The book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman (the other being Esther). Yet despite being named after Ruth, God is not directly mentioned very often throughout the book. This raises the question – why doesn’t God feature more prominently in a book named after one of the heroes of the faith?
There are a few potential reasons why overt references to God are scarce in Ruth:
- The author may have deliberately chosen to emphasize human responsibility and relationships, rather than focus on God’s direct intervention.
- God may be working quietly behind the scenes, through “ordinary” human actions and decisions.
- The book shows how God’s people can live faithfully even through difficult circumstances like famine, loss, and uncertainty.
While God’s name is not mentioned frequently in Ruth, His fingerprints can be seen throughout the story. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways God’s providence shapes the narrative, even when He is not directly referenced:
1. God’s providence during the famine
The book opens by introducing us to a man named Elimelek who lived during the time of the judges. A severe famine came upon the land of Judah, causing Elimelek to move his family to Moab in search of food. The text simply states “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1a). No explicit reason is given for the famine. But readers familiar with the book of Judges would recognize that famines were one way God disciplined His people during this chaotic time when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Though God is not directly mentioned here, the famine that drove Naomi’s family to Moab was likely an instrument of His providence, setting the stage for the events to follow.
2. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and the God of Israel
After Elimelek and his two sons die in Moab, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem and urges her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab. Ruth insistently declares to Naomi, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). This moving statement shows Ruth’s commitment both to Naomi and to the God of Israel.
Ruth’s confession comes without any preceding mention of God. But her willingness to leave her homeland and pagan gods behind demonstrates the quiet working of God’s grace in her heart. Though unnamed, Ruth’s commitment is clearly to the one true God who she recognizes in the life and witness of Naomi.
3. Ruth “happens” to glean in Boaz’s field
When the widowed Ruth arrives in Bethlehem during barley harvest, she heads to the fields to glean grain so she and Naomi can eat. The text simply observes that “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz” (Ruth 2:3). Naomi later recognizes that Ruth just so happened to glean in the field of their close relative Boaz, who would have the opportunity to redeem them (Ruth 2:20).
While the text merely states that Ruth happened upon Boaz’s field, readers can discern God’s providential guidance leading Ruth to the exact place she needed to be. The supposedly random happenstance was engineered by God’s invisible hand.
4. Boaz’s integrity and kindness
When Boaz discovers Ruth gleaning in his field, he goes above and beyond the requirements of the law to show her unusual favor and kindness. He ensures she has access to as much grain as she needs, provides water for her, and commands his reapers to intentionally leave grain for her to gather (Ruth 2:8-9, 15-16). Boaz protects Ruth from harassment and demonstrates integrity in his dealings with her.
We aren’t told that God called Boaz to show such generosity. But Boaz’s actions reflect key virtues like compassion, justice and generosity that are consistent with God’s character. Though unnamed, God’s influence can be seen shaping Boaz into a man of exemplary virtue.
5. Ruth honored for seeking refuge under God’s wings
After proposing marriage to Ruth, Boaz declares, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:12). This blessing recognizes that though Ruth originally came from a pagan land, she has chosen to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel by joining herself to Naomi and her people.
This moving blessing again highlights Ruth’s quiet but sincere devotion to the one true God. And it hints at the blessings she will experience as she fully embraces faith in Yahweh.
6. The marriage of Ruth and Boaz
Following the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, the women of city exclaim, “The Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel” (Ruth 4:11a). This blessing invokes God’s name and favor over the marriage. It also hints that, like the matriarchs Rachel and Leah, Ruth will play a pivotal role in the story of Israel through her offspring.
While God remains behind the scenes, the blessing acknowledges His sovereignty in establishing Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. Their union will be an instrument of His continued providence.
7. The birth of Obed
The book closes with the genealogy of Ruth and Boaz’s firstborn son Obed. He became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, Israel’s greatest king. The final words of Ruth pull back the curtain on God’s quiet guidance throughout the story: “Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David” (Ruth 4:17).
God remained almost entirely unnamed from start to finish. But the birth of Obed demonstrates how God guided Ruth’s story for His purposes – the raising up of David and the coming Messiah. God was very much at work behind the scenes!
Themes that reveal God’s character
In addition to the fingerprints of providence scattered throughout the story, the themes and virtues demonstrated in Ruth also reflect God’s character and care for His people:
- Kindness – The characters extend remarkable kindness and care for the poor and vulnerable.
- Loyalty – Ruth remains steadfastly loyal to Naomi and the God of Israel.
- Integrity – Boaz demonstrates integrity in business, family matters, and care for the poor.
- Redemption – Boaz acts as kinsman-redeemer for Naomi and Ruth.
- Blessing – Those who bless and care for others are blessed in return.
These themes reflect God’s own character: He is kind, loyal, just, and the ultimate Redeemer. Though not frequently mentioned by name, God’s fingerprints can be seen across the themes of the book.
Why make God unnamed?
If God is actively guiding the narrative of Ruth, why does the author chose to leave Him largely unnamed and unreferenced?
Here are a few potential reasons:
- To demonstrate that God works through normal human relationships and decisions, not just through miracles.
- To illustrate how God’s people can live out their faith even in difficult real-life circumstances.
- To emphasize human choice and moral responsibility.
- To show how God’s providence often works quietly behind the scenes.
The lack of overt divine intervention highlights human responsibility and relationships. Characters like Ruth and Boaz face real-life challenges and choices, just like us. Their faith and virtue do not depend on direct revelation from God, but on quiet obedience, integrity, and care for others. The characters’ actions reveal their trust in God’s providence even when they don’t understand the big picture.
Lessons for believers
What lessons can modern believers take away from the relative scarcity of overt divine references in Ruth?
- God is at work even when He seems absent or silent.
- We demonstrate faith by taking responsibility for our actions.
- We reflect God’s character when we show love, loyalty, and generosity to others.
- Our “small” acts of love and obedience form part of God’s big plan.
- God guides circumstances providentially, working through everyday events.
- Righteous character and compassion matter more than miracles.
Ruth models quiet but sincere devotion to God in difficult circumstances. She faithfully cares for Naomi and others. When we serve those around us – especially the poor and vulnerable – with kindness and integrity like Ruth, we become the hands and feet of God to a hurting world.
Conclusion
The relative scarcity of explicit divine references in Ruth provides an opportunity to see God’s providential working through everyday human relationships and choices. God remains active behind the scenes, quietly guiding circumstances. The narrative emphasizes human responsibility, relationships, integrity and compassion over overt divine intervention. When Ruth demonstrates selfless love, she becomes God’s instrument whether she knows it or not. As modern believers, we too can live out our faith even in difficult circumstances when God seems silent. By taking responsibility for our choices and caring for those around us, we participate in God’s providential plan – whether He gets mentioned or not.
