1) A
very parable-like sound to the start of the tale. The theme of “having a man” is very strong
from the beginning. A sudden turn of the
tale begins when Ruth clearly chooses Naomi over her own people and Naomi’s God
over her own people’s gods. Naomi’s feelings
of God having turned against her are strong, even with Ruth’s loyalty.
2) Ruth finds favor with Boaz, due to her strategic placement of herself, word of what she had done for Naomi, and possibly her appearance; all despite the fact that she is a foreigner. The difficult state of women is implied several times.
2) Ruth finds favor with Boaz, due to her strategic placement of herself, word of what she had done for Naomi, and possibly her appearance; all despite the fact that she is a foreigner. The difficult state of women is implied several times.
3) Ruth
strategically seduces Boaz at Naomi’s insistence. Boaz takes the hint and rewards her.
4) Boaz sets up his marriage to Ruth, and thereby Ruth bears a son and Naomi is redeemed and blessed. Some statements, “Now this was the custom in former times in Israel”, “Boaz of Obed, Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David”, make it clear that the story is being written long as such events are supposed to have taken place. Another unusual chapter in the line of David is written, demonstrating God’s willingness to use unlikely people.
4) Boaz sets up his marriage to Ruth, and thereby Ruth bears a son and Naomi is redeemed and blessed. Some statements, “Now this was the custom in former times in Israel”, “Boaz of Obed, Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David”, make it clear that the story is being written long as such events are supposed to have taken place. Another unusual chapter in the line of David is written, demonstrating God’s willingness to use unlikely people.
