Who was Ruth in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Ruth, a Moabite woman, found herself widowed alongside her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the deaths of their husbands. Determined to stay by Naomi's side, Ruth refused to part ways, pledging her loyalty and faith to Naomi and her God, even though they were from different cultures. Back in Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned from the fields to provide for herself and Naomi, catching the attention of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. Naomi then guided Ruth in seeking Boaz as a potential kinsman redeemer. After securing permission from a closer relative, Boaz married her. Their union resulted in the birth of Obed, who became the ancestor of King David and eventually Jesus. The story of Ruth highlights faithfulness and its rewards. It also demonstrates that God's plan of salvation is for all people.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Ruth was a Moabite woman who lived during the era of Israel's judges and whose life is recorded in the book of Ruth.
• Although the Moabites were enemies of the Israelites, Ruth was married to a Jewish man named Mahlon, who had moved to Moab from Bethlehem with his family during a famine (Ruth 1:1-4). After some time, her father-in-law, brother-in-law, and husband all died, leaving the women of the family to fend for themselves (Ruth 1:5).
• Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, decided she would return to her community in Israel and encouraged her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to remarry in Moab. While Orpah reluctantly agreed, Ruth was adamant about returning to Bethlehem with Naomi. "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. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you" (Ruth 1:16–17).
• As widows, Naomi and Ruth had to take care of themselves. The Israelites had laws given by God to provide for people like Naomi and Ruth. For example, farmers were instructed to leave behind food that fell on the ground for the poor to collect (Leviticus 23:22). While Ruth collected food this way, she caught the attention of a landowner named Boaz. He had heard about her loyalty to her mother-in-law and ensured she could safely gather from his fields (Ruth 2:2-9). When Naomi discovered it was Boaz's field, she told Ruth that he was a relative of her husband's (Ruth 2:19-20).
• Another custom the Israelites had was that of a kinsman redeemer (Genesis 38:8). A kinsman redeemer was a male relative who could act on behalf of a family member in danger or need. For a widow without sons, the deceased husband's brother or closest male relative served as the kinsman redeemer. This man had the right and even the responsibility to purchase the property of the deceased husband and care for the widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). The son from this union would inherit the land, ensuring the family name would continue. Naomi prepared Ruth to approach Boaz as her kinsman redeemer (Ruth 3:1-9).
• One evening, Ruth laid at Boaz's feet as he slept at the threshing floor during the harvest. When he woke up and asked who she was, Ruth replied: "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer" (Ruth 3:9). "Spread your wings", as translated in the ESV, can also mean to cover with the corners of a garment. The setting and the symbol of covering acted as a marriage proposal; Ruth was asking Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer. Boaz approved but knew there was a closer relative whom he needed to ask for permission first. Once the closer relative relinquished his right to marry Ruth, Boaz took Ruth as his wife.
• The women of Israel praised Naomi for the way God blessed her with her daughter-in-law after her husband's and sons' deaths (Ruth 4:14–15).
• Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, through whom came King David (Ruth 4:18–22).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Ruth is mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Ruth gives us great insight into how God works through faith. Throughout the Old Testament God forbid His people from marrying foreigners because of their pagan influence. However, Ruth demonstrates that God's concern was not so much with people's nationality, but rather with their hearts. Those who married foreigners were more likely to follow after their pagan gods. The Bible warns us about being unequally yoked for this very reason (2 Corinthians 6:14). However, when Ruth married Mahlon she converted to Judaism and committed herself to God. She chose to leave behind her society and continued following Him even after her husband’s death. Naomi’s God, Yahweh, was Ruth’s God. As a result, Ruth had the honor of being part of Jesus' lineage even though she was a Gentile. She exemplifies the invitation Jesus gives all of us to leave behind the ways of this world and to find life in Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Ruth was a Moabitess whose husband died.
• Ruth followed her mother-in-law to Bethlehem and remained faithful to her and to God.
• Ruth's faithful actions led her to Boaz's fields, where he acted as her kinsman redeemer who married her. Their sons was an ancestor of King David and Jesus.

REFLECT

• How does Ruth's unwavering loyalty to Naomi challenge your own commitment to family and faith?
• In what ways can Ruth's story inspire you to prioritize faithfulness and devotion to God and to others in your own life?
• Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision that required sacrificing comfort or security for the sake of faithfulness. What did you learn about God and yourself from that experience?

ENGAGE

• How does Ruth's background as a Moabite woman shape the significance of her inclusion in Jesus' genealogy?
• What about the kinsman redeemer was significant, especially in Ruth's story. What cultural and theological implications does it have?
• How does Ruth's story challenge cultural norms and expectations, particularly regarding loyalty, family ties, and faith?