Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 36:70 (Spring 2023)
Article: A Literary And Theological Analysis Of Ruth
Author: Philippe R. Sterling

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A Literary And Theological Analysis Of Ruth1

Philippe R. Sterling

Pastor
Vista Ridge Bible Fellowship
Lewisville, TX

I. Introduction

This article aims to unfold the theological message of the Book of Ruth by means of a broad literary study of its narrative, rooted in exegesis. The composition includes a literary analysis of the narrative, a comparison with literary parallels in Scripture, and an exposition of the theological message.

II. Literary Analysis Of The Book Of Ruth

The literary analysis of the book of Ruth is comprised of a synthetic exegetical summary of its narrative, a detailed literary exposition of its narrative, and a layout of its overall literary structure.

A. Synthetic Exegetical Summary

1. Introduction (1:1–6).

a. In a time of famine during the period of the Judges, Elimelech and his family migrate from Bethlehem to Moab (1–2).

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b. Elimelech dies and his two sons marry Ruth and Orpah, Moabite women. Then the sons also die, leaving their mother, Naomi, bereft of her whole family (3–5).

c. Naomi decides to return from Moab because she hears that Yahweh has provided food for His people (6).

2. First Episode (1:7–22).

a. Naomi, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, departs from Moab to return to Judah (7).

b. Naomi dissuades Orpah from going with her but fails to dissuade Ruth, who declares her loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God, then continues with her to Bethlehem (8–19a).

1) Naomi counsels Ruth and Orpah to return home and prays that Yahweh will deal with them in loyal-love and grant them rest in marriage. However, they express their desire to remain with her (8–10).

2) Naomi justifies her counseling them to return by citing both her inability to provide them with husbands and her bitter situation caused by Yahweh. As a result, Orpah leaves, but Ruth clings to Naomi (11–14).

3) Naomi advises Ruth to follow Orpah, but Ruth declares her loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God, then journeys with her back to Bethlehem (15–19a). Having pointed out Orpah’s return to her own people and gods...