An Introduction to Ruth: A Story of Redemption
The book of Ruth, though brief, stands as a profound testament to God's providence, faithfulness, and the intricate tapestry of His redemptive plan. Set during the tumultuous era of the Judges, a time characterized by spiritual apostasy and societal chaos where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), the story of Ruth shines as a beacon of light, illustrating that even in humanity's darkest hours, God remains sovereignly at work, weaving His purposes through the lives of seemingly ordinary people. It is a narrative rich with themes of loyalty, kindness, divine guidance, and ultimately, the foreshadowing of our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The Bleak Beginning: Famine and Loss
The story opens with a stark reality: famine in the land of Judah. Bethlehem, whose name means "house of bread," ironically suffers from a lack of sustenance. In response to this hardship, a man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem-judah, makes a fateful decision to sojourn in the country of Moab with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Moab, a nation with a contentious history with Israel, was outside the covenant blessings of God. This move, while perhaps pragmatic in the face of famine, placed them in a land of idolaters, separated from the promised land and the direct worship of the True God.
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
Tragedy soon compounds. Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi a widow. Her sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, and then, ten years later, both sons also perish. Naomi is left utterly bereft, a widow twice over, with no sons to carry on the family name or provide for her. Her heart is heavy with sorrow and bitterness, feeling that the hand of the Lord has gone out against her. Hearing that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread in Bethlehem, Naomi decides to return to her homeland, urging her daughters-in-law to return to their own people.
Ruth's Unwavering Devotion: A Testament of Faith
As Naomi prepares to leave Moab, she encourages Orpah and Ruth to return to their mothers' homes, praying that the Lord would deal kindly with them. Orpah, after much weeping, reluctantly agrees and returns to her people and her gods. But Ruth, demonstrating a profound and uncommon loyalty, clings to Naomi. Her response is one of the most beautiful declarations of devotion found in scripture, transcending mere familial bond to encompass a spiritual commitment.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Ruth's decision is not merely an emotional outburst; it is a conscious choice to forsake her own people, her gods, and the potential for a future in Moab, in favor of Naomi's God and Naomi's people. This commitment marks her as a woman of extraordinary faith, willing to embrace an uncertain future for the sake of loyalty and a nascent trust in the God of Israel. Her choice is a pivotal moment, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, not just for Naomi, but for a lineage that would impact all of humanity.
Divine Providence and the Field of Grace
Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Naomi is recognized by the townspeople, who express surprise at her changed appearance, to which she responds, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20). Despite Naomi's despair, God's providence is already at work. It is the beginning of barley harvest, and Ruth, ever diligent and resourceful, proposes to glean in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. Gleaning was a provision in the Mosaic Law for the poor and the stranger, allowing them to gather leftover grain from the harvest (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19).
By divine orchestration, Ruth "haply" or "by chance" (Ruth 2:3) comes to the field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy and influential kinsman of Elimelech. Boaz, a man of integrity, compassion, and deep reverence for God, notices Ruth and inquires about her. Upon learning of her loyalty to Naomi and her reputation for kindness, he extends extraordinary favor to her, instructing his reapers to treat her well, allow her to glean among the sheaves, and even purposely leave extra grain for her. He offers her protection and provision, recognizing her faithful sacrifice.
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Boaz's blessing is prophetic, for he himself would be the instrument of that "full reward." His kindness is a tangible expression of God's grace, demonstrating that even in the midst of life's hardships, God provides for those who trust in Him. This seemingly chance encounter is a clear illustration of God's hand guiding events, transforming a desperate situation into one filled with hope and promise.
The Kinsman-Redeemer: Boaz as Goel
Naomi, recognizing Boaz's kindness and his familial connection, reveals to Ruth the concept of the "kinsman-redeemer" or "Goel" in Hebrew. This was a crucial legal and social institution in ancient Israel, encompassing several responsibilities:
Naomi sees in Boaz the potential to fulfill the role of Goel for her deceased husband's lineage, specifically to provide an heir for Mahlon and preserve the family name and inheritance. She devises a plan, instructing Ruth to go to Boaz at the threshing floor. Ruth, obedient and trusting, follows Naomi's instructions. Boaz, a man of integrity, acknowledges his responsibility as a kinsman but reveals there is a nearer kinsman who has the first right of redemption. He promises to resolve the matter honorably and legally.
The next morning, Boaz goes to the city gate, the place of legal transactions, and publicly addresses the issue with the nearer kinsman in the presence of the elders. When the nearer kinsman agrees to redeem Elimelech's land, Boaz adds the condition that in redeeming the land, he must also take Ruth, the Moabitess, to "raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance." The nearer kinsman, unwilling to jeopardize his own inheritance, declines, thus legally relinquishing his right of redemption to Boaz. Boaz then publicly declares his intention to redeem all that was Elimelech's and Chilion's and Mahlon's, and to take Ruth as his wife, "to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place" (Ruth 4:10). This act of redemption is complete and legally binding.
Redemption Realized: A Lineage of Hope
Boaz marries Ruth, and the Lord blesses their union with a son. The women of Bethlehem celebrate, declaring to Naomi that her daughter-in-law, who loves her and is better to her than seven sons, has given birth to a redeemer. They name the child Obed, meaning "servant."
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Obed becomes a restorer of Naomi's life, turning her bitterness into joy. But the significance of Obed extends far beyond Naomi's personal redemption. The book of Ruth concludes with a genealogy that traces Obed's lineage directly to David, Israel's greatest king. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David (Ruth 4:21-22). This lineage is crucial, for it links Ruth, the Moabitess, to the royal line through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately come (Matthew 1:5). The story of Ruth, a foreign woman, being included in the Messianic line highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers.
Lessons from Ruth: Timeless Truths of Redemption
The book of Ruth offers several profound lessons for believers today:
- God's Sovereignty and Providence: Even in times of famine, loss, and despair, God is actively working behind the scenes. What appears to be chance (Ruth's "haply" coming to Boaz's field) is, in fact, divine orchestration. God's plan unfolds perfectly, even through human decisions and seemingly mundane events.
- Faithfulness and Loyalty Rewarded: Ruth's unwavering devotion to Naomi and her God, even when it meant personal sacrifice, is a powerful example of faith. Her faithfulness was richly rewarded, not only with a loving husband and a son but with a place in the lineage of Christ.
- Kindness and Charity: Boaz exemplifies godly character through his kindness, generosity, and integrity. His actions reflect the heart of God, demonstrating how believers should treat the vulnerable and the stranger.
- The Kinsman-Redeemer Foreshadows Christ: The most significant redemptive theme in Ruth is the role of the Goel. Boaz serves as a beautiful type of Christ. Just as Boaz had to be a kinsman to redeem, so Jesus became flesh and blood, our kinsman, to redeem us (Hebrews 2:14-15). Just as Boaz paid a price to redeem, Christ paid the ultimate price with His blood to redeem us from sin and death. Just as Boaz brought life and hope to a desolate lineage, Christ brings spiritual life and eternal hope to those who were spiritually dead and without hope.
The story of Ruth reminds us that God's plan of redemption is vast and encompasses all who come to Him by faith, regardless of their past or origin. It is a story of hope, demonstrating that even from the ashes of sorrow and loss, God can bring forth new life, purpose, and a glorious future through His sovereign grace and the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, our true Kinsman-Redeemer.