Welcome
back to Best Bile Story, your go-to our channel for captivating stories
and insights from the Bible. Today, we’re diving into one of the most
heartwarming and timeless stories from the Old Testament the story of Ruth.
This story is not just a tale of love, loyalty, and faith, but also one of
redemption and divine providence. The story of Ruth stands as a powerful
example of how God can work through seemingly ordinary lives to bring about
extraordinary blessings. So, sit back, relax, and let’s explore the remarkable
journey of Ruth, a woman who is honored in both Jewish and Christian traditions
as a symbol of unwavering faith and commitment.

The
story of Ruth is set during the time of the Judges, a period of turmoil and
instability in Israel’s history, long before the establishment of the monarchy.
This time was marked by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance,
where the people of Israel frequently strayed from God, only to cry out for
help and be rescued by judges appointed by God.

Against
this backdrop of chaos and uncertainty, the story of Ruth begins with a family
that decides to leave Israel due to a severe famine. This family consists of
Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Seeking
better prospects, they migrate from Bethlehem in Judah to the country of Moab,
a neighboring region often in conflict with Israel.

The Tragedy in Moab

Soon
after settling in Moab, tragedy strikes. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, dies,
leaving her a widow in a foreign land. Her two sons eventually marry Moabite
women—Mahlon marries Ruth, and Chilion marries Orpah. For a while, life
continues, but then disaster strikes again. Both Mahlon and Chilion die,
leaving Naomi bereft of her husband and both of her sons. Naomi is now left
with her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, and no male relatives to
provide or protect them.

This
loss is overwhelming for Naomi, and she decides to return to her homeland of
Judah, where the famine has ended. In her grief and bitterness, Naomi urges her
daughters-in-law to return to their own families in Moab, hoping they might
find new husbands and rebuild their lives.

A Pivotal Decision

This
moment marks a pivotal turning point in the story. Orpah, after much weeping,
decides to follow Naomi’s advice and returns to her family in Moab. But Ruth,
in an extraordinary act of loyalty and love, refuses to leave Naomi’s side.
Ruth’s words to Naomi are some of the most beautiful and powerful expressions
of commitment found in the Bible:

“Do
not 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.
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)

With
this declaration, Ruth pledges not only her loyalty to Naomi but also her faith
in Naomi’s God—the God of Israel. Ruth, a Moabite woman, is willingly leaving
her homeland, her family, and her culture to follow Naomi to a land where she
will be a foreigner. It’s an extraordinary act of faith, as Ruth’s future is
uncertain. She knows no one in Judah, and as a widow and a foreigner, her
chances of survival are slim. Yet, Ruth’s love for Naomi and her trust in God
propel her forward into the unknown.

Return to Bethlehem

Naomi
and Ruth journey together back to Bethlehem, Naomi’s hometown. When they
arrive, the entire town is stirred by their return. Naomi, however, is bitter
and heartbroken. She tells the women of Bethlehem, “Call me Mara, because
the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has
brought me back empty.” (Ruth 1:20-21). Naomi’s grief is palpable, and her
sense of loss is profound.

Despite
Naomi’s bitterness, Ruth remains steadfast. She takes it upon herself to
provide for Naomi, and the two women settle in Bethlehem just as the barley
harvest is beginning. This is significant because, in ancient Israel, gleaning
was a common practice. The poor, widows, and foreigners were allowed to gather
leftover grain in the fields after the harvesters had passed through. This was
how Ruth hoped to provide for herself and Naomi.

Ruth Meets Boaz

As
Ruth begins to glean in the fields, she happens upon the field of a man named
Boaz, who is described as a “man of standing” and a relative of
Naomi’s late husband, Elimelech. Boaz notices Ruth working hard in his field
and inquires about her. Upon learning of her loyalty to Naomi, Boaz is
impressed by Ruth’s character and instructs his workers to leave extra grain
for her to gather. He also ensures her safety in the field, recognizing that as
a foreigner, she might be vulnerable to mistreatment.

Boaz’s
kindness towards Ruth goes beyond the ordinary. He invites her to share a meal
with his workers and offers her water from his jars. When Ruth expresses her
gratitude, Boaz responds with a blessing, saying, “May the LORD repay
you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of
Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12).

Through
Boaz’s actions, we see a glimpse of the broader theme of divine providence at
work. While Ruth’s situation seemed bleak, God was guiding her steps to a place
of provision and protection.

Naomi’s Plan

When
Ruth returns home with an abundance of barley, Naomi is overjoyed and
recognizes that Boaz is a relative of her late husband, making him a potential
“kinsman-redeemer.” In ancient Israel, a kinsman-redeemer was a close
relative who had the responsibility to redeem a family member’s property or
marry a widow to ensure that the family line would continue. Naomi, with
renewed hope, devises a plan for Ruth to approach Boaz and seek his protection
as her redeemer.

Naomi
instructs Ruth to wash, put on her best clothes, and go to the threshing floor
where Boaz is winnowing barley. Ruth is to wait until Boaz has finished eating
and drinking, then lie down at his feet—a symbolic gesture of requesting
protection. Ruth does exactly as Naomi says, and when Boaz awakens in the
middle of the night to find Ruth at his feet, she humbly asks him to
“spread the corner of his garment over her,” a way of asking him to
take her under his protection and fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz
is deeply moved by Ruth’s request and praises her for her kindness and
integrity. He agrees to marry her, but there is one obstacle—there is another
relative who is a closer kinsman-redeemer and has the first right to redeem
Ruth. Boaz, being an honorable man, decides to settle the matter the next day.

The Redemption

The
following day, Boaz goes to the town gate, where legal transactions are
conducted, and meets with the closer relative. After explaining the situation,
the man declines to redeem Ruth, leaving Boaz free to take Ruth as his wife.
Boaz declares his intentions publicly, and the elders and witnesses bless the
union, saying, “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your
home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel.”
(Ruth 4:11).

Boaz
and Ruth marry, and God blesses them with a son, whom they name Obed. The women
of Bethlehem rejoice with Naomi, saying, “Praise be to the LORD, who
this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous
throughout Israel!” (Ruth 4:14). Obed would go on to become the
grandfather of King David, making Ruth not only part of the lineage of Israel’s
greatest king but also part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Themes and Lessons from Ruth’s Story

The
story of Ruth is rich with themes that resonate with readers even today. One of
the most prominent themes is loyalty. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi is
profound, as she chooses to stay by her mother-in-law’s side despite the many
difficulties she faces. Her unwavering commitment to Naomi reflects the
importance of familial bonds and the selfless love that transcends cultural and
ethnic boundaries.

Another
significant theme is faith. Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi to a foreign
land and embrace the God of Israel is a testament to her faith in God’s plan
for her life. Despite being a Moabite, Ruth’s faith was recognized and rewarded
by God, showing that faith is not limited by nationality or background. Her
story illustrates that God’s love and mercy extend to all people, regardless of
their origins.

The
theme of redemption is also central to the story. Boaz, as the
kinsman-redeemer, is a symbolic figure of how God redeems and restores what is
broken. Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth and Naomi’s family line points to the
greater redemption that God offers through Jesus Christ, who is also called our
Redeemer.

Lastly,
the story of Ruth demonstrates the idea of divine providence. What may
have seemed like a series of unfortunate events—famine, death, and
widowhood—was all part of God’s larger plan. Through Ruth’s faithfulness, God
orchestrated a story.