The Story of Ruth and Naomi: Loyalty in Loss
The book of Ruth, though concise, presents a profound narrative of human suffering, unwavering loyalty, and divine providence. Set against the backdrop of the period of the Judges, a time often marked by moral decay and self-interest, this story shines as a beacon of faithfulness and steadfast love. It is a testament to how God works through the darkest seasons of life, orchestrating His redemptive plan through the seemingly ordinary choices of His devoted servants. At its heart, the story of Ruth and Naomi is a powerful exploration of loyalty forged in the crucible of profound loss.
The Bitter Beginning: Loss in Moab
The narrative opens with a family facing dire circumstances. A severe famine in Bethlehem-judah, the "house of bread" in Judah, forces Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to seek refuge in the land of Moab. This decision, though born of necessity, removed them from the promised land and the covenant community of Israel. For a time, it seemed their situation improved; the sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. However, this period of temporary stability was tragically short-lived.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Naomi was left utterly bereft. In a foreign land, she had lost her husband and both her sons, the very pillars of her support and hope for the future. Her name, meaning "pleasant," no longer described her reality. Overwhelmed by sorrow and destitution, she heard that the Lord had visited His people in Judah with bread, and she determined to return to her homeland.
Ruth's Unwavering Loyalty: "Whither Thou Goest"
As Naomi prepared to journey back to Bethlehem, her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, started with her. Naomi, in a selfless act of love and despair, urged them to return to their mothers' homes in Moab, knowing the hardship and uncertainty that awaited them in Judah as foreign widows. Orpah, after much weeping, eventually yielded to Naomi's counsel, kissing her mother-in-law goodbye and returning to her people and her gods.
But Ruth's response was dramatically different. Her bond with Naomi transcended the conventional ties of marriage and family; it was rooted in a profound, steadfast love and a nascent faith. Naomi's plea to return to her own gods seemed to solidify Ruth's commitment to the God of Israel. Ruth refused to leave Naomi, articulating one of the Bible's most beautiful declarations of loyalty:
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.
This was loyalty in its purest form—not born of convenience or obligation, but of a deep, self-sacrificing devotion. Ruth's commitment was not merely to Naomi, but to Naomi's people and, crucially, to Naomi's God. She chose a future of poverty and uncertainty with her mother-in-law over the potential comfort and familiarity of her own land. This decision was a testament to her character, her love, and her burgeoning faith in the one true God.
Returning to Bethlehem: Bitterness and Hope
So, Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem-judah at the beginning of barley harvest. Their return, however, was met with a mixture of recognition and lament. The women of the town exclaimed, "Is this Naomi?" Her appearance, undoubtedly altered by years of hardship and sorrow, prompted her to declare her profound grief:
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
Naomi, in her raw honesty, felt that God had dealt harshly with her. Yet, amidst her bitterness, a glimmer of hope began to emerge. Ruth, ever practical and loyal, took the initiative to provide for them. She sought permission to glean in the fields, a provision in the Mosaic Law for the poor and the stranger (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19). In a stroke of divine providence, often described as a "hap," Ruth "happened" upon the field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy and respected kinsman of Elimelech.
Boaz: A Kinsman-Redeemer's Kindness
Boaz, upon seeing Ruth, immediately inquired about her. His servants informed him of her identity and her faithful devotion to Naomi. Impressed by her reputation and her selfless act of accompanying her mother-in-law, Boaz extended extraordinary kindness and protection to Ruth. He commanded his reapers to allow her to glean freely, even to purposely leave extra handfuls for her, and ensured her safety among his young men. He offered her water and invited her to eat with his reapers.
When Ruth, overwhelmed by his generosity, asked why he showed such favour to a stranger, Boaz replied:
It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 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 recognized Ruth's loyalty and her faith in the God of Israel. He saw her devotion not just to Naomi, but to the covenant community. His words were a blessing, a prayer that God would reward her faithfulness. When Ruth returned home with an ephah of barley, Naomi immediately recognized the hand of the Lord and the kindness of Boaz. She then revealed Boaz's identity as a near kinsman, one who had the right and responsibility of a kinsman-redeemer.
The Plan of Redemption: Naomi's Wisdom and Ruth's Obedience
Naomi, seeing God's providential hand at work, devised a plan to secure rest and a future for Ruth. She instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz would be winnowing barley, to uncover his feet, and lie down. This was a culturally significant act, a humble yet bold request for Boaz to exercise his right as a kinsman-redeemer (goel). Ruth, demonstrating her continued loyalty and obedience, followed Naomi's instructions precisely.
Boaz, awakened by Ruth, was again struck by her character. He acknowledged her virtue and her seeking a kinsman-redeemer rather than a younger man for personal gain. He committed to fulfilling the duty, though there was a nearer kinsman who had the first right of redemption. Boaz, a man of integrity, promised to resolve the matter legally and honourably.
Redemption Realized: A Legacy of Loyalty
The next morning, Boaz went to the city gate, the place of legal and civic transactions. He confronted the nearer kinsman in the presence of ten elders. He presented the case: Naomi was selling a parcel of land that belonged to her deceased husband, Elimelech. The kinsman was willing to redeem the land. However, Boaz then added the crucial condition: that in redeeming the land, he must also marry Ruth, the Moabite widow, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my 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: ye are witnesses this day.
The nearer kinsman, unwilling to jeopardize his own inheritance, relinquished his right. Boaz then publicly declared his intention to redeem both the land and Ruth. The elders and the people blessed Boaz and Ruth, praying that her house would be like that of Pharez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, bringing forth a significant lineage.
Boaz married Ruth, and the Lord enabled her to conceive. She bore a son, Obed. The women of Bethlehem rejoiced with Naomi, declaring that Ruth, who was "better to thee than seven sons," had given her a redeemer and a restorer of her life. Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, through whom the lineage of Christ would ultimately descend. Thus, the story of loyalty in loss culminates in a profound act of redemption that echoes throughout salvation history.
Lessons in Loyalty and God's Providence
The story of Ruth and Naomi offers timeless lessons:
- The Power of Steadfast Loyalty: Ruth's loyalty to Naomi, born out of love and a growing faith, is a powerful example of chesed, God's steadfast love. It teaches us that true devotion endures through hardship and loss, prioritizing the well-being of others above personal comfort or gain. Her commitment to Naomi and her God ultimately led to her own blessing and a place in the lineage of Christ.
- God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Naomi's journey from bitterness ("Mara") to renewed hope demonstrates that even in the deepest valleys of loss and despair, God is at work. Her initial lament that the Lord had dealt "very bitterly" with her eventually gives way to the realization that He had not abandoned her. God's providence was subtly guiding every step, even the "happening" of Ruth in Boaz's field.
- The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer: Boaz's role as the kinsman-redeemer is a beautiful foreshadowing of Christ. Just as Boaz willingly paid the price and took responsibility for Naomi's family, Jesus Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, paid the ultimate price to redeem us from sin and death, restoring us to God's family.
- The Importance of Kindness and Integrity: Boaz's character—his kindness, generosity, and unwavering integrity—is a model for believers. His actions demonstrate how faithfulness to God's law and compassion for others can lead to profound blessings and fulfill God's purposes.
- God's Use of the Unexpected: A Moabite widow, an outcast, becomes an ancestress of King David and Jesus Christ. This highlights God's inclusive grace and His ability to use those considered least likely to achieve His greatest purposes.
The story of Ruth and Naomi is more than just a tale of two women; it is a tapestry woven with threads of deep sorrow, unwavering commitment, and divine intervention. It assures us that even when life brings profound loss, loyalty and faithfulness to God and to one another can lead to unimaginable redemption and a future far richer than we could ever conceive. It stands as an enduring testament to God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him, even under His wings.