Ruth 1-2     Ecclesiastes 8:10-17     Acts 2

Review:  It is believed that the Book of Ruth took place roughly around 1000 BC, about the same time as the first half of the Book of Judges…Famine hit Judah forcing the family of Elinelech to cross the Jordan River, east of them to Moab, and avoid starvition (1:1-5)…While in Moab, Naomi, Elinelech’s wife, is completely devastated.  First her husband dies (1:3), then her two sons die (1:5)…The famine ends prompting Naomi to move back to Judah (1:6-9) with Ruth, the widowed wife of her son Chilion (1:10-18)…The two very vulnerable widows settle in Bethlehem (1:19-21) in the fall at the start of the barley harvest (1:22)…Boaz is introduced as a well to do relative of Naomi’s deceased husband (2:1)…Ruth gleans the fields of Boaz (2:2-7) to care for Naomi (2:17-23) and is noticed by Boaz (2:8-16).

Analysis:  There is little doubt of Naomi’s bitterness towards God at what has happened to her (1:11-14, 20-22)…How would you react?…Ruth’s devotion to Naomi testifies to her inherent goodness (1:16-17)…Naomi’s name change is typical of the OT (Gen. 41:45, 2 Kings 23:34, 24:17, Dan. 1:7)…Grain gleanings in Jewish environs are legally protected for the needy, including foreigners (Lev. 19:9-10, Deut. 24:19)…Indeed, this is a God endorsed welfare program…However, the recipients still needed to toil mightily to gain their grain…Ruth’s ambition is on full display (2:5-16)…The character of Ruth is undeniable – her loyalty (1:14), her new-found faith (1:16-17) and her hard work (2:3)…Because of these attributes, she is noticed (2:8-14).