Ruth, a Moabite woman, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for her loyalty, faith, and the pivotal role she plays in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Ruth, which is a narrative that highlights themes of devotion, providence, and redemption.

Background and Context

Ruth was originally from Moab, a nation often at odds with Israel. She became a widow after the death of her husband, Mahlon, who was one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, an Israelite family that had moved to Moab due to famine in Bethlehem. The death of Elimelech and his sons left Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, in a vulnerable position, as widows in ancient times often faced significant social and economic hardships.

Ruth's Loyalty and Faith

Despite her Moabite origins, Ruth's character is marked by her steadfast loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the Lord had provided food for His people, she urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab and seek new husbands. Orpah eventually agreed, but Ruth famously refused to leave Naomi, expressing her commitment in a profound declaration of loyalty and faith:

"Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me" (Ruth 1:16-17).

This declaration not only underscores Ruth's devotion to Naomi but also signifies her conversion and commitment to the God of Israel.

Life in Bethlehem and Redemption

Upon their return to Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi faced the challenges of poverty. Ruth took the initiative to glean in the fields to provide for them, which was a provision in the Law of Moses for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10). It was during this time that Ruth came to the attention of Boaz, a wealthy and influential relative of Elimelech.

Boaz, recognizing Ruth's loyalty and kindness to Naomi, showed her favor and protection. He instructed his workers to allow her to glean among the sheaves and even provided her with food and water. Boaz's actions were in accordance with the law and demonstrated his own righteousness and compassion.

Naomi, seeing the providential hand of God, instructed Ruth to seek Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, a role outlined in the Mosaic Law that allowed a close relative to marry a widow to preserve the family line (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor, and he agreed to fulfill this role, provided a closer relative declined.

Boaz's willingness to redeem Ruth not only secured her and Naomi's future but also integrated Ruth into the covenant community of Israel. Their marriage resulted in the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David, thus placing Ruth in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5).

Significance

Ruth's account is a testament to God's inclusive grace and the breaking down of ethnic barriers, as a Moabite woman becomes an integral part of the Messianic line. Her life exemplifies the virtues of loyalty, faith, and divine providence, serving as an enduring example of how God can use individuals from all backgrounds to fulfill His redemptive purposes.Ruth 1:1
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 3:1
Then Naomi her mother in law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
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Ruth 4:1
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
Nave's Topical Index

Ruth
... Boaz, the rich yeoman; Naomi, the broken-hearted and ruined; Ruth, the fair young
widow"all had the very same temptations as are common to you now, here; but ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you must also marry Ruth
the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, that a son may be born to bear his name ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Naomi is an Instance of a Widow Receiving Back from Her Daughter ...
... Does the widow Naomi seem to you of small account, who supported her widowhood on ...
who has well taught and well instructed her daughter-in-law a Ruth will never ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi naomi is an.htm

Ruth and Naomi.
... died, leaving Naomi a widow with two sons, all dwellers in a strange land. Her sons
married two young women belonging to Moab, whose names were Orpah and Ruth. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ruth and naomi.htm

Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
... Wherefore holy Ruth, not having seed such as at that time was necessary in Israel ...
Therefore than this one twice married, Anna once married a widow was on this ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 10 nor because i.htm

Ruth and Naomi.
... because Naomi means "pleasant" and Mara means "bitter," and the sorrowing widow
felt that ... Ruth wished to do something to help support herself and her mother-in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... Now she was returning to her native town of Bethlehem, a childless, lonely widow. ...
But the other one, whose name was Ruth, clung to Naomi, and would not leave ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

The Son of the Maker is Like unto his Father as Maker!
... She was a widow for Thy sake ... Ruth lay down by a man in the threshingfloor for Thy
sake; her love made her bold for Thy sake, O Thou that teachest all penitents ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii the son of.htm

A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert
... of Moab, and chose the joyless lot of the widowed companion of a widow aged and ... numbers
its virgin martyrs by the score, than this sweet figure of Ruth, as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a gentle heroine a gentile.htm

The Return from the Sepulchre.
... of Suphan, and was a descendant of Orpha, the widow of Chelion, Noemi's son. Orpha
had married again in Moab. By Orpha, the sister-in-law of Ruth, Mara was ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter liii the return from.htm

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