BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

The book of Ruth opens with a timestamp: “During the time of the judges …” Yikes. Ruth’s story unfolds during the maelstrom of Israel’s national catastrophe. In the background, violent power mongers are making headlines. Everyone is turning toward self-centeredness. Then we meet Ruth, a poor Moabite widow who returns to Israel with her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Rather than complying with the status quo by doing whatever was right in her own eyes, Ruth embraces the way of Yahweh. She commits to bless Naomi and remain faithful to her, even in death. As a Moabite, she’s one of Israel’s ancient enemies, but her consistent acts of loyal love change everything.

Alone and extremely vulnerable, Ruth works hard to provide for Naomi. Her faithful courage catches the eye of Boaz, an Israelite landowner. He upholds the Torah’s instructions about leaving leftover grain for the poor (Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 24:19) and family marriage (Deut. 25:5-10). Boaz chooses covenant faithfulness and loyalty to Ruth and Naomi, despite the social and economic costs to himself. He is called a go’el, which is Hebrew for “kinsman redeemer.”

Ruth’s willingness to do good and Boaz’s unwavering integrity create a beacon of hope in the midst of Israel’s darkest hour. God is working to restore, even when few seem to care. Ruth’s willingness to partner with Yahweh leads to the birth of her son, Obed, the grandfather of King David.

Watch the video to learn more about how God works through an ordinary family’s extraordinary loyalty to provide a king for Israel and a Savior for the world.

Reflection Questions

• To portray Ruth, the author repeatedly refers to her as a “Moabite,” “Moabitess,” and “woman from Moab.” When did the Moabites last appear in the biblical story, and what happened during that encounter? (Hint: Review Numbers 25.) How might that incident color initial assumptions about Ruth?
• As a widowed foreigner from Moab, Ruth’s ethnic, religious, and socio-economic background made her either unimportant or threatening to most in this story. Ruth acts in a way that dissolves stereotypes and causes a person like Boaz to take positive note. What was Boaz noticing? (Hint: Review Ruth 2:10-12.)