Name: Ruth
Meaning: Companion, friend
Her Character: From her story, we can conclude that Ruth was loyal, kind, and hardworking. She was also a virtuous woman who acted with integrity.
Her Sorrow: Ruth became a widow when her first husband died.
Her Triumph: Ruth married Naomi’s kinsman, Boaz, and she bore him a son. She is in the lineage of Christ.
Key Scriptures: Book of Ruth
It is impossible to tell the story of Ruth without mentioning Naomi. Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, moved his family from Bethlehem to Moab during a severe famine. Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with her two sons. Her sons married Moabite women. After her sons died, Naomi was left with her two daughter-in-laws. Since the land of Judah was having good crops, Naomi decided to go back home. On the road, Naomi encouraged her two daughter-in-laws to return to their mothers’ home. One returned, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law.
Ruth and Naomi arrived during the barley harvest. To provide for her and Naomi, it was decided that Ruth would gather grain left behind by the harvesters. As it turned out, the field Ruth chose belonged to a kinsman of Naomi, Boaz. Boaz noticed Ruth and spoke kindly to her, and he instructed her to only glean from his field. He then told his workers to leave extra barley on purpose and to watch over her. When Ruth returned home, Naomi learned what happened. Ruth worked in Boaz’s field throughout the harvest.
Eventually, Naomi decided it was time to think about their future. Under Israeli custom and law, the nearest male relative could become the family redeemer. Naomi instructed Ruth on how she (Ruth) could ascertain whether Boaz would become her family redeemer, which would place her under his protection. This led to them getting married after a closer relative waived this right. Ruth conceived and bore a son, who Naomi helped care for. In a time when a male child was revered, the women of the village marveled over Ruth’s love for Naomi. They said that Ruth was better than seven sons.
If I had one word to describe Ruth, I would use the word loyal. Loyalty is such a lost value today, but Ruth was very loyal to Naomi. In a world where mother-in-laws are often the butt of jokes, the story of Ruth shows us how amazing this relationship can be when the two love and respect each other. Even though they came from different cultures, backgrounds, and age groups, they were able to bind together.
I believe this loyalty to Naomi is one of the qualities that made Ruth attractive to Boaz. She proved her love and dedication to family through her decision to leave all she knew to follow Naomi. Ruth’s reputation was also well known to him and their community. She was known as a virtuous woman.
Ruth’s story is very applicable to us today. Ruth had the wisdom and insight to listen to and heed the advice of her mother-in-law, which led to her greatest blessing. She also showed initiative and assertiveness to provide for herself and Naomi. She was not lazy, and she worked hard to glean the food that fed them both. It was these qualities that made her attractive. She had more to offer than just a pretty face. The love story of Ruth and Boaz is truly a joy to share.
It is beautiful to see this wonderful example of family. Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law led her to completely reset her life. Imagine how her life would have been if she had not moved. In her new beginning, she became the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. All of who are in the lineage of Christ.
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