Introduction and Context
The Bible is a collection of many books that possess one central theme of redemption
through Jesus Christ. The Old and New Testaments give the insight of one author writing to one
audience. The author is The Holy Spirit, and the audience is mankind. The book of Ruth is no
exception to the theme of redemption through Jesus. Although an Old Testament book, its
primary theme runs straight to the cross with the Messiah Jesus Christ redeeming fallen sinful
people from their sins. The story is a simple message with a profound meaning that impacts
every person even to this day. The story is of a widow of Moabite descent who returns with her
mother-in-law Naomi back to Judah from Moab. The book will share how one woman would be
used by God to keep the messianic line from which Jesus Christ would be born. The book does
not give clear indication of an author and date of writing, but it has been proposed by Jewish
tradition to have been Samuel with a date between 1011-971.1 The time is indicated by the book
itself in verses 1 “In the days when the judges ruled.” Which would but it in the days of the
Judges.2The book can be divided into four primary themes. Ruth and her devotion to Naomi,
Ruth and the Providence of God, Ruth and her humility before God and Ruth and her
Redemption.
Ruth and Her Devotion to Naomi (Chapter 1)
The book begins with all the crucial characters of the story. They included Naomi and her
husband, Elimelech who left Bethlehem for the land of Moab. Moab at the time was
experiencing a famine in the highest order. Naomi and her husband Elimelech had two sons
whose wives were Ruth and Orpah. Unfortunately, all three women are eventually widowed. The
three ladies now find themselves basically destitute and disgraced by a society that prided itself
1 MacArthur, John. The Macarthur Study Bible. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, TN.2006.
2 (Block, D.I. “Judges, Ruth.” 1999:593.
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in strong family ties and a healthy linage. The circumstances of the three ladies could not be
more disparate. Considering the famine in Moab was sever, news had spread that the famine in
Bethlehem was over. To reestablish herself, Naomi decided to return to her hometown of
Bethlehem. Ruth and Orpah decided to follow their former mother-in-law back to her hometown.
The story becomes interesting in the fact that neither Ruth nor Orpah had any obligation to stay
with Naomi under any circumstances. Ruth and Orpah’s husbands had passed away and there
was no next of kin to take them as wives to continue the family name. As a result of the situation,
it would have been understandable if Ruth and Orpah had returned home, found husbands, and
simply started over. Naomi, knowing that two young women needed husbands, encouraged them
to stay in Moab and to not follow her to Bethlehem. Naomi begs the two young ladies to start
over with a new life and to not worry about her future condition. Naomi say’s to her daughter in
laws “go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you
have dealt with the dead and with me.” (Vs.8) The scripture tells us that Orpah kissed Naomi
which means she bid her a tearful farewell. However, Ruth in deepest devotion decides to remain
with Naomi. In my view, some of the most beautiful portions of scripture are found in verse 16-
18, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go,
and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” (NAS) The verse speaks to the heart of
Ruth and to her character. Ruth obviously could not imagine leaving a woman that she had come
to love and respect. In an age of family dysfunction, it is refreshing to read of a relationship as
special as Ruth and Naomi.
Returning to Bethlehem, Naomi is noticed by some former friends who call her out by
name. Naomi, feeling a tremendous emotion of bitterness tells her friends to not call her Naomi
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but Mara because it means bitter. Considering her circumstances, Naomi believes that God has
dealt unkindly towards her by leaving her in a condition with no husband or sons. One of the
most critical transitions in the book is the time of arrival into Bethlehem. The author points out it
was the time of the “barely harvest” (Vs.22). The time of there entry into town is critical because
it shows that the famine had ended, and it is a time of great blessing. Additionally, it is also a
time of where the barely harvest coincides with the Jewish holiday of Passover. The timing of
the barely harvest and Passover season would be meaningful in that it would later provide an
opportunity for Ruth and Boaz to meet.
Ruth and the Providence of God (Chapter 2)
In chapter two we are introduced to a wealthy man named Boaz. The Mosaic law allowed
for the poor to glean the fields from the wealthy. The process of gleaning the fields would be an
Old Testament form of welfare. However, God’s design would require the needy to work for
there food. God’s design in helping the poor and those who had fallen on hard times would
provide the opportunity for Ruth and Boaz to establish a relationship. The author makes the point
that Boaz is a God-fearing man. The character of Boaz is demonstrated in his conversations with
his workers and certainly in his care and concern for Ruth. The concern that Boaz had for Ruth
demonstrates how God was in sovereign control of her situation. It is also interesting that Boaz
would notice Ruth in an open field where there may have been many others also gleaning. Ruth’s
love and devotion to Naomi had resulted in a positive testimony in the community. Ruth
possessing a heart of love and devotion impressed Boaz. For Boaz to be impressed with the
Godly character of Ruth implies to us that He was not just interested in physical beauty but a
woman who possessed a heart of kindness.
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Boaz continued to show Godly character and love for Ruth when he compliments her
love and devotion to Naomi, “All that you have done for your mother-in law since the death of
your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your mother and father and your native
land and come to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have
done, and a full reward be given t you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you
have come to take refuge!” (11-12) Boaz is so impressed with Ruth that he gives her full access
to the fields and feeds her dinner before she returns home later that day.
As Ruth returns home, Naomi asks her how the day of harvesting had gone. When Ruth
tells Naomi the field she had worked, Naomi tells her that Boaz is one of her redeemers. The
family of Elimelech was eligible to remarry a widow. In verses 20 Naomi prays out a blessing
on Boaz saying, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose Kindness has not forsaken the living or
the dead!”. God is clearly working in the life of Ruth and Naomi. The providential and sovereign
hand of God has placed Ruth in a field of her kinsman redeemer. The course of events in just a
short period time demonstrates how God’s provision was working to bless Ruth, Naomi, and
Boaz.
Ruth and her Humble Submission (Chapter 3)
The third chapter begins with Naomi expressing her desire for Ruth to be redeemed
through marriage. Ruth and Boaz had enjoyed the company of one another throughout the
harvest season. Naomi wanted Ruth to live a peaceful and restful life. Ruth had been through a
difficult season of life and had worked hard in the fields. Naomi wanted a good life of
redemption and blessing. According to the law a widow could be redeemed through the next of
kin therefore preserving the family name and linage. The practice of redemption through
marriage would provide a means of support to protect the widow from become destitute and
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impoverished. On one night Naomi encourages Ruth to get dressed up and to presents herself to
Boaz at night at the threshing floor. She tells her that when Boaz lies down to sleep for the night
to uncover his feet and lie down, and “he will tell you what to do.” In our context, it might
appear that she was offering herself sexually to Boaz, but in that day, she was expressing
complete submission. Naomi’s plan in telling Ruth how to approach Boaz was not as a widow in
desperate need of a husband but rather a humble servant willing to be redeemed.
Ruth did everything just as Naomi had instructed. Boaz awakens to see Ruth at his feet,
and he is moved by her heart of humility and submission. He is impressed with her heart of love
and devotion when he says, “And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you
ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.” (11-13) However, Boaz
makes it clear that there is one who is closer in kin than he is and therefore must allow time for
the younger redeemer to claim her in marriage. Ruth leaves the conversation excited with a gift
from Boaz of six measures of barely. Ruth returns home to Naomi, who is excited with the
outcome.
Ruth and Her Redemption (Chapter 4)
Chapter four carries with it a lot of drama and suspense. Boaz and Ruth are in love with
one another but the issue remains of the closer redeemer. The story takes on a beautiful portrait
of God’s redemption of His children, which is the bride of Christ. Ultimately, Boaz wants to be
with Ruth and the scene ends with Him taking up the closer kins right to redemption. The closer
kinsmen would lose his own inheritance if he should marry Ruth. Boaz could have chosen to
never inform the closer kinsmen of Ruth but rather was honest and wanted to maintain his
testimony in the community. The beauty of the story is that God rewards honesty and a
willingness to honor those who also honor God. The chapter concludes with the wedding of Ruth
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and Boaz and the birth of there son Obed. Obed of course becomes the father of Jesse who
becomes the father of King David from whom comes our Savior Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The book of Ruth is a love story of faithfulness, devotion, and redemption. The
faithfulness that Ruth displays to Naomi and her hard work is blessed through her redemption in
marriage. Although Ruth was under no obligation to stay with Naomi, her love was much like
that of Jesus for us His children. God owes us nothing but out of intentional love died for us and
redeemed us from a life separated from Him. Boaz demonstrates to every man the right way to
love, honor and cherish a wife and mother. His honor to do things correctly both in his
relationship with Ruth and in the family, relationships is an example for us today. Boaz never
took the issue into his own hands but rather was patient and Godly through every twist and turn.
Ruth on the other hand was the perfect Proverbs 31 women. She demonstrated gracefulness, hard
work, patience, humility, and strength. Her life can be an example to women young and old of
how to be a faithful wife, mother, and helpmate. The bigger picture of the book of Ruth is that it
is a story that reflects the redemption that we enjoy in Christ. Before Christ, we are dead in our
trespasses and sins. We are lost without hope and in need of a home. God through His Son Jesus
paid our sin debt, redeemed us from sin and unites us into His Kingdom. He is our Kinsmen
Redeemer and the King in whom we serve and pay our humble submission.
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