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by Katie Erickson

The Book of Ruth is a short but profound narrative that gives hope during the dark period of the Judges. Though only four chapters long, it presents heartbreak, steadfast loyalty, divine orchestration, and ultimately redemption. The story of Ruth is more than just an account of a Moabite widow who found favor in Israel; it is a deeply theological work that reveals God’s providence in ordinary lives, His inclusion of outsiders into His people, and a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Messiah.

After writing through this entire narrative a few verses at a time, I wanted to provide a big picture summary before moving on to my next blog post series. You can find all of the individual posts in this series here.

The story begins with tragedy. A man named Elimelech from Bethlehem in Judah takes his wife Naomi and two sons to live in Moab to escape a famine. Moab was a region east of the Dead Sea, traditionally seen as hostile toward Israel. While there, Elimelcech dies, leaving Naomi a widow. Her two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Then, both sons also die, and Naomi is left with her daughters-in-law in a foreign land (Ruth 1:3-5).

Faced with loss and hopelessness, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the Lord had provided food there. She urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry. Orpah eventually agrees and returns, but Ruth clings to Naomi in one of the most powerful declarations of loyalty in the Bible: “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth’s commitment is not just to Naomi, but also to Naomi’s God. In this act of faith, Ruth (a Moabite) enters the covenant community of Israel. Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, setting the stage for what comes next.

Chapter two introduces Boaz, a wealthy and respected man from Elimelech’s family. Ruth, needing to provide for herself and Naomi, goes out to glean in the fields. The law in Israel allowed the poor and foreigners to gather leftover grain from the fields (Leviticus 19:9-10), and Ruth takes advantage of this right.

Ruth ends up gleaning in Boaz’s field. The phrase “as it turned out” (Ruth 2:3) hints at the unseen hand of God’s divine providence. Boaz notices Ruth and inquires about her. After learning who she is and how faithfully she has cared for Naomi, Boaz shows her exceptional kindness: he offers her protection, ensures she is provided for, and speaks blessings over her (Ruth 2:12).

Ruth returns to Naomi with an abundance of grain and news of Boaz’s kindness. Naomi immediately recognizes the significance of Boaz’s identity and shares that he is one of their guardian-redeemers. This concept comes from the Levitical law and refers to a male relative who has the duty to redeem a family member in serious difficulty, such as marrying a widow to preserve the family line (Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 25:5-10). This points toward God’s ongoing care for Naomi and Ruth and the unfolding plan of restoration.

With Naomi’s encouragement, Ruth takes a bold step. Naomi instructs her to approach Boaz at the threshing floor, a nighttime setting that allowed for a private but honorable appeal for redemption. Ruth complies, uncovering Boaz’s feet, which was a symbolic gesture of submission and request (Ruth 3:1-6). This was not a seduction, but a culturally appropriate request for Boaz to take her under his protection, essentially proposing marriage according to the custom of the guardian-redeemer. Boaz responds with admiration and respect (Ruth 3:10-11). However, there’s a complication; another man is a closer relative and has the first right to redeem. Boaz promises to settle the matter the next day.

The final chapter moves swiftly toward resolution. Boaz meets the other potential redeemer at the town gate, where legal matters were settled publicly. He presents the situation, starting with a piece of land Naomi is selling and then revealing that marriage to Ruth would also be part of the redemption (Ruth 4:5). The other relative declines, fearing it would jeopardize his own estate, so Boaz formally redeems the land and Ruth before witnesses (Ruth 4:9-10). This public act secures Ruth and Naomi’s future. The town blesses Boaz and Ruth, comparing her to the matriarchs Rachel and Leah. In time, Ruth gives birth to a son, Obed.

In a beautiful reversal, Naomi, once bitter and empty, is now full of joy and redemption. Obed becomes the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth (once a Moabite outsider) in the direct lineage of Israel’s greatest king and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:17).

Ruth’s character stands out for her unwavering loyalty. Despite every reason to return to her own people, she chooses to stay with Naomi and commit to the God of Israel. Her love is not only familial but covenantal. Boaz, too, exemplifies loyalty to God’s law, to family obligations, and to compassion.

Unlike other biblical books, Ruth does not feature grand miracles or direct communication from God. Yet His hand is evident in every event—Ruth “just happens” to glean in Boaz’s field, Boaz happens to be a redeemer, and their union leads to the birth of Obed. God is always working, even through ordinary events and human decisions.

The theme of the guardian-redeemer is central. Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi from their plight, providing security, family, and a future. This redemption mirrors the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who takes upon Himself the responsibility for our brokenness and restores us into God’s family.

Ruth was a Moabite—an outsider and traditional enemy of Israel. Yet she is not only welcomed into the community but honored as the great-grandmother of David. This shows God’s inclusive nature and foreshadows the gospel, where the kingdom of God extends to all nations and peoples.

The Book of Ruth is far more than a love story or a historical account. It’s a theological masterpiece wrapped in a humble narrative, reminding us that in seasons of loss, hardship, or obscurity, God is still working. He was constantly working in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, and He is constantly working in your life, too.

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