The Book of Ruth was written for the people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, as they pondered the beginnings of the line of David, their royal family. It uses a story about Judah’s historical roots to illumine the values of loyalty, loving-kindness, and care for the stranger, which the author hoped would govern the later life of Judah (much as Americans tell stories about George Washington not lying about chopping down a cherry tree to show that we value telling the truth). The Book of Ruth looks back to the period between the rule of Israel’s judges or charismatic leaders and the birth of David, marking the beginning of the rule of kings. By the end of the time of the Book of Judges, the loosely bound tribes of Israel had no leader and were chaotically fighting among themselves. This was expressed in the repeated and final refrain of Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.” The promised future was possible only through the rule of a just king.The Book of Ruth assumes knowledge of village life in rural Judah, including patterns of planting and harvesting, gleaning and threshing; the manner in which the city elders gathered at the village gate to govern and issue decisions about village life; and village traditions and laws. The latter included laws of property, gleaningGleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been harvested. In some ancient cultures, like Israel, gleaning was a form of welfare. The book of Ruth contains an account of gleaning in which Ruth met her future husband, Boaz. More, and levirate marriage. The book also assumes and tries to correct a widespread suspicion of foreigners, particularly enemies such as the Moabites.
The book of Ruth assumes knowledge of village life in rural Judah, including patterns of planting and harvesting, gleaning and threshing; the manner in which the city eldersElders are leaders who exercise wisdom or leadership by virtue of their age and experience. In the New Testament elders, along with the chief priests and scribes, constituted the primary opposition to Jesus when he taught in Jerusalem. More gathered at the village gateGates are openings in walls or fences for entrance and departure. In the Bible (as in Ruth and the prophets) the city gate was a commercial center where business and social transactions took place. In Amos the gate is the location of the law court... More to govern and issue decisions about village life; and village traditions and laws. The latter included laws of property, gleaning, and levirate marriageLevirate marriage is a marriage in which a childless widow marries her husband's brother in order to continue the line of her dead husband. Ruth is married to Boaz in a Levirate-like marriage (actually a kinsman marriage). This Mosaic law is at the heart of... More. The book also assumes and tries to correct a widespread suspicion of foreigners, particularly from enemies like the Moabites.
