RUTH

A Mother of Kings

Book of Ruth

Vodcast

 

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Ruth is the title character of the Book of Ruth; along with her mother-in-law Naomi, she is the book's heroine.

 Ruth was “of the women of Moab” but was natively connected to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Ruth 1:4; Genesis 11:31; 19:37). Ruth lived in the time of the Judges. She had married the son of an Israelite family while they were living in Moab, but sometimes, her father-in-law, her husband, and her husband’s only brother died. So, Ruth had to make a choice whether to stay in Moab, her home, or to go with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to a land she had never known—Judah.

 

 

Ruth loved her mother-in-law and had great empathy for her, seeing that she had lost the men in her family.  Orpah, the other daughter, remained with her people in Moab. Ruth love for Naomi and the new religion kept her with her mother-in-law. Collectively, Ruth and Naomi returned to Judah to the city of Bethlehem, where they decided to settle down. Ruth’s story spread, and Boaz, the owner of a nearby field, heard of her authenticity, as recorded in Ruth 2:11–12: Boaz responded, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

The tradition of Israel was that a man was to take his dead brother’s wife for the continuance of the family line. Since Ruth’s husband’s only brother had also died, she and Naomi would have to fend for themselves. Ruth was consistent in gleaning the fields to provide sustenance for herself and Naomi. She found work in Boaz's field, unaware he was kin to Naomi's. Upon his return, Boaz observed the beautiful Ruth and inquired of her. Here, he was informed of Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi and her hard work in the fields. Boaz, himself, requested Ruth to continue in his fields and stay close to the other women, also telling her that he'd warned the young men not to touch her and inviting her to drink freely of the water the men had drawn anytime she was thirsty (Ruth 2:8–9). Ruth responded in humility and appreciation, asking why he would show such favor to her, an immigrant, at which point Boaz told her he'd heard of her sacrifice for her mother-in-law (Ruth 2:10–13). Boaz continued to show her every courtesy, providing a meal to her and instructing his reapers to purposefully leave some grain behind for her to glean (Ruth 2:14–16). 

When Ruth informed Naomi where she had gleaned, Naomi was joyful and told Ruth that Boaz was a close relative, a kinsman of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband; therefore, Boaz was qualified to become Ruth’s redeemer. It was of the greatest importance in Israel to continue the name of the twelve tribes of Israel, therefore this gave Ruth the right to plea to Boaz to accept this role. Naomi encouraged Ruth to continue gleaning in Boaz's fields, which she did through the barley and wheat harvests (Ruth 2:18–23). 

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because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).God, it is impossible to please faith to Boaz while he winnowed barley and essentially ask him to be her kinsman-redeemer. Ruth listened to all Naomi instructed (Ruth 3:2–5) and was diligent to Naomi’s plan. Boaz responded positively, however, he knew of an even closer male relative who had rights to Ruth and her family’s property. The law stated he had to be consulted before Boaz could take Ruth as a wife. With haste, Boaz met with the other relative, who lawfully surrendered all his rights to Naomi’s property. Ruth and Boaz married and gave birth to Obed (Ruth 4:14–15). 

Ruth trusted the Lord, and He rewarded her faithfulness by giving her not only a husband but a son (Obed), a grandson (Jesse), and a great-grandson named David, the king of Israel (Ruth 4:17). Besides these gifts (Psalm 127:3), God gave Ruth the blessing of being listed in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Ruth is an example of how God can change a life and take it in a direction He has foreordained. We see Him working out His perfect plan in Ruth’s life, just as He does with all His children (Romans 8:28). Although Ruth came from a pagan background in Moab, once she met the God of Israel, she became a living testimonial to Him by faith. Even though she lived in humble circumstances before marrying Boaz, she believed that God was faithful to care for His people. Also, Ruth is an example to us of hard work and faithfulness. We know that God rewards faithfulness: “And without At the barley harvest, Naomi suggested that Ruth
 

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