The tradition about Ruth the Moabite, which arose at the beginning of the first millennium before Christ and probably acquired its final form...
The tradition about Ruth the Moabite, which arose at the beginning of the first millennium before Christ and probably acquired its final form immediately after the Babylonian captivity, is an astonishing and very important prophecy in the context of the Bible as a whole. Chronologically, the Book of Ruth may be called one of the first manifestos of biblical universalism. In its spiritual content, it resembles a parable close to the revelation of the prophets.
The Book of Ruth tells the fate of a Moabite woman. The very fact that she is a woman is exceptionally important. Ancient peoples rarely regarded a woman as a person at all, much less saw religious meaning in her fate. Most important, however, is the fact that Ruth is a Moabite, a foreigner, “a member of a neighboring despised nationality.” Her decision to remain with Naomi seems to be motivated by simple feelings that we are accustomed to call “human.” In essence, it is a matter of compassion for her elderly mother-in-law. But this is precisely what brings Ruth to the One God, and not merely to faith: she finds herself at the very center of Sacred History. King David is a descendant of Ruth herself, and Ruth is one of only three women mentioned by the Evangelist Matthew in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Naomi removes to Moab, Rut 1:1-2.
Her husband and sons die, Rut 1:3-5.
Designing to return to Bethlehem, she addresses her daughters - in - law, Rut 1:6-13.
Orpah stays, but Ruth returns with her, Rut 1:14-18.
They came to Bethlehem, Rut 1:19-22.
1:1 In the land - Of Canaan. It must be early: for Boaz was born of Rahab. So Christ descended from two Gentile mothers.
1:2 Ephrathites - Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha.Naomi signifies my amiable or pleasant one: Mahlon and Chilon signify sickness and consumption. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long - lived. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying.
1:4 Took wives - Either these were Proselytes when they married them, or they sinned in marrying them, and therefore were punished with short life, and want of issue.
1:5 Was left of her two sons, and her husband - Loss of children and widowhood are both come upon her.By whom shall she be comforted?It is God alone that is able to comfort those who are thus cast down.
1:6 Bread - That is, food; so she staid no longer there than necessity forced her.
1:8 Mother's house - Because daughters used to converse more frequently with their mothers, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the house where the men dwelt. The dead - With my sons, your husbands, while they lived.
1:11 Your husbands - According to the ancient custom, Gen 38:8, and the express law of God, Deu 25:5, which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion.
1:13 It grieveth me - That you are left without the comfort of husbands or children; that I must part with such affectionate daughters; and that my circumstances are such, that I cannot invite you to go alone with me. For her condition was so mean at this time, that Ruth, when she came to her mother's city, was forced to glean for a living. It is with me, that God has a controversy. This language becomes us, when we are under affliction; tho' many others share in the trouble, yet we are to hear the voice of the rod, as if it spake only to us. But did not she wish to bring them to the worship of the God of Israel? Undoubtedly she did.But she would have them first consider upon what terms, lest having set their hand to the plow, they should look back.
1:14 Kissed - Departed from her with a kiss. Bade her farewell for ever. She loved Naomi, but she did not love her so well, as to quit her country for her sake. Thus many have a value for Christ, and yet come short of salvation by him, because they cannot find in their hearts, to forsake other things for him. They love him, and yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better.