Set in the dark days of the judges, the book of Ruth tells the story of a family in crisis that experienced and extended the grace and kindness of God. Dr. Daniel I. Block brings to life the cast of characters in this narrative as he moves through each chapter, artfully bringing together exegesis and application. Through this course you will explore key themes of living out godliness and righteousness, covenant commitment, and what it means to respond to the greatest commandments through loving and blessing God and your neighbors. You will discover that this book is not only about God saving one particular family but also about his salvation of all of humanity through the provision of the Messiah.
Introduction
Introduction
Introducing the Speaker and the Course
3m
Prolegomena to the Interpretation of Ruth
The Title of the Book
4m
Date and Authorship—Part 1
8m
Date and Authorship—Part 2
7m
Genre and Intention—Part 1
5m
Genre and Intention—Part 2
10m
Interpreting the Book of Ruth—Part 1
9m
Interpreting the Book of Ruth—Part 2
5m
Speech Act Theory
9m
Literary Style and Structure
7m
Intertextual Issues—Part 1
10m
Intertextual Issues—Part 2
7m
The Canonical Positions of Ruth
6m
The Theology of Ruth—Part 1
9m
The Theology of Ruth—Part 2
8m
The Theology of Ruth—Part 3
8m
Act I. In the Land of Moab: The Emptying of Naomi (Ruth 1)
Setting the Stage for Naomi’s Emptying (1:1–2)
9m
The Nature of Naomi’s Emptying (1:3–5)
5m
Naomi’s Response to Her Emptying (1:6–19b)
4m
Naomi’s Return (1:6–7)
4m
Naomi’s Proposal for Her Daughters-in-Law—Part 1 (1:8–10)
7m
Naomi’s Proposal for Her Daughters-in-Law—Part 2 (1:11–14)
4m
Naomi’s Proposal for Her Daughters-in-Law—Part 3 (1:15–19b)
9m
Naomi’s Interpretation of Her Emptying—Part 1 (1:19c–20)
7m
Naomi’s Interpretation of Her Emptying—Part 2 (1:21–22)
6m
Lessons from Act I—Part 1
6m
Lessons from Act I—Part 2
6m
Act II. In the Field of Bethlehem: Ruth’s First Encounter with Boaz (Ruth 2)
The Introduction of Boaz (2:1)
8m
The Initiative of Ruth (2:2–3c)
6m
The Good Fortune of Ruth (2:3d–e)
5m
Boaz’s First Conversation with His Workers—Part 1 (2:4)
5m
Boaz’s First Conversation with His Workers—Part 2 (2:5–7)
5m
What’s Wrong with Being a Moabite?—Part 1
7m
What’s Wrong with Being a Moabite?—Part 2
7m
Boaz and Ruth’s First Interchange—Part 1 (2:8–9)
7m
Boaz and Ruth’s First Interchange—Part 2 (2:10)
6m
Boaz and Ruth’s Second Interchange—Part 1 (2:11)
7m
Boaz and Ruth’s Second Interchange—Part 2 (2:12–13)
8m
Boaz and Ruth’s Third Interchange (2:14)
5m
Boaz’s Second Conversation with His Workers (2:15–16)
6m
The Material Significance of Ruth’s Encounter with Boaz (2:17–18)
7m
The Personal Significance of Ruth’s Encounter with Boaz (2:19–20)
9m
The Economic Significance of Ruth’s Encounter with Boaz (2:21–23)
5m
Lessons from Act II
9m
Act III. At the Threshing Floor: Ruth’s Second Encounter with Boaz (Ruth 3)
Introduction to Act III
4m
Naomi’s Reflection (3:1–2)
6m
Naomi’s Plan (3:3–4)
6m
Ruth’s Response (3:5–7)
4m
The Midnight Conversation—Part 1 (3:8–9)
8m
The Midnight Conversation—Part 2 (3:10–13)
8m
The Midnight Conversation—Part 3 (3:14a)
5m
The Morning Send-off (3:14b–15)
4m
Ruth’s Return and Naomi’s Greeting (3:16a–c)
7m
Ruth’s Report and Naomi’s Counsel (3:16d–18)
4m
Lessons from Act III
7m
Act IV. In the Town of Bethlehem: The Filling of Naomi (Ruth 4)
The Appearance of the Principals (4:1a–d)
7m
The Engagement of the Principals (4:1e–2)
5m
The Report of the Legal Drama—Part 1 (4:3–4j)
8m
The Report of the Legal Drama—Part 2 (4:4k–5)
6m
The Report of the Legal Drama—Part 3 (4:6–7)
5m
The Report of the Legal Drama—Part 4 (4:8)
4m
The Significance of the Legal Drama—Part 1 (4:9–10)
8m
The Significance of the Legal Drama—Part 2 (4:11–12)
9m
The Narrator’s Report of the Birth of Naomi’s Son (4:13)
7m
The Women’s Response to the Birth of Naomi’s Son (4:14–15)
7m
The Naming of Naomi’s Son (4:16–17)
10m
Lessons from Act IV
7m
The Genealogical History of Israel’s Royal Line and Lessons from It (4:18–22)