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RUTHContext

The story of Ruth is found in the Book of Ruth. It is a ³simple but skillfully told story´ andappears to be a work of fiction - a parable - about a foreign woman, Ruth, who came fromMoab and married an Israelite. After his death she adopted his people, land, and God as herown.

tory

The story line is of an ordinary girl in ordinary circumstances with problems and concernsfamiliar to most people (e.g. relationships, bereavement, coping, decisions, responsibilities)told in such a way that is easy to relate to. Chapter 1:16-17 is one of the classical passageson friendship in the world¶s literature. Goethe remarked of Ruth: It is ³the loveliest little epicand idyllic whole that tradition has given us.´ This narrative emphasizes human kindnessrather than religion. It was placed in the Hebrew Bible because of its supposed connectionwith David, the ideal Hebrew king whose descendants - it was hoped by many Jews of thetime - would restore Israel¶s glory.Feminist theologians see this as a radical book in the Bible because women are the majorprotagonists.The Book of Ruth is set in the time of the Judges (c.1210-1030BCE), hence its place afterthe Book of Judges in the Old Testament. But in the Jewish Scriptures it is placed later inthe ³Writings.´ It recalls the time after the leadership of Moses and Joshua and before themonarchy under King Saul. The Hebrews had conquered and settled in Canaan and thetribes were ruled over by ³judges.´ These were individuals raised up and inspired by God torescue the various tribes from the troubles that beset them. It was believed that thetroubles encountered were the result of the tribes¶ disloyalty to God. It was a time of anarchy and revolution, whereas the Book of Ruth gives a picture of peace and serenity.

Place in Judaism

In Judaism, the Book of Ruth is read during the Festival of Pentecost or Harvest Festival atthe end of May. This festival is also known as Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, celebrating thegiving of the Torah (Law) to Israel.

Date of writing

The date of writing is not known. The following suggestions are made:

It was written not long after the time in which it is set, when Israel had kings. Thiswould mean that Ruth 4:18-22, which is probably a later addition, is based on 1Chronicles 2:5, 9-15.

It was written much later on (about 500-400 BCE), after the Jews had returned fromexile in Babylon when they were trying to purify themselves as a nation to get closerto God and therefore foreigners were being banished because foreign bloodcontaminated the purity of Israel. If this is so, then its purpose would be different.

However, the way the book is written does not seem to be a contribution to anembittered controversy.

Purpose

To encourage devotion and loyalty to God

The book shows that personal devotion to God is more important than racial origin.Ruth¶s devotion to God is constantly stressed and she is highlighted as an examplefor the present and future. This would fit the earlier dating.

To combat Israel¶s narrow view of purity / holiness

Sometimes Ruth is seen as an appeal against Ezra¶s purity laws in 5th/4th centuryBCE, whereby mixed marriages between Jews and non-Jews had to be dissolved andforeign wives sent away. (Ezra 10:17, 44). As a Moabite, according to the Law of Moses, Ruth was not to be included in ³the Lord¶s people´ (Deut 23:3). But YHWH,Israel¶s God, did accept her devotion. What¶s more, she was the great grand-motherof Israel¶s greatest king, David. So his blood was not pure Israelite blood! This wasimportant to understand at a time when Israel was purifying herself through gettingrid of foreigners. Further, for Christians Ruth was an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew1:5).

To emphasize God¶s providence

God is not explicit in the narrative. But the characters express his presence, will andaction as they try to live faithfully with each other. God is in firm control of whathappens. His purpose for Israel and humankind is being worked out in the story of these characters; their story does not depend on chance. Ruth¶s needs are providedfor by God. There is a theme of providential restoration throughout: loyalty andkindness are rewarded and Naomi and Ruth are restored from emptiness to fullness,from bitterness to joy, from sterility to fruitfulness.

essianic hope

The point of the book for some lies in the way it shows the Moabite ancestry of David andthe fact that a Moabitess recognized the claim of Israel¶s God and was fully received intoIsrael. The importance of the book is to show that Israel has received God¶s revelation,which must be preserved from contamination from paganism, but at the same time must beavailable to all, even a Moabite woman. Israel¶s monotheism (emphasis on one God) forcedher to recognize the need to welcome foreigners into Israel¶s community. cf Isaiah 2:3f;45:22f.

The role of women

The rabbis regard Ruth as the epitome of the obedient wife and mother figure whom theyexalted. Feminist theologians, on the other hand, see Ruth as a foreigner whose radicalaction challenges the male-centered values that permeate the story. It is a story of independent women and shows the bonding and close relationships built (Ch.1) betweenthem.

Characters