Song of Songs-Ruth

Reading Guide

Song of Songs

Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s (Verse 1)

“Song of songs” is a hebrew idiom like “holy of holies” or “king of kings” - a means of emphasis.

A collection of love poems that explores the human experience of love and sexual desire.

Chapter 8:6-7 could be considered a summary or conclusion to the book.

Three different interpretations of this book have been put forward.

A key feature: the considerable use of garden imagery - echos of the Garden of Eden

It points us to something greater: the gift of God’s love.

Ruth

The key people: Naomi the widow; Ruth the Moabite; Boaz the Israelite farmer

Chapter 1: Tragedy and death; three widows; Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi

What was Ruth’s pledge? Why did Naomi change her name?

Chapter 2: Two widows look for food. Ruth meets Boaz.

Boaz is Naomi’s family “kinsman redeemer”. It was a cultural practice at that time: If a man died, it was the “kinsman redeemer’s” responsibility to marry the widow in order to protect and preserve the family line.

Chapter 3: The plan for courtship. Ruth and Boaz meet again.

Chapter 4: Boaz goes through the legal cultural process to be designated as the “kinsman redeemer” and he takes the necessary steps to fulfill the role: he acquires the family property of Naomi and he marries Ruth. Symmetry:

The book begins with tragedy and death followed by Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi.

The book ends with Boaz’s loyalty to Ruth and Naomi followed by joy and birth.

Why is the book of Ruth in the Bible? Read Matthew 1:1-6