The Point of . . . Ruth

Discussing the purpose of specific books of the Bible is a dangerous endeavor for several reasons. First, there are multitudinous opinions about the meaning or purpose of individual books. Second, there is a lack of consistent agreement about the meaning of these books even among like-minded camps of people. Finally, and in explanation of the first two reasons, it is extremely easy to be man-centered in our approach to the Bible. We tend to think our own thoughts after ourselves instead of thinking God’s thoughts after Him.

For example, consider the book of Ruth. Ruth is a challenging book to interpret because, in one sense, there is not much interpretation to do in theological terms compared to, say, Isaiah. Ruth is comprised of straightforward historical facts presented as a narrative account rather than prophetic or apocalyptic literature. As a book, Ruth seems simple and unified. It is also short.

Nevertheless, there is a great deal of difficulty in interpreting these few, short chapters of historical narrative. Interpreters get lost in a host of issues upon which the meaning or purpose of the book does not ultimately hinge, significant though they may be.

Almost everyone places Ruth in relation to other books of the Bible because of the significant place that David is given at the end of the book. It seems clear that this book is included in the canon because it details the ancestral background of David. Even conservative scholars then conclude that the essential purpose of the book is something like this: ‘to commend David by recalling the honorable forefathers in his lineage.’ If that is the final conclusion of our study of Ruth, I believe we have grandly missed the point.

The book of Ruth is not ultimately about Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, or even David. It is about the God whom these people served and who, in fact, served them as the Sovereign Lord. Graciously He provided food, shelter, and descendants to these people in spite of their deep personal flaws and sin. More than that, God would provide—He did provide—the Descendant that would usher in the true, full Kingdom of God and would return men and women to right relationship with God. The point of Ruth is not David—it is God the Trinity.

Ruth fits into the larger canon because in it God shows us who He is as the merciful Redeemer and Provider. He provided David to rule and He provided David’s Greater Son, who was also David’s Lord. God mercifully and graciously brought a Moabite girl into the lineage of David AND JESUS (!) to reveal His own character, and to ‘tip His cards,’ as it were, regarding His plan for the gracious acceptance of the Gentiles in Christ. The point of the book is God in His greatness as it was worked out in the particulars of these peoples’ lives.

Let me encourage you, then, not to get caught up in man-centered interpretation. The point of the Bible is that it reveals to us who God is. God used particular people, events, and institutions to reveal Himself to us, but those things were not intended to be the final focus of Scripture. God in His glory should be our focus in Ruth and in every chapter and verse. May He grant us eyes of faith to see Himself!

--Dean of Admissions