An Overview of Ruth
by David Gooding
The biblical authors used the literary conventions of their day to convey their message. These included structures and patterns less obvious to us in our modern age. David Gooding brought his expertise in ancient literature to the biblical text, and these study notes represent his thinking about the structure, patterns and thought-flow of Ruth.
When speaking to groups of Bible students, he often said, ‘When it comes to Bible study, there is structure, pattern and thought-flow, and the greatest of these is thought-flow. Here are the thoughts of God expressed. Our job is to follow the thought-flow’. He taught that the most important thing to grasp in biblical interpretation is the way the author develops his message, and that discerning structure and patterns within the text should always be directed towards that end.
David Gooding developed these study notes over many years and distributed them at public and private talks. The study notes are not meant to be the last word on the book, and may not cover it entirely. The Myrtlefield Trust offers them to Bible students, preachers and teachers in order to stimulate further thinking about the book, so that its message may be better understood.
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Study Notes
Ruth the Gentile: The Key to the Restoration of Naomi the Israelite
Ruth 1
Her 'conversion' to faith in Naomi's God and people.
Her refusal to leave Naomi.
Ruth 2
Her initiative to go gleaning to support Naomi.
Boaz's commendation.
Ruth 3
Her willingness to marry the 'old' man Boaz.
Boaz's commendation.
Ruth 4
Ruth's child becomes Naomi's child, go'el and restorer of her old age.
The Book of Ruth: Table of Contents
Introduction: Naomi Emptied (Ruth 1:1–5)
Naomi Returns from Moab (Ruth 1:6–22)
Ruth clings to Naomi (Ruth 1:6–18)
Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19–22)
Ruth and Boaz Meet in the Harvest Fields (Ruth 2)
Ruth begins work (Ruth 2:1–7)
Boaz shows kindness to Ruth (Ruth 2:8–16)
Ruth returns to Naomi (Ruth 2:17–23)
Ruth goes to Boaz at the Threshing Floor (Ruth 3)
Naomi instructs Ruth (Ruth 3:1–5)
Boaz pledges to secure redemption (Ruth 3:6–15)
Ruth returns to Naomi (Ruth 3:16–18)
Boaz Arranges to Marry Ruth (Ruth 4:1–12)
Boaz confronts the unnamed kinsman (Ruth 4:1–8)
Boaz buys Naomi's property and announces his marriage to Ruth (Ruth 4:9–12)
Conclusion: Naomi filled (Ruth 4:13–17)
Epilogue: Genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18–22)
Naomi Emptied and Restored
Ruth 1: Naomi Emptied {#ruth-1-naomi-emptied .chart-heading-1}
Left of her two sons and of her husband
Have I yet sons?
Too old for a husband!
Ruth 2: Naomi Restored
Not left without a kinsman
A restorer of life to you
Nourisher of your old age
A son is born to Naomi