Ruth - The Virtuous Woman

Ruth is a story of suffering and loss - and of God's love and grace.

1:1 …there was a famine in the land… A little family sets forth from Bethlehem to go and seek refuge in an enemy nation. But then Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi as a widow in a foreign land. Her two sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. but then her daughters-in-law are widowed as well. Naomi is left alone. No husband, no sons.

Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab, where they could likely find new husbands and start anew. Orpah takes Naomi's advice, and kisses her goodbye, but Ruth clings to her mother-in-law. Ruth had come to trust in the God of Israel - and she refused to go back. Ruth is loyal to Naomi and her well-being and welfare.

Ruth was selfless. Her character is one of devotion and faith. Despite the hardships they face, Ruth's loyalty and trust in God keep her going. This was a huge step of faith into the unknown - to go to a people who would see her as a foreigner - she faced poverty and no chance of finding a husband.

Together they walk the 70 miles from Moab to Bethlehem, alone. As Ruth and Naomi arrive in Bethlehem, the town buzzes with their return.

The name Naomi speaks of pleasantness, loveliness and delight. Naomi says, Call me Mara, meaning "bitter". Naomi’s life had fallen apart, she is grief stricken and in pain. Tragedy and heartbreak had brought her deep sorrow.

The name of Ruth means ‘friend’. It’s good to have a friend, and to be a friend in a time of trouble.

In chapter 2 we meet Boaz, a man of standing... a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth. He is a man of noble character and generosity.

Barley harvest is about to begin. So Ruth heads out to the fields. Gleaning was a kind of welfare system that helped the poor. Ruth goes to gather leftover grain from the fields after the harvesters.

The best Ruth can hope for is to come home with only about two handfuls of grain – enough grain to make them one small meal for the day. It’s a starvation diet. We see her humble and diligent spirit. She is an amazing worker. Despite her hardship, Ruth does not lose hope, but she actively seeks a way to provide for her and her mother-in-law.

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field… and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz… Boaz was a close relative of Naomi's late husband. This was not coincidence but God's providence. Really, it was a divine appointment. God's unseen hand guides Ruth's steps, leading her to this field. Here is God's providential plan unfolding.

We meet Boaz who is ‘Lord of the Harvest’. Boaz was a man of God. He acknowledged the Lord. He notices Ruth, and he asks about her.

Ruth was meek and humble. She works hard from sunup to sundown. Boaz extends generosity and kindness to Ruth. He provides for her and he protects her.

Ruth bowed herself to the ground before Boaz, showing her gratitude. She asked, "Why have I found grace in your sight?"

Boaz saw how Ruth had chosen to be with God’s people. She’d left the idol worship of Moab and had put her trust in God.

Boaz prays for Ruth: 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.

Upon learning of her loyalty to Naomi, Boaz shows her kindness and protection. Boaz instructs his workers to allow Ruth to glean without hindrance. He even instructs them to intentionally leave behind extra sheaves for her to gather.

Naomi knows that Boaz is a close relative and a potential redeemer. He could be a potential husband for Ruth.
Naomi instructs Ruth to approach him at the threshing floor. Naomi says, wear your best clothes… it showed Ruth’s time of mourning had ended. She was willing to remarry.

Ruth presents herself at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor to ask for his protection as her kinsman-redeemer. She risked being rejected and ridiculed. Yet she was followed Naomi’s counsel in the face of fear.

Ruth said: I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. Ruth proposes marriage.

Boaz recognises Ruth: Thou art a virtuous woman. He praises her as as a woman of strength, of noble character.

Boaz went up to the gate… The city gate was where governance and legal matters took place. Boaz went to the gate of the city to conduct the business of redeeming Ruth.

Ruth was bought with a price. This act of redemption is a powerful reminder of God's redeeming work in our own lives through Jesus Christ.

Boaz married Ruth, and she conceived and bare a son: Obed. It means ‘Servant’. Ruth became an ancestor of David. Naomi became the Great Grandma to King David.

Ruth was a woman of faith. She showed courage, faith, and trust. In Boaz we see his qualities of faith and kindness. The generous, compassionate heart of a godly man.

Most importantly we see in Ruth's story the foreshadowing of a greater redemption to come. The great redeeming love of Christ.