The judges were governing – times were bad morally. There was much social and religious chaos during the time of the judges. They were frequently invaded by foreign powers and the idol worship vexed the hearts of the faithful. Some tribes were even fighting against each other.
The time of Ruth probably falls between Ehud and Jephthah since Moab was dominated by Israel at that time (Hubbard, 84). When I study the book of Ruth, it looks to me like it is more about Naomi… The book begins and ends with Naomi.
NAOMI FEELS EMPTY – 1:20-21
She had to leave her homeland because of the famine – 1:1
She lost her husband – 1:3
She lost her two sons – 1:5.
In fact, notice the historian calls her “the woman”, as if she has now lost her identity. The last clause (vs 13) reemphasizes how empty she is – “bereft of her two children and her husband.” She has lost everything.
She even felt the “hand of the Lord has gone forth against” her (1:13)
The good thing is that if you believe God is responsible, then you know God is in charge.
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Have you ever felt empty?
NAOMI IS BLESSED BY GOD – 4:13-17
First, God blessed the one who was in a position to bless Naomi – Ruth – 4:13. Boaz now takes Ruth and “she became his wife.” She began as a widowed foreigner and now she’s a wife! Great things can God do. In fact, the “Lord enabled her to conceive.” This is the only time we see God working in this story. He gave Ruth a child and in so doing paid her back for her devotion to Naomi and to Naomi’s God.
Ruth recognizes this boy as Naomi’s “redeemer” – 4:14. It was Naomi’s tragedy that began the story and it is her victory that finishes the story. “Blessed is the Lord”. The women give full credit to God for what He had done. God deserves credit for everything good that happens to us. Naomi now has a redeemer. She now has someone who will take care of her in her old age. The stigma of childlessness is now gone.
Naomi nurses the baby boy – 4:16. Naomi is once again pleasant and beautiful. She had been empty but now her joy is full. What a tender moment – the fragile little baby snuggled up against the loving breast of his grandmother.
He was recognized as “her boy” – 4:17; his name was Jesse, father of David. Naomi’s childlessness has, for practical and theological purposes, come to an end!
Naomi was an ordinary person who suffered some ordinary tragedies. But God used her to do great things.
–Paul Holland
