The Bible: Ruth
Well, the Book of Ruth is a bit short. Like, four chapters short. It’s also a bit dull to be honest.
Basically, it tells the story of Naomi, who has two sons who get married. The two sons die, and so Naomi is left with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Orpah returns to her people, but Ruth decides to stay with Naomi, and they both go to live in Bethlehem. Naomi is determined to find a new husband for Ruth, and she eventually succeeds. Ruth then goes on to give birth to Obed, who turns out to be the grandfather of David. So let’s get started…
At this point, Naomi is convincing Ruth to go and seduce her future husband, Boaz. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that in this passage, these fornicators are having sexual congress outside of the covenant of marriage…
Ruth 3:6-9
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Ruth’s pregnancy was definitely not caused by the joining of a sperm and an egg.
Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
And that’s about as scandalous as things get in the Book of Ruth. Next up: 1 Samuel.
