ruth.

Ruth is described as a woman of excellence by Boaz. Only two books of the Bible are titled after women, and Ruth is one of them. But the focus of the book is not completely on Ruth., Naomi is a central character. The book of Ruth portrays many important themes concerning woman, certain attributes of God, and securing the messianic line through David.

During the time that judges governed a great famine swept the land. Elimelech and Naomi sought refuge in Moab, a neighboring land. In this land their two sons acquired wives; Ruth and Orpah. After this the three men died leaving the three women to cope for themselves. Naomi decided to head toward her homeland after the famine ended. Part way home Naomi insists Ruth and Orpah return to their home land because there was nothing for them in a foreign land. Naomi’s bitterness showed as she asserted the two younger women at least had a chance at life because they were young, but she herself was old. At first both Orpah and Ruth refuse to go, but after much prodding by Naomi Orpah agrees to return home. Ruth however insists that she stays. “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back 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 1:16). Ruth portrays her dedication to family at this point, as well as her conversion to worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In her homeland, Chemosh, was the god was worshipped. Her desire to stay with Naomi demonstrates her loyalty to family and desire for protection for Naomi’s god. In chapter 2 verse 12 Boaz asks God’s blessing upon Ruth. “May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the Lord, The God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (Ruth 2:12). Naomi returns to Bethlehem, with Ruth and no husband or sons, after 10 years of residing in Moab.

They return to Bethlehem during the time of the harvest. Ruth goes out into the fields and begins to pick up the left over grain stalks. Under Mosaic law the corners of fields were not harvested and also stalks that fell upon the ground were not to be picked up. This provided a means for the poor and hungry. This shows God’s provision and heart for the less fortunate. Ruth arrives at the fields of Boaz. As Boaz enters the scene he states, “May the Lord be with you” to his reapers and his reapers respond, “May the Lord bless you” (Ruth 2:4). The first words uttered from Boaz’s lips are ones which exemplify godliness towards his men. He inquires of Ruth, and finding out that she is related to Naomi he extends special care towards her. He instructs her to continue to glean from his fields, and that the reapers are to leave a little extra for her, and she can drink from the water his servants draw. Ruth returns home after a successful day of gleaning in the fields. Naomi finds out Ruth has stumbled upon the field of Boaz. Naomi is ecstatic and sees God’s sovereignty as Boaz is a close relative and could be the kinsman redeemer. Naomi had not informed Ruth of their close relative, Boaz. It was ‘by chance’ that Ruth had come across his field. Ruth continues to live w/ Naomi and glean in the fields of Boaz until the end of the harvest season.

During this time, a close relative could redeem certain things described in Leviticus 25. The kinsman redeemer could redeem a family member sold into slavery, land sold under economic pressures, and the family name. The parallel can be easily drawn to God as the necessary redeemer to fallen man, and redeeming man from slavery to sin. Boaz is the Christ figure within this book of Ruth, as he redeems the family name and the land which Naomi had to sell.

Naomi seeks to protect and provide for Ruth. She urges Ruth to approach Boaz during the night and lay at his feet as a sign of desire to be married. This was a custom in this age, to lay at the older mans feet so as to propose marriage. When Boaz awakens and notices a woman at his feet he replies, “Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence” (Ruth 3:11). Boaz and Ruth have integrity and reputations within the community. People know their character. Nothing immoral happens between the two of them even though they find themselves in a precarious position. Boaz remains gentle, and full of integrity, as he explains that another relative actually is in line to be the redeemer before him. He assures Ruth he will do as she asks, but he first must check with the other relative. As she arises he gives her gifts of barley which Ruth takes home to Naomi. “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out;” assure Naomi, “For the man will not rest until he has settled it today” (Ruth 3:18). This shows how Boaz was a man that gets done what he says he will get done. He is not merely a man of words, but of action.

Boaz goes up to the gate of the city where he finds the relative closer in line to redeem the land of Naomi. Boaz gently informs the man of his duties. At first the relative expresses his interest in the land, but when Boaz reminds him that he will also take Ruth as a wife, the relative backs down and allows Boaz to redeem both the land and the name. Boaz is to marry Ruth. Boaz follows all the ways of the law to acquire this land in a proper manner. He continues to reveal that he is a man of integrity. A son is born to Ruth, Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. This reveals the messianic line.
This book is about God’s provision and sovereignty. Even amidst the heartache, God did not abandon Ruth or Naomi. Ruth seemed destined to remain a widow when she decided to remain with Naomi. But God provides her with husband and child. Ruth enters into the genealogy of David, and the ultimate redeemer of mankind, Jesus Christ.

Ruth displays many characters of a virtuous woman. Comparisons can be made to the woman described in Proverbs 31. Dedication to family is exemplified in the life of Ruth when she decides to remain with Naomi instead of returning to her parents. Proverbs 31 describes a woman dedicated to her family. Ruth also is a hard worker as seen by her laboring in the fields of Boaz. “She rises also while it is still night…She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong” Proverbs 31:17. Ruth provides for Naomi as does the woman described in Proverbs. Ruth is dependent upon God to provide for her. Boaz expresses this in 2:12: “The God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Proverbs describes the woman who fears the Lord as someone who is to be praised. Multiple times it is evident that Ruth’s reputation is known throughout the community as one of excellence. The same is said of the woman in Proverbs 31. Ruth is a godly woman who remains loyal to her God and family. She is the woman of Proverbs 31 fleshed out.

At first glance the story of Naomi and Ruth seems irrelevant and insignificant. But God takes two seemingly insignificant people (and woman), and reveals his character and chooses to use these woman to bring about the birth of the king of Israel.