RUTH

The story of Ruth is one of loyalty, bravery, and humility. Despite Naomi’s lonely and brutal life, Ruth bravely joins her mother-in-law and follows her back to Israel. Through the faithfulness of Boaz, Ruth + Naomi’s family is restored. This story of redemption involves dutifully trusting God and allowing him to use unlikely people to accomplish His ultimate plan.

The book of Ruth takes place during the time of Judges. During the book of Judges, the nation of Israel fails repeatedly and grows further from God. Knowing the ruthlessness (no pun intended) of the Israelites during this time allows us to see the unique kindness and faithfulness of both Ruth and Boaz.

    • Naomi's family dies

    • Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth

    • Ruth gleans in Boaz's field

    • Ruth asks Boaz to marry her

    • Boaz arranges redemption at the gate

    • Ruth

    • Naomi

    • Boaz

    • Orpah

    • Unnamed kinsman

    • Author: Samuel

    • Date Written: 550-330 BCE

    • Location: Moab

    • Timeline of Events: 1160 - 1100 BC

    • Intended Audience: Jewish people

RUTH 1

RUTH SHOWS LOYALTY TO NAOMI + RETURNS TO ISRAEL

Because there was a great famine, Naomi travels from Ephraim to Moab with her husband and two sons. When Naomi’s husband dies, she is left with her two sons who married foreign Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. When both of Naomi’s sons die, she is left widowed and childless.

Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to return to their home countries and let her go back to Israel. Orpah did as she said, but Ruth clung to Naomi and decided she would go with her and make Naomi’s God her God.

Naomi and Ruth return to Israel, but Naomi wanted to change her name from “Naomi,” meaning “pleasant” to “Mara” which means “bitter,” because she felt as though God had dealt with her bitterly.

Ruth 1:16 - But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return 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.”

RUTH 2

BOAZ MEETS RUTH WITH HOSPITALITY + GENEROSITY

Naomi had a distant relative, Boaz, who is described as a worthy man. Ruth and Naomi go out to his field to collect the leftover harvest to eat for themselves.

In Leviticus 19:9, God provided a specific law that instructed the Israelites to not fully gather their harvest, but to leave some to be gleaned by those in need. Boaz is a faithful man who diligently keeps this law, which serves Ruth and Naomi in their time of need. Although God’s laws may seem arbitrary, they serve a greater purpose.

Boaz was hospitable to Ruth and gave her food and grain to collect. Boaz protected her and made sure none of the men touched her. Because she was a foreigner, Ruth asks Boaz the reason for his kindness and favor. Boaz tells her that he noticed her generosity towards Naomi and wanted her to be rewarded for her loyalty.

Ruth shares with Naomi what Boaz told her, and Naomi is thrilled. Naomi believes that, through Boaz, their family will be redeemed.

RUTH 3

RUTH MEETS BOAZ ON THE THRESHING FLOOR

Naomi instructs Ruth to wash up, change clothes, and go to Boaz at the threshing floor. The threshing floor is a place where the grain is separated and the most valuable part of the crop is collected. When Boaz lies down to sleep, Ruth does as Naomi says and uncovers his feet. Although it is unknown what this exactly means, it appears to be a cultural sign of humility.

Ruth tells Boaz that she believes he could be the redeemer of their family. Boaz tells Ruth that there is a closer relative who would traditionally be first in line to marry her. Boaz promises to redeem her if the closer relative does not. Although Boaz’s response appears strange or rude, he is a righteous man and is following the appropriate traditions of the time.

Boaz describes Ruth as a worthy woman, the same phrase used in Proverbs 31 to describe a woman who fears the Lord.

RUTH 4

BOAZ REDEEMS RUTH + NAOMI’S FAMILY

Naomi’s closer relative, the one who Boaz mentioned to Ruth, did not want to marry her. He was concerned about affecting his inheritance by marrying a foreign woman.

Now Boaz is able to marry Ruth and redeem her family, just as Ruth and Naomi hoped. Naomi rejoices and her faith in God is restored!

The lineage of Ruth and Boaz is recorded, beginning with their son Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. Rahab, the prostitute who protects Caleb and Joshua, was the mother of Boaz. In this story, God uses unlikely people including prostitutes, widows, and outsiders to redeem Ruth’s family and form the lineage of Jesus!