Ask any of my former students and you will learn that my favorite Bible book is Ruth. I have studied it and taught it at least a dozen times over the years and still find new, fascinating, and even richer truths each time I look at it.
I have read numerous commentaries on Ruth, and frankly, most of the them are as shallow as much of the preaching about the book. More along the lines of commentary on a Harlequin romance (do they still print those things?), than any serious study of inspired literature.
So it has been a real treat to read Sinclair Ferguson’s Faithful God: an exposition of the book of Ruth. This little commentary is based on four talks that he gave fifteen years ago in Wales; you can find the audio of the sessions here. This commentary is far and away the best commentary on Ruth I have read.
Since the book is based on sermons, much of it is written for the ear more than the eye. And it is richly pastoral rather than simply technical. However, Ferguson masterfully undergirds his wise applications with excellent exegesis.
Unlike many other commentators and pastors, he doesn’t read western and modern romantic contrivances into the drama. He places it into its proper historic context. He also draws out the streams of theology that Ruth points to. From conversion to redemption to Christology and more, Ferguson unlocks truths on which to feast in meditation.
I have a few quibbles, mostly over his treatment of Naomi. I think he is too kind to her, seeing her ‘conversion’ at the end of chapter 1 as she returns to Bethlehem. I believe her expression of bitterness is a true reflection of her heart’s attitude. He is also a little too generous to her in chapter 3. He rightly identifies her scheme as ‘risky’, but I believe it is downright wicked.
However, Ferguson shines in his understanding of the character of Ruth and Boaz. He rightly identifies Boaz’s actions in chapter 2 as motivated by godliness rather than some pathetic attempt to impress a single woman he just saw across the field.
He also draws out the richness of the greater theology of the book. Listen to how he ends his final chapter:
The story that began for Naomi at a time when there was no king in Israel, became a day when there was no bread in Bethlehem, and then a dark night in which there were no children in her family.”
But God.
But her covenant-keeping, grace-bestowing God drew her with cords of love and unto her a Child was born, unto her a Son was given. A Son who would be the Bread of Life. A Son who would be crowned King, not with a crown of gold but a crown of thorns.
And that is why the book of Ruth is a wonderful meditation for this Easter season.
His description of leaders may be worth investing in this book by itself. Saer provides a perspective that I have never seen. Too often small group Bible studies are led by those who are popular, talkative, or know the Bible well. But when thinking of the qualifications for this responsibility, says Saer “skills are not at the top of the list. They are, in fact, way down at the bottom. … scary as it may seem, it is an all-around godliness of life…that is to mark a Christian leader.” His emphasis on the shepherding role of a small group leader should serve as a needed deterrent to those who look at this as a one-hour-a-week box to be checked off.
I listened to this while prepping several rooms for painting this week. I highly recommend it for this task!
While teaching at a Christian school in Maryland about fifteen years ago, Jennifer began asking me questions about the Bible. She was a public school student with a hunger for the Word. Each Wednesday she had a list, often lengthy, of questions from her Bible reading. Her questions were often extremely insightful, and I reveled in explaining Scriptural truths to this eager disciple. After about a year, I recognized a change in her questioning. Rather than asking “What does this mean?” or “How does this verse fit with that truth?” she began asking, “I think this means…, what do you think?” What a delight to see her grow in her ability to handle God’s Word. Don’t you wish every Christian had the same ability to understand the Bible? God gifts some with knowledge and understanding, but most of us learn through hard work and helpful guidance. 
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