RUTH

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original readers?
The book of Ruth is written to the Israelites for telling them about the importance of including foreigners in their nation.
 

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

According to jewish tradition is Samuel the author of this book, but there are different opinions about this. It’s supposed that the book is written about  1100 BC.

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “Main Idea”.

Ruth is a warm, romantic story that describes how Ruth, a gentile from Moab leaves her pagan heritage to stick to the people of Israel and the God of Israel. Because of her faithfulness in times of national faithlessness, God rewards her by giving her a new husband, Boaz, and a son, Obed.

I think the One sentence summary of the “Main Idea” can be:

God rewards faithfulness (1:16)

                                                   

What is the primary reason this book was written?
Telling the Israelites about the importance of include foreigners in their nation.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

The Lord:
-       has wings where I can take refuge (2:12)
-       shows his kindness (2:20)
-       has provided a redeemer (4:14)
-       restores your youth and cares in your old age (4:15)

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The book tells about Boaz as a family-redeemer. It means that a close relative was to buy back property or persons which was sold as a slave, so that the values ​​remained within the family. Boaz and Ruth were married, and she soon had a son (4:13 ) .

Ruth ends with a genealogy describing Boaz' family back to Peres  (4:18-22, who was also a result of a Levite marriage (Gen. 38:27-30 ), and towards King David.

Genealogies in Matthew 1 (1:5 and 16) - and Luke 3 (3:23 and 32) tells that Boaz and Ruth were ancestors of Jesus, who was of David’s seed. Therefore the book of Ruth is pointing towards Jesus, as the final redeemer for mankind.

Personal Application:

During the last years we have got many new countrymen in Norway. Reading Ruth reminds me about the importance of including them in our society without prejudices and that I can do my part of making them feel welcome in our country.

Here Boaz is a good example for me. He included Ruth with no reservations - even she was a foreigner, and wanted to obey the Lord by doing the whole process around the redeeming according to Gods rules.            

 

 

Point of passion:

My point of passion during my DBS is the Shan-people in Thailand:

The book of Ruth tells about the importance of including foreigners in their nation (Israel).

The situation of the Shan-people in Thailand is very difficult. Most have no refugee status, and the only way for them to survive is by hard work and badly paid jobs, and many girls end up in prostitution. I will pray that the Shan-people will get more rights and a better life in Thailand.