RUTH

The Book of Ruth

We are still playing catch-up. Did you notice the last word in the Book of Ruth is David? Ruth 4:17-22 is a genealogy which ends with David, a man after God’s heart. The Apologetics Study Bible indicates: “This passage is significant in the larger scope of the biblical narrative; it presents the ancestry of David, which became also the earthly ancestry of Jesus Christ”. —Apologetics Study Bible, The

The earthly ancestry of Jesus Christ! When folks question the worthiness of Ruth for the canon this is a fact that should be remembered. There is much here to be learned and reflected upon.

The book of Ruth is named for the book’s main character and heroine. It is included in the Hebrew Bible among the Writings, the third division of the Hebrew canon (see Introduction to the Historical Books). It records an episode belonging to the time of the judges, and thus its place following the book of Judges is chronologically appropriate. The authorship and date of the book are difficult to discern. Although tradition has ascribed it, along with the book of Judges, to Samuel, there is no real evidence confirming this. And though the setting of the book belongs to the time of the Judges, its writing clearly belongs to a later date.
                 --New Commentary on the Whole Bible -Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.Wheaton, Illinois

Ruth gives us a realistic portrait of life with its tragedies and frustrations. Most of us can readily identify with it. We identify especially with Naomi, the bitter one. Some identify with Ruth, the lonely foreigner. We all can learn. -Disciple’s Study Bible Copyright © 1988 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. All rights reserved.