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The Book of Ruth - Assignment
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Added on 2021-06-16
The Book of Ruth - Assignment
Added on 2021-06-16
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Running head: BOOK OF RUTHBOOK OF RUTHName of the StudentName of the UniversityAuthor note:
BOOK OF RUTH1IntroductionThe Old Testament forms the theological base of both Judaism and Christianity. Thebook is one important part of the Hebrew Bible which has later on evolved after thedescending of Christ and the beginning of Christianity. There are different wars thatcharacterised the era and the incidents told in the book of Ruth is rather a change in theapproach with loyalty, humility and affection taking front stage. How Ruth being loyal to hermother in law accompanied her and accepted the “the God of the Israelites as her God and theIsraelite people as her own” (Bush 2018). There are various themes within the book that getsclearer as the book is studied in greater detail. The book of Ruth is studied in variousoccasions in religious gatherings. It is considered to be one of the most important books inthe Christian theology. DiscussionThere are various themes in the book of the Ruth, which can be understood by readingthe book from various perspectives. Some of the themes which can be deduced from the bookcan be discussed. Humility of the protagonist can be considered as one of the main themes ofthe book. Ruth is the main character of this book and she shows how to use humility for thepurpose of spiritual benefit. Ruth shows by example the process of being down to earth andkind (Halton 2012, 20-34). The mother in law Naomi who lost her son was already brokenwith grief. This would have been further increased if both of her daughter in laws would goaway leaving her. However Ruth decided to stay which would improve the situation for her.This brings the reader to the next theme of loyalty. Ruth was very much loyal to her motherin law which meant that she would not leave her even if the husband was not there with thewife anymore. The other daughter in law of the lady decided to leave, this shows thedifference between Ruth and her. That makes Ruth the ideal character of the book and also a
BOOK OF RUTH2theological hero of the Old Testament (Chisholm 2013). These two themes of humility andloyalty are two of the ideal characters of a person that can be learnt through theologicalstudies and spiritual development. The Hebrew word for loyalty is “Chesed” which is seenrepeatedly used in the book of Ruth (Longman 2013). The Hebrew Bible also describes God being loyal to his own subjects that willincrease the faith of the Hebrew gentiles on God. The book is naturally very famous in theGentiles who were later converted into the Christian religion. The Non Israeli Jews can take itinto consideration how God of the Israelites welcome non Israelites into his covenant. Thisestablishes that God is not anti-Gentile, however there has to be deep devotion shown toYahweh. Examples of similar incidents when God welcomes Rahab in the narrative of Joshuaand Ninevites in Jonah, all of whom were gentile (Harris et al. 2012).It can be seen from the whole book of Ruth that there no incidents of any miracles orany incidents that can be attributed to the wonders caused by God. Therefore it is re-established that God works through ordinary means and through ordinary people. Every timedenoting a miracle to the act of God actually diminishes his power and that he can also actnormally without causing any miracle to take place. Family life is one of the importantthemes of the book of Ruth, in which though a family is seen to be in the face of utter chaosand crisis however there is God who is guiding the members of the family towards the rightpath (Goswell 2014). Both the husband and the son of Naomi dies, she is hopeless however itis to be understood that all is not lost and if there is Gods will then anyone can get over suchcrisis. Boaz also did not have an heir of his own and Naomi was in the same condition afterdeath of the male members of her family, yet by God’s will Ruth is married to Boaz and theyget a child progeny. Therefore the will of the God is greatest and one should depend on Godwithout moaning. The family line that continues after the birth of this child is very importantin theocratic history. This son is Obed who is the father of Jesse, who is father of David.
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