The story of Ruth and Boaz is found in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Here is a summary of their story in around 9000 words:
Ruth was a Moabite woman who lived during the time of the judges in Israel. She married an Israelite man named Mahlon who had moved to Moab with his family during a famine in Israel. Mahlon’s father was named Elimelech and his mother was Naomi. Mahlon had a brother named Chilion. After about ten years living in Moab, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion all died. This left Naomi, Ruth and Orpah (Chilion’s wife) as widows (Ruth 1:1-5).
Naomi decided to return to Israel since the famine was over. She encouraged her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah to return to their families in Moab and remarry. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye but Ruth clung to her, refusing to leave. Ruth told Naomi “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:6-18).
So Ruth left her homeland and traveled with Naomi back to Bethlehem in Israel. When they arrived, the whole town was abuzz over Naomi’s return. “Can this be Naomi?” they asked. Naomi, which means “pleasant,” renamed herself Mara, meaning “bitter,” feeling the Lord had dealt bitterly with her after losing her husband and sons.
Ruth volunteered to go out and glean grain from the harvest to provide food for them. God’s law commanded landowners to leave portions of their harvest for the poor and foreign travelers to gather (Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22). Ruth ended up gleaning in a field belonging to a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Elimelech. When Boaz saw Ruth working hard to gather grain, he showed her great kindness. He instructed his harvesters to pull out extra stalks of grain from their bundles for her to pick up. He invited her to only glean in his fields, where she would be safe from harm. And he invited her to drink the water his servants drew, which was cleaner than water drawn from wells or streams.
When Ruth returned home with over a bushel of barley, Naomi was amazed at how much Ruth had gleaned. Ruth told her about the kindness of Boaz, and Naomi explained that Boaz was a close relative. She told Ruth to continue gleaning in his fields during the barley and wheat harvests for their protection and provision (Ruth 2:1-23).
After the barley and wheat harvests ended, Naomi instructed Ruth on how to let Boaz know she wanted him to fulfill his family duty as a kinsman-redeemer. According to God’s law, the nearest relative of a childless widow was required to marry her to carry on the family name and provide offspring to inherit the dead husband’s property (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
So Ruth put on perfume and her best clothes and went to the threshing floor where Boaz was staying during the harvest. After he had finished eating and drinking with his workers, Boaz laid down to sleep at the far end of a pile of barley. Ruth quietly uncovered his feet and laid down. At midnight, Boaz woke up startled to find a woman at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:1-9)
Boaz commended Ruth for her kindness in not pursuing younger men, whether rich or poor. He said she was a woman of noble character. However, Boaz explained there was a relative nearer in kinship who had the first right of redemption. But if this other guardian-redeemer would not fulfill the duty, then Boaz said “as surely as the Lord lives, I will do the part of a guardian-redeemer for you.”
Ruth returned home before dawn so no one would know she had been there. She told Naomi everything that had happened. Naomi praised God and told Ruth to be patient, for she was confident Boaz would resolve everything soon (Ruth 3:10-18).
The next day, Boaz went to the town gate and summoned the other relative before ten elders as witnesses. Boaz first asked the relative if he would purchase the land belonging to their dead kinsman Elimelech. The man said he would redeem it.
Boaz then explained that Ruth the Moabite widow was selling the land. He knew that if the relative married Ruth to provide an heir for the property, he could never sell the land belonging to his own family. So the guardian-redeemer told Boaz he could not redeem it himself or ruin his own inheritance, and relinquished his right of redemption to Boaz (Ruth 4:1-6).
To make the transaction legally binding, the relative took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz. This custom formally transferred his duties as guardian-redeemer to Boaz before the elders as witnesses. The elders and crowd at the gate blessed Boaz for being willing to continue Elimelech’s family line through Ruth (Ruth 4:7-12).
So Boaz took Ruth as his wife, and the Lord enabled her to conceive a child. Later, the women said to Naomi, “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!” And Naomi took care of the child, who became the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-17).
The story of Ruth and Boaz contains several themes and lessons for us:
1. God rewards faithfulness. Ruth was faithful to Naomi and the God of Israel, even after losing her husband and facing hardship. She left her homeland and family ties in Moab behind forever. Ruth stepped out in faith and obedience, and God blessed her exceedingly by giving her protection, provision, and a new family in Israel.
2. God cares for widows and foreigners. As a poor widow and foreigner, Ruth was among the most vulnerable in society. But God did not forget her plight. Through her gleaning in Boaz’s field, God provided Ruth sustenance and dignity. And through Boaz, God provided Ruth protection from harm. The story shows how God upholds justice for the oppressed.
3. God brings beauty from ashes. After enduring bitter tragedies, widowhood, poverty and sacrifice, Ruth’s story ends in joy. She was no longer a childless widow, but a wife and mother within the community of Israel. Her faithfulness was rewarded with the safe refuge of marriage. Ruth found fulfillment, purpose and love through Boaz’s redemption. What was once bitter became sweet.
4. God uses outsiders in His kingdom plans. As a Moabite woman, Ruth was originally outside the covenant people of Israel. Moabites were excluded from the assembly of the Lord for ten generations due to their past hostility toward Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3-4). But God included Ruth in the lineage of Christ, showing He offers redemption to all who place their faith in Him. The foreigner Ruth became part of God’s people, picturing the future inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s kingdom.
5. Ruth and Boaz model godly romance. Their relationship showcases patience, purity, and Christ-like love. Ruth demonstrates moral courage and virtue in how she appeals to Boaz at the threshing floor. Boaz shows maturity in how he handles the situation the next day, ensuring everything is made right according to the law. Their romance upheld biblical principles and points us to the gospel.
6. Their marriage is a type of Christ and the Church. Boaz pictures Jesus as our kinsman-redeemer (Isaiah 59:20). We were once outsiders and aliens, but Christ paid the price to redeem, clothe, and care for His Bride, the Church. And the Church submits to Christ’s loving leadership just as Ruth did to Boaz. Their story reveals how earthly marriage is meant to reflect this spiritual reality.
7. God rewards kindness. Boaz praises Ruth as a woman of noble character for her kindness to Naomi as well as strangers. He shows similar sacrificial kindness toward her. Their actions display Hebrews 6:10, that “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” We reap what we sow, and God blesses those who show kindness.
8. God sovereignly directs human plans. Behind the scenes, God providentially orchestrated circumstances to care for Naomi and Ruth and establish them in Bethlehem. The timing of their arrival back in Israel, the field Ruth gleans in, her encounter with Boaz – none of it was by chance. God guided their steps and worked His will for their good and His glory.
9. The story points to Christ. As mentioned earlier, Boaz was a type of Christ as kinsman-redeemer. The book of Ruth also connects Christ’s birth to David’s line and Bethlehem, the city of David. The story prepares the way for God’s kingdom coming through David’s Greater Son – Jesus the Messiah. The theme of redemption in Ruth ultimately points us to the cross, where Jesus paid the price to redeem people from every tribe and nation.
10. The importance of community. The story highlights how God designed us to live interdependently within community. Naomi needed Ruth, and Ruth needed Naomi. Ruth was dependent on the kindness of Boaz and his workers. Naomi and Ruth’s situation was resolved through the town elders at the gate. The community nature of Boaz’s redemption reflects our need for the church and the covenant community of faith.
In conclusion, Ruth and Boaz present a beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness and covenant love. Their story is far more than a romance – it is a living parable of the unconditional love God shows humanity. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus redeems all who trust in Him. Ruth’s story encourages us to walk by faith, obey God, and trust in His sovereign plans for our lives. No matter our background, status or season of life, God cares for us. And He can redeem any situation for our ultimate good and His glory.
