Ruth

Background and Family

Ruth was a native of Moab, a nation often in conflict with Israel, yet she was brought into the sphere of the covenant through marriage. Her first husband was Mahlon, one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, who had come from Bethlehem to Moab due to a severe famine (Ruth 1:4). The biblical record indicates that Ruth lived in Moab for approximately ten years during this first marriage. During this time, she was part of a household that bridged two cultures, though the text suggests the family maintained their identity as Judeans.

After the death of Mahlon, Ruth was left as a childless widow alongside her sister-in-law Orpah and her mother-in-law Naomi. When Naomi determined to return to Bethlehem upon hearing that the famine had ended, she urged both daughters-in-law to return to their mother's houses in Moab to find new husbands. While Orpah eventually agreed and returned to her people, Ruth refused, choosing instead a life of uncertainty in a foreign land (Ruth 1:14).

Major Life Events

The Vow of Loyalty

Upon Naomi's insistence that she return to Moab, Ruth uttered one of the most famous declarations of loyalty in scripture. She pledged not only to follow Naomi geographically but to adopt her social and spiritual identity: "For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). This vow marked her formal break from her Moabite heritage and her entry into the community of Israel.

Gleaning in the Fields

Arriving in Bethlehem at the start of the barley harvest, Ruth took the initiative to provide for herself and Naomi by gleaning—a practice allowed by Israelite law for the poor and foreigners. She happened upon the field of Boaz, a relative of her late father-in-law (Ruth 2:2-3). Boaz, hearing of her reputation and her kindness toward Naomi, provided her with special protection and abundance, ensuring she was safe from harassment and had sufficient grain to take home.

The Kinsman-Redeemer

Following Naomi's instructions, Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor during the night, requesting that he act as a kinsman-redeemer (go'el) by spreading his garment over her—a symbolic request for marriage and protection (Ruth 3:9). Boaz accepted the responsibility but noted there was a closer relative who had the first right of redemption. After the closer relative declined to fulfill the duty due to the financial and genealogical implications, Boaz publicly acquired the right to marry Ruth to "raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance" (Ruth 4:10).

Relationship to Other Biblical Figures

Ruth’s primary relationship is with Naomi, whom she served with unwavering devotion. However, her union with Boaz is the pivot point of her historical significance. Through Boaz, Ruth became the mother of Obed. The genealogy concludes by identifying Obed as the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David (Ruth 4:17, 22). This lineage is reaffirmed in the New Testament, where Ruth is one of the few women specifically named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Spiritual Significance

Ruth represents the inclusion of the Gentiles into the blessings of Israel through faith and loyalty. Despite her origins in Moab, she is portrayed as a model of hesed—a Hebrew term denoting loving-kindness, loyalty, and covenantal faithfulness. Her story illustrates the providence of God working through ordinary lives to accomplish a grander redemptive purpose. By choosing the God of Israel, Ruth transitioned from a widow in a foreign land to a celebrated matriarch whose descendants would include the Messiah.