She actually likes her mother-in-law (Ruth 1-4)

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Mendalla

Mendalla

Happy headbanging ape!!
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Yep, the whole book. It's only four short chapters.

www.biblegateway.com

Bible Gateway passage: Ruth 1 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Elimelech’s Family Goes to Moab - In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his...
www.biblegateway.com www.biblegateway.com

So what to make of this story. Rather than the historical high drama of Samuel and Kings, Ruth is a rather gentler piece, a family drama rather than Game of Thrones.

Naomi's family moves among the Moabites to escape a famine in their homeland of Judah. While there, she loses her husband and sons. With only her two daughters-in-law left in Moab, Naomi decides to head home. Her sons' widows want to accompany her but she tries to talk them out of it. One, Orpah, relents and remains in Moab but the other, the titular Ruth, accompanies her. There, she works in the fields of Boaz, a well-off relative of Naomi's late husband, leading to a relationship with him.
 
This is a rather touching story about a daughter-in-law's love for her mother-in-law. Ruth's plea to Naomi to let her come to Bethlehem with her is a nice piece of poetry.

Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
17 Where you die, I will die—
there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!”
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And Naomi needs the help and companionship that Ruth brings. The loss of her husband and sons has left her desolate, as her lament a couple verses down shows. The annotations in the NRSV on Biblegateway say that Naomi means "Pleasant" while Mara means "Bitter" so there's a bit of wordplay happening here.

“Call me no longer Naomi,[a]
call me Mara,[b]
for the Almighty[c] has dealt bitterly with me.
21 I went away full,
but the Lord has brought me back empty;
why call me Naomi
when the Lord has dealt harshly with[d] me,
and the Almighty[e] has brought calamity upon me?”
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Once they are in Bethlehem, Ruth sets out to "glean". That is, she follows the harvesters in the fields gathering grain dropped or deliberately left for the poor (per Leviticus 23:22, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God."). This highlights their poverty and Ruth's status as an "alien" in the land of Judah.

Boaz is the owner of the fields in question and a relative of Elimelech, Naomi's late husband. He takes an interest in Ruth, guiding in her gleaning and offering her food. He praises her devotion to Naomi, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!”

Naomi prompts Ruth to go to Boaz one night after he has been threshing. Their encounter in the threshing house plays out as Naomi anticipated, setting the stage for Boaz to approach a kinsmen about buying Elimelech's land from Naomi, a deal that would also include Ruth. The kinsmen rejects the idea as it will affect his own inheritance and suggests instead that Boaz take it, and Ruth, for himself. A wedding happens and a baby soon follows, which the widowed Naomi takes to nurse, another touching moment.

And that leads us to the punchline (Ruth 4:17):

"The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David."

Yep, we've been reading the story of David's great-grandmother.

So what do others think? It's a lovely story of devotion between the two women. Naomi is certainly deserving of the care she receives from her daughter-in-law and Ruth is the kind of daughter-in-law (or daughter) I imagine mothers in that world dreamt of. But where does it fit in to the Bible? Do we learn anything about God here? The Lord certainly gets name-checked a lot but does not seem to play a direct role in this story. Or is this really just a sweet prequel to the story of Ruth's famous great-grandson, whom we have already met a couple times in BPotW?

IOW, what does it all mean to have what appears to be a nice little family drama in the scriptures?
 
So, to be honest, I don't think I have ever read Ruth before. At least I didn't remember much of the story, including that kicker at the end. As I tend to be doing in these, I approached it with my writer's eyes and, damn, that's a nice story. No big, dramatic moments. No giants being slain or wars being fought. It's just a human relationship piece centered on the two women, with Boaz playing a key role as well. Very low-key and touching. Might even make a good Hallmark movie for Lifetime or something (maybe it's been done, even).

And Ruth's devotion is definitely a nice display of love and caring that I think we can all learn from. She is definitely one of the nicer, more appealing figures in the Old Testament. I think that's a key spiritual element, too; the love shown by the women and the kindness of Boaz. One could probably spin some kind of elaborate allegorical interpretation that is longer than the story itself, but I am not sure it is needed here. The story speaks quite nicely for itself.

The idea of them moving to Moab as "famine refugees" kind of resonates as we talk about possible "climate refugees" fleeing the effects of climate change, including famines. And it makes for an interesting parallel in that we have Naomi as a stranger in a strange land at the beginning, but that role shifts to Ruth as the story progresses. Ruth's pledge that "your people shall be my people and your God, my God" draws an interesting parallel with Uriah in the story of David and Bathsheba, who was a Hittite who did much the same. The whole theme of being a foreigner/alien gets a lot of play here, also coming up in some of Boaz's conversations with Ruth.

BTW, it was entirely unintentional that I decided to do this story on Mother's Day (I realized that I would be posting on that day a few hours after I read Ruth and drafted the OP), but its possible relevance to that day is probably up for discussion.
 
At seminary we were told this story was probably a response to the xenophobes in the return from exile in Babylon to Judea who demanded that the Jewish men who married Babylonian women divorce them and leave them and their children behind to keep the Jewish race pure. By naming the grandmother of David as a Moabite, the author was defending allowing those women and children to remain part of the community.

The poetry in the story helped sharing it orally which is how most stories were shared.

The emphasis on relationship fits well with the mission and ministry of Jesus

Lastly, it recognizes how wise women understand their community well enough to help events unfold in helpful ways. Naomi shows strength and wisdom throughout this story and it is easy to believe it was composed by a woman.
 
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jimkenney12 said:
it is easy to believe it was composed by a woman.
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My thought as well. It handles the women's perspectives so well that I find it hard to not see it being written by a woman. And it has such a different feel from the historical books around it, too.
 
It makes you wonder, doesn't it. She seems awfully eager to leave Moab. Maybe something happened to her own family or her relationship with them. Nothing is said so it would be pure speculation.
 
Seems to me that, though Ruth is the lead actor in this drama, she often takes orders from someone else. After she decides to leave her homeland and travel with Naomi, well, Naomi advises her on what to do, then Boaz advises her on what to do, etc. Not to take anything away from Ruth's bravery and courage, in brilliantly carrying out what she does, but it seems that much of what she does is the idea of either Naomi or Boaz.
 
Yeah, I almost felt like Naomi is the real protagonist here at times. Though Ruth does take the initiative in asking to go do the gleaning in 2:2 which is ultimately what brings Boaz into the story.
 
I wonder if part of it is tradition....that once a woman marries, she is now the new daughter of her husbands family and this is now where her loyalties must be? Maybe the husband's mother is in charge of the familiar duties of the woman during this time.
Seems that way in a lot of middle eastern households.
 
Mendalla said:
Yeah, I almost felt like Naomi is the real protagonist here at times. Though Ruth does take the initiative in asking to go do the gleaning in 2:2 which is ultimately what brings Boaz into the story.
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So, the bit that I had to contribute about this story. I like it and have read it quite few times. As you read the short book, you'll see a couple of commentaries by the "women of Jerusalem". In this story, they act like the Greek chorus in a Greek play, directing the action/attention in some way. Ch. 4, vs. 15 "He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.”

To equate a daughter of any sort, an obligation, for which you needed to supply sustenance, a dowry, with any son is not equal. To equate a daughter-in-law, worthless, dowerless, penniless, with a SON, was huge, to equate it to seven SONS, was massive. The inclusive bible translates "seven sons" as "seven children", which COMPLETELY negates the hugeness in power differential to which the text refers.
 
I think you point out a general issue with the concept of The Inclusive Bible. The Bible should be translated in a way that is linguistically and culturally appropriate to its time, which includes patriarchal language. Both ancient Hebrew society and Hellenistic Greek society, the two cultures most influential on the Bible, were heavily patriarchal, even if blips like Ruth do occur. If people have a problem with the Bible being patriarchal and not inclusive, maybe they need to be asking why they are still using it as a sole source of spiritual wisdom in the 21st century instead of trying to paper over the bits that don't fit our modern values. I would take an accurate, scholarly translation and deal with the problems over an "inclusive" one that tries to make The Bible something it is not.

End editorial. Let's start a thread to discuss this if there is interest.

I think the fact that Ruth is about women, and strong, interesting women at that, makes it a bit of a oasis amidst the generally testosterone heavy world of Judges, Samuel, and Kings. It also provides an interesting contrast of Ruth's faithfulness and humanity vs. her great-grandson's occasional asshat behaviour (cf. the previous BPotW). Someone like Naomi or Ruth as queen might have made for a very different story in "Kings".
 
Having a read of the NET version of Ruth right now. I am not terribly familiar with the story but I see I have been confusing the region of Moab with the relative named Boaz. Hahaha
 
These Chapters of Ruth are a Testament of True Love --True Faith --true Hope and Trust in God ----

This Book is the only Book in the Old Testament that is named after a non Jew

The beginning of Ruth 1 gives us a time this took place ------

1 In the days when the judges ruled,[a] there was a famine in the land

Knowing this is important as it tells us the condition of the people in Moab ------there was no King in Judges to keep order and control of the people ---the people followed their own desires and they rebelled against God ---

So Elimelech who's name means "my God is King." took his wife Naomi which means "pleasantness and their 2 Sons from Bethlehem in Judah, -and went to Moab because of the famine -----so here we have 2 God fearing people heading for the land of rebellion with their children ------not a great decision by Elimelech's --but he maybe thought they would be better off there ----the 2 Sons marry women from Moab --one Orpah and one Ruth -then Elimelech dies and the 2 Sons die -

I say
So in the span of 10 years tragedy comes upon Naomi as she lost her husband and 2 Sons -and is left with the 2 daughters-in laws ---she has lost everything ---and now must fend for herself ---this must have been a scary and fearful time for Naomi and her Daughter's in law --trying to grieve their loss and worrying they had no one now to look after them ------

So the lesson here could be ---Better to tough out the poverty than to leave the Promised land for plenty eleswhere ---

So Naomi hears that back in her home town ---Bethlehem there is bread ---so she decides to go home and the 2 women start to follow her ----Naomi stops them and tells them that they should stay in Moba --Orpah listens but Ruth is very insistent on going with Naomi -----

So Naomi here is showing her Love and concern for her Daughter's in law --as being from another place would put the girls in a bad position ---they would be in a strange place --knowing no body and probably would be ridiculed for entering into God's holy land coming from a people who rebel against God ----they would be outcasts there ----aliens as it were -----


As we know many times a Mother in law does not really care for the Daughter's in Law but Naomi is a God fearing woman and her heart is full of Love not contempt for her Daughter's in laws -----

So here we see Ruth following Naomi to a land she doesn't know and wants to follow Naomi's God --leaving her past behind her -----Ruth has no idea what is ahead for her -----she just knows she is to Follow Naomi and this urge is strong for her to do so ----She was putting her Faith into action here -- and trust in a God she only head about at this point ---

Ruth says this -------
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

-So we see when Naomi gets to her home and people come to her they say --Naomi is that you ----and Naomi changes her Name to Mara which means bitter ---She does this because we fears God has abandon her by all the tragedy that has come upon her -----but later we see that God has not abandoned her at all -----

The lesson here is that God is always faithful to His People and God at times will allow tragedy to happen to bring about the Good that is waiting ahead of us ----


I say ---God in the Old Testament dealt directly with the people ---there was no Mediator ---So God could change the hearts of the people He wanted to bring about His will to be done ------and Ruth was in His Plan --so we see here that God changed Ruth's heart from rebellious to acceptance -----God showing His Agape --- Grace and Mercy to a Gentile who once rebelled against Him ----to bring about the coming of His Son in the Flesh to dwell among us ----

Posting here
Deuteronomy 30:6 (NLT): “The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live
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I say
Ruth Married Boaz eventually and they had a Son Obed --Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse was the Father of David -----and Jesus came from this line ------So Ruth was an important part in this journey of the coming Messiah -----


We also see in this story ---Redemption ----

I am posting this as it is to much to explain ---this is the explanation on this as it pertains to this story -----

Read all I am just posting this part ------

www.gotquestions.org

What is a kinsman redeemer? | GotQuestions.org

What is a kinsman (kinsmen) redeemer? What does it mean that Boaz was Naomi and Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer?
www.gotquestions.org

The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9–25, 25:47–55). The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is Boaz.

The story of Ruth and Boaz begins when Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, return to Bethlehem from Moab where they had been living. Naomi’s husband and both sons, one the husband of Ruth, had died, leaving the women penniless and without a male protector. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Naomi sends Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi to whom they, through a series of divinely appointed circumstances, appeal as their go el. Boaz acquiesces, willingly takes Ruth as his wife, and together they bear a son named Obed who became the grandfather of David, the forefather of Jesus.

In Ruth 3:9, we see a beautiful and poignant picture of the needy supplicant, unable to rescue herself, requesting of the kinsman-redeemer that he cover her with his protection, redeem her, and make her his wife.
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I say ----we see here that in His Sovereign design God ordains sorrowful tragedy to set the stage for a very surprising outcome -----

This shows also Divine Providence ------where God accomplishes His Will working through the Natural order to bring about His Sovereign Will which here in Ruth is to bring about the line through which the Messiah will come -----

Both Naomi and Ruth are inspirations for all of God's people who experience tragedy and hardship not to cave in and quit on God -----as God has a purpose for allowing hardship and sometimes major tragedy in people's lives so He can bring about our triumph in the end ------

There are many such incidents in the Old Testament -----Naomi and Ruth lost everything like Job did --both were restored ----Daniel ended up in a lions den but triumphed in the end ------ shadrach meshach and abednego ended up in a fiery furnace --and triumphed -----David triumphed over Goliath ------
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Posting this to end off -----

Romans 8:28 TPT​

28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good,[a] for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
Read full chapter

Footnotes​

  1. 8:28 The Aramaic is “harmony.” God works all things together harmoniously.
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AMP Version here giving the same message ----

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
 
It's interesting that, in the beginning of Ch. 4, another closer kinsman appears out of the blue. At an assembly gathered by Boaz, he is apprised of the property for sale, as well as his right to redeem it first. He is willing to do so, until he finds out that the bargain includes Ruth, the widow. Suddenly he loses interest (for not wanting to complicate his inheritance). Is that the only reason? or could it be inherent xenophobia against a Moabite woman, likely apparent to those who heard the story first, but something that sort of glides by our consciousness? Seems xenophobic reactions are never far below the surface at any time.
 
Redbaron said:
It's interesting that, in the beginning of Ch. 4, another closer kinsman appears out of the blue. At an assembly gathered by Boaz, he is apprised of the property for sale, as well as his right to redeem it first. He is willing to do so, until he finds out that the bargain includes Ruth, the widow. Suddenly he loses interest (for not wanting to complicate his inheritance). Is that the only reason? or could it be inherent xenophobia against a Moabite woman, likely apparent to those who heard the story first, but something that sort of glides by our consciousness? Seems xenophobic reactions are never far below the surface at any time.
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..so Ruth just becomes another thing without her being able to refuse who buys her?
 
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