Story of Ruth - Research Paper Example

Story of Ruth: Chapter and 2 Summary The main character of this book is Ruth, who is the woman character of Moab and an ancestress of Jesus as well as the great grandmother of David. This is a biblical book, while the only other such book with a female character is ‘Esther’. The setting of the story relates to a time when degeneracy of morals and disunity as well as excessive foreign oppression was prevelant. The story is about the time of judges and their judgment, set in an era when there was peace between Moab and Israel. While the story gives glimpses of private lives of members of an Israeli family, the book highlights the importance of truth and faithfulness, in a period when there was darkness all-around. Ruth and Naomi are two widows who were blessed with the love and kindness of Boaz. The underlying theme of the book is the unselfish love and faithfulness, which is compared to acts of God. As Ruth was married into an Israeli family, her true and selfless devotion towards her mother-in-law depicts Ruth as true ancestor of David. She has proved that obedient faith and devotion can result in the surrender of one’s life to the God’s will. The plot action takes the course of events from complete distress to hope and relief.( Book of Ruth, nd) Chapter 1 As Naomi’s husband moved to Moab from Bethlehem along with his wife and two sons, the famine and other disasters were rampant in those times. The tragedy fell on Noami in an unkind manner as she lost her husband and two sons, after living in Moab for almost 10 years. Ruth was married to one of her sons.(Ruth 1, nd) Naomi wanted to return to the god’s land Bethlehem, as she wanted the mercy of God to be with her. However, as she pleaded with her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers’ home in Moab, Ruth was not willing and went to Bethlehem along with Naomi. Thus began the journey of love and unselfish faithfulness to wards God. The theological lesson in this chapter is to have faith in God and never abandon him, although the general feeling may be that God does not show any mercy. The famine of those times was responsible for such belief. However, the faith in God has forced Naomi and Ruth to return to Bethlehem for seeking the mercy of God. God blesses those who have faith in him. Ruth has provided the evidence of having selfless devotion towards God, as she was prepared to leave all her material belongings and go empty handed to Bethlehem along with Naomi.(Gordon, Book of Ruth Ch 1, nd) Faith moves mountains. In showing selfless devotion to God, many material assets are returned to the faithful, through the mercy of great lord. Chapter 2 In Bethlehem, Ruth incidentally happened to work on the fields of Boaz. However, the theological meaning of this happening has a lesson for all God-fearing people. Everything in our lives is predestined by the will and purpose of God, as he wanted Ruth to meet his messenger Boaz. Thus began the devotion of Ruth towards Boaz. While Ruth did not claim her rights, Boaz was pleased with her selfless work and devotion. Although living in those times was dangerous for a widow like Ruth, the mercy of God was evident in the form of Boaz providing her all shelter, food and other necessities. Boaz ensured that she was not harmed by anyone. For Ruth this was nothing short of a miracle, as Boaz knew that she was from Moab and its residents were enemy of Israel. God has his own way to show mercy. Ruth received more than she had expected. Ruth was given the right to glean the fields for the whole season, while working along side the paid workers of Boaz. She got almost everything without asking. Thus she grew with grace in Bethlehem.(Gordon, Ruth Ch 2, nd) Exegesis on the book The book of Ruth is one of the most impressive and well-structured books in the Old Testament. It describes the two natural opposites in a fine manner. For example, it signifies the willingness of Ruth to leave everything behind, while deciding to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi for going to Bathelehm. The misfortune of two widows goes side by side with the kindness of Boaz. The book has many opposites like the theme of plenty and famine, old-age and youth, fruitfulness and barrenness as well as reward and punishment. Naomi’s husband left the place of God, Bethlehem as he moved to Moab. God punished him and he died, while his two sons also died, leaving Ruth and other daughter-in-law of Naomi as widows. However, God showed the merciful hand by giving plenty of fruits to Ruth, as she was associated with the kindness of Boaz. The book has many instances of such similarities in opposites.(Koponen, 2007) Theological motifs of the book Naomi has blamed God for all the misfortune she received after shifting to Moab. As she lost her both sons, she felt isolated in the whole community because she knew that she would not be able to bear children anymore, even if she married again. However, Naomi had faith in the God as she wished for God’s blessings to her daughters-in-law at the time of her departure to Bethlehem. The theological motif is clear that having faith in the presence of God is an important aspect of human life. This gives the strength to face all the natural calamities. In the process, Naomi has received more than she expected from God.(Hongisto, 1985) Starting of a non-profit organization Most of the NGOs are supposed to work on no profit-no loss basis. The motive of such ventures is to help the needy with selfless service. The motifs of “Book of Ruth” has a glaring example of such unselfish behavior, as Ruth leaves everything that is in her possession to be on the side of her widowed and unfortunate mother-in-law, Naomi. However, she got plenty in her life with the kindness of Boaz, which she received in Bethlehem. This shows that God has his purpose in showing mercy to those who do selfless service for the needy. Works-cited “Book of Ruth”, Biblestudytools.com, nd, viewed 25 Nov. 2014: Gordon. I (nd) “Book of Ruth Chapter 1”, Jesusplusnothing.com, viewed 24 Nov. 2014 Gordon. I (nd) “Book of Ruth Chapter 2”, Jesusplusnothing.com, viewed 24 Nov. 2014 Hongisto, Leif (1985) “Literary Structure and theology in the Book of Ruth” Andrews University Seminary Studies, vol 23 , Andrews Press, viewed Nov. 25, 2014: Koponen, sami (2007) “Female Agent of God-Exegesis on the Book of Ruth” wordpress.com, viewed Nov. 25, 2014: Ruth 1 (nd), “Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons”, viewed Nov. 25, 2014: Read More