Introduction
II. NAOMI AND RUTH’S PLANS CHS. 2-3
Chapter 1 prepares for chapters 2-4, which constitute the heart of the book. Chapter 1 presents a problem, but chapters 2-4 provide the solution. The key to the solution, on the human level, was the planning of Naomi and Ruth.
There are really two plans, one to obtain food, the immediate physical need of the two women (ch. 2), and one to obtain a male heir, the long-range covenant-related need of the women’s extended family (Ruth 3:1 to Ruth 4:17).
A. The plan to obtain food ch. 2
Chapter 2 has its own chiastic structure. [Note: See W. S. Prinsloo, "The Theology of the Book of Ruth," Vetus Testamentum 30:3 (July 1980):334.]
A Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 2:2-3)
B Boaz and the reapers (Ruth 2:4-7)
C Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 2:8-14)
B’ Boaz and the reapers (Ruth 2:15-16)
A’ Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 2:17-22)
Boaz’s conversation with Ruth is the focus of this section. The chapter also shows how Ruth was received in Bethlehem as a Moabitess.
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