Ruth - Final

Question 1

What evidence leads to the conclusion that the narrator of Ruth is female?

Answer 1

Pronouns in biblical Hebrew align with either masculine or feminine grammatical order. The narrator uses the grammatically feminine “they” of the women of Bethlehem and refers to the women as the “whole town” (1:19). No ancient male would refer to the women as the whole town (p 143).

Question 2

When is the setting of the storyline of Ruth?

Answer 2

The storyline of Ruth is set about a century before David in the days of his great-grandparents (p 144).

Question 3

When was Ruth likely written?

Answer 3

Since the story ends by mentioning David, it dates at least a century after the events took place. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the Ruth story dates from the postexilic period when many people from the former kingdom of Judah returned to their ancestral homeland (p 144, 145).

Question 4

What is one indicator that the book of Ruth was written a long time after the events took place?

Answer 4

First, near the end of the story the author talks directly to readers and says that these events occurred long ago. Also, the need to explain the custom in 4:7 provides strong evidence that it was set in ancient times from the author’s perspective.

Second, the Ruth story includes linguistic evidence of a later period, such as “Aramaisms” and the syntax of Late Biblical Hebrew.

Third, a leading concern of Ruth is identical to that of the restoration assembly (those who returned from exile) - namely, the identity of Israel with respect to assimilations of outsiders (p 144).

Question 5

What does the use of “Aramaisms” in Ruth indicate?

Answer 5

The captivity of Judah triggered massive changes including a shift from Hebrew to Aramaic as the spoken language. Even the educated class of Hebrew authors, like the author of Ruth, tend to have an Aramaic flavoring on occasion (p 144).

Question 6

What is a leading concern of the Ruth narrative that is identical to that of the restoration assembly?

Answer 6

The identity of Israel with respect to assimilations of outsiders. When the Judean captives returned to their homeland during a period of protracted economic depression, the people faced great ongoing temptation to intermarry with foreigners (p 144, 145).

Question 7

What is the message of Ruth?

Answer 7

The message of Ruth pivots on the mercy of Yahweh to outsiders who cling to him. Outsiders who turn to Yahweh and his covenantal people have an enduring hope.

Question 8

What is the surprise ending of Ruth?

Answer 8

The surprise comes in the very last word of the story, “David.”

Question 9

How does the law of assembly in Deuteronomy 23 relate to the story of Ruth?

Answer 9

The law of the assembly in Deut 23:3-6 forbids Moabites from ever assimilating into the assembly of Israel. If David is excluded from Israel because of a forbidden Moabite matriarch, it would nullify the messianic hopes grounded in the Davidic covenant. The central importance of a Davidic messiah for the gospel requires close attention to the Ruth story (p 146).

Question 10

How many times do some of the book’s key terms appear—like Moab, Moabitess, and name?

Answer 10

Some of the book’s key terms appear seven or fourteen times, a numerical literary symbol of completeness in Scripture (p 146). “Moab” - 7 times. “Moabite” - 7 times. “Name” - 14 times.

Question 11

What is the effect of Ruth’s oath to cling to Naomi?

Answer 11

Placing herself under Yahweh’s protection.

Question 12

What is the ancient practice of gleaning?

Answer 12

Gleaning is an ancient practice in which the needy gather up what the harvesters leave behind.

Question 13

What word does the narrator use to describe both Boaz and Ruth?

Answer 13

The narrator says Boaz was an excellent man and Ruth was an excellent woman.

Question 14

Who are the protected classes that may participate in gleaning according to biblical law?

Answer 14

The law of gleaning provides help for residing foreigners, widows, and orphans.

Question 15

Whose wellbeing is Israel forbidden to seek according to the law of the assembly?

Answer 15

Israel is forbidden to seek the well-being of excluded others represented by the ancient Ammonites and Moabites.

Question 16

On what basis does Boaz grant Ruth gleaning rights despite her ethnicity?

Answer 16

Based on Ruth’s tending to Naomi and her commitment to Yahweh.

Question 17

What is the sense of Ruth’s request “spread your wing over me”?

Answer 17

At least three senses can be interpreted: 1) She is simply asking him to cover her with the corner of his robes. 2) It is a proposal of marriage by means of a figure of speech. 3) She invites Boaz to be Yahweh’s instrument to care for her.

Question 18

What do the laws associated with Jubilee accomplish?

Answer 18

To provide relief for landowning families who fall into poverty.

Question 19

What was the goal of the law of female inheritance?

Answer 19

In order to prevent the loss of the name of the land owner.

Question 20

What is included in the law of levirate marriage?

Answer 20

Keeping the name of a married person who dies without children.

Question 21

Which two laws connect with the result that a female heir must marry before a financially responsible near relative could temporarily purchase land according to Jubilee regulations?

Answer 21

The law of female inheritance is connected to the law of redemption.

Question 22

Which two laws focus on retaining the name of the deceased?

Answer 22

The laws of female inheritance and levirate marriage.

Question 23

Why is it difficult to understand what exactly Boaz says to the near relative?

Answer 23

Because Boaz speaks with an old accent.

Question 24

Why did the unnamed financially responsible near relative back out of purchasing Naomi’s field?

Answer 24

Three ways of thinking are possible:
1) If Boaz tells him that Boaz himself is marrying Ruth, then the near relative may realize that if Boaz and Ruth had children, he would need to give the land back to the family.
2) If the near relative hears Boaz say, “When you buy the land you must marry Ruth the widow,” he may realize he cannot afford to take two needy widows into his household.
3) If the unnamed financially responsible near relative hears Boaz say, “When you buy the land you must marry Ruth the Moabite,” he may refuse because the law of the assembly prohibited good treatment to Moabites

Question 25

Whose name gets blotted out by the narrator of Ruth?

Answer 25

The financially responsible near relative.

Question 26

What is unusual about the ending of Ruth?

Answer 26

Normally genealogies go at the front of stories, but the author of Ruth waits until the end of the story in order to keep the ending a surprise.

Question 27

What is the book of Ruth a counterpoint to?

Answer 27

During the days of the judges, when immorality ran rampant, two exceptions stand out: Ruth and Boaz.

Question 28

What is the only other book in the Scriptures besides Ruth that uses the expression “excellent woman”?

Answer 28

Proverbs

Question 29

Where is Ruth, an excellent woman, praised?

Answer 29

In the city gates

Question 30

Why were Moabites excluded according to the law of the assembly?

Answer 30

Because the ancient Moabites refused to provide food for Israel and hired Balaam to damn them.

Question 31

What is a gospel connection of the book of Ruth?

Answer 31

The genealogy of the Messiah at Matt 1:1-17 included Ruth. Ruth started her life among the excluded people of Moab but her faith and devotion to Yahweh placed her in the family of the Messiah.

Question 32

What is one way Ruth’s commitment to Naomi challenges Christians?

Answer 32

This challenges us that we should give our full devotion to the Lord and his kingdom.