Scandal and Redemption in Ruth 4: The Necessity of ‘Chesed’ in Transforming Ignominy into Exaltation: An Exegetical Essay by Tamice Namae

The story of Ruth is deliberately placed in between the time of Israel’s judges and Israel’s monarchy as a reminder of Yahweh’s חֶסֶד and is intended by the author to function as a blueprint for their own kindness, redemption, and inclusion upon their acquisition of power and monarchal status. Imitation of the themes presented in Ruth will set them apart from the surrounding nations unto the glory of Yahweh and fulfillment of His covenant promise.

At a time in Israel’s history when the corporate future looked bleak, the author of Ruth zooms in on a story of two women as a timely reminder. Naomi has lost her husband and two sons and finds herself in a desperate situation prompting her to return to Judah.

Ruth, contrasted with Naomi’s other daughter in law Orpah, decides to cling to Naomi demonstrating the thematic ‘חֶסֶד ’ which sets her up as the main character in the story. Ruth’s actions are kind, loyal and in tandem with the God of Naomi and are the cause of her reception of the ‘חֶס…