Some Background:
From the website: Reform judaism.org
The Book of Ruth, appears in the third section of the Hebrew Bible, K'tuvim, Writings, is a beautiful folktale written in four short chapters. I celebrates the loyalty and reward of a young Moabite widow (Ruth) who chooses to follow her Israelite mother-in-law (Naomi) back to Bethlehem.
Jewish law assigns this book to the festival of Shavuot or festival of weeks. The events take place during the summer harvest.
Although the story is set in the period of theJudges (1200-1000 B. C. E.), it is unlikely that it was written at the time. According to the Talmud, "Samuel the prompt wrote his own books, Judges and Ruth." Most biblical scholars, however, argue for a post exilic date (i.e.., after 70 C.E.). Furthermore, as Rowley noted long ago: "the simple story of the Book of Ruth abounds in problems for which no final solution can ever be found, since the materials for their solution are denied us."
Why was this book written? The purpose is not apparent. Some say that it is simply "an interesting tale of long ago" (Pfeiffer). Others suggest that the author's goal was to promote the inclusion of outsiders, such as Ruth, in the Assembly of Israel (Smith), especially during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Ruth is like a four-act play. Here are the characters:
ELIMELECH
e-lim'-e-lek ('elimelekh,"My God is King")
I am Elimelech. I am a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan. I lived during the period of the Judges, had a hereditary possession near Bethlehem, and am chiefly known as the husband of Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth and ancestress of David the king. Because of a severe famine in Judea, I emigrated to the land of Moab with my wife and sons, Mahlon and Chilion (lil-yon). Not long afterward I died, and my two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Ten years in all were spent in Moab, when my two sons died, and the three widows were left. Soon afterward Naomi decided t return to Judah.
NAOMI
na'-o-mi, (probably = "pleasantness)
I am Naomi. I am the wife of Elimelech and mother - in-law of Ruth. I went with my husband to the land of Moab, and after his death returned to Bethlehem. When greeted on my return, I told the women of the town to call me, Marah ("bitterness"), "for," I said, "the Almighty hah dealt very bitterly with me." I advised Ruth in her dealing with Boaz.
MAHLON
ma'-lon
I am Mahlon, Ruth's first husband I am one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah". With my mother and my brothers I came into Moab and we both married Moabite women.
CHLION
kil'-i-on (kilyon, "pining,""wasting away")
I am Chilean. I am one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah" With my mother and my brother I came into Moab and we both married Moabite women. Orpah being the name of my wife and Ruth was the wife of Mahlon. We both died early.
ORPAH
or'-pa ('orphan)
I am Orpah and I am a Moabitess. I am the wife of Mahlon (marlin), son of Elimelech and Naomi. Unlike my sister Ruth, I returned to my own people after escorting Naomi on her way to Judah. My name is supposed to be derived from the Hebrew word for "neck" ('oreph), and so to mean "stiff-necked" because of my turning-back from following my mother-in-law.
RUTH
tooth (ruth; Rhouth)
I am Ruth and my name is found in the Old Testament only in the book which is called by my name. It is a contraction for re'uth perhaps signifying "comrade,""companion." The word is an abstract noun that = friendship." The Book of Ruth details the history of the one decisive episode owing to which I became an ancestress of David and of the royal house of Judah. From this point of view its peculiar interest lies in the close friendship or alliance between Israel and Moab, which rendered such a connection possible. There is also an allusion to this win the name itself.
My piety and fidelity exhibited as I refused to abandon my mother-in-law, although thrice exhorted to do so by Naomi herself, on account of her own great age and the better prospects for Ruth in her own country. Oprah yielded to persuasion, and returned Moab; but I remained with Noami.
At Bethlehem I employed myself in gleaning in the field during the harvest and was noticed by Boaz, the owner of the field, a near kinsmen of my father-in-law Elimelech. Boaz gave me permission to glean as long as the harvest continued; and told me that he had heard of my conduct toward my mother-in-law. Moreover he directed the reapers to make intentional provisions for me by dropping in my way grain from their bundles.
My life and history are important because I form a link in the ancestry of the greatest king of Israel.
It shows how my faithful and loving service to m mother-in-law met with its due reward in the
restored happiness of a peaceful and prosperous home-life for myself. Incidentally ancient. marriage customs of Israel, which becoming obsolete.
BOAZ
bo'-az (o'az; "quickness")
I am a resident of Behtlehem and kinsman of Elimelech, Naomi's husband. I am a gibbor chayil, a phrase which can mean either "a mighty man of valor" or else " a man of piston and wealth." The latter is probably the sense in which the phrase is applied to. I had fields outside the town, which were where Ruth went to glean. I noticed her and extended special kindness and protection to her, bidding her remain with my female workers, and charging the me not to mistreat her, and slap giving her of the reapers' food at mealtime.
I "am used a model of piety, generosity and chastity". I found virtue and rewarded it.
One of the two bronze pillars erected infant of Solomon's temple is named after me, and the other is named after Jachin.
Additional information:
There are 45 definitions of light. Definition #13 = exposed in view or limelight.
Ephrathite-citizen of Ephratah the old name of Bethlehem.
The post exilic period- exile of Jews in Babylonia 597-538 B.C.
Reaper- cuts standing grain.
Gleaner - gathers after the reapers.
One of only two books of script maned for women.
Ruth is great-grandmother of King David.
Ruth converted.
Important to remember > she represents hope and optimism.
* Ruth 1:1-5
Elimelech and his family (Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion ) go to Moab. Elimelech dies. Mahlon and Chilean marry Orpah and Ruth - Moabite women.
Ruth 1:8-18 and 19-20
Ruth stays with Naomi and they return to Bethlehem.
Ruth 2:1-5
Ruth wants to be noticed by Boa. He did notice her.
Gem: Faithfulness is more important than ethnicity.
President Monson said this of Ruth:
"A model of ideal womanhood is Ruth. Sensing the grief-stricken heart of her mother-in-law Naomi -- who suffered the loss of her tow fine sons--feeling perhaps the pangs of despair and loneliness the plagued the very soul of Naomi, Ruth uttered what has become that classic statement of loyalty: 'Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go and were thou longest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.' Ruth's actions demonstrated the sincerity of her words.
"Through Ruth's undeviating loyalty to Naomi, she was to marry Boaz, by which she--the foreigner and Moabite convert--became a great-grandmother of David and, therefore, an ancestor of our Savior Jesus Christ."
* Ruth 3-4
Characteristics of who our youth want to marry.
Emily - "His aura fits my aura."
Mason - "Someone who loves me."
Ruth wants Boaz and lets him know it but he respects her virtue and chastity. Naomi is pleased with this.
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