The purpose of this research is to examine meanings identified in the biblical book of Ruth. The plan of the research will be to summarize the narrative content of the story and break down some of the major themes included in the book of Ruth. Ruth, whose identity is alien to Israel, nevertheless undergoes hardship and loss in the service of an Israelite, and she is eventually rewarded for that. The book of Ruth has loyalty, economic survival, accepting foreigners, and loyalty to one woman to another highlighted throughout the story. Ruth, throughout these four major themes is shown blessings through God.
In the Bible, the book of Ruth is located in between Judges and 1 Samuel. Ruth was is suggested to be written sometime during the reign of the judges. Which means Ruth was written at after the year of 1309 B.C. but before the Saul's reign around 1043 B.C. (Enns 14) The fact that Ruth was written around this time means that Israel was in a time of chaos full of idolatry and anarchy. The reign of the Judges were times with no main powerful prophet with distinct leadership capabilities or following that prophets including Joshua and Moses had. Ruth is comes from the collection of books labeled as the third part of the Hebrew Bible and is also known for being part of the five scroll of Megilloth, but is not placed along side with each other in the Old Testament. Rather the five scrolls of Megilloth placed in order of the dates they are suggested to taking place. (Bos 8).
The book of Ruth is set in two place Bethlehem which is located in Judah and Moab, a foreign tribe located on the east side of the Dead Sea. The beginning of the book introduces six characters, Elimelech's family. Elimelech is am Israelite who moves out of Judah to seek a better opportunity for his family because of famine that has struck Israel. Elimelech along with his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Chilion move away to Moab.