The Troubling Elements in the Stories of Ruth and Esther

 The Troubling Elements in the Stories of Ruth and Esther: A Biblical Critique

The stories of Ruth and Esther are often held up as shining examples of faith, courage, and providence. Yet when read with a discerning eye and in the broader context of Scripture, both accounts raise difficult questions about law, loyalty, and morality. In this article, we will examine these narratives and highlight aspects that may seem problematic when held against other biblical teachings.

Esther: Compromise with a Pagan Empire?

Esther, a Jewish woman, becomes queen in the Persian Empire by entering a royal beauty contest — essentially a state-sponsored audition for the king’s sexual approval (Esther 2:2–17). While the Bible does not explicitly condemn her participation, there is silence regarding any resistance to this situation. Esther hides her Jewish identity (Esther 2:10), and nothing in the text suggests she follows Mosaic Law during this time (such as dietary laws, Sabbath, etc.).

According to Exodus 20:14, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Yet Esther is taken into the king’s harem and becomes his wife after a night with him. Unlike Daniel or the three Hebrew boys who refused to defile themselves (Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:18), Esther seems to conform. It is also significant that Esther is married to a pagan king — a direct violation of God’s warnings in Deuteronomy 7:3–4 about intermarriage with foreigners who serve other gods.

Mordecai’s Paradox: Boldness and Passivity

Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2–4), which is often praised as an act of courage. But it invites genocide upon the Jews. Ironically, the same Mordecai who shows boldness by defying a powerful government official tells Esther to passively go along with the king’s call to join his harem (Esther 2:10, 15). He does not urge her to resist or claim exemption based on her faith.

Furthermore, instead of encouraging return to Judah — the land of promise where the Second Temple was being rebuilt under Ezra and Nehemiah — Mordecai and Esther remain in Susa. According to Jeremiah 29:10 and Isaiah 48:20, the Jews were to return to their land after the exile. Their continued presence in Persia may be seen as disobedience or lack of faith in God's command.

Esther’s Plea: Brave or Manipulative?

Esther fasts and risks her life to approach the king (Esther 4:16; 5:1–3), which many view as a noble act. But it’s worth noting that her method involves physical charm and flattery, rather than open rebuke or direct confrontation. Mordecai tells her that if she does nothing, she too will perish (Esther 4:13–14), which places her in a position of coerced action — not entirely heroic, but reactive.

One might argue that this exchange reflects political manipulation more than spiritual discernment. It’s also notable that God is never explicitly mentioned in the entire book of Esther, leaving room for interpretation regarding divine endorsement of their choices.

Ruth: Moabite Marriage and Mosaic Law

The story of Ruth is beautiful, but not without issues. Ruth is a Moabite (Ruth 1:4), and according to Deuteronomy 23:3, “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation…” While Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi is commendable (Ruth 1:16–17), her inclusion into Israel seems to challenge this Mosaic restriction.

Moreover, Ruth marries Boaz after a strange and culturally ambiguous nighttime encounter at the threshing floor (Ruth 3:6–9). While nothing explicit is said, the situation toes the line of impropriety. Was this seduction or a cultural proposal? The text is silent. In any case, Boaz must clear the matter legally with a nearer kinsman (Ruth 4:1–6), suggesting that this was not a straightforward, lawful arrangement at first.

Additionally, Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of David (Ruth 4:17–22) and ultimately Christ (Matthew 1:5) shows God's grace, but it raises a tension with the legal prohibition in Deuteronomy.

Broader Problems and Reflections

Both Esther and Ruth are often upheld as models of womanly virtue. Yet, neither fully aligns with the expectations of Torah faithfulness when examined closely:

• Silence on worship and law: Neither woman is depicted keeping the Sabbath, following kosher laws, or publicly worshipping the God of Israel.

• Compromise with pagan culture: Both adapt to foreign ways — Esther in Persia’s royal court and Ruth in Moab and later Bethlehem.

• Unorthodox marriage situations: Both stories revolve around unconventional or legally questionable marriage arrangements.

Providence or Pragmatism?

These concerns do not negate the powerful ways God still worked through these individuals. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, God works all things together for good. But readers should be cautious about sanitizing these narratives into simple moral lessons. The Bible often presents flawed people in messy situations — not to approve their choices, but to show that God’s grace can redeem even the darkest and most compromised circumstances.

In the end, the stories of Esther and Ruth challenge us to wrestle with the tension between human compromise and divine providence — a tension that runs throughout Scripture and invites careful discernment, not simplistic praise.

Perhaps we need to emphasize "THE LAW" in different ways than we have in the past, and put more emphasis on the grace we have found in Jesus.

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi