Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University

Bayambang Campus
Bayambang, Pangasinan

A Paper Presentation in EL 112: Survey of Afro-Asian

Literature

THE STORY OF RUTH

FROM THE TANAKH

Prepared by:
Christine Mae M. Bautista
BSE-English II-2

Subject Teacher:
Assoc. Prof. Salome Montemayor
I.Introduction

The story of Ruth, found in the Tanakh, is a captivating tale of loyalty, resilience, and faith
set in ancient Israel during the Judges' time. Centered around Ruth, a Moabite woman,
and her unwavering devotion to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, this narrative
transcends its historical context to offer timeless lessons on kindness, inclusion, and the
transformative power of faith. The story of Ruth stands as a timeless masterpiece,
cherished for its enduring relevance and profound insights into the human experience.
Whether viewed as a narrative of love and redemption, a portrayal of female agency and
strength, or a reflection on divine providence, the story of Ruth continues to captivate
readers and inspire reflection on life's deepest truths.

Intended Learning Outcomes

After the discussion, the students should be able to:

• Evaluate how Ruth's character evolves throughout the story.

• Examine the cultural and social context of the story.
• Reflect on the lessons from Ruth's story and consider how they can apply
principles of loyalty, resilience, and faith to your own lives and relationships.

Characters of the Story

1. Ruth- A Moabite woman who becomes the central figure of the story. She is known
for her unwavering loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, and her eventual
marriage to Boaz.

2. Naomi- Ruth's Israelite mother-in-law who, after experiencing tragedy and loss,
returns to Bethlehem from Moab with Ruth. Despite her own hardships, Naomi
plays a significant role in guiding Ruth and eventually finds redemption through her
daughter-in-law's actions.
 3. Boaz- A wealthy and honorable landowner in Bethlehem who is a relative of
Naomi. Boaz shows kindness and generosity towards Ruth and Naomi, ultimately
becoming Ruth's husband and playing a crucial role in the family's redemption.

4. Orpah- Ruth's sister-in-law and Naomi's other daughter-in-law. Orpah initially sets
out to accompany Naomi and Ruth back to Bethlehem but ultimately decides to
return to Moab after Naomi urges them to stay. While Orpah's decision contrasts
with Ruth's steadfast loyalty, it reflects the complexities of familial ties and
individual choices.

5. Mahlon and Chilion- Naomi's sons and Ruth's husband and brother-in-law,
respectively. They marry Ruth and Orpah while living in Moab but tragically pass
away, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. Though they do not play active
roles in the story, their deaths serve as catalysts for the events that unfold.

6. Unnamed kinsman-redeemer- A relative of Naomi who initially has the right to

redeem Naomi's land and marry Ruth. However, when he learns that this would
involve also marrying Ruth, he relinquishes his claim, paving the way for Boaz to
fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer.

Summary
In Bethlehem's ancient land, a woman named Naomi lived with her husband and two
sons, Mahlon and Chilion. A great famine struck the land, forcing them to seek refuge in
the neighboring country of Moab. There, Mahlon married a woman named Ruth, and
Chilion married Orpah. Tragedy struck Naomi's family when her husband passed away,
followed by her sons. Naomi, now a widow with her two daughters -in-law, decided to
return to Bethlehem upon hearing that the famine had ended. Naomi urged Ruth and
Orpah to remain in Moab and find new husbands, but Ruth was determined to stay by
Naomi's side. She famously declared, "Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will
lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. “So, Ruth and Naomi travel
together back to Bethlehem. It was the beginning of the barley harvest, and Ruth went to
glean in the fields to provide for them. She happened to glean in the fields of a kind man
named Boaz, who took notice of her diligence and compassion. Boaz showed favor to
Ruth, ensuring she had plenty of grain to gather and providing her protection while she
worked. Impressed by Ruth's character, Boaz learns of her relationship with Naomi and
becomes determined to help them. Naomi devised a plan for Ruth to seek Boaz's
protection as a kinsman-redeemer, a role that involved marrying a relative's widow to
preserve the family lineage. Ruth followed Naomi's instructions and went to the threshing
floor where Boaz was sleeping. There, she lay at his feet, and Boaz promised to help
her.Boaz approached another relative who had the right to redeem Naomi's land and
marry Ruth. However, when the relative learned that marrying Ruth also meant taking
responsibility for Naomi's land, he relinquished his claim, clearing the way for Boaz to
fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer. Boaz married Ruth, and they became husband and
wife. Ruth gave birth to a son named Obed, bringing great joy to Naomi. Obed would later
become the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, Israel's greatest king.Through
Ruth's loyalty, hard work, and Boaz's kindness, Naomi's family found redemption and
hope in their homeland of Bethlehem. Thus, the story of Ruth teaches timeless lessons
of loyalty, compassion, and the providence of God, leaving a legacy of faithfulness for
generations to come.

Theme

1. Loyalty and Devotion: -Ruth's unwavering loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is

a central theme of the story. Despite the challenges they face, Ruth remains
committed to staying with Naomi and supporting her, illustrating the power of
loyalty and devotion in relationships.

2. Redemption and Restoration -The story highlights themes of redemption and

restoration as Ruth and Naomi experience loss and hardship but ultimately find
hope and a new beginning. Through Ruth's actions and Boaz's kindness, Naomi's
family is restored, and their fortunes are redeemed.

3. Kindness and Generosity- The kindness and generosity shown by characters

like Boaz towards Ruth and Naomi are significant themes in the story. These acts
of kindness not only provide practical assistance but also demonstrate the
importance of compassion and generosity in building community and relationships.
 4. Faith and Providence- The story of Ruth underscores the role of faith and divine
providence in guiding the lives of the characters. Ruth's trust in Naomi and her
decision to follow her to Bethlehem, as well as Boaz's adherence to the laws of
Israel, reflect a belief in God's guidance and provision even in times of uncertainty.

5. Inclusion and Acceptance- Ruth's status as a Moabite woman marrying into an

Israelite family highlights themes of inclusion and acceptance. Despite being from
different backgrounds, Ruth is welcomed into the community of Bethlehem and
ultimately becomes an integral part of Israel's history and lineage.

Personal Questions

1. "Have you ever faced a situation where you had to make a difficult choice that
involved sacrificing something important to you? How did you approach that decision,
and what factors influenced your choice?"

2. "Reflecting on Ruth's journey from Moab to Bethlehem, can you recall a time when
you had to leave behind familiarity and comfort to pursue a new path or opportunity?
What was that experience like for you?"

References:
• https://youtu.be/0h1eoBeR4Jk
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bible
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hebrew-Bible/Books-of-the-Hebrew-Bible