The book of Ruth in the Bible tells a remarkable story of faithfulness, kindness, and redemption. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man named Mahlon. After her husband died, Ruth chose to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi and accompanied her back to Bethlehem. There, Ruth worked tirelessly to provide for Naomi, gleaning in the fields during the harvest. She caught the eye of a well-respected man named Boaz, who showed her great kindness. Eventually Ruth and Boaz married, giving Ruth a new husband and Naomi a redeemer. Their son Obed was the grandfather of King David.
Here are some common questions people have about the narrative of Ruth:
Why did Ruth choose to follow Naomi back to Israel?
After the deaths of Ruth’s husband Mahlon and his brother Chilion, Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Bethlehem. At this point Ruth was still young and could have easily remarried in Moab. Yet she insisted on accompanying Naomi, telling her “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). This commitment reflects Ruth’s love and devotion toward Naomi. It also suggests a developing faith in the God of Israel on Ruth’s part. As a Moabite, Ruth was leaving behind her familiar gods to worship Yahweh. Her words to Naomi illustrate her loyalty and belief in the one true God.
Why was it significant that Ruth was not an Israelite?
As a Moabite woman, Ruth was an outsider to the nation of Israel. The Moabites descended from an incestuous union between Lot and one of his daughters (Genesis 19:30-37). There was animosity between the Moabites and Israelites for generations. For instance, the Moabite king Balak tried to hire Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). When the Israelites first approached the Promised Land, the Moabites refused to allow them passage through their territory (Judges 11:17-18). So Ruth’s ethnicity would have made her an unlikely convert to the religion of Yahweh. Yet she chose to bind her fate to Naomi’s people and God. This foreshadows how redemption would come to all nations through Jesus Christ.
Why did Ruth glean in the field of Boaz?
As a poor widow caring for her mother-in-law, Ruth needed to find a way to provide for them both. The Law of Moses commanded farmers to leave portions of their harvest for the poor to glean (Leviticus 19:9-10). Ruth took advantage of this provision, gathering leftover grain in the fields near Bethlehem. She specifically worked in the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband Elimelech. Ruth had learned that Boaz was a man of character who treated his workers generously (Ruth 2:1). So it made good sense for Ruth to glean in his field, where she would be safe and have the best chance of gathering ample grain.
Why did Boaz treat Ruth so kindly?
When Boaz first noticed Ruth gleaning in his field, he showed her undeserved favor. He instructed his harvesters to intentionally let grain fall for her to gather (Ruth 2:15-16). Boaz invited Ruth to only glean in his field and provided her food and water (Ruth 2:8-9). This kind treatment reflected Boaz’s compassion and generosity. But there may have been other motivations as well. Boaz knew Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law (Ruth 2:5-6). As a close relative, he would have felt obligated to help her based on the kinsman-redeemer laws. Boaz was also clearly impressed by Ruth’s noble character and loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 2:11-12). So he went above and beyond in caring for Ruth.
What was the purpose of Ruth approaching Boaz at the threshing floor?
According to Israelite custom, close relatives were obligated to “redeem” the land and carry on the family line of a deceased man (Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:5-10). As a near kinsman, Boaz qualified to fulfill this role for Naomi’s family. Naomi believed that Boaz would provide for Ruth if he knew she was interested and available for marriage. So she instructed Ruth to approach Boaz while he was sleeping at the threshing floor after winnowing his grain (Ruth 3:1-4). This unusual proposal seems forward by today’s standards. But in the context of that culture, Ruth’s request that Boaz “spread his wings over [her]” (Ruth 3:9) sent a clear signal that she sought marriage to provide for her and Naomi.
Why did Boaz bless Ruth?
When Ruth approached Boaz at night and lay at his feet, he commended her for not pursuing younger men but seeking protection from him (Ruth 3:10). Boaz knew Ruth was proposing marriage out of obedience to Naomi and a pure desire to care for her family. So before sending Ruth away secretly, Boaz blessed her saying, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich” (Ruth 3:10). Boaz saw Ruth’s moral character and rightly attributed it to the Lord’s work in her life. His blessing affirmed Ruth’s virtuous motivations.
Why was there a nearer kinsman than Boaz?
According to Israelite custom, the nearest male relative had the primary responsibility to serve as kinsman-redeemer to a deceased man’s family by marrying his widow. Though Boaz was a close relative to Ruth’s father-in-law Elimelech, there turned out to be a man who was an even closer relative (Ruth 3:12). For the narrative suspense of the story, the author withholds this detail until Boaz goes to the city gate and encounters this nearer kinsman (Ruth 4:1). Structurally, this builds tension as it raises questions about whether Boaz will in fact marry Ruth and redeem Naomi’s family. But ultimately it allows Boaz’s integrity to shine through as he makes arrangements for Ruth to be redeemed.
Why didn’t the nearer kinsman redeem Ruth?
When Boaz brought up his duty as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth before the elders at the city gate, the nearer relative initially agreed to fulfill this obligation (Ruth 4:4). However, when he learned that he would also have to marry Ruth and provide an heir for the family estate, he declined to fulfill his duty. This unnamed relative was concerned that inheriting Elimelech’s land and continuing his line would jeopardize his own inheritance (Ruth 4:6). So while he was willing to redeem the property itself, he refused to marry Ruth once he understood all that kinsman-redemption entailed in this case.
Why was the marriage of Ruth and Boaz significant?
Ruth and Boaz’s marriage is a beautiful picture of redemption on several levels. Most obviously, their marriage provided immediate redemption for Ruth and Naomi. As her husband, Boaz could protect and provide for both women. Any son born to Ruth and Boaz would inherit Elimelech’s land and carry on his family line. This ensured security for Naomi in her old age. On a national level, the marriage of Ruth (a Gentile) and Boaz (a Jew) foreshadowed how God’s plan of redemption included people from all nations. Their great-grandson David would rule over Israel and set the stage for the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The fact that a Moabite woman is mentioned in the genealogy of Christ is highly significant (Matthew 1:5).
How was Naomi redeemed through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz?
Years earlier, Naomi had left Israel full but returned empty after losing her husband and sons (Ruth 1:21). She felt the Lord’s hand was against her. But God was working redemptively even through her suffering. In His providence, He led Ruth to Boaz’s field ensuring she would be cared for by this honorable kinsman. Naomi had encouraged Ruth to seek marriage to Boaz to provide security. Once Ruth and Boaz married, the women were overjoyed. Most significantly, Ruth gave birth to a son named Obed who became Naomi’s caretaker in her old age (Ruth 4:15-16). Naomi’s empty life was redeemed as her bitterness turned to joy through God’s blessing on Ruth.
How was Israel impacted by this story?
On the national level, the narrative of Ruth and Boaz served as an important reminder to Israel about God’s love and faithfulness. The story took place during the chaotic period of the judges when the Israelites were rebelling against God and turning to idolatry. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi illustrated how genuine faith expresses itself through selfless love. Boaz’s integrity shone as a model of godly character and virtue. Their story reinforced God’s desire to bless Israel if they would turn back to Him. Significantly, their great-grandson David would eventually rule Israel as the paradigmatic king. The nation was blessed by Ruth and Boaz’s legacy for generations to come.
How does Christ fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer?
In Ruth, Boaz serves as a kinsman-redeemer by taking Ruth as his wife to carry on her deceased husband’s line. In doing so, he rescued Naomi and Ruth from poverty and loneliness. In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as our ultimate Redeemer, rescuing humanity from the poverty of sin. Like Boaz, Jesus became part of our human family in order to save us. By taking on human flesh himself, Christ redeemed us from the curse of sin and death. He purchased our salvation through the sacrifice of his own life. After rising from the grave, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, producing love, joy and character transformation. Through faith in Christ, believers are adopted into God’s eternal family.
What lessons does the book of Ruth teach?
Several core themes emerge in this extraordinary story: (1) God rewards faithfulness and selfless love. Ruth gave up everything to stand by Naomi and care for her. She was blessed in turn through her marriage to Boaz. (2) God remains sovereign even in dark times of suffering. Naomi saw God’s hand working graciously despite her tragic circumstances. (3) Redemption comes through righteousness and integrity. Boaz displayed virtue in dealing kindly with the poor like Ruth. (4) God’s plan of redemption includes all nations, foreshadowed by a Gentile convert becoming part of Christ’s lineage. (5) God richly blesses those who trust and obey Him. All who read Ruth’s story are encouraged to follow her example of loving devotion.
How should believers apply lessons from Ruth’s life today?
For contemporary believers, Ruth provides a model of faith lived out through selfless love and service to others. Like Ruth, we can choose to bind ourselves in commitment to other believers, adopting them as our spiritual family. When Ruth cleaved to Naomi, she demonstrated the biblical command to “carry one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). We ought to come alongside fellow Christians in their suffering and grief, weeping with those who weep. Ruth also exemplified courage, initiative and hard work – virtues believers should cultivate. Her trust in God’s providence motivates us to trust Him in unpredictable circumstances. Overall, Ruth’s life encourages sacrificial devotion to God and the family of faith.
