The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament was written thought to be written between 900 and 500 BCE. It is considered by many to have been originally a part of the Book of Judges and was later made independent as its own writing. In the order of historical things, the child of Boaz and Ruth, Obed, was the grandfather of King David. The central Christian Theological issue of Ruth is one of Social Justice. The Jews at the time were very much a closed society loath to accept outsiders. Ruth proved that under God’s Providence, there was room for anyone under the tent who wanted to accept and praise God and Honor the Covenant. It was necessary to admit Ruth into the picture to ensure the Davidic Dynasty. Convenient perhaps that the Jews allowed this inclusion, however completely necessary in Christian realm as theological philosophy continued to value community over individuality and inclusivity over exclusivity.© Copyright, C. Michael Bailey, 2006
