Introduction to the Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful and moving books of the Bible, positioned after the Book of Judges. Despite its short length of only four chapters, it conveys profound lessons about love, faithfulness, and divine providence. The story takes place during the time of the judges, a period marked by spiritual and social crises in Israel.
Within this context of instability, a narrative emerges that highlights the faith and courage of a foreign woman who chooses to follow the God of Israel and, through that decision, becomes part of the lineage of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus Christ.
The Historical Context
The story begins in Bethlehem, when a family decides to migrate to Moab because of a severe famine. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons seek survival in a foreign land. Tragedy soon strikes the family: Elimelech dies, and later his sons also pass away, leaving their Moabite wives, Orpah and Ruth, as widows. In grief and bitterness, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem.
Orpah chooses to remain in Moab, but Ruth makes a surprising decision: she follows her mother-in-law and embraces the God of Israel as her own. It is at this moment that Ruth declares one of the most well-known statements in Scripture: “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 in Bethlehem: Work and Providence
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth commits herself to providing for Naomi by gleaning leftover grain in the fields, a practice allowed by the law of Moses for the poor and for foreigners. What appears to be coincidence is, in fact, God’s providence, as she ends up working in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech.
Boaz notices Ruth’s humility and dedication and responds with kindness, offering her protection and provision. This encounter opens the door to the restoration of Naomi’s family, since Boaz had the right to act as a kinsman-redeemer, a role established by the law to preserve family inheritance, including marrying a relative’s widow.
Redemption Through Boaz
Naomi instructs Ruth on how to approach Boaz, and he willingly accepts the role of redeemer. However, a legal matter must first be resolved, as there is another relative with a closer claim. When this man declines the responsibility, Boaz is free to marry Ruth.
Their marriage restores Naomi’s family line and brings a foreign woman fully into the history of Israel. From this union is born Obed, the grandfather of King David, connecting Ruth directly to the lineage that would later lead to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Lessons from the Book of Ruth
The story of Ruth is rich in timeless lessons. It highlights loyalty and faithfulness, as Ruth remains devoted to Naomi even in hardship. Reveals divine providence, showing how God works through ordinary details to accomplish His purposes. It emphasizes inclusion, as a foreign woman is welcomed into the people of Israel. Finally, it offers hope amid crisis, demonstrating that God can transform loss into new beginnings.
Conclusion
The Book of Ruth is far more than a love story; it is a narrative of faith, loyalty, and redemption. It shows how the choice of a foreign woman to trust in the God of Israel changed the course of her life and the history of salvation. It invites readers to reflect on how faithfulness to God can open the door to unexpected blessings and how the Lord turns sorrow into hope and new beginnings.
