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A Sample Biblical Narrative: The Story of Ruth

© alberto esmeralda

We begin sampling a biblical narrative by reading the Book of Ruth. I have chosen it because it is short (just four chapters), it is about migrant women (and therefore very timely), and it is just the kind of story that can raise a lot of discussions (this will become obvious as we proceed). The article is divided into three parts. The first part presents a brief outline of the Book of Ruth. The second part explains some customs and ideas found in the story that may appear strange to the reader. The third part offers some tips for reading the narrative.

In brief, the book of Ruth is the story of how a Moabitess becomes an important part of Israel's history as a people. What makes the story so special is that it is about the great grandmother of David, the greatest king Israel has ever known. Below is an outline of the story:

I. Introductory Part: A Moabitess Dwells In Benjamin. (1,1-22) A daughter of Israel -- Naomi, wife of Elimelech of Benjamin -- is widowed and loses both his male children in Moab (vv. 1-6). She returns to her homeland with the daughter-in-law who chooses to live with her inspite of her protests (vv. 7-18). Naomi declares to all that she is "Bitter" because she returns to Benjamin without her husband and sons, a widow with no one to support her in her old age (vv. 19-22). II. Main Body: The Moabitess Becomes The Daughter Who Is Worth More Than Seven Sons (Chapters 2:1-4,17). Ruth demonstrates her loyalty to Naomi and to her clan by working in the fields of a close relative, and by obeying Naomi's instructions relative to the levirate law.

Ruth works in the fields of Boaz and catches his attention (2:1-23). Naomi instructs Ruth on the niceties of claiming her rights to be espoused according to the levirate law. Ruth obeys and becomes more pleasing in the sight of Boaz who praises her for her loyalty (hesed) A conflict however arises since Boaz is not the next-of-kin, the close relative who have the right to take her for a wife (3:1-18). The conflict however is resolved when Boaz persuades the next-of-kin to relinquish the right of redemption by using the most effective argument at his disposal, Ruth the Moabitess herself (4:1-12). The story closes with a portrait: that of Naomi putting the first born of Ruth and Boaz's levirate union on her lap. By that gesture, she shows to all that her barrenness as a woman has been taken away; that the line of Elimelech's descendants now continues in Obed, the grandfather of David (4:13-17).