the key verses from the book of ruth sneak peak below. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The period in which the events of recorded in the book of ruth the time in which the judges ruled are among the worst in israels history. And it was god who constrains ruth to stay with naomi. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Ruth was married to mahlon something like 10 years. The book of ruth and us so how could this story possibly relate to our lives now. Since adam and eve, believing in the existence of the true god and his word has been the principal challenge affecting the quality of life mankind thinks it must have for happiness and prosperity. This book is beautifully designed by god to show how his grace can sustain a faithful testimony of individuals at a time when the general condition of things is low and naturally discouraging. The story of ruth offers vital lessons to every generation and has enjoyed nearly universal acceptance by biblical scholars and critics throughout the centuries.
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. Your people will be my people and your god will be my god, she said. Naomi was still entreating ruth to return, but ruth replied to that with a command of her own, entreat me not to leave thee. Ruth intro to ruth biblica the international bible society. You can read so many of the books of the old testament looking for a great childrens. According to the jewish historian josephus, judges and ruth were originally numbered together as one book. This is the first commentary to which one should turn with questions about the book of ruth. The biographical sketch of this godly young moabitess contains much information concerning the customs of the ancient near east and provides its readers with some valuable data regarding the ancestry of king david. Chapter 2 we see ruth gleaning in the fields of naomi s relative boaz. Ruth is one of the five festival scrolls, also known as the megilloth, in the writings section of the old testament. God intended for ruth to be a part of the story of the lineage of jesus. Your people shall be my people, and your god, my god 1. 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 book of ruth follows the book of judges in our bibles because its setting was in that time period. The book of judges is about bloodshed, war, and strife. Chapter 2 we see ruth gleaning in the fields of naomis relative boaz. Our story opens on a nice jewish family with a problem. Ruth chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. The book centers around the theme of redemption and provides a beautiful picture of the coming messiah jesus christ. These two issues are addressed in the book of ruth. Book of ruth bible study ruth chapter 1 counting the cost. But the book of ruth also looks forward to the time of david, a moabite descendant who enters a levirate marriage with abigail.
But naomi is so embittered by gods hard providence that she cant see his mercy at work in her life. Book of ruth overview insight for living ministries. Crux bible study leaders crux bible study is a geneva college community bible study sponsored by the staff of the coalition for christian outreach and the call fall 2004. The book of ruth derives its name from its principal character. These are the opening words of one of the most magnificent declarations of loving loyalty to be found anywhere in the literature of all mankind. The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old. It manages to deal with both details and the big picture. Unlike to humble naomi are many, who, though fallen into decay themselves, are continually boasting of their great relations.
And a certain man of bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of moab, he, and his. Ruth by james van dine against the black cloth of judges, ruth sparkles like a white pearl of great price. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Naomi s plan for ruth s future reflected selfless love. Ruth 4 commentary summary sermon explaining the book. Ruth chapter 4 kjv king james version this is my second time reading through ruth. Thus she is an ancestor in the messianic line that leads to jesus. 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. Ruth 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. So, he pulled together events such as the famine, naomi s relocation to moab, their return to bethlehem, boaz bloodline, and many other events just to ensure that ruth could be a part of his plan. Introduction there are several aspects of the book of ruth which need to be preliminarily understood for the exegete to properly analyze and interpret the meaning of the book. The book of ruth showed the israelites the blessings that obedience could bring. 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. The book of ruth new international commentary on the old testament, 1989. In the religious jews of his time, jesus faced mans proclivity to add to and take from gods word. The book of ruth is the narrative of a love story, yet also has some important genealogy. New american commentary nac 9780805401066 by daniel block. 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 great.
I find that very interesting because the two books are so different. 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. The book of ruth is a short narrative account that has its setting. Ruth is a picture of the remnant that has no right whatsoever in relation to gods promises as the heathen have none. Written by kirsten nielsen, this commentary meets the aims of the series in providing a critical take in a midlength commentary. Buy a private commentary on the book of ruth by james d. Bible study on the book of ruth 1 international student.
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. Study the bible online using commentary on ruth 1 and more. Ruth, a moabitess, stands out as a refreshing contrast to the declension of israel in the time of the judges. Ruth is the person after whom the book of ruth is named. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 1200 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. Ruth with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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. Lessons in life and faith from the book of ruth in the bible. I dont know what side of the divide you are on or the questions you have with respect to bible studyfor what it is worth i put this here to help you. God calls us and draws our hearts to him, and we receive faith to start a new life. 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 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. The other festival scrolls are song of songs, lamentations, ecclesiastes and. Joshua and judges have mostly to do with israels relationship to the land.
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. 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. The only other biblical book bearing the name of a woman is esther. He helps us recognize how weve been squeezed into the mold of society. Like the period of decline within the ancient roman empire, the israelite nation began to crumble from within. The story of ruth as you may never have thought of it before. It is set in the time of the judges not the best ones, if we assign it to the period of gideon and samson and it attempts to define the rights of widows and aliens within a society fallen upon hard times. Welcome to ivy baptist churchs bible study on demand before beginning this study, please take an opportunity to download the worksheet for this bible study. Old testament exegetical commentary of ruth youll meet.
It also contains some of the most memorable stories in all of scripture, not to mention numerous old testament. A glimpse of the old testament reveals that the period known as. This commentary on the book of ruth explores that lesson. In the book of ruth we read a tender story of conversion, courage, determination, loyalty, and faithfulness. 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. Jun 24, 2015 ruth is a righteous person in a dark age of violence. Ruth was a gentile not of the judeanisraeli descent but from another ethnic group, her background was a nation otherthan israel and she married a descendant of israel. The book of ruth shows the type pattern of the coming christ who redeem people of any descent or background only those who believe what god gives to be believed regarding.
Ruth chose to belong to naomi s people and to worship naomi s god. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. And a certain man of bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. Best ruth commentaries updated for 2020 best bible.
The story begins with a famine in the days when the judges ruled ruth 1. Robert hubbards commentary on ruth is a model of how commentaries should be written. I am trying to read all of the bible, and a dear friend suggested i start with ruth because our conversation at the time was related to our relationship with our mother. Ruth 1 commentary explaining the book bible study guide. If god calls, you can leave family, you can leave your job, you can leave minnesota, and you can make radical commitments and undertake new ventures. In the narrative, she is not an israelite but rather is from moab. Adapted from the book of ruth commentary by robert l. 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. The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the judges. Conclusions about the book of ruth bible commentary. It showed them the loving, faithful nature of their god. Others struggle to understand how the book of ruth relates to their reality. We too have to make a decision to turn our backs on our old lives and start a new journey.
Yes, in fact every book of the bible is very much worth. Ruth would later marry boaz, but more on that in a minute. Like 1sa 12, it gives a series of intimate glimpses into the private lives of the members of an israelite family. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Top 5 commentaries on the book of ruth ligonier ministries. Read ruth 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. 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. The true god is the author of the bible, and he used his sovereign authority to determine the revelations it contains and the sequence in which they are given. 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. Ruth focuses more on the seed promise of the abrahamic covenant with special emphasis on the line of the king. The first verse of the book points to the time of the judges and the very last verse points to king david. The book of ruth gets its own small volume in the old testament library otl series. In ruth, an israelite family faces tragic loss, and god uses the faithfulness of a nonisraelite woman to bring restoration into the family of david.
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