The Book of Ruth
When was the last time you were in love? The Book of Ruth contains the love story of Jesus’ ancestors. The Book of Ruth is a short narrative from the time of the Judges, around 1100 BC. It has four chapters. The book was probably written during the reign of David. According to Jewish tradition, Samuel was its author.
The Book of Judges describes the wars and apostasy of that era, whereas in the Book of Ruth we encounter peace and faith. The book tells of the lives of ordinary people, their sorrows and joys.
The events unfold as follows. There was a famine in Israel, and Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons moved from Bethlehem to the neighboring land of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. There Elimelech died, and the sons took Moabite wives, Ruth and Orpah. A few years later the sons also died. Then Naomi heard that Israel had received a good grain harvest, and she decided to return to Bethlehem. She set out with her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah, but Orpah turned back halfway. The women arrived at the beginning of the barley harvest, around Passover time.
The journey of Ruth and Naomi to Bethlehem was not easy, but there their lives changed. The same pattern was later repeated with another pair, Mary and Joseph.
Ruth considered it important to stay with her mother-in-law, even though Naomi urged her and Orpah to return to their mothers. Although Ruth and Orpah outwardly shared the same situation, Orpah chose the easier-looking path and turned back, missing the happiness that awaited in Bethlehem. In the same way, our own choices also have consequences. We may miss blessings when we do not go to church or read the Bible.
Ruth married the kinsman-redeemer Boaz after Pentecost, when the wheat harvest had ended. From the genealogy in the last chapter of the book, we see that Ruth and Boaz were ancestors of David and thus also ancestors of Jesus.
The Moabites were descendants of Lot. The Israelites did not regard the Moabites very favorably. The Law of Moses forbade Moabites and their descendants from membership in the congregation (Deut. 23:4). Nehemiah 13:23-25 tells us that after the exile, marriage to a Moabite was no longer tolerated.
It is important that the genealogies reveal that some of Jesus’ ancestors belonged to other nations, because this makes it easier for non-Jews to identify with Jesus and approach him. The genealogies also confirm the historicity of the events.
Themes in the Book of Ruth include guidance, humility, returning to the beginning, faithfulness, love, and joy.
In the Book of Ruth, guidance takes place through ordinary life — it is not accompanied by signs, visions, or prophecies.
Ruth had experienced Naomi’s love and had seen how Naomi trusted in God even amid loss and accepted her suffering from God’s hand. Naomi had peace and hope that Ruth’s former god Chemosh could not provide.
On the journey to Bethlehem, Ruth gave a sevenfold declaration of her desire to follow Naomi (1:16-17):
Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people and your God 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 anything but death separates you and me!
Ruth’s words bring to mind Peter’s response to Jesus’ question, “Will you also go away?” in John 6:68. Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
The word redeemer in its various forms appears 20 times in the Book of Ruth. The kinsman-redeemer had three duties:
- He had to buy back the land of an impoverished relative.
- He had to redeem a relative who had become a slave.
- When a man died without sons, the kinsman-redeemer had to take the widow as his wife. The firstborn son from such a marriage was counted as the child of the woman’s former husband.
At the center of the Book of Ruth is the love story of Ruth and Boaz. In Bethlehem, Ruth went out to gather leftover grain in the fields. This was a form of aid for the poor in those days; the poor had the right to collect the ears of grain left on the ground. By chance, Ruth came to the field of the wealthy and influential Boaz. Boaz noticed Ruth and found out who she was. He heard about Ruth’s diligence and what she had done for her mother-in-law. Boaz praised Ruth’s faithfulness and showed her kindness in many ways.
In verse 3:10, Boaz notes that Ruth had not run after young men. From this we may conclude that Boaz was probably considerably older than Ruth.
Ruth’s appeal may have been increased by the fact that, according to Jewish tradition, she was the daughter of the king of Moab. This tradition is supported by the fact that David later brought his parents to the king of Moab for protection (1 Sam. 22:3).
From the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1, we learn that Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho. Because of this, it was easier for Boaz to accept a Moabite woman as a possible spouse than it would have been for the son of a Jewish mother.
The kindness shown by Boaz made a deep impression on Ruth (2:10,13). In the same way, God draws us to himself through his goodness.
Throughout the barley and wheat harvests, Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field. Naomi encouraged Ruth to ask Boaz for redemption as a kinsman-redeemer. The request was made in a dramatic way in the middle of the night at the threshing floor, where Boaz was guarding his pile of grain. We do not know the exact customs of that time, but according to Naomi’s plan, the nighttime meeting was to take place without outsiders knowing. The Law of Moses allowed a widow to shame a kinsman-redeemer who refused to marry (Deut. 25:9). Naomi and Ruth thus gave Boaz the opportunity to refuse without disgrace.
The situation was complicated by the fact that Boaz was not the nearest kinsman-redeemer, but Boaz promised to handle the matter. At first, the other redeemer intended to act, but later refused.
Boaz redeemed Elimelech’s field and married Ruth. In Boaz’s actions, one can sense joy and love. The foundation of Boaz and Ruth’s marriage was Boaz’s love. In the same way, the love of Jesus is the basis of the relationship between him and us. Jesus also rejoices over everyone whom he redeems.
There are several passages in the Book of Ruth where Boaz acts as a foreshadowing of Jesus:
Boaz said to Ruth, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the sour wine.” (2:14)
Jewish teachers have seen in this a reference to the Messiah’s meal. For us, it is an invitation to communion. The sour wine points to Jesus’ suffering. You may remember how Jesus was offered sour wine on the cross.
Boaz gave her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. (2:14)
Jesus fed the 5000, and everyone was satisfied, with many basketfuls left over.
If you are thirsty, go to the jars and drink from what the servants have drawn. (2:9)
Jesus says in John 7:37: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!”
I am Ruth, your servant. Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family. (3:9)
We do not know the exact customs of that time, but clearly this is a marriage proposal made by a woman. Apparently the kinsman-redeemer could not act unless he was asked. In the same way, we may ask Jesus to take us under his protection, that is, to redeem us. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer.
One of the references to Jesus comes through Boaz’s son Obed.
May he renew your life and sustain you in your old age. (4:15)
This fits, for example, with Jesus’ words: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:20. And Isaiah 40:31 promises: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
In summary of the above — the Book of Ruth can be viewed from three perspectives:
- From a historical perspective, it tells the love story of David’s ancestors.
- From the perspective of world missions, it describes the non-Jewish roots of Jesus and gives an example of the conversion of a foreign believer.
- From an allegorical perspective, it portrays redemption and the love of Jesus for you and the church.