An Overview Of The Book Of Ruth Theology Religion Essay

An Over picture Of The contain Of commiseration Theology Religion demonstrateThe Bible is integral of inspirational c at erstpts and full of revelatory truth. magical spell the gaga Testament points to Jesus of peeled Testament, it overly contains basic doctrines that atomic number 18 schematic in the New Testament. Hence, watch expressions like kindness, faithfulness and kindness rush their root in the Hebrew Bible. Hesed is an interesting and fascinating Hebrew intelligence telephone numberivity that has a wide range of meaning. The desire to study it makes superstar to control a great deal about the characters and attri exceptes of paragon as it relates to His kindness, faithfulness, goodnessness, benevolence and steadfast love. Hesed was explicitly expressed in the Bible, most especially in the Old Testament. divinity revealed Himself to His chosen nation (Israel) through with(predicate) His personal attri savees and characters (Jenkins,20111).No discussion of hesed would be complete without mentioning its role in the interactions of Naomi, her Moabite daughter- relative-in-law condolence, and the redeemer Boaz. It is on this fact that this stem tells the pursuit questions What does the concept of hesed entails? What is the general overview of the Book of commiseration? How is hesed described in the carry of pity? And what implications do hesed present to the Nigerian Christians? This paper therefore intends to discuss how hesed was embraced and expressed in the Book of pity.THE CONCEPTS OF HESEDthither is a beautiful and rich boy in the Hebrew phrase that powerfully describes the faithfulness, mercy, steadfastness and loving-kindness of the Lord. This Hebrew word is transliterated into English as hesed (Maxey, 20121). Hesed (pronounced khesed) is non just a Hebrew word to be translated by exe overtakee as simply loving-kindness or mercy , it is in fact an attribute of perfection. The hesed of graven image is a godlike cha racteristic and is at the center of why matinee idol acts as He does in real space and time. (Belnap,2009,1)Hesed as Jenkins(2011) take a firm stand throw out be divided into the following three categories family kinds, notificational and ghostly (1). He went further to describe its occurrences in the Bible in the following wordsHesed occurs in the family relationships categories s charge times in the Old Testament, sixsome times in Genesis, once in 1samuel and once in shame. Hesed occurs in nine times in a relational path in the Old Testament- once in Ruth, once in Psalms, once in Esther, once in Daniel, twice in Ezra, once in Job, once Psalms and once Zechariah. Hesed exercising in a religious syndicate involves forty times in the Old Testament- four timed in Genesis, once in Exodus and Deuteronomy two times in second Samuel, fifteen times in Psalms. Once in 1Kings, once in 2nd Chronicles, once in Job, three times in Isaiah, once in Jeremiah, and once in Ruth. (2)The Bib le also reveals that hesed is an attribute that children of beau ideal possess and they are commanded by perfection to emulate and develop it. organism made in God image, Gods mass canister emulate the divine attribute of hesed. While the idea of loving-kindness and mercy may seem to be completely that of positive emotion, it give be demonstrated that Gods loving-kindness is a two-edged sword. Hesed can also mean a mechanism of judgment and accountability in the lead God. People can be described as having the gift of hesed or having no hesed, or no loving-kindness. Hesed is some(prenominal) a Hebrew word and more than(prenominal) importantly a Jewish theological concept. Hesed is found pretend 250 times in the Hebrew Bible, with about125 appearances in the Psalms alone. And while the word is non identified specifically as hesed in the Greek New Testament, the Old Testament concept of loving-kindness, mercy and selfless giving can be said to be the genuinely heart of th e New Testamnt Gospel. For God so loved the world that He gave (Jn 316) (Emilio, 20124).AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF shameThe Book of Ruth is taked after one of the main characters in the story. in that location are two books in the Bible that bear the name of a cleaning lady. These books are Ruth and Esther. While Ruth was Moabites, Esther on the other make pass was a Jewess. The Book of Ruth has the records of a Gentile woman who came to rest among the masses of Israel and became the great-grandmother of David, Isreal greatest king while in the Book of Esther an Israelite woman was taking into the court of the Gentile king and became a queen who secured obstetrical delivery for her populate (Cowle, 2008 22). Also, Tiessen in his write up portrays the book of Ruth as one of the most well-crafted pieces of literature in the Old Testament. He submits that contempt its lesser status within the Jewish canon and the Christian Bible, the level of Ruth is well known. This popular familiarity is largely due to the engaging and gainsay story the book offers The tale of two women who overcome several redoubted obstacles and succeed in preserving themselves and the family line, which eventually leads to the great King David (Tiessen,20101)The name of Ruth is mentioned twelve times in this book which bears her name (Heijkoop, 19897). The meaning of this name is friendship. This meaning according to Harlow (1987) reflected in the relationship of Ruth with her mother in-law (Naomi), and other people that came along her way. Even though she was a noncitizen in a strange land she blended well with the people because being friendly was section of her (5).This book of Ruth is in connective with the geneology of Jesus Christ as recorded in (Matt 1.5). Heijkoop (1989) also maintain that, The book itself beautifully illustrates how the Holy Spirit gathers up family circumstances in a manner which quite naturally directs the mind and thoughts to a very important trut h(7). This special story in the Book of Ruth draws ones perplexity to the most precious titles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word kinsman as used here could be translated as Redeemer or Avenger. This little book of lone(prenominal) four chapters has drawn tributes from very many, and it has even been described as the Perfect Story. It is t senior simply and directly. Cundall and Morris (1968) in their own assertions described this book in the following wordsThe book is a book about friendship. The consecrateness that Ruth shows to Naomi and the heraldic bearing that Naomi exercises towards Ruth run through the book. It is simple a tale of friendship. The three principal characters of the book are depicted as being mindful of their obligations to the family. Ruth does not forget her duty to Naomi, and because to Elimelech, Naomi seeks out a marriage that volition preserve the name of her shortly soul husband while Boaz marries the Moabites to raise up the name of the dead (2 41).It is mitigate to see the book as a tale told because it is true and because it shows something of the relationship between God and man. The book of Ruth raises the question of whether or not Yahweh can be trusted. The incident suggests to Naomi that God had abandoned her or He is no more reliable. The author of the is unknown, but the last verse of chapter 4 points to the fact that it was written during the time of king David because the is where the list of Ruth descendants ends. (Harlow,1987 6). The story according to Reid (2000), is told from a female point of view and sure enough seems to commend Naomi and Ruth to believers (25).HESED IN THE BOOK OF RUTHThe book of Ruth revolves around the concept of hesed. Hesed is an active concept and it is considered as an essential part of the nature of God. The word is frequently used to describe the gracious and gracious practices of God ( granger, 1991 96). Human beings, as said earlier are also packed to show hesed to one anoth er. The Book of Ruth is about a stranger who had probably not encountered God personally but ability have been hearing her mother in-law talked about that God. This gentile woman acted as an agent of Gods hesed when she showed hesed to Naomi. When Naomi thought that every commit was gone, this non- Israelite woman that brought hope by showing kindness to her mother in-law. In accordance with this, Farmer assertedRuths speech in 116-17constitutes an act of hesed. By committing herself and her time to come to the Lord, Ruth becomes the means through which God will transform Naomis amour propre into fulfillment. The Lord will be able to work through the loving-kindness of Ruth to change a crises situation into an occasion for hope.The Book of Ruth is a special book Christians should study and ponder well upon. It has an unhappy beginning, an enigmatic middle and a happy ending. The tragedy that befell Naomi made her to forget that YHWH is mum in control and that He can serene bri ng redemption. This reflected in her statement8 thusly Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go endorse, distributively of you, to your mothers home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will bob up rest in the home of another husband. Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, We will go back with you to your people. nevertheless Naomi said, Return home, my daughters. why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was quieten hope for me even if I had a husband tonight and so gave birth to sons- 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lords hand has gone out against me 14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Look, said Naomi, your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her. ( Ruth8-15) NIVNaomi tried to convince the women to go back home She even reminded them of their mothers house. She knew the weak spot of Moabites female. The existence of Moab was the result of unruliness of the part of Moabs first mother, who at all costs had to have a relationship with a man and have children. (Gen 1930-38) And the daughters of Moab had manifested the similar unruliness (Heijkoop 31-33). Naomi directly blames YHWH for the tragic circumstances of her flavour. Believing that everything came from God. Her situation can be related to that of Job. Job accepted the misfortune that came upon him is from God. He said break pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. wherefore do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? (Job 1921-22). NIVBruggeman, quoted by Tiessen explained the thoughts of jo b in relation to that of Naomi in these wordsJob asks Is God reliable? And Job, in his rage, entertains the survival that Yahweh is not. Naomi, like Job, is in the throes of tragedy and likewise expresses and entertains the option that Yahweh is not reliable. admit that in 113b Naomi asserts that the hand of Yahweh is against her, and thus she excludes her daughters-in-law who also have go through profound loss through the deaths of their husbands (4).Naomi also pointed to her lonely position. A life without a husband and no children who would give her hope. All was Gods fault. Not only did Naomi try to keep her daughters-in-laws from joining her by depriving them of any hope of attend to, but she had also given them a total false picture of God, who actually is the husband to the widows and helper to the strangers. She indicated that God was responsible for all her misfortune, instead of admitting that she had brought those things upon herself by leaving God and His appointed p lace where they would have blessings (Heijkoop,36). She and her entire family chose to go to Moab neglected the place where they would have had the experience of Gods hesed as the Psalmist expressed Behold, the Lords centerfield is upon those who fear Him who revere and worship Him with awe, who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness,To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine (Ps 3318-19).Naomis great effort to dissuade her daughters-in-law from accompany her seems strange, especially in view of her desire that they become true children of the Lord God of Israel. However, it seemed to be the only course she could take in view of her dire circumstances (Parker, 1980144). While Orpah yielded to the advice of her mother in-law, went back to her own people and gods. Ruth clave to her, And Ruth said, revolutionise me not to leave you or to turn back from following you for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my peo ple and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you (116-17).The strong desire of Ruth to go with Naomi symbolized her allegiance to her and her God. Ruth was neither obliged for expected to become her mother-in-laws source of support. But once they were back in Bethlehem she was the one who went into the fields to glean the bits of atom that the harvests missed. Ruth indeed was a good daughter in-law. Her kindness was a total self sacrifice. She took the initiative in providing for their needs by suggesting that Naomi let her glean ear of corn. Gleaning, according to Parker (147) was a special provision of God written into the law to provide for the poor, especially for strangers, widows, and orphans (Lev. 199-10 2322 Deut.2419). The practice required that owners should leave at harvest the corners of their fields and the dung of the harvesters to care for the unfortunate gro ups of people.The attitude of Ruth towards Naomi by volunteering herself to take care of her is an expression of hesed which actually belongs to YHWH. One would wonder how a gentile could flourish the attributes that Gods children should possess. Emilio responded in the following wordsHow then did Ruth, a Moabitess, come by this divine trait which was originally given by God to the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? The answer to this mystery is not found in the Holy Bible. However the Talmudic description is of value and interest because it helps clarify the theology of hesed which is found in both the OT and NT. Simply put, the Sages held that Ruth was a direct descendent of Abraham by way of Lot. They teach that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon and the granddaughter of Balak who were direct descendents of Moab the son of Lot and nephew of Abraham. so Ruth was an inheritor of the seed of lovingkindness which Abraham planted in Lot (Emilio, 2012)The hesed that Ruth showed t o Naomi made it possible for her to meet her redeemer. Ruth met Boaz and received unexpected flattery and favour.11And Boaz said to her, I have been made fully informed of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your contract and mother and the land of your birth and have come to a people unknown to you before. 12The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose locomote you have come to take refuge 13Then she said, permit me find favor in your sight, my lord. For you have comforted me and have talk to the heart of your maidservant, though I am not as one of your maidservants. 14And at mealtime Boaz said to her, Come here and eat of the carbohydrate and dip your morsel in the sour wine mixed with oil. And she sat beside the reapers and he passed her some parched grain, and she ate until she was satisfied and she had some left for Naomi. 15And when sh e got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Ruth 211-15The writer of this paper has notice that Ruth and Boaz are like-minded people. The similarities between them are emphasized. Reid (2000), enumerates their similarities as follows Boaz praised Ruth for her kindness to Naomi (Ruth 211-12) and Ruth praised Boaz for his generous kindness to her (Verses 10, 13). As Boaz enters the field, he pronounced a kindly phrase, The Lord be with you(verse 4). This suggests that Boaz is such a leader who values and respected his employees. The workers respond, The Lord bless you Boaz is clearly a good, kind man who is suitable for good, kind Ruth (41).Studying this Book one will discover that God is at work even in the lives of his people. Ruths story reveals loud and clear that through the ordinary and unorthodox aspects of everyday life, one experience the reality of Gods care (Reid, 200025-28).IMPLICATIONS OF HESED FOR NIGERI AN CHRISTIANSHesed in the book of Ruth is significant to the Nigerian Christians. It expresses how good and faithful YHWH is to His promises. He remembered Naomi in her low estate (Psalm 136 23), even though she and her family brought the tragedy upon themselves. many another(prenominal) Nigerians Christians today run to Oversee countries because of the economical situation of their father land. whatever of them are lost not remembering home again. The writer of this paper is of the opinion that there is still hope for Nigeria. The situation can still be better than what it is, if only Nigerian Christians can hope in God and trust Him absolutely.Similarly, hesed in the Book of Ruth stresses both family and corporation truety. Naomi thought first of the welfare of her daughters-in-law. She always acted with their best interest in mind. Boaz was noble. Ruth was loyal. Kent, (1980) submits that the simple narrative also amply illustrates the Lords providential care. God is clearly at work in the lives of those open to Him (143). Nigerian Christians are to commit to one another so as to be of help to one another in terms of needs an adage says a friend in need is a friend indeedAlso, as God expressed hesed (mercy) to His people, He expects them to reciprocate. God was ever faithful and devoted to His people (Israel) in the ancient time and He is still the same God of the contemporary times. In like manner does He expect faithfulness, total dedication and devotional life from the Nigerian Christians. The Christian leadership are expected to be faithful and dedicated to the position they are holding. They should be mindful of the welfare of their followers. As God is good and loyal to His promises, Boaz was good and kind to his followers so the Nigerian Christians should be good and loyal to one another. Also, Nigerian Christians should see God as a God of love and should demonstrate that love into their personal lives and ministries towards others. By doing th is, Christians will be able to demonstrate to the world in words and whole works that their lives are grounded in the character of God who loves and desires to redeem the world through the person and work of Jesus Christ.Furthermore, it is worth noting that God can use anybody, no matter how rough the background may be. Willingness and readiness is what He desires. In like manner, Christians should pay sacrifice of taking other peoples problem upon themselves. They should be mindful of poor and the needy around them.CONCLUSIONHesed, is indeed a word denoting emotion but it is more a word of action. On the other hand, hesed is a gift from God, that is to say, God imparts a poster of His loving kindness to His children. And He expects all His children to express it to one another. Hesed, as used in this paper reveals the characters of three major people, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. more in this world have experienced the tragedy of Naomi and long for God to be present and active amidst situations where He does not always act in the way human beings expect. But absolute trust in Him will end in a happy way.